Body of knowledge

The Industry Knowledge Exam (IKE) and Professional Skills Exam (PSE) are based on reference sources known as the Body of Knowledge (BOK). FCSI-TA publishes a comprehensive list of these sources in the Candidate Information Manual provided to a Senior Associate when entering into the Professional Membership Process (PMP).  This section outlines the Body of Knowledge to help members prepare for the two exams members need to pass in order to attain Professional membership.  Please note the PSE requirement has been suspended until 2022.  

FCSI-TA publishes or provides several of the BOK sources on this website for the convenience of its members. The tables below give the complete information about these sources and a link to each as a PDF document as available.

For Industry Knowledge Exam (IKE) and Professional Skills Exam (PSE)*

Available Online

Title Author  Edition  Exam  Publisher
List of Agencies, Codes and Associations CPSTA 2014 IKE FCSI-TA
Terms Selected from FCSI-TA Glossary CPSTA 2014 IKE FCSI-TA
Executive Summary (2014) *- PSE Track #1 CPSTA 2014 PSE FCSI-TA
Summary Report (2014) * – PSE Track #2 CPSTA 2014 PSE FCSI-TA
High Tech Foodservice; an overview of Technological Advancements Pantelidis 2009 IKE Pantelidis, University of Brighton
Hospitality 2015 – Deloitte Deloitte 2010 IKE Deloitte Reports
Presentations for a Positive Impact Sergay 1st, 2009 PSE FCSI-TA
Candidate Information Manual – Industry Knowledge Exam FCSI-TA  2017  IKE  FCSI-TA
Candidate Information Manual – Professional Skills Exam* FCSI-TA 2017  PSE  FCSI-TA
*PSE requirement has been suspended until 2022

Available Elsewhere

Title Author  Edition Exam Publisher 
Management of Food and Beverage Operations Ninemeier 5th, 2010 IKE Education Institute of AH&LA
Design and Equipment for Restaurants & Foodservice Katsigris, Norman & Thomas 4th, 2013 IKE Wiley & Sons
Understanding Hospitality Law Jefferies & Banks 5th, 2010 IKE Education Institute of AH&LA
Presentations for a Positive Impact Sergay 1st, 2009 PSE FCSI-TA

Sample IKE questions

These questions represent the level of knowledge expected for successful completion of the IKE. Note: the BOK source for the question’s answer is shown below the question.

1.In order to bring an action under common law against a party for breach of an implied warranty, there must be

  1. Privity of contract
  2. A uniform commercial code
  3. A written indemnity clause
  4. Adequate coverage

Source: Understanding Hospitality Law, 5th edition, page 267

The conditions that must be present for germs to multiply are

  1. Moisture
  2. Comfortable temperature
  3. Proper acidity
  4. All of the above

Source: The Management of Food and Beverage Operations, 5th edition, page 288

Questions

For questions about the Professional Membership Process, contact Penny Price, Director of Member Services, at penny@fcsi.org, or Amy Stark, Director of Administration at amy@fcsi.org.