I am taking the AIAG course - Lead auditor TS16949. How hard is the test at the end? Can I get idea's on what to study before the course? :thanx:

I am taking the AIAG course - Lead auditor TS16949. How hard is the test at the end? Can I get idea's on what to study before the course? :thanx:

I am not sur eif it has changed since I took it, but it is difficult. I passed, but over half of the auditors are failing at least one or two parts.

I recommend knowing the standard well. But, more important, know the TS Rules, IATF CB Auditor Competency Criteria 1 (if they are still using it), the Core Tools. Guys are not reading this stuff, and it is costing them.

I kinda have a question to ask along these same lines.
I am looking for a good Lead Auditor course in the midwestern US.
Is AIAG the best one to take, or does anyone have another suggestion?

I kinda have a question to ask along these same lines.
I am looking for a good Lead Auditor course in the midwestern US.
Is AIAG the best one to take, or does anyone have another suggestion?


If you are taking training to be a 3rd party registrar auditor, you must take the certification at AIAG. The Plexus course at AIAG is the only sanctioned training for that, to my knowledge.

However, if you are wanting training to use in-house at your company, I think the Plexus approach is not the best. I provide training and materials that I feel are more beneficial to an internal company than those I received at Plexus. It is more focused on providing value and improving a company's bottom line and customer satisfaction. (As Jim Kramer would say, "Let's make Money!"

I would be willing to discuss them with you (send me a private email if you are interested).

Keith:

Of course my organization has the best Lead Auditor course, too.........;) :D

Seriously, way back, we wrote the first LA course ever (yes, indeed) and we're generally the first to have our courses accredited here by the RAB. Our experience with designing and delivering such LA courses runs over 20 years with over 100 combined years of experience in all forms of qms auditing. We run them in the mid west too!!

I have taken the AIAG training (for supplier auditors) which is the same training as the registrar auditors take (without the verbal exam) and the test was a bit mixed - not much about actually auditing (apart from writing non-conformity statements) it's more about the standard etc. This is not what our course teaches, we take pride in a balanced approach which blends audit principles, core tools etc.

If you click on our side panel it'll take you to the schedule of courses.....SAI Global

BTW - Helmut's training will be good too!!:agree1:

Andy

Andy,

RAB set it up so that no one could claim to be "first". There were 4 organizations who were announced at the same time. Excel/SAI Global is not one of the original 4. RAB would frown upon anyone stating that they were first. Especially if they weren't even in the first group.

Andy,

RAB set it up so that no one could claim to be "first". There were 4 organizations who were announced at the same time. Excel/SAI Global is not one of the original 4. RAB would frown upon anyone stating that they were first. Especially if they weren't even in the first group.

The RAB came along waaaaaaaay after we wrote the first LA course!!;)

Andy

How long have you been doing audits? It seems the longer you have done them the harder the test is. I took the ISO one and had no problems. Just read the question as written-do not read anymore into it. Applied Quality Systems was who Is went thru for the ISO lead auditor, years back. Had three teachers that taught it. The main one was Hank Gunk, he had worked alongside Phil Crosby in his early years. I only had 8 persons in the class, so we had plenty of time for questions. AQS had many regional offerings, I went to St Louis for mine.

Hello Lesliedo,

A quick question.....

Do you work for a Certification Body (Registrar)?
If yes, you can take this course.
If not, you should take the ISO/TS 16949:2002 Supplier Auditor Course.

I strongly recommend AIAG (not because of Plexus), but because you need the information from the "horse's mouth." I like to receive my ISO/TS and audit information first hand...

I am an AIAG certified Supplier Auditor and recently recertified upon expiry of my certificate.




The AIAG offer an ISO/TS Lead auditor course - this is NOT THE SAME as the Supplier Auditor course. You don't have to be a 3rd party auditor to do a Lead Auditor course, only to take the AIAG course for third party auditors! The Supplier Auditor course, is a shortened version of the 3rd party auditor course. Got it? Phew!!:D

Andy

I understand :bigwave: - I wasn't meaning to 'shout' (just highlight the differences in titles etc...........).:bonk:

My concern is primarily that there is so much mis-information and, as a result, confusion about who has to do/get/read/etc what to do ISO or whatever.:frust:

As a forum moderator, I'm attempting to clarify for all readers of this post the subtle but important points which can lead to them spending money on training etc, with a less that stellar result.:mg:

So, once again, I didn't think I was shouting, but I understand how you might read this. Stick with the Coves, we all end up with a better understanding as a result of such interactions!!

Andy (caps lock off.......:lol:

Thanks all for the info. I passed the AIAG Lead Auditor test.

Lesliedo:whip:

Thanks all for the info. I passed the AIAG Lead Auditor test.

Lesliedo:whip:

Hello lesliedo,

Thank you for your post! Congratulations with your accomplishment.:applause:
Please share your experiences. We look forward to your contributions here at The Cove.:bigwave:

Stijloor.

I was very nervous, but listened to all of your advice. I took the AIAG class in southfield. 5 days very long. The instructors was very good. They walked us thru TS 16949 clause by clause by clause. Boring, but I know it now frontward and backward. They also taught us how to write a findings report and make a turtle diagram. I will most likely never use the turtle again. However, before the class I had a hard time getting Top management at work to agree to the findings. Now they agree with the findings and correct items immediately.
The exam at the end is not hard if you pay attention all week. They tell you it will take the whole two hours your allowed, and it does. I finished with only 5mins. to spare.

Thanks all again.

Lesliedo

OK people, this old woman just got scared reading some of the comments about the test at the end of the TS16946 class. Here is where I am at: I am taking a class in Nashville in a week. It is given by QAI. Can anyone talk to me about this class. Has someone takin it in the last year or so. I haven't been in school in over 30 years. I am new to all of this and my boss is going with me. I can't fail. Tell me what to study for now. I have a week before class. :( :mg:

OK people, this old woman just got scared reading some of the comments about the test at the end of the TS16946 class. Here is where I am at: I am taking a class in Nashville in a week. It is given by QAI. Can anyone talk to me about this class. Has someone takin it in the last year or so. I haven't been in school in over 30 years. I am new to all of this and my boss is going with me. I can't fail. Tell me what to study for now. I have a week before class. :( :mg:

Hello mwebs,

I have no experience with QAI. I went to the "primary source": AIAG.
My advice is always to stay as close to the top of the ISO/TS information food chain as you can get. Some of my Fellow Covers will disagree.

Assuming that you will attend an audit class, and you only have one week.....here is some advice:

Be able to navigate through the ISO/TS 16949:2002 document. You don't need to know it from memory, but being able to find stuff helps.

Read up here in The Cove on the "Process Approach" to auditing.

My exam with AIAG was on knowledge and application. Both exams were "open book."

Good Luck with your preparations and help your Boss. ;)

Stijloor.

:o Thanks for your help. My boss set this up. I believe she went to AGIG already. I'm not sure why she is going with me unless she was unsuccessful in her attempt there.:lmao: I have went through the TS book at least 3 times. I am not to sure about the core tools though. I am going to try and do an internal audit on APQP tomorrow and see what I find.
My boss has expressed some concern about the test :confused:
Do you have any suggestions about getting through the dry part of core tools. :thanx:

:o Thanks for your help. My boss set this up. I believe she went to AIAG already. I'm not sure why she is going with me unless she was unsuccessful in her attempt there.:lmao: I have went through the TS book at least 3 times. I am not to sure about the core tools though. I am going to try and do an internal audit on APQP tomorrow and see what I find.
My boss has expressed some concern about the test :confused:
Do you have any suggestions about getting through the dry part of core tools. :thanx:

Hello mwebs,

"Dry part of Core Tools?" No, I don't think Core Tools are "dry".....:nope:
My exam was fairly "light" on Core Tools, but that's a biased personal opinion because I teach those...

If you are comfortable with the basics of Core Tools and their intent, I think you'll be fine.

By the way, were you provided with a detailed course outline?
If not, ask for it. Feel free to approach QAI if need be. Can never hurt to ask.

Stijloor.

You being an instructor in Core tools, I see how you don't think it is dry. But it reads Greek to me. I can't get into it.:confused: I give it another go this week and see if I can get the just of them. :cfingers: I feel like I'll be :frust:
I am not familiar with any of that. I really do thank you for your time. Maybe I can figure some of it out. Have a great day

You being an instructor in Core tools, I see how you don't think it is dry. But it reads Greek to me. I can't get into it.:confused: I give it another go this week and see if I can get the just of them. :cfingers: I feel like I'll be :frust:
I am not familiar with any of that. I really do thank you for your time. Maybe I can figure some of it out. Have a great day

Hello mwebs,

Maybe you're trying to "bite off" too much on the Core Tools.
Begin by trying to understand the intent of each Core Tool.

Send me a private email and I will attach a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes each Core Tool. Take a look at it, and if it was of help to you, I may post it here in The Cove.

Don't get frustrated now.....:bigwave:

Stijloor.

Take it easy. Know the standard, listen in class, take notes, study the notes after class each night, ask questions. You will do fine, no worries and no fear. Is the five day class a requirement for your company? If not and you are familiar with the standard, maybe a three day class would be better and cheaper?

I am taking a 3 day class and yes I need it as I am the new internal auditor.

I guess the other guy was taking the five day, sorry. To get a good understanding, you may want to consider the five day one. The three day assumes that you have a good knowledge of the standard, which you may. Are you required to pass the test to keep your IA job?

I wasn't told that but if someone pays good money to send me somewhere, I have to do well. First trip on a plan, first trip away from home without family. A whole lot of firsts.:biglaugh::(

If you find the whole idea of the Core Tools difficult (not simply dry) to grasp, IMHO, it's not going to be much use attending any auditor course, since they don't cover them in sufficient detail for a beginner. I'd recommend some specific training on these techniques.

If you are being expected to audit an automotive process which employs core tools, you'd better be pretty savy on them first........

I took the test and it was open book. I thought it was pretty easy just tedious.
Tip:
I also used my laptop to connect to wirelessly to the internet luckily it was in a hotel and looked up some answers to the "trick" questions as well online. I refer to a question as a trick question when there is one or a few words interchanged from the correct answer.

I have not yet been blessed with laptop. I'll study alot at night

OK people, this old woman just got scared reading some of the comments about the test at the end of the TS16946 class. Here is where I am at: I am taking a class in Nashville in a week. It is given by QAI. Can anyone talk to me about this class. Has someone takin it in the last year or so. I haven't been in school in over 30 years. I am new to all of this and my boss is going with me. I can't fail. Tell me what to study for now. I have a week before class. :( :mg:

1. Read the standard, read the Rules, know the AIAG blue books.

2. QAI may well be easier than AIAG/IAOB, but will not qualify for a 3rd party registrar. Just for internal auditors.

3. The AIAG test focused much on timing and running an audit and Rules. A little less about the standard itself.

Has anyone taken the Lead Auditors class from QAI and how long ago has it been?