Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) – ASQ – 2025 – Certification Exam Definitions and Key Terms

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ASQ CQA Certification Exam Definitions




ASQ - Correct answer-American Society for Quality


ISO 19011:2011 - Correct answer-sets out guidance on internal and
external audits of quality management systems


ISO 9000:2015 - Correct Answer-Describes the fundamental concepts
and principles of quality management which are universal


Audit - Correct Answer-Systematic, independent and documented
process for obtaining evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine
the extent to which the criteria are fulfilled


Audit client - Correct Answer-Organization or person requesting an audit.
Determines the scope of the audit. Jointly determines the purpose and
criteria of an internal audit with the lead auditor.


Audit conclusion - Correct Answer-Outcome of an audit, provided by the
audit team after consideration of the audit objectives and all audit
findings


Audit criteria - Correct Answer-Set of policies, procedures or
requirements


Audit evidence - Correct Answer-Records, statements of fact or other
info, which are relevant to the audit criteria and verifiable



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Audit findings - Correct Answer-Results of the evaluation of the collected
evidence against criteria


Audit plan - Correct Answer-Description of the activities and
arrangements for an audit


Audit Program - Correct Answer-Set of one or more audits planned for a
specific time frame and directed towards a specific purpose


Audit scope - Correct Answer-Extent and boundaries of an audit.
Normally defines the organizations and time period for the audit. Can
include physical locations, departments, products, processes, or
systems, exclusions, timelines, relevant polices or procedures, and
applicable regulations or contracts.


Audit team - Correct Answer-One or more auditors conducting an audit,
supported if needed by technical experts


Auditee - Correct Answer-Organization being audited


Auditor - Correct answer-Person with the competence to conduct an
audit


Part I - Correct Answer-Auditing fundamentals


Part I am - Correct Answer-Types of quality audits


Part I B - Correct answer-Purpose and scope of audits


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Part I C - Correct Answer-Criteria to audit against


Part I D - Correct answer-Roles and responsibilities of audit participants


Part I E - Correct answer-Professional conduct and consequences for
auditors


Product or Service Audit - Correct Answer-Examination of a particular
item or service (hardware, processed material, software) to evaluate
whether it conforms to requirements (that is, specifications, performance
standards, and customer requirements).
Conducted at completed stage of production and has passed final
inspection.
Can also measure quality of item going to customer (product quality
audit).
Technical exam of the form, fit and function of a completed item after
final inspection.


Process audit - Correct Answer-Verifies that procedures are working
within established limits. It examines an activity to verify that the inputs,
actions, and outputs are in accordance with defined requirements. It is
very focused on a single activity.


General Audit Types - Correct answer-3 discrete types are product
(which includes services), process, and system


Process audit technique - Correct Answer-Audit method of following
process steps




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