CQM-C (Certified Quality Manager – Construction) –Real
Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED.pdf
CQM-C exam covered.
From the exam, I see topics:
Construction Quality Management system purpose
QA vs QC
USACE CQM-C certification role
Contract documents (specs, drawings)
Definable Features of Work (DFOW)
Quality Control Plan (QCP) submission and content
Three-phase control system (Preparatory, Initial, Follow-up)
Non-Conformance Reports (NCR), Corrective Action
Submittals (shop drawings, approvals)
As-builts, record drawings
Material testing (concrete, soil, steel, welding, NDT)
Standards (ACI, ASTM, AWS, ASME, NFPA)
Concrete: slump, cylinders, air content, curing, hot/cold weather, F-numbers
Welding: WPS, PQR, welder qualification, NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT)
Soil compaction: Proctor, nuclear density, sand cone
Inspection and Test Plans (ITP), hold points, witness points
Audits, root cause analysis, cost of quality
ISO 9001, PDCA, quality principles
Verification vs validation, traceability
Risk management, FMEA, control charts, Six Sigma, Lean
Punch list, substantial completion, warranties, closeout
, Commissioning, O&M manuals, systems manual
Environmental compliance (SWPPP, hazardous materials)
Safety (EM 385-1-1, JHA, stop work authority)
Roles: QC manager, QA representative, independent testing labs
Documentation (daily reports, submittal logs, RFI log, weld maps, MTR)
Temporary works (formwork, falsework, shoring)
Specific inspections: fireproofing, EIFS, roofing, doors, coatings, masonry, shotcrete,
precast, drilled shafts, piles
LEED/sustainability, indoor air quality
Training, lessons learned, continual improvement
1. The primary purpose of a Construction Quality Management (CQM) system is to:
A) Reduce project costs at all levels
✓ B) Ensure that the project meets contract requirements, specifications, and
standards
C) Maximize contractor profit
D) Eliminate all inspection failures
A CQM system focuses on conformity to specifications, contract documents, and
applicable codes/standards to deliver a quality project that meets owner
expectations.
,2. The difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) in
construction is best described as:
A) QA is inspection; QC is testing
✓ B) QA is process-oriented and preventive; QC is product-oriented and
detection-based
C) QA is performed by the contractor; QC by the owner
D) There is no difference
Quality Assurance focuses on the processes to prevent defects, while Quality
Control involves inspection and testing to identify defects in the completed work.
3. In the context of USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) construction projects, the
CQM-C certification specifically prepares the individual to:
A) Perform design calculations
✓ B) Implement the contractor's quality control system as required by the
Corps' Quality Management Specification
C) Manage the owner's quality assurance team
D) Serve as the project superintendent
The CQM-C is the contractor's Quality Control Manager who implements the QC
plan per the USACE quality management requirements (ER 1180-1-6).
, 4. Which document defines the quality requirements and acceptance criteria for
construction work?
A) The project schedule
B) The contractor's cost estimate
✓ C) The technical specifications and contract drawings
D) The safety plan
Specifications and drawings are the baseline for quality; they define materials,
workmanship, testing, and acceptance standards.
5. A "Definable Feature of Work" (DFOW) in a quality control plan refers to:
A) Any task performed by a subcontractor
✓ B) A distinct, identifiable portion of work that can be inspected and
accepted as a unit
C) The overall project
D) Change orders
DFOWs are used to break the project into manageable inspection units, each with its
own inspection and testing requirements.
6. The contractor's Quality Control Plan (QCP) must be submitted to the owner:
A) At project closeout
✓ B) Before start of construction and approved by the owner
Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED.pdf
CQM-C exam covered.
From the exam, I see topics:
Construction Quality Management system purpose
QA vs QC
USACE CQM-C certification role
Contract documents (specs, drawings)
Definable Features of Work (DFOW)
Quality Control Plan (QCP) submission and content
Three-phase control system (Preparatory, Initial, Follow-up)
Non-Conformance Reports (NCR), Corrective Action
Submittals (shop drawings, approvals)
As-builts, record drawings
Material testing (concrete, soil, steel, welding, NDT)
Standards (ACI, ASTM, AWS, ASME, NFPA)
Concrete: slump, cylinders, air content, curing, hot/cold weather, F-numbers
Welding: WPS, PQR, welder qualification, NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT)
Soil compaction: Proctor, nuclear density, sand cone
Inspection and Test Plans (ITP), hold points, witness points
Audits, root cause analysis, cost of quality
ISO 9001, PDCA, quality principles
Verification vs validation, traceability
Risk management, FMEA, control charts, Six Sigma, Lean
Punch list, substantial completion, warranties, closeout
, Commissioning, O&M manuals, systems manual
Environmental compliance (SWPPP, hazardous materials)
Safety (EM 385-1-1, JHA, stop work authority)
Roles: QC manager, QA representative, independent testing labs
Documentation (daily reports, submittal logs, RFI log, weld maps, MTR)
Temporary works (formwork, falsework, shoring)
Specific inspections: fireproofing, EIFS, roofing, doors, coatings, masonry, shotcrete,
precast, drilled shafts, piles
LEED/sustainability, indoor air quality
Training, lessons learned, continual improvement
1. The primary purpose of a Construction Quality Management (CQM) system is to:
A) Reduce project costs at all levels
✓ B) Ensure that the project meets contract requirements, specifications, and
standards
C) Maximize contractor profit
D) Eliminate all inspection failures
A CQM system focuses on conformity to specifications, contract documents, and
applicable codes/standards to deliver a quality project that meets owner
expectations.
,2. The difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) in
construction is best described as:
A) QA is inspection; QC is testing
✓ B) QA is process-oriented and preventive; QC is product-oriented and
detection-based
C) QA is performed by the contractor; QC by the owner
D) There is no difference
Quality Assurance focuses on the processes to prevent defects, while Quality
Control involves inspection and testing to identify defects in the completed work.
3. In the context of USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) construction projects, the
CQM-C certification specifically prepares the individual to:
A) Perform design calculations
✓ B) Implement the contractor's quality control system as required by the
Corps' Quality Management Specification
C) Manage the owner's quality assurance team
D) Serve as the project superintendent
The CQM-C is the contractor's Quality Control Manager who implements the QC
plan per the USACE quality management requirements (ER 1180-1-6).
, 4. Which document defines the quality requirements and acceptance criteria for
construction work?
A) The project schedule
B) The contractor's cost estimate
✓ C) The technical specifications and contract drawings
D) The safety plan
Specifications and drawings are the baseline for quality; they define materials,
workmanship, testing, and acceptance standards.
5. A "Definable Feature of Work" (DFOW) in a quality control plan refers to:
A) Any task performed by a subcontractor
✓ B) A distinct, identifiable portion of work that can be inspected and
accepted as a unit
C) The overall project
D) Change orders
DFOWs are used to break the project into manageable inspection units, each with its
own inspection and testing requirements.
6. The contractor's Quality Control Plan (QCP) must be submitted to the owner:
A) At project closeout
✓ B) Before start of construction and approved by the owner
