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Free CEM Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Energy Manager (CEM) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CEM practice test to study every exam domain.

These 10 free CEM questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Energy Manager blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Energy and Sustainability Policies, Codes and Standards

Question 1

Which ISO standard provides a framework for energy management systems to improve performance?

  1. ISO 50001
  2. ISO 9001
  3. ISO 14001
  4. ISO 27001
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - ISO 50001

Domain 2: Energy Rates, Tariffs and Supply Options

Question 2

In energy tariffs, a ratchet clause typically sets the minimum demand charge based on what?

  1. Historical peak demand over a period
  2. Current month's average usage
  3. Fixed flat rate for all customers
  4. Penalty for using renewable sources
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Historical peak demand over a period

Domain 3: Energy Audits and Instrumentation

Question 3

What does an ASHRAE Level 1 energy audit primarily involve?

  1. Preliminary walk-through to identify low-cost opportunities
  2. Detailed energy modeling and simulations
  3. Investment-grade analysis for capital projects
  4. Retro-commissioning of systems
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Preliminary walk-through to identify low-cost opportunities

Domain 4: Energy Accounting and Economics

Question 4

For a project with -$5,000 initial cost and +$2,000 annual savings for 5 years at 10% discount rate, what is the NPV? (PV factor ~3.7908)

  1. $2,582
  2. $5,000
  3. $1,000
  4. $3,791
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - $2,582

Domain 5: Electrical Power Systems and Motors

Question 5

According to affinity laws for fans and pumps, power consumption varies with what relationship to speed?

  1. Cube of the speed ratio
  2. Square of the speed ratio
  3. Directly proportional to speed
  4. Inversely proportional to speed
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Cube of the speed ratio

Question 6

To correct power factor from 70% to 90% for a 1,000 kW load, how much reactive power (kVAR) is needed? (Use tan θ calculation)

  1. 536 kVAR
  2. 266 kVAR
  3. 618 kVAR
  4. 1,000 kVAR
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 536 kVAR

Domain 7: HVAC Systems and Building Envelope

Question 7

What energy source do absorption chillers primarily use?

  1. Heat to drive the cooling process
  2. Electricity for mechanical compression
  3. Steam for direct expansion
  4. Fossil fuels for combustion
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Heat to drive the cooling process

Domain 11: Distributed Generation & Renewable Energy Systems

Question 8

Why is cogeneration efficiency higher than separate generation?

  1. It utilizes waste heat for thermal needs
  2. It uses only renewables
  3. It reduces transmission losses only
  4. It increases fuel consumption
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - It utilizes waste heat for thermal needs

Domain 12: Industrial Systems

Question 9

Why are leaks a major energy waste in compressed air systems?

  1. They cause continuous compressor operation and power loss
  2. They improve system pressure
  3. They reduce moisture
  4. They filter air
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - They cause continuous compressor operation and power loss

Domain 14: Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Measurement & Verification

Question 10

What is IPMVP Option A focused on in M&V?

  1. Retrofit isolation with key parameter measurement
  2. Whole facility billing analysis
  3. Calibrated simulation
  4. All parameter metering
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Retrofit isolation with key parameter measurement

The rest of the CEM blueprint

The CEM exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:

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