Entrepreneurship and Small Business

ESB is the first certification product in the new Certiport Business Fundamentals Certification Program. The ESB exam is intended for use primarily in academic settings including secondary schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and technical colleges.

Candidates for ESB certification will be expected to have key conceptual knowledge of entrepreneurial and small business principles, although it is not required for students to have had real-world experience as a small business manager in order to take and pass the exam. Successful completion of this certification will validate skills and knowledge for those students interested in working in a middle-skill trade profession as their own boss and those with entrepreneurship and small business career aspirations.

Why should students study and seek certification in ESB?

Whether it is a beauty salon in a large metropolitan city, a taco shop in a booming resort location, or a car repair garage in the suburbs, an incredible number of small businesses can be found almost everywhere. In fact, in a recent report from Business.com, "every minute a new business is started in the U.S. and according to some, more than 50% of all workers will be self-employed by 2020 ." (The State of Small Business in America , 2015, Business.com, emphasis added.)

ESB certification engages and prepares students who will pursue additional postsecondary training or those who elect to enter the small business sector immediately upon high school graduation. The entrepreneurial concepts validated by this certification ensure that these students are college and career ready.

The full pathway solution to ESB certification

Through Certiport’s full pathway solution you can prepare your students for the ESB certification with tailored learning materials, practice tests, and a performance-based certification exam officially endorsed by The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Adding these materials into your curriculum is easy and seamless.

ESB Program Overview

ESB learning materials

The pathway to certification success

Preparing your students for certification is a big responsibility, so let Certiport make your job easier and more effective with specially-selected course materials and practice tests.*

Watch this brief video to see how Learning Products can work for you.

Entrepreneurship: Owning Your Future, High School Version, 12th Edition

By Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
Published by Pearson
Copyright © 2016
Published Date: Jan 21, 2016

Product Detail: Teaches basic entrepreneurship concepts such as ideation, opportunity recognition, market research and analysis, business plan development, financial planning, and business management. Addresses the importance of thinking and acting with an entrepreneurial mindset in relation to business or any career. Aligns all chapters to business plan canvas creation or business plan development.

Description: Demystifies the process of starting a business by presenting difficult economic, financial and business concepts in a manner easily understood by beginners. Content is structured to take students through the entrepreneurial process – from the ideation stages and business opportunity validation through implementation and growth. Presenting various approaches to business planning, including using a business canvas in conjunction with business plans, it can be used as a professional resource for anyone looking to start their own business. Addresses the demands of career readiness standards through activities that teach career competencies and case studies that model what it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset.

To purchase this textbook in printed or electronic format, please contact Certiport Sales for discounted pricing options.

It is recommended to get at least 150 hours of instruction to prepare yourself to pass the ESB exam.

Practice tests materials

GMetrix practice tests

Performance based assessment and test preparation tools to help individuals achieve IT certification credentials. Many of your students will be anxious to assess their knowledge of applications prior to taking the certification exams. Additionally, we recognize the need for educators to properly assess an individual’s knowledge. To this end, Certiport has partnered with GMetrix to deliver industry-leading practice tests. These tests, with included reporting and insight features, ensure your students are adequately prepared to their certification exam.

Why GMetrix practice tests?

Accurately replicate a "live application" testing environment
Enhance learning through self-paced practice questions
Build familiarity with the testing environment
Increase confidence towards certification exams
Better prepare students to pass certification exams

GMetrix practice tests are customizable

GMetrix practice tests are customizable, allowing you to create a highly-effective environment conducive to student-centered learning. GMetrix practice tests offer two different modes:

Testing mode:

- Students experience what the certification exams will be like
- Timed practice tests present scenarios to perform just like the actual certification exam

Training mode:

- Students work at their own pace as they receive feedback and step-by-step instructions for each question

To purchase ESB GMetrix Practice Tests, please contact Certiport Sales for discounted pricing options.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification

The ESB certification is built to test and validate foundation-level concepts and knowledge in entrepreneurship and small business management. These core concepts include entrepreneurship; recognizing and evaluating opportunities; planning for, starting, and operating a business; marketing and sales; and financial management.

Objective domains

The entrepreneur

Identify the characteristics of entrepreneurs
Given a scenario including a selfassessment outcome, identify the strengths, weaknesses, and risk tolerance the selfassessment identifies and how to compensate with services
Given a scenario, recognize a business opportunity
Identify the risks, benefits, opportunities, and drawbacks of being an entrepreneur

Opportunity recognition

Identify the benefits and drawbacks of different types of opportunities (e.g., start a new business, buy an existing business, and buy a franchise)
Given a scenario, analyze the demand for the goods or service and opportunities in an environment
Given a scenario, identify the customers or potential customers for a business
Given a scenario, recognize a value proposition

Starting a business

Identify the purposes and value of a business plan
Identify the appropriate legal structure, benefits and drawbacks for different legal structures for a business
Given a scenario, identify different types of licenses and regulations that are required
Identify the benefits and drawbacks of various sources of start-up funding: Equity (friends/family, angels, venture), Debt (bank, credit cards, personal loans), and Grants (government, foundation, corporate)
Given a scenario, identify support that is available for the business on a local, state, and federal level
Identify the ethical practices and social responsibilities of a business
Identify potential exit strategies for a business

Business operations

Given a scenario, identify key positions and human capital needs(including compensation and benefits)
Given a scenario, determine whether work can be completed by the owner or whether employees or service providers are needed
Given a scenario, identify the taxes that are required
Given a scenario, identify intellectual property issues of trademarks, copyrights, and patents
Given a scenario, identify standard operating procedures (e.g., setup, conduct, internal controls, separation of duties)
Given a scenario, identify the factors that lead to sustainability
Given a scenario, identify milestones as part of a growth strategy

Marketing and sales

Given a scenario, develop a sales strategy and identify characteristics of a successful sale
Given a scenario, identify and analyze the costs/benefits of finding customers/li>
Given a scenario, identify how to retain customers and develop a relationship with repeat customers/li>
Given a scenario, determine value and methods of communication including: web sites, brochures, social media, and advertising

Financial management

Given a scenario, interpret basic financial statements such as income statements and balance sheets
Given a scenario, identify the factors that influence credit ratings and the importance of a positive credit rating
Given a list of expenses, identify which are fixed versus variable
Given a scenario, identify the factors that impact the price to the customer
Given a scenario, identify and analyze cash flow including: accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, and debt
Given a scenario, create a cash flow budget
Given a scenario, identify the break-even point for the business

Download exam objectives

Exam details

Digital badges

Digital badges are web-enabled versions of a credential, certification or learning outcome. Representing your credential as a badge gives you the ability to share your skills online in a way that is simple, trusted and can be easily verified in real time.

Your ESB certification validates foundational-level understanding of core concepts related to starting or running a small business. Your digital badge makes it easy for you to promote these abilities to potential customers, investors, or even future employers on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, as well as email and online portfolios. Individuals can click on your badge to verify and learn more about the details of your Entrepreneurship and Small Business knowledge and certification.

Flash your badge

Acclaim is the digital badging platform used by Certiport. It helps students move forward professionally by quickly establishing credibility for opportunities in higher education and the job market. Each badge contains verifiable data that tells employers and admission committees what you did, who says you did it, and why it matters. What does this mean for you? Watch the video to find out.

More information

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