To successfully complete the CQI IRCA Certified ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor course, learners must pass both the continuous evaluation and the final examination.
1. Continuous Evaluation
This is a formative assessment held throughout the course. You’ll complete individual and group audit activities and receive ongoing feedback that helps build your practical auditing skills. Each activity is graded by your tutor, and you need to successfully complete these activities as part of your overall course requirements.
2. Final Examination
Here’s exactly what to expect before you sit the final exam:
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes, extended to 2 hours 15 minutes for candidates whose first language isn’t English.
- Delivery: The exam is conducted online through CQI/IRCA’s SARAS exam portal.
- Format: 40 objective questions — a mix of multiple choice, multiple answer, and drag-and-drop. There are no written or essay-style answers.
- Open book: You may use your course notes and a clean copy of the ISO 9001 standard during the exam. Pre-prepared question banks are not allowed, and you cannot browse the internet during the exam.
- Passing score: You need at least 40% in each of the domains being tested, and a minimum of 50% overall.
- Registration: 3FOLD Training handles your exam registration. CQI/IRCA will send you two sets of login details by email — one for the practice-questions portal, and one for the exam portal itself.
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Sample Exam Questions and Answers
The exam covers five domains: concepts and principles, audit methodologies, audit planning, conducting the audit, and reporting/follow-up. Below are sample questions written in the current objective format — multiple choice, multiple answer, and matching — so you can see exactly what to expect. These are illustrative practice examples, not official CQI/IRCA exam questions.
Sample multiple-choice question
A customer complaint register shows the same nonconformity recurring over several months, and the responsible manager confirms the issue is known but unresolved due to budget constraints. Which ISO 9001:2015 clause is most directly relevant to this finding?
A) 7.1.3 Infrastructure B) 8.5.1 Control of production and service provision C) 9.1.1 Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation D) 10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action
Answer: B — 8.5.1 requires the organisation to implement production and service provision under controlled conditions, including monitoring against acceptance criteria. (Note: 10.2 is also relevant once the finding is formally raised as a nonconformity — a well-prepared answer may reference both.)
Sample multiple-answer question
Which of the following are recognised risk factors associated with a poorly designed audit programme? (Select all that apply.)
A) Failure to set relevant audit objectives B) Allowing insufficient time for the audit C) An audit team without the collective competence to audit effectively D) Using a checklist during the audit E) Ineffective communication of the audit programme F) Failure to adequately protect audit records
Answer: A, B, C, E, F — using a checklist (D) is standard good practice, not a risk factor.
Sample matching / drag-and-drop-style question
Match each term to its correct definition.
Term | Definition |
1. Process | a) A set of interrelated or interacting activities which transforms inputs into outputs |
2. Nonconformity | b) Non-fulfilment of a requirement |
3. Corrective action | c) Action to eliminate the cause of a nonconformity and prevent recurrence |
4. Audit criteria | d) The set of policies, procedures or requirements used as a reference against which audit evidence is compared |
Answer: 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
As part of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor training programme, you’ll get access to full-length mock exams with answers to help you prepare thoroughly before the final assessment. 3FOLD Training’s tutors are also available to walk you through any exam-format questions you have.
What if you don’t pass the final examination?
We have a stellar passing track record. In the unlikely event of you not passing the final exam, the second attempt is completely free of cost. However, this will likely change because CQI IRCA is planning to administer the exam through a third-party testing partner. Hope this ISO 9001 Lead Auditor sample exam questions and answers article has helped to ease the tension that you may have regarding the ISO 9001 final exam and show you that with our guidance and hard work, you can pass the ISO 9001 final exam!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor exam hard?
It’s a fair but rigorous exam: 40 objective questions across five domains, and you need at least 40% in each domain plus 50% overall to pass. It’s open book, so you’re not required to memorise the standard — but you do need a solid working understanding of ISO 9001:2015, ISO 19011, and audit practice built up over the course. Most well-prepared candidates who complete the course activities and mock exams pass on their first attempt.
How many questions are on the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor exam?
40 objective questions — multiple choice, multiple answer, and drag-and-drop. There’s no written or essay component.
Can I use reference materials during the exam?
Yes. The exam is open book — you can use your course notes and a clean copy of the ISO 9001 standard, in hard copy or soft copy. Pre-prepared question banks are not permitted, and you can’t browse the internet during the exam.
How long is the exam?
1 hour 45 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes if English isn’t your first language.
Why 3FOLD?
3FOLD Training provides comprehensive preparation resources for the ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor course, including full-length mock exams so you know exactly what to expect on exam day.
Interested in knowing more? Enrol in our ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Course to gain access to our Learning Management System (LMS), where you’ll find further sample exam questions and answers to help with your final exam preparation. Have questions? Reach out through our contact form, WhatsApp, or email.
