SBA Study Guide 2026

The current ratio is a key financial metric that measures a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations (those due within one year) using its current assets. It is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. A higher current ratio generally indicates better short-term liquidity and financial health, signaling that the company has sufficient resources to cover its immediate debts.

The SBA Export Express program provides fast access to export financing with a maximum loan amount of $500,000 for eligible small businesses.

SCORE is a nonprofit association supported by the SBA that provides free business mentoring and education through a nationwide network of volunteer business mentors.

Porter's Five Forces framework analyzes industry structure by examining competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, threat of substitutes, and threat of new entrants.

An elevator pitch is a concise, persuasive summary of a business idea, product, or service, designed to be delivered in a short amount of time, typically 30-60 seconds. Its purpose is to quickly capture interest and convey the core value proposition to potential investors, partners, or customers. It's a vital tool for networking and initial introductions.

A compliance audit systematically examines whether a business's practices, records, and policies conform to relevant legal and regulatory requirements.