ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) Practice Exam

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