CONSTRUCTION QUALITY MANAGEMENT FOR
CONTRACTORS (CQM-C) | 2025/2026 EXAM
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+
LATEST
CQM-C Actual Exam
1.
Which of the following best defines quality control (QC) in construction?
A. Ensuring project cost stays within budget
B. The process of monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with
specifications
C. Managing project schedule and workforce
D. Negotiating contracts with subcontractors
✅ Answer: B. The process of monitoring construction activities to ensure
compliance with specifications
Rationale:
Quality control focuses on verifying that construction work meets project
specifications and contractual requirements. Cost and schedule are important but
are not the primary focus of QC.
2.
A contractor identifies a defect in concrete work after pouring. The most
appropriate immediate action is:
A. Continue construction and document the defect
B. Stop work, isolate the affected area, and notify the responsible parties
C. Attempt minor fixes without approval
D. Ignore the defect if it seems minor
,✅ Answer: B. Stop work, isolate the affected area, and notify the responsible
parties
Rationale:
Early identification and isolation prevent defects from affecting the entire project.
Documentation and proper notification maintain accountability.
3.
Which document typically describes the quality requirements for a construction
project?
A. Project schedule
B. Contract specifications
C. Purchase orders
D. Safety manual
✅ Answer: B. Contract specifications
Rationale:
Contract specifications provide detailed quality expectations, materials,
workmanship standards, and testing requirements.
4.
A contractor wants to implement a systematic approach to prevent defects rather
than just detect them. This is called:
A. Quality Assurance (QA)
B. Quality Control (QC)
C. Risk Management
D. Project Scheduling
✅ Answer: A. Quality Assurance (QA)
Rationale:
QA is proactive, focusing on preventing errors by establishing processes and
standards, whereas QC is reactive, detecting defects after they occur.
,5.
Which of the following is a key responsibility of a CQM-C certified
professional?
A. Estimating project costs
B. Overseeing quality management processes and ensuring compliance with
specifications
C. Drafting legal contracts
D. Managing subcontractor payroll
✅ Answer: B. Overseeing quality management processes and ensuring
compliance with specifications
Rationale:
CQM-C professionals focus on quality management, inspection, documentation,
and verification to meet project requirements.
6.
A project requires documentation of all inspections, tests, and corrective actions.
The primary purpose is:
A. To create a marketing portfolio
B. To provide evidence of compliance for audits and regulatory review
C. To satisfy the architect’s curiosity
D. To reduce labor costs
✅ Answer: B. To provide evidence of compliance for audits and regulatory
review
Rationale:
Documentation serves as a permanent record that the work meets specifications
and can be reviewed during audits or disputes.
, 7.
A contractor notices that a subcontractor is not following approved welding
procedures. The correct CQM-C action is:
A. Allow the work to continue and inspect later
B. Immediately stop work, document the issue, and ensure corrective action is
implemented
C. Ignore and report at project completion
D. Ask the subcontractor to fix it at their convenience
✅ Answer: B. Immediately stop work, document the issue, and ensure
corrective action is implemented
Rationale:
Non-compliance with approved procedures can compromise safety and quality;
immediate corrective action prevents escalation.
8.
Which type of inspection is performed before work begins to verify materials,
equipment, and preparations?
A. Final inspection
B. Pre-construction or pre-installation inspection
C. Corrective inspection
D. Post-construction audit
✅ Answer: B. Pre-construction or pre-installation inspection
Rationale:
Pre-construction inspections ensure that all prerequisites are met and work starts
according to specifications, preventing later issues.
CONTRACTORS (CQM-C) | 2025/2026 EXAM
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+
LATEST
CQM-C Actual Exam
1.
Which of the following best defines quality control (QC) in construction?
A. Ensuring project cost stays within budget
B. The process of monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with
specifications
C. Managing project schedule and workforce
D. Negotiating contracts with subcontractors
✅ Answer: B. The process of monitoring construction activities to ensure
compliance with specifications
Rationale:
Quality control focuses on verifying that construction work meets project
specifications and contractual requirements. Cost and schedule are important but
are not the primary focus of QC.
2.
A contractor identifies a defect in concrete work after pouring. The most
appropriate immediate action is:
A. Continue construction and document the defect
B. Stop work, isolate the affected area, and notify the responsible parties
C. Attempt minor fixes without approval
D. Ignore the defect if it seems minor
,✅ Answer: B. Stop work, isolate the affected area, and notify the responsible
parties
Rationale:
Early identification and isolation prevent defects from affecting the entire project.
Documentation and proper notification maintain accountability.
3.
Which document typically describes the quality requirements for a construction
project?
A. Project schedule
B. Contract specifications
C. Purchase orders
D. Safety manual
✅ Answer: B. Contract specifications
Rationale:
Contract specifications provide detailed quality expectations, materials,
workmanship standards, and testing requirements.
4.
A contractor wants to implement a systematic approach to prevent defects rather
than just detect them. This is called:
A. Quality Assurance (QA)
B. Quality Control (QC)
C. Risk Management
D. Project Scheduling
✅ Answer: A. Quality Assurance (QA)
Rationale:
QA is proactive, focusing on preventing errors by establishing processes and
standards, whereas QC is reactive, detecting defects after they occur.
,5.
Which of the following is a key responsibility of a CQM-C certified
professional?
A. Estimating project costs
B. Overseeing quality management processes and ensuring compliance with
specifications
C. Drafting legal contracts
D. Managing subcontractor payroll
✅ Answer: B. Overseeing quality management processes and ensuring
compliance with specifications
Rationale:
CQM-C professionals focus on quality management, inspection, documentation,
and verification to meet project requirements.
6.
A project requires documentation of all inspections, tests, and corrective actions.
The primary purpose is:
A. To create a marketing portfolio
B. To provide evidence of compliance for audits and regulatory review
C. To satisfy the architect’s curiosity
D. To reduce labor costs
✅ Answer: B. To provide evidence of compliance for audits and regulatory
review
Rationale:
Documentation serves as a permanent record that the work meets specifications
and can be reviewed during audits or disputes.
, 7.
A contractor notices that a subcontractor is not following approved welding
procedures. The correct CQM-C action is:
A. Allow the work to continue and inspect later
B. Immediately stop work, document the issue, and ensure corrective action is
implemented
C. Ignore and report at project completion
D. Ask the subcontractor to fix it at their convenience
✅ Answer: B. Immediately stop work, document the issue, and ensure
corrective action is implemented
Rationale:
Non-compliance with approved procedures can compromise safety and quality;
immediate corrective action prevents escalation.
8.
Which type of inspection is performed before work begins to verify materials,
equipment, and preparations?
A. Final inspection
B. Pre-construction or pre-installation inspection
C. Corrective inspection
D. Post-construction audit
✅ Answer: B. Pre-construction or pre-installation inspection
Rationale:
Pre-construction inspections ensure that all prerequisites are met and work starts
according to specifications, preventing later issues.
