ASQ's CQM, CRE and CSQE Certification - NEW - Sample exams

[Govind]

ASQ has now introduced a new feature to help prepare the exam takers as to what to expect on the exam day.

This new feature has a Sample Exam with actual 75 exam questions that were used in the past. The questions are so real, that I can even recognize a few ! These will not reappear again. But these are a good start for some one to do a self assessment (before and after preparation) and see where you stand.

The sample exam also has the actual instructions sheet that are used in a real exam. Reviewing this ahead will save some proctor time as well.

In the past, study guide provided only 25 questions on each exam. Now this feature has 75 Questions (approx. 50% for most exams). I would suggest that if you did take a self assessment, try not to correct the questions by yourself. Ask your buddy to correct them. So that after your full preparation of say 150 hours or so, you can take the same exam again and evaluate if there is any improvement in knowledge /understanding after the preparation.

Since these questions will not reappear, the absolute score may not help you to predict the exam outcome. But the relative improvement (by comparing the pre-post preparation scores) may boost your morale before entering the exam. This is just my way of evaluating my preparation. This has helped me for all my certifications.

At the moment this feature is provided only for CQM, CRE and CSQE.

http://www.asq.org/cert/pdf/manager_sample_exam.pdf
http://www.asq.org/cert/pdf/cre_sample_exam.pdf
http://www.asq.org/cert/pdf/csqe_sample_exam.pdf

Overall, I think that this is an encouragement for exam takers.

If you think, providing this "Sample Exam" is a useful feature, (and may influence your decision to pursue the certification) please share your thoughts. ASQ Certification division may continue to add this sample exam feature to all types of the certifications in the ASQ Webpage.

Govind

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Govind

ASQ has now introduced a new feature to help prepare the exam takers as to what to expect on the exam day.

This new feature has a Sample Exam with actual 75 exam questions that were used in the past. The questions are so real, that I can even recognize a few ! These will not reappear again. But these are a good start for some one to do a self assessment (before and after preparation) and see where you stand.

The sample exam also has the actual instructions sheet that are used in a real exam. Reviewing this ahead will save some proctor time as well.

In the past, study guide provided only 25 questions on each exam. Now this feature has 75 Questions (approx. 50% for most exams). I would suggest that if you did take a self assessment, try not to correct the questions by yourself. Ask your buddy to correct them. So that after your full preparation of say 150 hours or so, you can take the same exam again and evaluate if there is any improvement in knowledge /understanding after the preparation.

Since these questions will not reappear, the absolute score may not help you to predict the exam outcome. But the relative improvement (by comparing the pre-post preparation scores) may boost your morale before entering the exam. This is just my way of evaluating my preparation. This has helped me for all my certifications.

At the moment this feature is provided only for CQM, CRE and CSQE.

http://www.asq.org/cert/pdf/manager_sample_exam.pdf
http://www.asq.org/cert/pdf/cre_sample_exam.pdf
http://www.asq.org/cert/pdf/csqe_sample_exam.pdf

Overall, I think that this is an encouragement for exam takers.

If you think, providing this "Sample Exam" is a useful feature, (and may influence your decision to pursue the certification) please share your thoughts. ASQ Certification division may continue to add this sample exam feature to all types of the certifications in the ASQ Webpage.

Govind

Thanks for posting these, Govind. I had forgotten how specific the questions could be in tying concepts and processes to names of developers - Taylor, Juran, Deming, etc. As much as I think I know, I wouldn't attempt to take any of these exams without re-reading through the BOK (Body of Knowledge) and getting some sample exams to work through.

I understand and agree with the philosophy behind such "persnickety" questions which is to assure the practicioner has been exposed to such theories and processes to the extent he is able to associate a historical name with the process - it still makes for tough tests.

[Govind]

Originally Posted by Wes Bucey

Thanks for posting these, Govind. I had forgotten how specific the questions could be in tying concepts and processes to names of developers - Taylor, Juran, Deming, etc.
As much as I think I know, I wouldn't attempt to take any of these exams without re-reading through the BOK (Body of Knowledge) and getting some sample exams to work through.

Wes,
Thanks for the reply. In my personal opinion, you have gained a good reputation in both ASQ discussion Forum and Elsmar with your detailed and thoroughness of your reply as a Quality Manager.

Looking at the maturity of your replies, I can imagine that it would require a short duration to review BOK and get ready for CQMgr.

I can see the benefit for ASQ if you pass the CQMgr. You will be able to volunteer for exam development. ASQ can benefit with your valuable inputs specifically for those "Constructive response" questions.

Please think about pursuing CQMgr, if your time permits.

Govind.

[Bill Ryan]

The biggest bugaboo I've heard is that, especially for the CQMgr (which I'm sitting for this fall), your answer needs to match ASQ's "best" answer. I can remember various CQE primer materials even mentioning that while "a" is a good answer, "c" is better, yet the reasoning didn't really explain the "why" very well. I can only hope that those types of questions (not much differrence between the responses) aren't as weighted as others.

I'm not really whining, just stating what I've heard and experienced.

BTW - Thanks for posting those. I'll be giving them a try!

Bill

[Bill Pflanz]

Originally Posted by Bill Ryan

The biggest bugaboo I've heard is that, especially for the CQMgr (which I'm sitting for this fall), your answer needs to match ASQ's "best" answer. I can remember various CQE primer materials even mentioning that while "a" is a good answer, "c" is better, yet the reasoning didn't really explain the "why" very well. I can only hope that those types of questions (not much differrence between the responses) aren't as weighted as others.

Bill,

I wouldn't worry too much about the "best" answer issue. Those type of questions are in the minority. It is also my understanding that if too many of those taking the test get it wrong, than it is thrown out. If you go to the ASQ website, there are descriptions of how the tests are created and how they are scored. If you have any specific questions about the Certified Quality Manager exam, I will be glad to assist since I am already certified.

Also, I wouldn't be too hard on the creators of the ASQ exams since there are a lot of areas in quality that are subjective and even controversial on what is the best answer. Considering the diversity of knowledge, experience and opinions of Covers, it would be interesting to see if we could come up with 150 questions that we all agreed to. Maybe we should start a thread of proposed questions for the Elsmar Cove Quality Certification test.

Bill Pflanz

[Steve Prevette]

A very interesting thread. Yet, why can't I find a sniff at all of this on the ASQ web site?

[Govind]

Originally Posted by Steve Prevette

A very interesting thread. Yet, why can't I find a sniff at all of this on the ASQ web site?

Steve,
If you visit the specific certification page:
http://www.asq.org/cert/types/csqe/index.html
http://www.asq.org/cert/types/cre/index.html
http://www.asq.org/cert/types/cqm/index.html

There is a blue frame in the middle with all sub links.
One of the sub link is New ! Sample Exam.

I provided the hyperlink at a sub link level for convenience.

I have not heard any feedback from our Elsmar members about this feature yet.Once we get some feedback, we can request ASQ to post similar Sample exams for other certifications also. I guess our members will be very interested for SSBB and CQE for sure.

Govind.

[Govind]

Originally Posted by Bill Pflanz

Bill,

I wouldn't worry too much about the "best" answer issue. Those type of questions are in the minority. It is also my understanding that if too many of those taking the test get it wrong, than it is thrown out. If you go to the ASQ website, there are descriptions of how the tests are created and how they are scored. If you have any specific questions about the Certified Quality Manager exam, I will be glad to assist since I am already certified.

Also, I wouldn't be too hard on the creators of the ASQ exams since there are a lot of areas in quality that are subjective and even controversial on what is the best answer. Considering the diversity of knowledge, experience and opinions of Covers, it would be interesting to see if we could come up with 150 questions that we all agreed to. Maybe we should start a thread of proposed questions for the Elsmar Cove Quality Certification test.

Bill Pflanz

Bill, Very well explained. ASQ actually uses statistics very heavily to look at the performance of each and every question. Ambiguous questions are corrected and clarity is added. These questions are created, reviewed and finalized by a team ASQ volunteers who are considered to be SME in that Body of knowledge.

We notice, how many times we agree and disagree on various topics in Quality Management and Quality Auditing areas in this Forum. Similarly, there is a possibility for us to disagree with the answers sometimes. But the Rationale behind those answers are solid for most Questions.

In the future, there is a possibility some members could reference a question from those Sample exam and start a thread looking for rationale. I would welcome those questions as this will open up a new interest in ASQ Certifications.

Bill's suggestion for Elsmar Cove Quality test is something I would not ignore.
He has triggered a spark.
We have experts from all fields of Quality & Reliability. Even if some of us item write 5 questions each we will have a bank of few hundred questions. We could create a web based Quality Quiz and add more challenge than ASQ Exam.

Think about it.
Govind.