Tips for passing ASQ Certification Exam(By avoiding many common mistakes)Based on Jan 2010 Quality Progress article- Test Run

Govind Ramu, P.Eng,ASQ CQMgr, CQE, CSSBB, CQA, CSQE, CRE,ASQ Fellow,QMS 2000 Principal Auditor IRCA (UK)Past Section Chair Ottawa Valley- ASQ Canadahttp://www.asq.org/sixsigma/about/govind.html

ASQ Certification Statistics

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

CH

A

CQ

IA

CM

Q/O

E

CQ

A

CSS

GB

CQ

PA CC

T

CB

A

CSS

BB

CSQ

E

CQ

E

CQ

I

CQ

T

CR

E

Pass Rate by ASQ Certification(Since Last BOK Change- Special Administrations excluded)

Average 65%

Common mistakes in Exam Planning

o Overconfidenceo Not reading the body of knowledge (BoK) thoroughlyo Lack of work experience in the BoK sectionso Not understanding the cognitive level for each BoK sectiono Not aware of appropriate (authentic) reference materialso Unaware of exam practice aids such as primers and simulated examso Poor time management during preparationo Missing the application deadlineo Rescheduling the exam due to a non-emergency reason.

Planning Mistakes - Explained

Working in the quality profession for a long period of time can lead some professionals to assume their practical experience automatically gives them the knowledge they need to ace a certification exam.

Highlight every keyword and tool mentioned in the BoK, and make sure you have adequate reference materials.

Most certifications require experience that covers one or more BoK sections. In our day-to-day responsibilities, very few of us regularly work on every area in a BoK. We use some areas much less frequently than others.

Exam takers often ignore the cognitive level specified for each section of the BoK. Paying close attention to the cognitive levels will help you determine the extent of your planning and preparation.

ASQ’s certification handbooks are the best places to start. If you need additional assistance, exam-specific primers and CDs are also available.

When budgeting your time to accommodate your strengths and weaknesses, remember the total amount of preparation time you will need depends primarily upon your knowledge and experience.

Strategy for Exam Preparation- ExplainedWorking in the quality profession for a long period of time can lead some professionals to assume their practical experience automatically gives them the knowledge they need to ace a certification exam.

The best approach is to set out to score much higher than the cutoff score. Although exact cutoff scores are confidential, my experiences with the process lead me to believe they are usually less than 85%.

The use of simulated exams and question banks can help you identify strengths and weaknesses during preparation.

It’s important to answer questions correctly, but it’s just as important to manage the exam time wisely.

CMQ/OE exam takers should practice writing eight to 10 constructive responses with a pencil during their preparation to regain legibility and speed.

suggestion is to pick two or three reference books from the list provided for the specific exam and use those same books for preparation and the exam itself.

Choosing reference books with appendixes covering all of the required statistical tables and a glossary for the BoK is advisable.

Common mistakes in Exam Taking

o Lack of confidenceo Distractions during exam writing, such as noise from construction or traffico Forgetting reference books, stationery, and dictionaryo Using a calculator that is different from the one you used for practiceo Not reading the questions properly with the emphasis on keywordso Not following the 30-60-90 seconds ruleo Referring to open books for almost all questionso Not enough time for revisionso Too many changes to previous answers during revisions.

Strategy for Exam Taking- ExplainedLack of confidence can result in second-guessing during the exam. Relying too much on open books during the exam is the result of poor preparation or may signify a lack of confidence. Taking Simulated Exams during preparation help improve confidence.

Create a checklist of items to take with you on the day of the exam, including reference books, statistical tables, a calculator and blank paper for working out your answers.

First, make sure you consult ASQ’s calculator policy (www.asq.org/certification/faq/calculator.html). Then, take the same calculator you used during your preparation.

During preparation, you work on understanding sample questions and start the practice of underlining the key words in the questions. This underlining technique helps you focus carefully on those words and block out extraneous ones.

Many exam takers adhere closely to the 30-60-90 seconds rule. The idea is to attempt questions one by one and initially answer those you can deal with quickly. Laboring for five or 10 minutes on your first attempt at any answer will not be worthwhile if it takes time away from addressing other questions.

Exam Checklist

Common mistakes in Exam Preparing

o Mindset to barely pass, thinking of the cutoff scoreo Not knowing weaknesses and strengths prior to the exam dateo Not having practiced and timed adequately using simulated examso Not practicing writing with pencil (CMQ/OE constructive response)o Selecting the wrong open-book materialso Failing to organize open-book materialso Not getting adequate rest the night prior to the examo Not assessing the travel distance, traffic, roadwork, and other

obstructions that may cause stresso Not knowing the exam hall location in a huge campus area.

Related Materials

http://www.asq.org/quality-progress/2010/01/certification-asq/test-run.html

http://www.asq.org/certification/index.html

ASQ Student Membership

Certifications that have minimal requirements: (Good Quality Foundation for New associate degree graduates)

Certified Quality Improvement Associate

Certified Quality Process Analyst