Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Question on Joint Product,By Product, Allocation of Joint Cost

 


Below are exam-oriented MCQ questions on Joint Products, By-Products, and Joint Cost Allocation Methods (Physical/Weight, NRV, Sales Value at Split-off, Constant Gross Margin method), aligned with US CMA Part 1 & Part 2 difficulty and wording.

 

A. Conceptual MCQs (Joint vs By-Products)

Q1. Joint products are best described as:

A. Products produced sequentially

B. Products with insignificant sales value

C. Two or more products generated simultaneously from a common process with significant value

D. Products requiring further processing only

✅ Answer: 

 

Q2. The point at which joint products become separately identifiable is called:

A. Contribution point

B. Process completion point

C. Split-off point

D. Break-even point

✅ Answer: 

 

Q3. Costs incurred prior to the split-off point are known as:

A. Avoidable costs

B. Conversion costs

C. Joint costs

D. Sunk costs

✅ Answer: 

 

Q4. By-products differ from joint products because by-products:

A. Are produced after joint products

B. Have insignificant sales value

C. Require further processing always

D. Are produced in different departments

✅ Answer: 

 

Q5. Under US GAAP, joint costs are allocated mainly for:

A. Decision making

B. Performance evaluation

C. Inventory valuation and financial reporting

D. Pricing decisions

✅ Answer: 

 

B. Joint Cost Allocation – Physical (Weight / Volume) Method

Q6. The physical measure method allocates joint costs based on:

A. Sales value

B. Net realizable value

C. Physical output measures

D. Gross margin

✅ Answer: 

 

Q7. Which measure is commonly used under the physical method?

A. Kilograms

B. Liters

C. Units

D. All of the above

✅ Answer: 

 

Q8. Physical method is most appropriate when:

A. Products have similar selling prices

B. Market values fluctuate significantly

C. Physical quantities are homogeneous

D. Products require different processing levels

✅ Answer: 

 

Q9. A disadvantage of the physical method is that it:

A. Ignores selling prices

B. Is complex

C. Overstates profits

D. Violates GAAP

✅ Answer: 

 

Q10. If joint cost = $100,000 and output weights are 1,000 kg and 3,000 kg, allocation to Product A (1,000 kg) is:

A. $25,000

B. $33,333

C. $75,000

D. $50,000

✅ Answer: 

 

C. Sales Value at Split-Off Method

Q11. Joint costs are allocated based on:

A. Physical quantities

B. Final selling price

C. Sales value at split-off

D. Variable cost

✅ Answer: 

 

Q12. This method assumes that:

A. Further processing increases value equally

B. Market prices reflect benefits received

C. Physical units drive cost incurrence

D. Products have equal margins

✅ Answer: 

 

Q13. Which is a major advantage of the sales value method?

A. Simplicity

B. Objectivity

C. Market-based allocation

D. No need for selling prices

✅ Answer: 

 

Q14. Sales value method cannot be used if:

A. Joint costs are high

B. Output quantities differ

C. No sales value exists at split-off

D. Products have by-products

✅ Answer: 

 

Q15. If total sales value at split-off is $200,000 and Product A sales value is $50,000, its joint cost share (%) is:

A. 20%

B. 25%

C. 40%

D. 50%

✅ Answer: 

 

D. Net Realizable Value (NRV) Method

Q16. NRV is calculated as:

A. Sales price – joint cost

B. Sales price – selling & further processing costs

C. Sales price – variable cost

D. Contribution margin

✅ Answer: 

 

Q17. NRV method is most suitable when:

A. Products are sold at split-off

B. No further processing is required

C. Products require significant further processing

D. Physical quantities are equal

✅ Answer: 

 

Q18. Compared to sales value method, NRV method:

A. Ignores further processing costs

B. Adjusts for post split-off costs

C. Uses physical measures

D. Is not GAAP compliant

✅ Answer: 

 

Q19. Which cost is excluded from NRV calculation?

A. Selling costs

B. Further processing costs

C. Joint costs

D. Variable costs

✅ Answer: 

 

Q20. If final sales value is $120,000 and further processing costs are $30,000, NRV equals:

A. $150,000

B. $120,000

C. $90,000

D. $30,000

✅ Answer: 

 

E. Constant Gross Profit Margin Method

Q21. This method allocates joint costs so that:

A. All products have equal selling prices

B. All products earn the same gross margin percentage

C. Physical quantities match

D. NRV equals sales value

✅ Answer: 

 

Q22. Which of the following is required for this method?

A. Split-off selling prices

B. Further processing costs

C. Total sales value

D. All of the above

✅ Answer: 

 

Q23. Compared to other methods, this method is:

A. Simplest

B. Least theoretical

C. Most complex

D. Not acceptable under CMA syllabus

✅ Answer: 

 

Q24. Which cost is derived as a balancing figure under this method?

A. Selling cost

B. Gross profit

C. Joint cost allocation

D. Further processing cost

✅ Answer: 

 

Q25. A key criticism of this method is that it:

A. Ignores selling prices

B. Forces artificial profit uniformity

C. Is difficult to compute NRV

D. Violates matching principle

✅ Answer: 

 

F. By-Products Accounting

Q26. Revenue from by-products may be recognized:

A. At time of production

B. At time of sale

C. As reduction of joint cost

D. Both B and C

✅ Answer: 

 

Q27. Under the other income approach, by-product revenue is reported as:

A. Sales revenue

B. Cost of goods sold

C. Miscellaneous income

D. Deferred revenue

✅ Answer: 

 

Q28. By-product inventory is usually valued at:

A. Full cost

B. NRV

C. Market value

D. Zero

✅ Answer: 

 

Q29. Accounting for by-products primarily affects:

A. Joint cost allocation

B. Gross profit

C. Inventory valuation

D. Net income only

✅ Answer: 

 

Q30. Under US CMA exams, joint cost allocation is NOT relevant for:

A. Inventory valuation

B. External reporting

C. Pricing decisions

D. Cost allocation exercises

✅ Answer: 

 

G. Decision-Making MCQs (CMA Favorite)

Q31. Joint costs are irrelevant for decisions to:

A. Allocate inventory

B. Determine selling price

C. Process further or sell at split-off

D. Financial reporting

✅ Answer: 

 

Q32. Decision to process further should be based on:

A. Joint cost

B. Allocated cost

C. Incremental revenue vs incremental cost

D. Gross profit percentage

✅ Answer: 

 

Q33. If incremental revenue exceeds further processing cost, management should:

A. Sell at split-off

B. Process further

C. Allocate more joint cost

D. Discontinue product

✅ Answer: 

 

Q34. Which cost is always sunk in joint product decisions?

A. Selling cost

B. Joint cost

C. Further processing cost

D. Variable cost

✅ Answer: 

 

Q35. Which method results in the highest cost allocation to the product with highest sales value?

A. Physical method

B. NRV method

C. Sales value method

D. Weight method

✅ Answer: 

 

✅ CMA Exam Tips

Joint costs = sunk costs → irrelevant for decisions

Allocation methods are only for inventory & reporting

NRV & Sales Value methods are CMA favorites

Constant gross margin often tested as theoretical & complex

 

www.gmsisuccess.in


NUMERICAL, CASE-BASED MCQs on Joint Products, By-Products & Joint Cost Allocation

 

NUMERICAL CASE-BASED MCQs – US CMA

 

Case 1: Physical (Weight) Method

Joint cost incurred: $120,000

Output at split-off:

Product Units (kg)

A 2,000

B 3,000

C 5,000

 

Q1. Joint cost allocated to Product A using weight method is:

A. $20,000

B. $24,000

C. $30,000

D. $40,000

✅ Answer: 

Explanation:

 

Q2. Which product receives the highest joint cost allocation?

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. Equal allocation

✅ Answer: 

 

Case 2: Sales Value at Split-Off Method

Joint cost: $180,000

Product Units Selling Price at Split-off

X 10,000 $4

Y 6,000 $5

Z 4,000 $6

 

Q3. Total sales value at split-off equals:

A. $76,000

B. $94,000

C. $100,000

D. $124,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Q4. Joint cost allocated to Product Z is:

A. $30,000

B. $45,957

C. $51,064

D. $60,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Case 3: Net Realizable Value (NRV) Method

Joint cost: $150,000

Product Final Sales Further Processing Cost

P $120,000 $20,000

Q $100,000 $10,000

R $80,000 $5,000

 

Q5. NRV of Product P equals:

A. $120,000

B. $100,000

C. $90,000

D. $70,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Q6. Total NRV of all products equals:

A. $265,000

B. $275,000

C. $285,000

D. $300,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Q7. Joint cost allocated to Product Q is closest to:

A. $45,000

B. $50,943

C. $54,000

D. $60,000

✅ Answer

 

Case 4: Constant Gross Profit Margin Method

Joint cost: $200,000

Product Final Sales Further Processing Cost

A $300,000 $40,000

B $200,000 $20,000

 

Q8. Total gross profit equals:

A. $100,000

B. $140,000

C. $160,000

D. $180,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Q9. Gross profit percentage under constant margin method equals:

A. 36%

B. 40%

C. 48%

D. 52%

✅ Answer: 

 

Q10. Total cost assigned to Product A equals:

A. $144,000

B. $156,000

C. $196,000

D. $200,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Case 5: Process Further Decision (CMA Favorite)

Product Sales at Split-off Sales after Processing Further Cost

J $80,000 $120,000 $30,000

 

Q11. Incremental revenue equals:

A. $30,000

B. $40,000

C. $50,000

D. $80,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Q12. Incremental profit (loss) equals:

A. $10,000 loss

B. $10,000 gain

C. $40,000 gain

D. $30,000 loss

✅ Answer: 

 

Q13. Decision should be to:

A. Sell at split-off

B. Process further

C. Allocate joint cost

D. Discontinue product

✅ Answer: 

 

Case 6: By-Product Accounting

By-product sales value = $12,000

Selling expenses = $2,000

 

Q14. Net by-product value equals:

A. $12,000

B. $10,000

C. $8,000

D. $14,000

✅ Answer: 

 

Q15. If treated as reduction of joint cost, total joint cost will:

A. Increase by $10,000

B. Decrease by $10,000

C. Remain unchanged

D. Decrease by $12,000

✅ Answer: 

 

🎯 CMA Exam Strategy

Ignore joint costs in process-further decisions

NRV & Constant Margin = high-risk, high-reward areas

Watch for option traps (missing correct values)

 

www.gmsisuccess.in

Below are CLEAR, EXAM-ORIENTED ILLUSTRATIONS on Joint Products, By-Products & Joint Cost Allocation, exactly the way they are tested in US CMA Part 1 & Part 2 

 Illustration with answer ..first solve then check yourself..

🔷 ILLUSTRATION 1: Joint Cost Allocation – Physical (Weight) Method

Problem

A company processes raw material into three joint products A, B and C.

Total joint cost incurred = $150,000

Product Output (kg)

A 3,000

B 2,000

C 5,000

Required

Allocate joint cost using weight method.

 

Solution

Step 1: Total output = 3,000 + 2,000 + 5,000 = 10,000 kg

Step 2: Cost per kg = 150,000 ÷ 10,000 = $15 per kg

Step 3: Allocation

Product Kg Allocation

A 3,000 45,000

B 2,000 30,000

C 5,000 75,000

✅ Answer:

A = $45,000

B = $30,000

C = $75,000

📌 CMA Tip: Physical method ignores selling price → purely quantitative.

 

🔷 ILLUSTRATION 2: Sales Value at Split-Off Method

Problem

Joint cost = $180,000

Product Units Selling Price at Split-off

X 8,000 $5

Y 6,000 $6

Z 4,000 $10

 

Solution

Step 1: Sales value at split-off

Product Calculation Sales Value

X 8,000 × 5 40,000

Y 6,000 × 6 36,000

Z 4,000 × 10 40,000

Total sales value = $116,000

 

Step 2: Joint cost allocation

Product Ratio Allocation

X 40,000 / 116,000 62,069

Y 36,000 / 116,000 55,862

Z 40,000 / 116,000 62,069

✅ Answer:

X = $62,069

Y = $55,862

Z = $62,069

📌 CMA Insight: This is the most commonly tested method.

 

🔷 ILLUSTRATION 3: Net Realizable Value (NRV) Method

Problem

Joint cost = $200,000

Product Final Sales Further Processing Cost

P $180,000 $30,000

Q $150,000 $20,000

R $120,000 $10,000

 

Solution

Step 1: Compute NRV

Product Calculation NRV

P 180,000 – 30,000 150,000

Q 150,000 – 20,000 130,000

R 120,000 – 10,000 110,000

Total NRV = $390,000

 

Step 2: Allocate joint cost

Product NRV Ratio Joint Cost

P 150,000 / 390,000 76,923

Q 130,000 / 390,000 66,667

R 110,000 / 390,000 56,410

✅ Answer:

P = $76,923

Q = $66,667

R = $56,410

📌 CMA Tip: NRV used when no market exists at split-off.

 

🔷 ILLUSTRATION 4: Constant Gross Profit Margin Method

Problem

Joint cost = $240,000

Product Final Sales Further Processing Cost

A $300,000 $40,000

B $200,000 $20,000

 

Solution

Step 1: Total sales = 300,000 + 200,000 = 500,000

Step 2: Total cost = Joint cost + further cost

= 240,000 + 60,000 = 300,000

Step 3: Gross profit = 500,000 – 300,000 = 200,000

Gross profit % = 200,000 / 500,000 = 40%

 

Step 4: Apply GP %

Product Sales GP (40%) Total Cost

A 300,000 120,000 180,000

B 200,000 80,000 120,000

Joint cost allocation

Product Total Cost Less Further Cost Joint Cost

A 180,000 40,000 140,000

B 120,000 20,000 100,000

✅ Answer:

Joint cost to A = $140,000

Joint cost to B = $100,000

📌 CMA Note: Most complex & theoretical method.

 

🔷 ILLUSTRATION 5: Process Further Decision (Joint Cost Irrelevant)

Particulars Amount

Sales at split-off $90,000

Sales after processing $140,000

Further processing cost $30,000

 

Solution

Incremental revenue = 140,000 – 90,000 = 50,000

Incremental cost = 30,000

Incremental profit = 50,000 – 30,000 = 20,000

✅ Decision: Process further

📌 Golden CMA Rule:

👉 Joint cost is sunk → NEVER relevant

 

🔑 EXAM QUICK SUMMARY

Physical method → quantity driven

Sales value & NRV → CMA favorites

Constant GP → tricky but high-scoring

Process further → incremental analysis only

 

 ✔️ www.gmsisuccess.in



No comments:

Post a Comment