Hey There,
Many of the frequently asked questions about becoming a Certified Quality Engineer or CQE are related to the actual exam.
ASQ has moved to a computer based test that’s hosted by Prometrics and I’ve included some details on this new process.
If you have a question about the exam that I haven’t answered, shoot me an email.
What is the CQE exam?
Before you can become certified as a quality engineer, you must pass the CQE Exam that is proctored by ASQ.
The exam is meant to challenge your understanding of the CQE Body of Knowledge.
Is the Exam Timed?
Yes, ASQ gives you approximately 5.5 hours (330 minutes) to take the exam.
That’s a little less than 2 minutes per question, so you’ll have to move quickly!
What’s the CQE exam format?
The test is0 175 question multiple choice exam.
There are 160 question that make up the actual exam, and these questions are distributed across the Body of knowledge.
There are another 15 questions that are considered “pretest” questions that do not affect your score. These questions are used to test future exam questions. These questions are placed randomly throughout the exam, so don’t just skip the first or last 15 questions.
What is the computer based exam like?
The CQE Exam is proctored by a company called Prometrics where they take testing very seriously!
To experience a Prometric exam demo click here.
I got to experience this new computer based exam and I was generally please.
The exam application allows you to strike-through answers you know are wrong, and it allows you to highlight questions that you’d like to come back to review.
The software also has a clock and a calculator which helped me pace myself and do some simple math.
What Is the Exam Day Experience Like at Prometrics
Prometrics has a very strict security policy meant to deter and detect any inappropriate behavior.
This is great because they’re protecting the integrity of the exam and the certification.
Having said that. . . They mean business!
I was definitely blown away by their security policies, and you should definitely be prepared for the exam day experience.
Here’s a link to the Prometrics Test Center Security Policy, which I’ll summarize below.
The following items are prohibited in the testing center:
- food,
- water/drinks,
- cell phones,
- electronic devices,
- Ipods/music players,
- bags/luggage,
- coats,
- watches,
- medication
- Jewelry
- Ornate clips, combs, headbands, etc
You be given a locker at the test center where you’ll have to store this stuff.
You can get up during the exam to get a drink or a snack, but the exam clock does not stop, so plan your breaks accordingly.
When you arrive at the test center you’re going to be wanded with a metal detector before getting into the testing center.
I had to pull up my pant legs and turn my pockets inside out. They inspect all eyeglasses, jewelry and other accessories where they’re looking for camera devices!
Like I said, they mean business!
ASQ also provides some details here on the new computer based test.
Are there any important details I must know?
Show up early and DO NOT FORGET YOUR ID!
You’ll have to check-in before the exam and provide your ASQ Eligibility ID, so show up early.
Your ID is the most important thing that you must bring with you on exam day. They will send you home if you forget your ID.
Your ID must be current (not expired) and contain a photo of you and your name.
They accept any valid form of drivers licenses, military ID, passport or national identification card.
Can I bring anything to the exam?
Yes – the CQE exam open book but they’re recently changed the policy to where it’s not necessarily “open notes” anymore.
All references must be bound; no loose leaf paper is allowed.
So if you’re going to print out any material from CQE Academy, you’re going to want to put that into a 3-ring binder for the exam.
You cannot bring any practice exams in that you’ve completed.
If you plan on using the QCI Primer, you’ll be asked to remove the practice quizzes within the primer. These are the pages in blue.
You are allowed to have “post-it” notes on your open book material, but they can be only used as “tabs” within the book, and nothing else.
What is the Calculator Policy?
You’re only allowed to bring a non-programmable calculator for the exam, like the TI-30XS from Texas Instruments.
Programmable calculators like the TI-89 or similar calculators are not allowed.
The good news is that the exam only requires simple math, so you don’t need any of those programmable functions.
If you forget your exam, you can ask Prometrics and they will provide you one.
Also, the computer based exam has a basic calculator on-screen that I used during my exam.
What’s the best way to study for the exam?
I got this question so much, that I created a whole separate page for it!
I call it my CQE Academy 26 Week Study Plan and it’s my personal study strategy to help you get certified.
How often do they schedule exams?
Check out the ASQ schedule here which includes upcoming exams along with the exam application deadline.
You may get lucky and find that a special exam has been scheduled in your area at a different point in the year.
Where is the CQE exam held?
The Exam is hosted by Prometics, and when you sign up for the exam, ASQ will send you a link to Prometrics.com to find testing center near you.
This is one of the reasons that ASQ went to Prometics because they have facilities all over the U.S., so the location will likely be convenient for you.
If you’re international, you’ll need to check here to find your international exam location.
What do you have to do to take the CQE exam?
Before you can take exam, ASQ requires you complete an application process. I’ve created a whole page dedicated to assisting you complete the application process.
I’ve also created a whole page dedicated to frequently asked questions regarding the application & application process.
Can I retake the exam?
Yes, ASQ will allow you to retake the exam as many time as you like. Hopefully with my help, you never will.
Bonus – The exam fee is reduced for those who are retaking, but be sure to re-take within 2 years of your last attempt or this discount expires!
What about practice exams?
The absolute best way to study for the CQE Exam is to take a practice exam.
Here’s a link to all of the Practice Exams on CQE Academy.
Usually at the top of each page you’ll find a “pre-quiz” that will help you assess your understanding of the material that you’re about to read. This pre-quiz also primes your mind for the topic that you’re about to learn.
There’s usually a quiz at to bottom of every page that mimics the CQE Exam – it’s timed, etc. This quiz is always more difficult than the one at the top of the page.
Summary
I also wanted to include a link to the ASQ FAQ page in case you had additional questions.
The information provided in ASQ’s FAQ page is very general and don’t all necessarily related to the CQE exam. I did my best to review all this information and filter it for CQE relevance.
Like I said above, if you have a question that wasn’t covered here, please feel free to contact me!
Also for more information about CQE Academy check out my About page or get started study.
Thanks and good luck!
Andy