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CQM-C EXAM PREP 2026 – 125 CONSTRUCTION
QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES
Construction Quality Management / Construction Project Management
Exam coverage :-
• Section A (Q1–Q20): Fundamentals of CQM, CQC vs. QA,
benefits, the Three-Phase Control System overview, DFOW,
and certification requirements.
• Section B (Q21–Q50): QC Plan components, review and
acceptance, Post-Award Orientation Conference,
Coordination Meeting, submittals, and testing.
• Section C (Q51–Q80): Detailed Three-Phase Control
System (Preparatory, Initial, Follow-up), inspections,
deficiency tracking, and daily reporting.
• Section D (Q81–Q105): Submittals, approved laboratories,
testing documentation, QC Daily Reports, and deficiency
lists.
• Section E (Q106–Q125): Final inspection, closeout
documentation, as-built drawings, O&M manuals,
warranties, and warranty obligations.
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF CQM & CQC (Q1–Q20)
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1. The primary purpose of Construction Quality Management
(CQM) is to:
A) Maximize contractor profits on federal projects
B) Assure that the quality set by the plans and specifications is
achieved
C) Reduce the number of government inspectors on site
D) Expedite the construction schedule at all costs
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assure that the quality set by the
plans and specifications is achieved
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because CQM represents the
government's efforts, separate from but in coordination and
cooperation with the contractor, to assure that the quality set
by the plans and specifications is achieved. Option A is
incorrect because profit maximization is not the purpose of
CQM. Option C is incorrect because reducing inspector
numbers is not the goal. Option D is incorrect because
schedule acceleration must never compromise quality.
2. What are the two principal areas of CQM activity?
A) Design review and construction inspection
B) Contractor Quality Control (CQC) and Government Quality
Assurance (QA)
C) Safety compliance and environmental compliance
D) Scheduling and budgeting
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CORRECT ANSWER: B) Contractor Quality Control (CQC) and
Government Quality Assurance (QA)
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because the two principal
areas of CQM activity are Contractor Quality Control (CQC),
which assures the completed project meets all quality
requirements of the contract, and Government Quality
Assurance (QA), through which the government assures that
CQC is working effectively. Option A is incorrect because design
review is not one of the two principal areas. Option C is
incorrect because safety and environmental compliance are
separate requirements. Option D is incorrect because
scheduling and budgeting are project management functions.
3. The primary function of Contractor Quality Control (CQC) is
to:
A) Inspect the work after completion
B) Assure that the completed project meets all quality
requirements of the contract
C) Replace the government's quality assurance role
D) Minimize the contractor's documentation burden
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assure that the completed project
meets all quality requirements of the contract
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because the primary function
of CQC is to assure that the completed project meets all quality
requirements of the contract. Option A is incorrect because
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CQC is proactive, not reactive inspection. Option C is incorrect
because CQC complements, not replaces, government QA.
Option D is incorrect because CQC requires thorough
documentation, not minimization.
4. CQC is principally concerned with:
A) Inspection
B) Control
C) Documentation only
D) Government reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Control
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because CQC is principally
concerned with control, not merely inspection. Control is a
proactive process that requires active participation and
prevents defects before they occur. Option A is incorrect
because inspection is reactive and is only one tool of control.
Option C is incorrect because documentation supports control
but is not the principal concern. Option D is incorrect because
government reporting is an output, not the primary concern.
5. CQM is best described as:
A) Reactive inspection
B) Proactive prevention
C) Periodic auditing
D) Post-construction evaluation
CQM-C EXAM PREP 2026 – 125 CONSTRUCTION
QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES
Construction Quality Management / Construction Project Management
Exam coverage :-
• Section A (Q1–Q20): Fundamentals of CQM, CQC vs. QA,
benefits, the Three-Phase Control System overview, DFOW,
and certification requirements.
• Section B (Q21–Q50): QC Plan components, review and
acceptance, Post-Award Orientation Conference,
Coordination Meeting, submittals, and testing.
• Section C (Q51–Q80): Detailed Three-Phase Control
System (Preparatory, Initial, Follow-up), inspections,
deficiency tracking, and daily reporting.
• Section D (Q81–Q105): Submittals, approved laboratories,
testing documentation, QC Daily Reports, and deficiency
lists.
• Section E (Q106–Q125): Final inspection, closeout
documentation, as-built drawings, O&M manuals,
warranties, and warranty obligations.
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF CQM & CQC (Q1–Q20)
, Page 2 of 77
1. The primary purpose of Construction Quality Management
(CQM) is to:
A) Maximize contractor profits on federal projects
B) Assure that the quality set by the plans and specifications is
achieved
C) Reduce the number of government inspectors on site
D) Expedite the construction schedule at all costs
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assure that the quality set by the
plans and specifications is achieved
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because CQM represents the
government's efforts, separate from but in coordination and
cooperation with the contractor, to assure that the quality set
by the plans and specifications is achieved. Option A is
incorrect because profit maximization is not the purpose of
CQM. Option C is incorrect because reducing inspector
numbers is not the goal. Option D is incorrect because
schedule acceleration must never compromise quality.
2. What are the two principal areas of CQM activity?
A) Design review and construction inspection
B) Contractor Quality Control (CQC) and Government Quality
Assurance (QA)
C) Safety compliance and environmental compliance
D) Scheduling and budgeting
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CORRECT ANSWER: B) Contractor Quality Control (CQC) and
Government Quality Assurance (QA)
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because the two principal
areas of CQM activity are Contractor Quality Control (CQC),
which assures the completed project meets all quality
requirements of the contract, and Government Quality
Assurance (QA), through which the government assures that
CQC is working effectively. Option A is incorrect because design
review is not one of the two principal areas. Option C is
incorrect because safety and environmental compliance are
separate requirements. Option D is incorrect because
scheduling and budgeting are project management functions.
3. The primary function of Contractor Quality Control (CQC) is
to:
A) Inspect the work after completion
B) Assure that the completed project meets all quality
requirements of the contract
C) Replace the government's quality assurance role
D) Minimize the contractor's documentation burden
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assure that the completed project
meets all quality requirements of the contract
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because the primary function
of CQC is to assure that the completed project meets all quality
requirements of the contract. Option A is incorrect because
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CQC is proactive, not reactive inspection. Option C is incorrect
because CQC complements, not replaces, government QA.
Option D is incorrect because CQC requires thorough
documentation, not minimization.
4. CQC is principally concerned with:
A) Inspection
B) Control
C) Documentation only
D) Government reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Control
RATIONALE: Option B is correct because CQC is principally
concerned with control, not merely inspection. Control is a
proactive process that requires active participation and
prevents defects before they occur. Option A is incorrect
because inspection is reactive and is only one tool of control.
Option C is incorrect because documentation supports control
but is not the principal concern. Option D is incorrect because
government reporting is an output, not the primary concern.
5. CQM is best described as:
A) Reactive inspection
B) Proactive prevention
C) Periodic auditing
D) Post-construction evaluation
