I passed the CQE! Any advice for the ASQ CQM (Certified Quality Manager) Test?

[qawebguy]

I just wanted to thank those of you who gave me input on the CQE exam. I passed on my first try. Now the problem is I told myself that I would take the CQM in March if I passed the CQE. Any advice? Is it easier or harder than the CQE? Thanks again!

[Cari Spears]

I don't know - I never attempted any of them. I just wanted to say congratulations!!

[Craig H.]

Originally Posted by qawebguy

I just wanted to thank those of you who gave me input on the CQE exam. I passed on my first try. Now the problem is I told myself that I would take the CQM in March if I passed the CQE. Any advice? Is it easier or harder than the CQE? Thanks again!

qawebguy:

Congratulations!

I have passed both, but just after I graduated with a master's in QA I took the CQM, so I had been "studying" for a couple of years. The CQE was taken a few years before that. (Taken twice, actually).

That said, they really are two different animals. The CQM is not as statistical, but relies more on the theory behind QA. It helps to have a good knowledge of the gurus. You also have to do the written part, so thinking and communicting "on your feet" is important. BTW, the essay question I chose was very devious, I thought, and lead me down a path where I eventually realized that the grade might come down to the position on the topic of whoever was grading it. So, I ended up crossing some stuff out and rewriting. It would have been wise for me to have outlined where I was going before actually starting to write.

Unless you are planning on going to QA school, I would say that NOW is the time for you to work on the CQM, so that you build on the work you have already done for the CQE. After all, you are used to studying now, aren't you?

I really hope you do decide to go for it. If you have any questions I can help with, pm or email me. Good luck.

Craig

[qawebguy]

Thanks for the feedback. I figured this is probably the best time to take it while the CQE info is still fresh in my mind and it's cold and miserable outside so It's not like I'll be missing anything.

I decided to sign up for a refresher class that was highly recommended by a friend of mine who recently took the CQM exam so I'll be starting that next week. The course comes with the Certified Quality Manager Handbook, which is what my friend recommended as a reference. Thanks again for the info.

[howste]

My experience was that the CQM wasn't as tough as the CQE, but harder than the CQA. Like Craig said it's a lot more theory and less calculation. When I took it, I used the CQM primer from the Quality Council of Indiana and The Complete Guide to the CQM by Thomas Pyzdek along with the sample question disks. The Pyzdek material seemed to cover more ground, but I thought the questions in the CQI materials were more similar to the actual test questions. I spent a lot of time taking the simulated tests, and I think it helped.

A refresher class is always a good idea. I've also heard good things about the Certified Quality Manager Handbook, but have never seen one myself. Good luck!

[D.Scott]

Another good resource is "A Review Of Managing Quality And A Primer For The Certified Quality Manager Exam" by Thomas J. Cartin and Donald J. Jacoby - available through ASQ. (ISBN 0-87389-358-1).

Dave

[angel]

Originally Posted by qawebguy

I just wanted to thank those of you who gave me input on the CQE exam. I passed on my first try. Now the problem is I told myself that I would take the CQM in March if I passed the CQE. Any advice? Is it easier or harder than the CQE? Thanks again!

Congratulations!
What kind of materials did you use for the preparation for your CQE exam? Are the materials of ASQ better than those of Quality Council of Indiana??
Angel

[johnnybegood]

Can you give some tips how to pass the CQE exams?