Six Sigma Green & Black Belt Study Checklist

This checklist is a detailed look at how I recommend studying to pass your Six Sigma exam. However, there’s a lot more to do than study! You must pick an exam, learn the material, and get through the paperwork, too! Be sure to take a look at the Six Sigma Certification Key Activities Checklist, too.

Recommended Exam Study Materials

Some Six Sigma exam candidates can get by on the strength of their training materials. Others benefit from additional help.

Obtain Review Materials

You can buy a paper book, use Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt, or Pass Your Six Sigma Black Belt’s (PYSSGB, PYSSBB) online materials.

I like the Quality Council of Indiana’s materials if you prefer paper.

Practice Exams

There are multiple books on Amazon, but I cannot recommend any of them. You may have better luck.

I maintain a few free practice exams here.

If you’d like a more interactive and comprehensive approach, try PYSSGB’s & PYSSGB’s thousands of questions with full walkthroughs, instructor support, and linked study materials.

Review the Body of Knowledge for your Exam.

Here are a few of the most popular organization’s BOKs sorted by belt:

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt Guides
  • ASQ Six Sigma Yellow Belt Guide
  • IASSC Six Sigma Yellow Belt Guide
• Six Sigma Green Belt Bodies of Knowledge
  • Villanova Six Sigma Green Body of Knowledge
  • ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge
  • IASSC Six Sigma Green Belt Study Guide
• Six Sigma Black Belt Guides Bodies of Knowledge
  • Villanova Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge
  • ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge
  • IASSC Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge

Buy a Study Book & Plan

There are multiple books on Amazon but, again, I have trouble endorsing any of them. The reviews are generally not great. And you do not get instructor access when you purchase a book.

If you’d like a more interactive approach, try PYSSGB’s & PYSSGB’s thousands of questions with full walk-throughs, instructor support, and linked study materials.

Join a Bootcamp or Similar Preparation Review

Contact your local Six Sigma organization (e.g., ASQ Chapter) and see if they offer an exam preparation workshop or boot camp. If they do, consider joining.

Alternatively, try PYSSGB’s & PYSSGB’s, which offers suggested reading and review materials found on the website.

Note that a review session is not a substitute for formal Six Sigma training.

Exam Study Preparation

Create an Exam Study Plan

Six Sigma practitioners know the importance of having a plan. Without one, they know they will fail. So, create your exam study plan and follow it. You can also follow the Six Sigma Study Guide Plan.

If you’re interested in a study plan that is done for you, take a look at Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

Make Time Daily to Study

Block out time on your calendar each day to study. It doesn’t have to be long, but you do need it.

Publish & synch that schedule where you will see it. When conflicts come for that time you’ve set aside for yourself, remind yourself of why you are trying to get your Six Sigma belt, what it will mean for you when you do, what it will mean if you don’t, and jealously defend that time. Sharing your goals will let others know how important this is to you.

Re-read Your Training Materials

Match your training to the BOK of your exam. Identify any gaps in your knowledge and seek to remedy them.

Review Six Sigma Glossaries

The questions on your Six Sigma exam are difficult enough when you know what all the terms mean! Don’t put yourself in a hole early on. Be sure you know the terms.

Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt includes links to several great resources like term glossaries you can use. You can also find glossaries for purchase on Amazon.

Work through an Exam Prep Course

Either join Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt and systematically work through all of the possible questions for your belt or find a similar way.

Learn the Formulas

Knowing how to use formulas in mathematical problems quickly will help you during the exam.

Be sure any study guides you purchase offer detailed formula walkthroughs and access to instructors like the Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt course does.

Watch and Listen to Lean & Six Sigma Podcasts, Audiobooks, and YouTube channels.

Make the most of your downtime (i.e., driving to work, walking, waiting at the post office, etc).

Take Complete Sample Exams

This is the most important study activity of all! Keep score of your correct answers. You should be ready if you consistently correctly answer 80% of practice questions you have never seen before.

Both Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt courses offer dozens of practice exams and many full-length sample exams designed to simulate what you will encounter on exam day.

When you’re ready, there are a few ways I can help:

First, join 30,000+ other Six Sigma professionals by subscribing to my email newsletter. A short read every Monday to start your work week off correctly. Always free.

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If you’re looking to pass your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt exams, I’d recommend starting with my affordable study guide:

1)→ 🟢Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt​​

2)→ ⚫Pass Your Six Sigma Black Belt ​​​

You’ve spent so much effort learning Lean Six Sigma. Why leave passing your certification exam up to chance? This comprehensive study guide offers 1,000+ exam-like questions for Green Belts (2,000+ for Black Belts) with full answer walkthroughs, access to instructors, detailed study material, and more.

​ Join 10,000+ students here.