CQE study materials
CQE study resources

CQE study plan

CQE · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Quantitative Methods and Tools

  • Calculate descriptive statistics, probability, and sampling-distribution values for 25 CQE-style problems.

  • Construct a decision tree for selecting z, t, chi-square, and F tests, listing assumptions for each.

  • Compute confidence intervals and required sample sizes for means and proportions.

  • Write a one-page formula sheet covering descriptive statistics and statistical inference.

Your checkpoint

Timed 25-question quantitative quiz scored at least 80%, with a corrected error log for every missed item.

Week 2

Quantitative Methods and Tools & Product, Process, and Service Design

  • Solve 15 hypothesis-test and ANOVA problems, stating assumptions and conclusions in writing.

  • Construct a two-level fractional factorial design and identify confounding patterns.

  • Calculate main effects and interactions from a supplied response table.

  • Map voice-of-customer statements to CTQs and draft a QFD matrix excerpt.

Your checkpoint

DOE worksheet containing three solved designs, one confounding analysis, and a QFD excerpt scored against a 10-point rubric.

Week 3

Product, Process, and Service Design & Product and Process Control

  • Translate design outputs into a control plan listing CTQs, specifications, measurement methods, and reaction plans.

  • Select the appropriate control chart for 10 process scenarios and justify each choice.

  • Calculate Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk and interpret each result.

  • Perform a gage repeatability and reproducibility calculation and classify the measurement system.

Your checkpoint

Completed control plan plus a capability and MSA problem set scored at least 85%.

Week 4

Product and Process Control & Continuous Improvement

  • Construct X-bar and R charts and p-charts from supplied data and identify out-of-control signals.

  • Conduct root-cause analysis using 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams for three process cases.

  • Calculate process capability before and after a simulated improvement.

  • Draft an A3 or PDCA one-pager for one selected process problem.

Your checkpoint

90-minute mixed 30-question set scored at least 80%, plus a completed A3 one-pager.

Week 5

Continuous Improvement

  • Compare 5S, value-stream mapping, kanban, and poka-yoke, and select a tool for eight scenarios.

  • Calculate sigma level, DPU, DPMO, and rolled throughput yield from supplied data.

  • Build a DMAIC project charter with tollgate deliverables and success metrics.

  • Evaluate three continuous-improvement proposals using cost, cycle time, and defect-reduction criteria.

Your checkpoint

DMAIC charter plus a 20-question continuous-improvement quiz scored at least 85%.

Week 6

The Quality System & Management and Leadership

  • Map ISO 9001 clause requirements to audit evidence for 10 scenarios.

  • Draft a quality policy, measurable quality objectives, and role responsibilities for a sample organization.

  • Classify 12 cost-of-quality examples into prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure.

  • Build a training-competence matrix and a supplier-qualification checklist.

Your checkpoint

Two-page quality-system crosswalk plus a 15-question quiz scored at least 80%.

Week 7

Management and Leadership & Risk Management

  • Apply leadership and team-development concepts to six workplace scenarios and select appropriate conflict-resolution approaches.

  • Build a risk register using severity, occurrence, and detection ratings and prioritize the top five risks.

  • Perform an FMEA on a simple process, calculate RPN values, and recommend risk-reduction actions.

  • Explain how risk-based thinking applies to quality planning, operations, and improvement.

Your checkpoint

Completed FMEA worksheet and risk register with documented top-five mitigation actions.

Week 8

Quantitative Methods and Tools & Risk Management

  • Complete a full-length timed practice exam covering all seven CQE domains.

  • Review every missed item and classify errors as knowledge, calculation, or misreading.

  • Re-solve the 20 highest-risk missed items without notes.

  • Write a final one-page summary of formulas, risk tools, and decision rules for exam day.

Your checkpoint

Full-length practice exam scored at least 80%, with a corrected error log and final one-page summary sheet.

Milestones

Week 2: Score at least 80% on the DOE and hypothesis-testing worksheet and correctly identify confounding in a fractional factorial design.

Week 4: Score at least 80% on the 90-minute mixed control and improvement set and submit a complete A3 one-pager.

Week 6: Score at least 80% on the quality-system quiz and produce a clause-to-evidence crosswalk covering at least 10 ISO 9001 requirements.

Week 8: Score at least 80% on the full-length practice exam and show corrected error logs for all missed items.