Exam Activities

This checklist will help Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt candidates deal with “The Big Picture.” I prepared it because proper exam preparation includes more than simply taking training. Too often, when preparing for the exam, it is difficult to know where to start. 

You’ll also find suggestions for recommended study materials and ideas for maintaining your certification after you pass the exam.

Use the checklist as your certification guide and compass for your exam preparation.

Activity Details

1.0 Clarify Your Vision

Some people know immediately that pursuing a Six Sigma certification is right for them, while others wonder if it’s the right move for their careers. Here are some thoughts if you’re still deciding if a Six Sigma belt is right for your career.

1.1 Pick Belt

Different belts require different levels of understanding and preparation. Some are better suited for some careers than others.

Do you already know which belt you want? Great! For others needing help deciding which belt to pursue, see here.

1.2 Pick Certifying Organization

There are dozens of certifying organizations in the world. Pick the one that suits your current circumstances the best. Remember that this isn’t a mutually exclusive choice! Sometimes, it’s beneficial to get certified in several organizations.

Already know which organization you want to be certified with? Great! If not, read here for thoughts on picking the right Six Sigma certification organization for you.

1.3 Read your Organization’s Certification Materials

Read all of their suggested materials completely in order to understand all the administrative and operational processes. You want to find and understand a document that defines “the rules” of the exam.

Further reading on various organization’s prerequisites. I also cover other frequently voiced concerns from Six Sigma candidates.

1.4 Read your Organization’s suggested Body of Knowledge (BOK) for your exam

While most certification organizations cover similar items for each belt, substantial differences exist. Six Sigma Training classes often don’t have the time or resources to discuss all of the details of the entire BOK, and different organizations assign different weights to the topics.

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

1.5 Follow in Successful Footsteps

Thousands of people pass these exams yearly, and many waste thousands of dollars and countless hours on training only to fail them.

Success leaves clues. Do what other successful candidates have done. Here are a few success stories detailing how candidates with various backgrounds passed their Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt exams.

2.0 Learn Six Sigma Material

2.1 Pick Training & Complete Six Sigma Training

Everyone responds to different training. But ensuring that your training will prepare you for the exam you must take is critical!

If possible, take training that is certified to be complete and accurate by your selected organization. Match the training offered to your organization’s BOK for best results.

Here are some thoughts on choosing the best Six Sigma training for you.

Here are some thoughts on how to bootstrap training by teaching yourself.

Whatever training you take, be sure to complete all of it!

2.2 Read All Suggested Materials.

Some organizations provide a suggested reading list. Training classes often have appendices and supplemental materials that they expect you to cover independently. Still, others consider supplemental books to be an extension of their BOK.

Many successful certification holders have found the following case studies to be an effective way to synthesize all of the required material.

Here are some of my most commonly recommended resources.

3.0 Apply for Your Exam

3.1 Complete Exam Application Requirements

Some organizations require you to complete one or more projects before becoming certified and to submit affidavits or proof that are reviewed. Others require the completion of fictional case studies. Some require no practical application of the skills being tested. Others require you to join their organization or complete their specific training to qualify.

Be sure you register with your chosen organization body.

3.2 Become an ASQ Member

Even if you do not intend to take an ASQ exam, ASQ membership opens the door to a terrific body of knowledge, tremendous networking opportunities, and many other career opportunities. If you are taking an ASQ exam, you will receive a significant discount on the exam fee.

If you’d like a referral to join, just let me know.

3.3 Register for the Exam

Some organizations have separate application and registration requirements. Pick an approximate date when you can spend the day before doing a final review and the next day for the exam.

3.4 Set a Reminder

Add your exam date and time to your calendar and set a reminder on your phone for a few days and hours before the exam.

If you need to tell other people where you will be or request time off from work, do that, too.

4.0 Prepare

4.1 Create a 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 done-for-you study plan, take a look at Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

4.2 Practice, Practice, Practice

The only way to prepare for an exam that can ask you hundreds of questions covering dozens of topics is to practice. The more repetitions you can do of various questions, the more prepared you will be. It’s important to know why an answer is correct and why the other alternatives are incorrect.

If you’re looking for a full exam simulator with 1000s of questions, full walkthroughs and explanations of each question, dozens of practice quizzes, several full-length exams, and links to reference material that will help you deeply understand the material, all supported by professionals with deep professional experience, take a look at Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

4.3 Create, Adapt, or Adopt Reference Materials.

Obtain the reference materials you can bring or what will be supplied to you. This sheet or compendium should contain all the formulas and reference materials that you’ll need to memorize, or that will make your life easier. Be sure to validate all materials that you intend to bring to the exam with the organization before you sit to take the exam.

Be sure to leverage your practice exams as an opportunity to refine your reference materials. What did you use? What didn’t you use? What do you wish you had?

Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt includes several downloadable resources that can help here.

5.0 Before the Exam

Your goal in the weeks before the exam is to make exam day as stress-free as possible so that you can perform your best.

5.1 Check and Double Check

Double-check the allowed references, location, rules, network connections, calendar, date, etc.

If taken from home, you may need to drive to a testing location or set up specific software and hardware. For some exams, you must show a government-issued ID and/or confirmation of exam purchase.

5.2 Read the Tips

Each organization has a slightly different setup for its exam. There are various strategies for taking multiple-choice questions, completing your exam within the allotted time, and strategic guessing.

Be sure to learn the tips for your exam and practice them.

5.3 Pack / Prepare Your Essentials

And if you’re taking your exams away from your home or office, be sure to bring them with you!

Remember to follow the rules of the exam. Some candidates like to bring snacks, drinks, jackets, etc. Others like having a certain setup. Just make sure that you’re compliant with the stated rules.

If a proctor is changing the rules or interprets them differently than you do, follow along with their instructions on exam day and take it up with the organizing body after the fact. It’s unlikely that you’ll change your mind, and getting worked up before your exam will not help you pass.

6.0 Take the Exam!

This one is simple. Relax. Breath. Answer the questions to the best of your ability.

You’ve either mastered the material over the previous weeks or not. Be confident that all of your hard work will pay off!

7.0 Post Exam

7.1 Celebrate!!

I don’t have to tell you what to do here. But if you let me know, I’ll certainly celebrate with you!

7.2 Submit Completed Application

Some organizations have additional applications or paperwork that needs to be closed out after the exam. Others don’t. Be sure to follow up with your certifying organization that you have everything well in hand.

7.3 Review Certification Limits and Continuing Education Needs.

Most organizations require some level of ongoing continuing education to remain current and in good standing. Plan how you will do this over the next few months.

While some see this as anticlimactic or an obstacle, I always see it as a way to advance my other goals. Perhaps there were niche topics that I wanted to study or people I wanted to meet and network with at industry events.

The ultimate for me was becoming a regular invited speaker at international Lean and Six Sigma, where I shared the results of projects to audiences of hundreds (or thousands), met wonderful people, and got to travel the country, all while being paid in Professional Development credits!

7.4 Share Your Success!

Post on LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, or whatever your channel of choice is (and tag me; I love congratulating people!).

Tell your friends, family, and colleagues to rent an airplane with a banner if you want to! Passing is an incredible achievement, and you should be proud. Your success will inspire others.

And remember, you are the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of You, Incorporated. While you want to avoid the humble brag, your success will depend not only on what you know or who you know but “who knows what you can do.”

7.5 Thank Everyone Who Helped You

While many people do this as a matter of course, I felt I’d be remiss if I didn’t include it in such a comprehensive list. No one is an island, and once you’ve achieved your goal, it’s a good reminder to thank those who helped you along the way.

Handwritten notes, notes on social media, personal phone calls, Google reviews, LinkedIn Skills, likes, shares, and testimonials are great ways to show appreciation for those who helped you. If you have an outstanding teacher, let them know! If you had a boss or a colleague who covered for you, thank them. You cannot know how far your compliment will go or how many people it will affect, but you can be certain it will make you feel great!

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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1)→ 🟢Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt​​

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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.

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