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Exam Review

Key Facts: CQT Exam

100

Scored Questions

ASQ

4h 18m

Exam Duration

ASQ

$460

Non-Member Fee

ASQ

$260

Retake Fee

ASQ

4 yrs

Experience Required

ASQ

Open Book

Exam Format

ASQ

The CQT has 100 scored questions in 4h 18m, is open-book, and is offered by computer at Prometric testing centers. Covers SPC, inspection, sampling, metrology, GD&T, and CAPA. Requires 4 years of paid quality experience.

Sample CQT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CQT exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 119+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the four cost-of-quality categories includes scrap and rework costs?

A.Prevention costs

B.Appraisal costs

C.Internal failure costs

D.External failure costs

Explanation: Internal failure costs are incurred when defects are found before the product reaches the customer; scrap and rework are the two primary examples. Prevention costs fund activities to prevent defects (e.g., training, process planning), while appraisal costs cover inspection and testing. External failure costs arise after delivery, such as warranty claims and returns.

2The Pareto principle applied to quality improvement means that:

A.All defect causes contribute equally to total defects

B.A small number of causes account for the majority of defects

C.Defect frequency follows a normal distribution

D.Prevention costs always exceed failure costs

Explanation: The Pareto principle (80/20 rule) holds that roughly 80% of defects stem from approximately 20% of causes. A Pareto chart displays defect categories in descending order with a cumulative percentage line, enabling teams to focus improvement efforts on the 'vital few' causes. This prioritization maximizes the return on quality improvement resources.

3Which of the seven basic quality tools is used to identify the potential causes of a specific problem?

A.Scatter diagram

B.Control chart

C.Cause-and-effect (Ishikawa) diagram

D.Check sheet

Explanation: The cause-and-effect diagram, also called the Ishikawa or fishbone diagram, organizes potential causes of a problem into major categories (often the 6 Ms: Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Environment) to facilitate root-cause analysis. Scatter diagrams show correlation, control charts monitor process stability, and check sheets collect frequency data.

4A histogram is best used to:

A.Track defect trends over time

B.Display the distribution of continuous measurement data

C.Identify the relationship between two variables

D.Separate vital few defect causes from trivial many

Explanation: A histogram is a bar chart that shows the frequency distribution of continuous data across defined class intervals, revealing central tendency, spread, and shape (e.g., normal, skewed, bimodal). Control charts track data over time, scatter diagrams reveal correlations, and Pareto charts rank discrete defect categories.

5Which quality management concept holds that every defect provides an opportunity for improvement and that zero defects is an achievable goal?

A.Juran's Quality Trilogy

B.Deming's System of Profound Knowledge

C.Crosby's Zero Defects philosophy

D.Taguchi's Loss Function

Explanation: Philip Crosby championed the Zero Defects philosophy, arguing that 'quality is free' because the cost of prevention is always less than the cost of failure. He introduced the concept of doing it right the first time and rejected the idea of an acceptable quality level as a goal. Juran emphasized the Quality Trilogy (planning, control, improvement), Deming focused on systemic management, and Taguchi quantified losses from variation.

6A quality technician uses a flowchart during process analysis. The primary purpose of a flowchart is to:

A.Measure the spread of process output

B.Display the sequential steps and decision points in a process

C.Identify which defect type occurs most frequently

D.Plot individual measurements against control limits

Explanation: A flowchart (process map) uses standardized symbols to depict the sequence of steps, decision points, and flow of materials or information through a process, making it easier to identify complexity, redundancy, or gaps. Histograms measure spread, Pareto charts rank defect frequency, and control charts plot measurements against limits.

7In cost-of-quality terminology, the cost of calibrating measurement equipment is classified as:

A.Internal failure cost

B.External failure cost

C.Prevention cost

D.Appraisal cost

Explanation: Calibration of measurement equipment is an appraisal cost because it ensures instruments can accurately measure product conformance — it is part of the evaluation and inspection infrastructure. Prevention costs address activities before a defect can occur (e.g., design reviews, training), while failure costs arise from actual nonconformances.

8A scatter diagram showing points that cluster along a line rising from left to right indicates:

A.Negative correlation between the two variables

B.No correlation between the two variables

C.Positive correlation between the two variables

D.A non-linear relationship between the two variables

Explanation: A scatter diagram with points clustering along an upward-sloping line from left to right indicates a positive correlation — as one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well. Negative correlation produces a downward-sloping pattern, no correlation produces a random scatter, and a curved pattern suggests a non-linear relationship.

9Which of the following best describes a quality management system (QMS)?

A.A software application that tracks defects in real time

B.A structured set of policies, processes, and procedures to direct and control an organization's quality activities

C.A statistical method for reducing process variation

D.A document listing all customer requirements for a product

Explanation: A quality management system (QMS) is an organized set of interrelated policies, processes, and procedures that govern how an organization directs and controls activities related to quality — typically aligned with standards such as ISO 9001. It encompasses planning, control, assurance, and improvement activities rather than being a single software tool or statistical technique.

10A team using a check sheet over two weeks finds that surface scratches account for 62% of all defects. The NEXT most useful tool to apply is:

A.Histogram

B.Control chart

C.Cause-and-effect diagram

D.Scatter diagram

Explanation: Once the Pareto principle has identified surface scratches as the dominant defect, the next logical step is to investigate root causes using a cause-and-effect (Ishikawa) diagram, which systematically organizes potential contributing factors. A histogram would describe data distribution, a control chart monitors process stability over time, and a scatter diagram explores variable relationships.

About the CQT Exam

The CQT validates that a paraprofessional quality technician can support quality engineers and supervisors by analyzing quality problems, preparing inspection plans, applying sampling plans, using statistical process control, and performing basic quality system tasks.

Exam sponsor: American Society for Quality (ASQ). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

4 hours 18 minutes

Passing Score

Scaled score (cut score not publicly disclosed by ASQ)

Exam / Certification Fees

$360 (members) / $460 (non-members)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~25%

Statistical Techniques and SPC

Descriptive statistics, normal distribution, control charts (Xbar-R, p, np, c, u), run rules, process stability

~20%

Quality Concepts and Tools

Seven QC tools, cost of quality, quality philosophies, quality management systems, PDCA

~15%

Metrology and Calibration

Gauges, CMM, Gage R&R / MSA, calibration intervals, traceability, measurement uncertainty, bias

~15%

Inspection and Test

Inspection types, receiving/in-process/final/FAI, nonconforming material, MRB, NCR, segregation

~10%

Sampling Plans

ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 (attributes), Z1.9 (variables), AQL, OC curves, sampling types, switching rules

~10%

Process Capability

Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk — formulas, interpretation, short-term vs. long-term variation

~5%

Corrective Action and Safety

CAPA, 8D, 5 Whys, root cause verification, LOTO safety, PPE

~2%

Blueprint Reading and GD&T

Engineering drawing symbols, tolerances, GD&T feature control frames, form/orientation/location controls

Preparing for the CQT Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score (cut score not publicly disclosed by ASQ)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 4 hours 18 minutes
Exam / certification fees: $360 (members) / $460 (non-members) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 119 available questions
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CQT: Suggested Study Strategy

1Bring organized, tabbed references — the open-book format rewards well-indexed materials

2Memorize control chart formulas and constants (A2, D3, D4) for subgroup sizes 2–10

3Know the Cp vs. Cpk difference: Cp ignores centering, Cpk accounts for process offset

4Understand ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 switching rules: normal → tightened → reduced → discontinue

5Practice calculating Cpk from given data — roughly 20% of CQT questions require math

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CQT exam?

The computer-based CQT has 110 questions total (100 scored + 10 unscored pretest questions) in 4 hours and 18 minutes. The paper-and-pencil version has 100 questions in 4 hours.

What are the eligibility requirements for the CQT?

4 years of full-time, paid work experience in one or more CQT Body of Knowledge areas. Candidates previously certified as CQE, CQA, CRE, CSQE, or CMQ/OE may apply that experience.

Is the CQT exam open book?

Yes. The CQT is an open-book exam. Candidates may bring their own printed or bound reference materials — but not electronic devices.

How much does the CQT cost?

$460 for non-members, $360 for ASQ members. Retake fee is $260. ASQ members save $100 on the initial exam.

Free Practice Questions for CQT

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