ACI CQTM study plan
ACI CQTM · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Concrete Quality Management
Define the components of a concrete quality management system and explain how each supports acceptance decisions
Distinguish among the roles of owner, contractor, testing lab, and specifier in quality assurance versus quality control
Identify the governing standards that apply to concrete materials, sampling, and testing
Explain how submittals, mix design approval, and pre-placement conferences establish quality requirements before construction
Your checkpoint
A one-page quality management system map linking each role to its quality assurance or quality control responsibilities and the standard that governs it
Concrete Quality Management
Describe proper sampling procedures for fresh concrete and justify why sampling location and timing affect result validity
Calculate required specimen quantities and curing regimes for strength acceptance testing
Interpret compressive strength test results against acceptance criteria and determine compliance or non-compliance
Explain the process for investigating low-strength results, including core testing and evaluation options
Your checkpoint
A worked acceptance-testing scenario with specimen schedule, computed strength results, and a written compliance determination with justification
Concrete Quality Management
Interpret statistical measures of concrete quality including standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and moving averages
Apply acceptance criteria based on statistical evaluation of strength records
Explain how to establish and adjust mix proportions using field performance data
Identify the actions required when quality trends indicate a loss of control
Your checkpoint
A statistical quality analysis of a synthetic set of strength records, including computed variability measures and a control-action recommendation
Concrete Quality Management
Differentiate among acceptance, rejection, and evaluation of nonconforming work
Describe documentation and recordkeeping requirements for quality records and traceability
Explain the purpose and structure of a quality manual, inspection plan, and test report
Outline a root-cause investigation for a recurring quality nonconformity
Your checkpoint
A nonconformance report template with root-cause analysis section and a completed example for a simulated strength failure
Concrete Construction Practices
Describe batching, mixing, transporting, and placing operations and the quality controls applied at each stage
Explain how water-cementitious ratio, slump, air content, and temperature are controlled in the field
Identify proper consolidation, finishing, and curing practices and their effect on durability and strength
Describe hot-weather and cold-weather concreting precautions and their quality implications
Your checkpoint
A field inspection checklist covering batching through curing with the acceptance limit or control measure cited for each item
Concrete Construction Practices
Explain formwork, reinforcement placement, and embedment requirements that affect concrete quality
Describe joint layout, construction joint preparation, and surface preparation requirements
Identify common placement defects and their corrective actions
Explain how pre-pour inspection and hold points prevent construction defects
Your checkpoint
A pre-pour inspection hold-point list with the verification method and responsible party for each hold point
Concrete Quality Management & Concrete Construction Practices
Connect field construction practices to the quality management outcomes they influence
Evaluate case scenarios that combine placement problems with acceptance testing results
Apply specification requirements to resolve field disputes over workmanship and acceptance
Prioritize corrective actions when schedule pressure conflicts with quality requirements
Your checkpoint
Three integrated case analyses, each linking a construction practice issue to a quality management decision with a documented resolution
Concrete Quality Management & Concrete Construction Practices
Synthesize the full quality management and construction practice body of knowledge into a personal reference outline
Complete timed practice sets across both domains and analyze error patterns by topic
Rehearse explanations of key concepts aloud to confirm recall without notes
Finalize a last-review sheet of high-risk topics and acceptance criteria
Your checkpoint
A two-page personal exam reference sheet plus a scored practice-set log with a remediation list for weak areas
Milestones
Week 2: Correctly determine acceptance or non-compliance for a full set of simulated strength results using the applicable acceptance criteria
Week 4: Produce a complete nonconformance documentation package, from test report through root-cause analysis and corrective action
Week 6: Complete a field inspection checklist and pre-pour hold-point list covering all major construction stages
Week 8: Score at least 80 percent on a mixed timed practice set across both domains with an error log identifying remaining weak areas