ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) Practice Exam

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• A common criterion for gauge R&R acceptance is to keep R&R under what percent of tolerance?
• Differentiate between common cause variation and special cause variation.
• What is the primary purpose of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a quality system?
• Which data type is used by attribute sampling plans?
• Which diagram is also known as the Ishikawa diagram and is used to identify major categories of causes such as Methods, Machines, Materials, and Manpower?
• Which quality cost segment is associated with evaluating product quality through inspection and testing?
• In Six Sigma project contexts, cross functional membership is typically used to form which type of team?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that the two red balls appear consecutively before the black ball appears?
• What is the main reason for the rapid globalization of teams in the 21st century?
• A run chart is primarily used to observe data trends over time without control limits.
• Define Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) and its role in sampling.
• In FMEA, what does the Risk Priority Number (RPN) represent and how is it calculated?
• In analysis, which statement is true?
• The primary purpose of a control chart is to determine the stability of a process.
• Which data collection tool is used to collect data for a histogram by counting occurrences?
• The most technical training and knowledge in the typical Six Sigma organization typically resides in which of the following roles?
• Distinguish between accuracy and precision.
• The major reason for using a control chart is to:
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. Which statement best describes the distribution of the three-draw sequences from the set {R,R,B} without replacement?
• A quality program is considered to be:
• Which statement is most applicable to trend analysis?
• Quality policies are primarily issued by management to:
• Variables control charts are designed with which of the following objectives?
• What is a key advantage of using a fishbone diagram in problem solving?
• In consumer products, which metric is most directly associated with customer satisfaction?
• A scatter diagram helps to determine whether there is a relationship between two variables.
• If prevention costs are increased to fund engineering work and defects are reduced, this yields a reduction in which cost category?
• In case of conflict between contract specifications and shop practice, which should normally apply?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that the last two draws among the next three are both red?
• Which quality tool is best for exploring relationships between two variables?
• A process control chart would be effective in displaying which condition?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that the black ball appears in the middle position?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. If the first two of the next three draws are red, what is the probability that the third is red?
• Which statement correctly defines Cp and Cpk and notes their key difference?
• Review of purchase orders for quality requirements falls into which quality cost segment?
• Which statement best differentiates nominal from ordinal data scales?
• Cross functional membership would typically be used for which type of teams?
• When X-bar and R charts are used, what do these charts monitor?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. If the first of the next three draws is black, what is the probability that the next two draws are both red?
• Which statement about LTPD is true?
• In 5S, what are the five S's and their purpose?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. If the last of the next three draws is red, what is the probability that the first is red?
• Which of the following is an example of a ratio data scale?
• Supplier technical service primarily benefits the company more than the supplier.
• Which tool is used to test for a possible cause and effect relationship between two variables?
• Kaizen blitz or Kaizen blast is a Kaizen variant that aims to:
• What is the main purpose of the 5 Whys technique?
• A key characteristic of a business partnership is:
• A successful team effort should produce which of the following benefits?
• Which component of RPN reflects the likelihood of failure?
• If Cp and Cpk are both 2.0, what does this indicate about process capability?
• Which cost category includes training and quality planning?
• A successful team effort should produce which of the following benefits?
• What is the general rule of thumb for selecting the number of intervals in a histogram?
• Approximately what percentage of the area under the normal curve lies within plus or minus three standard deviations from the mean?
• Which tool provides a methodical way to collect data by recording occurrences and attributes in an organized format?
• What does PDCA stand for?
• Identify a non-value added activity that would be considered a form of process muda:
• A histogram is used primarily to show which aspect of data?
• An Ishikawa diagram is also known as a
• Facilitators will normally...
• In a gauge R&R study, what does a high percent gage R&R indicate?
• A process flow chart is:
• The term that describes the overall quality of a product, combining its design and its conformance, is called?
• How does poor calibration affect data quality?
• Lean manufacturing attacks non-value-added activities with the principal intention of
• In FMEA, which term describes how bad the failure is?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that the three-draw sequence ends with red?
• Which set of tools includes Measles charts, recording check sheets, and checklists?
• Under an acceptance sampling plan, what does AQL define?
• Which of the following is an example of an interval data scale?
• Which problem-solving tool is customarily used to complement the fishbone diagram?
• The field name in the death records example is an instance of which data type?
• Which quality tool helps prioritize problems by showing that a small number of causes account for most effects?
• Value stream mapping primarily helps identify waste by illustrating which of the following?
• Which of the following usually represents the greatest potential problem in team meetings?
• What statement best describes ISO 9001's relationship to a quality management system (QMS)?
• A histogram is primarily used to display which of the following characteristics of a data set?
• Which tool is best for displaying the distribution of data across categories with bars representing frequencies?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that in the next three draws there are two consecutive red balls?
• A composite of characteristics that meet an expectation is best described as which concept?
• Cycle time reduction must be balanced with which consideration?
• Cycle time reduction must be balanced with:
• The best combination of machines and people working together to produce a product or service at a particular point in time is an example of which lean concept?
• The cycle described as plan, do, check, and act is used for process improvement; which cycle is this?
• Which of the following is the key objective of lean manufacturing's focus on non-value-added activities?
• Identify the three types of check sheets commonly used to record counted, measured, and locational data.
• Which of the following is an example of a nominal data scale?
• Which quality tool is typically applied to assist in selecting inspection locations for a new product?
• What is traceability in calibration, and why is it important?
• Which statement best describes Pareto chart insights?
• Which statement best reflects the goal of quality cost management when appraisal costs are high relative to sales?
• In measurement system analysis, how is bias defined?
• Team operating guidelines are useful for:
• What type of chart is used to monitor the proportion defective in a sample?
• What does CAPA stand for in quality management?
• In what stage of the DMAIC process would a process data collection plan be developed or customer survey results tallied?
• Which of the following lists the five phases of DMAIC in the correct order?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that the first draw among the next three is red?
• When buying materials and other items from outside sources, the best practice is to:
• Name two common process-capability indices other than Cp and Cpk.
• Which problem-solving tool is a column graph that displays a static picture of the process?
• A typical improvement team agenda would include:
• A system of activities to provide quality of products and services. A quality program is considered to be:
• When drawing a 5 M & E diagram, which of the following is included?
• In a Pareto diagram, where should the 'Others' category be placed?
• Define repeatability in gauge R&R studies.
• How do corrective actions differ from preventive actions in CAPA?
• If conflict arises between contract specifications and shop practice, which has priority?
• Team success is most dependent on which factor?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. If the sequence starts with red, what is the probability that it ends with red?
• A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram typically categorizes causes into several groups. Which of the following is not a standard category?
• Which statement best describes a Pareto diagram's purpose?
• Which statement describes Pp and Ppk?
• What are the primary activities that take place during most team meetings?
• A scatter diagram in which most of the points fell on a horizontal line across the range of the diagram would be expected to have a correlation coefficient indicating:
• Which of the following Japanese techniques is most clearly identified with small incremental change?
• Under what conditions would you use an individuals (I) chart instead of an X-bar chart?
• What is an Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram used for?
• Which diagram is useful for sorting out the causes of dispersion and organizing mutual relationships?
• The field address in the death records example is an instance of which data type?
• Given USL = 100, LSL = 40, μ = 70, σ = 5, compute Cp and Cpk.
• Who created the plan, do, check, and act cycle for process improvement?
• A distribution that shows two distinct peaks is called what?
• An entire organization involved with improvement is described as which term?
• Which item is plotted over time in a control chart to indicate process stability?
• During which stage of the team development lifecycle do members have the least external control and direction?
• Which chart is used to monitor the variability within subgroups, rather than their means?
• Which statement best describes AQL and LTPD in sampling decisions?
• Life cycle costs include which of the following?
• What is the purpose of a flowchart in quality analysis?
• Which statement correctly describes what X-bar and R charts monitor in subgroup data?
• The statement 'Cease dependence upon inspection as a way to achieve quality' reflects which quality approach?
• What is the primary purpose of tally sheets in data collection?
• Using a histogram, the rule of thumb suggests selecting how many intervals across the data range for 87 observations?
• Which of the following is a reason for utilizing process mapping?
• Which diagram would you use to identify the most significant problems by frequency?
• What is the mean height of the following five heights: 5 feet 6 inches, 5 feet 9 inches, 5 feet 4 inches, 5 feet 11 inches, 5 feet 8 inches?
• Which of the following is an example of an ordinal data scale?
• What is the most desirable method for evaluating a supplier?
• Process flow improvement steps normally include which activity?
• Which statement best describes the purpose of a quality management system (QMS)?
• Which tool visualizes basic data characteristics such as central location, width, spread, and shape?
• One of Dr. Deming's 14 points for management states, 'Cease dependence upon inspection as a way to achieve quality.' The underlying tenet is which of the following?
• Pareto diagrams are used primarily to focus attention on what?
• In a normal distribution, what percentages lie within ±1σ, ±2σ, and ±3σ?
• In most cases, an improvement team receives the least control and direction during which stage?
• In the Cp/Cpk example, USL and LSL refer to what?
• Technical service to suppliers is generally...
• Which cost category includes warranty claims and returns?
• Which chart is best for showing the distribution of a continuous variable?
• Calculate the population standard deviation for the data set 1.5, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 1.6.
• Which tool would you use to determine if a process is in statistical control?
• Which statement best describes the difference between 100% inspection and acceptance sampling?
• If prevention costs are invested in engineering work in quality control, what is the expected impact on product defects?
• What is a typical signal indicating an out-of-control condition in a control chart per Western Electric rules?
• What is the primary purpose of a control chart?
• The concept behind PDCA is...
• Value stream mapping means
• Quality levels when make or buy decisions are made are typically:
• In consumer products, the complaint rate is most directly a measure of
• Which of the following six classic problem-solving steps would come last?
• Trend analysis relies on data collected over what dimension to identify patterns?
• DMAIC stands for which five-phase improvement process?
• A process improvement team identifies variation in a product dimension as significant. Which tool should they use first to study the variation?
• What are two basic aspects of product quality?
• Perhaps the most difficult obstruction to the effective function of global teams is:
• Which diagram is best for prioritizing problems by significance and displaying them in descending order of frequency or impact?
• What is the purpose of design of experiments (DOE) in quality improvement?
• What is a scatter diagram used for?
• Why is calibration traceability to national or international standards important on a certificate?
• If the number of cholera deaths in a city is plotted on a map, one is creating a:
• To obtain a histogram of process output, the team would typically use information from which data collection tool?
• In a gauge R&R study, what does reproducibility measure?
• If a team is researching an outbreak and uses death records with name, date of death, cause, and address, the information considered is which data types?
• What is SIPOC and what is it used for?
• When purchasing materials from vendors, it is sometimes advantageous to choose vendors whose prices are higher because:
• A histogram is primarily used to visualize which aspect of data?
• Which of the following typically describes poorly functioning teams?
• How does Pareto principle apply in quality improvement?
• Quality policies are principally issued by management to:
• A chart used to monitor the stability of a process over time is called a:
• Which of the following is the most important factor in team problem solving?
• Quality cost analysis has shown appraisal costs are too high in relation to sales. Which action probably would NOT be considered?
• Process control charts are used mainly to:
• Which pairing best supports identifying root causes and their categories?
• What is the primary purpose of a control chart in statistical process control?
• Pareto diagrams are used to:
• What is risk-based thinking in ISO 9001:2015, in brief?
• Which statement best describes a check sheet's purpose?
• What does a low percent gage R&R indicate in a gauge R&R study?
• Which technique is most widely used for distinguishing chronic from insignificant problems?
• Which evaluation method for suppliers emphasizes past performance trends and reliability?
• In a gauge R&R study, a low R&R percentage relative to tolerance indicates what?
• How do the 5 Whys technique and a fishbone diagram complement each other?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. What is the probability that the next two draws are both red?
• In the 5S methodology, which step is dedicated to maintaining improvements over time?
• What is the primary purpose of creating a flow chart for an existing process?
• What is the major disadvantage of having an improvement team that is too large?
• The composition of a team for a typical Six Sigma project should:
• What does a high Cp or Cpk imply about a process's ability to meet specifications?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. Without any additional information, what is the probability that the black ball is drawn before both red balls in the next three draws?
• Assume a box contains 2 red balls and 2 black balls. One black ball has been drawn and not replaced. If X2 and X3 are red, what is the probability that X1 is red?
• The advantage of a written procedure is best described as which of the following?
• Scatter diagrams are useful because they show what?
• If all potential contributing factors to a production problem must be identified, which tool is best?
• Which tool uses a cumulative line to show the percent of defects accounted for by each category?
• The tabulation of the number of times a given quality characteristic measurement occurs, within the sample of product being checked, is called a
• What information does a histogram provide?
• Which statement best describes a process map?
• Which of the following places should be considered when selecting improvement team members?
• Upper management typically supports the team process best by:
• Which type of sampling plan uses defective/non-defective decisions rather than quantified measurements?
• Quality levels in make-or-buy decisions are typically set:
• When would you use an X-bar chart as opposed to an S chart?
• Which diagram is used to rank defects by frequency and can include a cumulative line?
• What does measurement resolution mean, and why does it matter in MSA?
• What is a check sheet used for?
• Customer specifications are considered to be:
• Which diagram is used to map the sequence of steps in a process to identify bottlenecks?
• A typical facilitator's function in a team is to:
• An organized and disciplined approach to problem solving in most Six Sigma organizations is called:
• According to Bruce Tuckerman, what are the first and last development stages?
• A control plan should document which of the following elements?