10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The CDSM exam has 120 questions and runs 4 hours.
These 10 free CDSM questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Demand-Side Manager blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
A utility analyst is explaining demand-side management (DSM) to a new program team. Which statement best distinguishes DSM from a general energy-efficiency initiative?
Correct answer: A - DSM includes strategies that influence customer energy use, including efficiency and load management approaches
A program manager compares two customer impacts. Customer A reduced total kilowatt-hours used over a month, while Customer B reduced peak demand during a utility system constraint. Which pairing is correct?
Correct answer: B - Customer A demonstrates energy savings and Customer B demonstrates demand reduction
A utility introduces a program that pays commercial customers to temporarily reduce consumption when wholesale prices are high. Which demand response category is being used?
Correct answer: A - Economic/incentive demand response
A DSM planner is comparing projects using present value analysis. Which factor causes future savings to be worth less than the same savings received today?
Correct answer: B - Applying a discount rate to future cash flows
A utility evaluates a rebate program and includes customer costs, utility costs, and energy-system benefits but excludes transfers between parties. Which cost-effectiveness perspective is this most consistent with?
Correct answer: C - Total Resource Cost Test
A program evaluation team finds that its savings estimate depends heavily on assumptions about customer behavior and baseline conditions. What should the team do before relying on the result?
Correct answer: A - Validate the assumptions and review data quality limitations
During DSM program design, a planner discovers that customers may receive incentives even though they would have installed the efficient equipment without the program. This issue is known as:
Correct answer: B - A free rider effect
A utility is creating a new incentive program. Which design activity should occur before setting final rebate levels?
Correct answer: B - Determine eligible measures, baseline conditions, and program objectives
A demand response aggregator enrolls many customers and coordinates their load reductions for utility needs. The aggregator is primarily acting as:
Correct answer: A - A demand-side service provider coordinating customer resources
A utility prepares a DSM filing for a regulatory commission. Which responsibility most appropriately belongs to the commission rather than the utility?
Correct answer: B - Approving or reviewing regulatory filings under its authority
The CDSM exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:
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