CSQA Examination Overview

The four and a half hour examination consists of four written parts, including multiple-choice and essay questions. A typical CSQA examination is comprised of two parts for Quality Assurance Theory and two parts for Quality Assurance Practice:

Quality Assurance Theory
Part 1 Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions Complete within 45 minutes
Part 2 Approximately 10 essay questions Complete within 1 hour, 15 minutes

Quality assurance theory evaluates your understanding of quality principles, practices, vocabulary and concepts. In other words, do you have a solid foundation in quality basics? For example, can you differentiate between quality assurance and quality control?

Quality Assurance Practice
Part 3 Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions Complete within 45 minutes
Part 4 Approximately 10 essay questions Complete within 1 hour, 15 minutes

Quality assurance practice evaluates whether you can apply quality basics to real-world situations. For example, a question may be: “What methods of quality control would you use to reduce defects for a software system under development? During which phase of development would you use those methods?”


This certification requires candidates to demonstrate skills in the following Categories:

1. Quality Principles and Concepts


2. Quality Leadership


3. Quality Baselines (Assessments and Models


4. Quality Assurance


5. Quality Planning


6. Define, Build, Implement and Improve Work Processes


7. Quality Control Practices


8. Metrics and Measurement


9. Internal Control and Security


10. Outsourcing, COTS and Contracting Quality

For a detailed explanation of each category, please click here