Certified Six Sigma Black Belt

Simulated Exam

Seventy-five questions distributed by

topic approximately proportional to that
indicated inthe CSSBB Body of Knowledge
(The CSSBB Exam allows four hours for 150 questions.)
1. A frequent cause of system suboptimization is:
A. optimizing individual processes
B. failing to draw a system flow chart
C. using data with outliers
D. failing to consider the normal distribution
2. Dr. W. Edwards Deming:
A. lectured in Japan after World War II
B. was an author of several books in the US
C. lectured widely in the US
D. is considered an expert in the quality field
E. all of the above
F. none of the above
3. Successful Six Sigma projects always:
A. use designed experiments
B. impact the bottom line of the enterprise
C. are completed in a short time frame
D. all of the above
E. none of the above
4. Proposed Six Sigma projects that are not in some way linked to organizational goals:
A. will typically be short term
B. use statistical inference
C. have a high risk of failure
D. should not be approved
E. none of the above

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5. Dr. Joseph M. Juran:

A. lectured in Japan after World War II
B. was an author of several books in the US
C. lectured widely in the US
D. is considered an expert in the quality field
E. all of the above
F. none of the above
6. A project whose definition does not include performance metrics:
A. will typically be short term
B. uses statistical inference
C. has a high risk of failure
D. should not be approved
E. none of the above
7. An important first step in determining the VOC is:
A. establish viable or comprehensive process feedback loops
B. ascertain the principles that are values of the corporation
C. identify the customer
D. measure the virtual operating continuum potential
E. all of the above
F. none of the above
8. Quality function deployment is a tool to aid in:
A. analyzing non-paired data
B. determining if quality procedures are being followed on the shop floor
C. ascertaining which processes are functioning correctly
D. linking customer requirements to product features
E. all of the above
F. none of the above
9. A process produced 1394 units. During this time 11 defects were detected. The
rolled throughput yield (RTY) is approximately:
A. 0.992
B. 7.89
C. 0.00789
D. 1.008
E. all of the above
F. none of the above
10. The 2 distribution is:
A. symmetric
B. left skewed
C. right skewed
D. normal
E. uniform

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43

11. The mean of a Poisson distribution is 2.94. Its standard deviation is:
A. not enough information is given
B. 1.71
C. 8.64
D. 74.7
E. 1.31
12. Calculate the estimated variance of the population from which the following
values have been randomly selected: 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8
A. 0.095
B. 0.009
C. 0.088
D. 0.008
13. An advantage of using standard deviation rather than range for measuring
dispersion of a large sample is that:
A. standard deviation has a simpler formula
B. calculators have a standard deviation key but not a range key
C. standard deviation uses information from each measurement
D. range calculations are not normally distributed
14. Data are collected in xy pairs and a scatter diagram shows the points are grouped
very close to a straight line that tips down on its right-hand end. A reasonable
value for the coefficient of correlation is:
A. 0.8
B. 0
C. 0.9
D. 1
E. 1.3
F. 1.8
15. The mean, median, and mode of a distribution have the same value. What can be
said about the distribution?
A. it is exponential
B. it is normal
C. it is uniform
D. none of the above
16. Approximately what percent of the data values are smaller than the mean?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. it varies from 0% to 99+% inclusive
17. A normal probability plot is used to:
A. determine whether the distribution is normal
B. plot z values
C. determine process capability
D. find percent out of specification

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18. As opposed to earlier emphases, lean manufacturing tends to stress:

A. making value added activities more efficient
B. eliminating, simplifying, or reducing non-value added activities
19. Work performed by the payroll department is considered value added activity.
A. true
B. false
20. In the theory of constraints the subordinate step refers to:
A. a listing of subprocesses
B. reducing the rate for some processes
C. the portion of the process flow chart that depends on the main flow
D. the less important product or service stream
E. none of the above
21. A team wants a technique for displaying the connection between various
customer needs and various features on a product. They should use:
A. written and diagrammed work instructions
B. flow charts and process maps
C. cause and effect diagrams
D. Pareto chart
E. relationship matrix
22. A team wants a technique for obtaining a large number of possible reasons for
excess variation in a dimension. They should use:
A. written and diagrammed work instructions
B. flow charts and process maps
C. cause and effect diagrams
D. Pareto chart
E. relationship matrix
Use the following for questions 2326. The average yield from a small batch process has
been 83%. A new catalyst is available which is designed to increase average yield
by at least 5 percentage points. A sample of 45 batches is run with the new catalyst.
The average yield of this sample is 90% and the standard deviation of the sample
yields is 2.8%. A hypothesis test with = 0.05 will be used to determine whether the
sample data indicate that the new catalyst does increase the average yield by at least 5
percentage points.
23. This will be a:
A. left-tail test
B. right-tail test
C. two-tail test
24. The critical value(s) is/are:
A. 1.645
B. 1.96
C. 1.645
D. 1.96

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45

25. The test statistic is approximately:

A. 1.25
B. 1.57
C. 0.41
D. 1.25
26. The null hypothsis should be:
A. rejected
B. not rejected
C. accepted
27. The word takt is closest to the theory of constraints word:
A. drum
B. buffer
C. rope
D. constraint
28. The team development stage characterized by expression of individual opinions
and ideas often without regard for team objectives is known as:
A. performing
B. norming
C. conflicting
D. storming
E. brainstorming
29. Nominal group technique is used to:
A. help a group reach consensus
B. generate a group on new ideas
C. provide a consistent stable group leadership
D. provide a name for the group
30. A Six Sigma project designed to solve a particular problem needs a definition/
scope statement to help avoid:
A. going beyond the problem into other problems
B. failing to cover the entire problem
C. misunderstanding and disagreement between team members regarding
problem boundaries
D. all of the above
E. none of the above
31. An example of a project metric would be:
A. the decrease in defect occurrence
B. the decrease in product cost
C. the decrease in cycle time
D. all the above

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32. SMED is an acronym for activity that:

A. involves housekeeping in the work area
B. makes mistakes of a certain type impossible
C. emphasizes the pull of the customer
D. reduces set-up time
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
33. A correct statement about the relationship between the terms parameter and
statistic is:
A. a population statistic is more accurate than a parameter
B. a sample parameter is used to estimate a statistic
C. a sample statistic is used to estimate a population parameter
D. standard deviation calculations requires both statistics and parameters
34. A and B are events. P(A) = 0.80 and P(B) = 0.90.
A. events A and B are disjoint or mutually exclusive
B. events A and B are not disjoint or mutually exclusive
C. P(A B) = 0
D. P(A B) = 1.7
35. Find the mean, median, and mode of the following data set: 9, 11, 12, 12, 14, 18,
18, 18, 20, 23
A. 15.5, 18, 18
B. 15, 14, 18
C. 14, 16, 18
D. 15, 12, 18
E. 15.5, 16, 18
36. The diameters of 50 randomly selected shafts have a mean of 1.525 and standard
deviation of 0.006. Find the 95% lower confidence limit for the population mean.
A. 1.523
B. 1.524
C. 1.525
D. 1.526
E. 1.527
37. In a certain sampling situation, = 0, = 0.08. The power of the sampling plan in
this case is:
A. 0
B. 0.08
C. 1.00
D. 0.92

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38. A newspaper article describes a high positive correlation between obesity and
orange juice consumption among six-year-olds. Parents who restrict the use of
orange juice for their children have:
A. made a type I error
B. made a type II error
C. misunderstood margin of error
D. confused correlation with causation
39. A principle advantage of fractional factorial experimental designs is:
A. reduced cost
B. improved accuracy
C. increased confounding
D. higher confidence level
E. reduced probability of type II errors
40. A principle disadvantage of fractional factorial experimental designs is:
A. reduced cost
B. improved accuracy
C. confounding of effects
D. higher confidence level
E. reduced probability of type II errors
41. In an experimental design context, replication refers to:
A. duplicating experimental results at another location
B. repeating an experiment more than once for a given set of predictor variables
C. obtaining different results from different factors
D. repeating an experiment but using at least one different factor level
42. Find the upper control limit for a range chart if n = 4 and the average range is 2.282.
A. 2.282
B. 4.564
C. 5.208
D. 3.423

43. An X control chart has been established with control limits of 3.245 and 3.257,
n=5. An engineer collects the following sample and plots the average on the
control chart:
3.257, 3,256, 3.258, 3.259
A.
B.
C.
D.

the process is out of control

the process is not out of control
the engineer misused the control chart
the control limits are incorrect

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44. TRIZ is an acronym which refers to:

A. a set of problem solving tools
B. an organization of quality professionals
C. an experiment using transitional results
D. a Russian general responsible for creative thinking
45. A robust design is one which:
A. has high reliability
B. has low maintenance frequency
C. is simple to manufacture
D. is resistant to varying environmental conditions
46. A team has completed a brainstorming session that has generated a large number
of ideas. The team needs to organize these ideas in natural groupings. Which tool
is most appropriate?
A. matrix diagram
B. cause and effect diagram
C. process decision program chart
D. affinity diagram
E. activity network diagram
F. tree diagram
G. prioritization matrix
H. interrelationship digraph
47. A team has been asked to reduce the occurrence of a particular defect. They
begin by brainstorming all possible causes using a:
A. matrix diagram
B. cause and effect diagram
C. process decision program chart
D. affinity diagram
E. activity network diagram
F. tree diagram
G. prioritization matrix
H. interrelationship digraph
48. A team wants to make a schedule for a project showing which tasks must be
done sequentially and which may be done simultaneously. Which tool is most
appropriate?
A. matrix diagram
B. cause and effect diagram
C. process decision program chart
D. affinity diagram
E. activity network diagram
F. tree diagram
G. prioritization matrix
H. interrelationship digraph

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49. A complex system has many potential problems and solutions. These may be
illustrated on which of the following?
A. matrix diagram
B. cause and effect diagram
C. process decision program chart
D. affinity diagram
E. activity network diagram
F. tree diagram
G. prioritization matrix
H. interrelationship digraph
50. An experiment is conducted by checking the effect that three different pressures
have on the surface appearance of a product. Ten items are produced at each of
the three pressures. The number of replications, factors, and levels are:
A. 10, 3, 2
B. 10, 2, 3
C. 2, 3, 3
D. 10, 1, 3
E. 10, 3, 1
51. A full factorial experiment has three factors. Each factor has three levels. The
number of test combinations or runs is:
A. 9
B. 6
C. 27
D. 36
E. 33
Use the following for questions 5254. A product specification or tolerance is 180200.
A sample of 100 parts has an average of 188 and standard deviation of 6. Assume the
population is normally distributed.
52. What percent of population falls below the lower specification limits?
A. 9.18%
B. 22.66%
C. 6.68 %
D. 1.83%
53. Find Cp.
A. 2.00
B. 0.56
C. 1.33
D. 0.44
54. Find Cpk.
A. 2.00
B. 0.56
C. 1.33
D. 0.44

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Use the following for questions 55 and 56. The following data have been collected. Find
the least squares regression equation of the type y = mx + b or y = b0 + b1x:
x 6 8 10
y 1 3 4
55. Find the value of m or b1.
A. 0.25
B. 0.63
C. 0.75
D. 1.22
56. Find the value of b or b0.
A. 3.33
B. 3.33
C. 4.08
D. 4.08
E. 1.24
F. 1.24
Use the following for questions 5759.
A

Res.

20

30

40

50

57. Calculate the main effect of factor A.

A. 20
B. 25
C. 30
D. 40
E. none of the above
58. Calculate the interaction effect.
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30
D. 40
E. none of the above
59. If it is desirable to maximize the response R, the following levels should be used:
A. A+ and B+
B. A+ and B
C. A and B+
D. A and B
E. none of the above

Certified Six Sigma Black BeltSimulated Exam

60. A control chart will be used to monitor the number of scratches on a product.
The following data have been collected:
Number of scratches
Sample size

120

110

111

128

110

The appropriate control chart to use is:

A. X R
B. X
C. XmR
D. p
E. np
F. u
G. c
61. The temperature in a storage location is logged once every 30 minutes. The
control chart that is appropriate for displaying these values is:

A. X R
B. X
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

XmR
p
np
u
c

62. A control chart is to be used to display the number of non-conducting diodes.

Each point on the chart represents the number of bad diodes in a box of 1000.
The appropriate control chart to use is:

A. X R
B. X
C. XmR
D. p
E. np
F. u
G. c

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Use the following for questions 6369. A team is asked to determine whether printer #2
prints typical company documents faster than printer #1. The team decides to use the
paired t hypothesis test. They select eight documents and print each on each printer,
assuming that the differences are normally distributed. The results:
Document #

Time Reqd, sec

Ptr #1

Ptr #2

4.2

3.9

5.6

5.5

2.8

2.9

7.1

6.7

11.5

11.0

8.2

8.1

12.3

11.8

13.5

13.0

63. Find the average difference d.

A. 0.2875
B. 0.3502
C. 0.2714
D. 0.2295
64. Find sd.
A. 0.2875
B. 0.3502
C. 0.2714
D. 0.2295
65. Is this a left-tail, right-tail, or two-tail test?
A. no
B. left-tail
C. right-tail
D. two-tail
66. If = 0.5, what is the critical value?
A. 2.365
B. 2.306
C. 1.860
D. 1.895
67. What is the value of the test statistic?
A. 0.898
B. 1.251
C. 0.429
D. 3.57
E. none of the above

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68. If the value of the test statistic had been 0.185, what action should have been
taken regarding the null hypothesis?
A. rejected
B. accepted
C. none of the above
D. all of the above
69. If the value of the test statistic had been 7.03, what action should have been taken
regarding the null hypothesis?
A. rejected
B. accepted
C. not rejected
D. none of the above
Use the following for questions 7072. Here is an experimental design with results:
A

Responses

10

11

10

22

20

23

34

36

37

26

25

25

70. This experimental design is:

A. full factorial
B. half factorial
C. quarter factorial
D. none of the above
71. The number of factors, levels, and replications:
A. 3, 3, 3
B. 2, 3, 2
C. 3, 2, 2
D. 3, 2, 3
E. 2, 2, 2
F. none of the above
72. An indication of the experimental error is available because the design has:
A. multiple replications
B. multiple levels
C. multiple factors

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73. The average number of defects is 21.6. Find the upper control limit for the
c-chart.
A. 26.4
B. 24.6
C. 18.8
D. 26.2
E. none of the above

74. An X R chart is used to monitor a process. One week ago a new type of raw
material was introduced, and since that time 60 points have been plotted on the

Xchart. All are in the middle third of the chart. The corresponding 60 points on
the R chart are all below the average range. This indicates that:
A. the operator has been plotting the points incorrectly
B. it is time to recalibrate the gage used
C. it is time to recalculate the control limits
D. the material manager should be asked to go back to the previous raw
material so the charts will more accurately reflect the process
75. Here is a partial ANOVA table. Use = 0.05.
Source

SS

df

MS

Fstatistic

Fcritical

1200

900

A B

180

Error

100

10

The values of x, y, and z should be:

A. 200, 20, 3.22
B. 12, 1.2, 4.06
C. 200, 20, 4.06
D. none of the above
76. In gage R&R studies, reproducibility refers to:
A. the variation in measurements obtained when one measurement device is
used several times by the same person
B. the variation in measurements obtained by different people using the same
measurement device
C. the variation in measurements obtained when different devices are used
several times by the same person
D. the variation in measurements obtained when different devices are used
several times by different people

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55

ANSWERS TO SIMULATED ExAM

1. A
2. E
3. B
4. D
5. E
6. D
7. C
8. D
9. A; RTY = eDPU = e 0.007889 = 0.992
10. C
11. B; The mean and variance of a Poisson distribution are equal.
Variance = 2.94 so = 2.94
12. D
13. C
14. C
15. D; Any symmetric distribution with mode at the axis of symmetry will have
mean = median = mode.
16. D; If all values in a set are equal, the mean would be that value and 0% would be
less than the mean.
17. A
18. B
19. B; Because payroll activity doesnt change the market form or function of the
product.
20. B
21. E
22. C
23. B
24. A
25. A
26. B
27. A
28. D
29. A

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30. D
31. D
32. D
33. C
34. B
35. E
36. A
37. D
38. D
39. A
40. C
41. B
42. C
43. C; The chart was designed with n = 5, but the engineer collected a sample size of
n = 4.
44. A
45. D; A and B are not as good an answer, since these are often stated for a restrictive
environment.
46. D
47. B
48. E
49. C
50. D
51. C
52. A
53. B
54. D
55. C

10

24

x2

36

64

100

200

16

26

xy

24

40

70

Sxx = 200 576 3 = 8

Sxy = 70 24 8 3 = 6
b1 = Sxy Sxx = 6 8 = 0.75

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57

56. B; b0 = Y b1 X = (8 3) (0.75 8)
57. A; A+ A = 45 25 = 20
58. E
59. A
60. F
61. C
62. E
63. A; The eight differences are 0.3, 0.1, 0.1, 0.4, 0.5, 0.1, 0.5, and 0.5, and their
average is 0.2875.
64. D; The standard deviation of the sample listed in the answer to question 63 is
0.2295.
65. C; Since the team is asked to determine whether the average value for printer #1
exceeds the average value for printer #2, the alternate hypothesis is Ha: 1 > 2.
This is a right-tail test.
66. D; Use the seventh row of the t0.05 column of the t-table.
0.2895
= 3.57 ; Note: depending on the computer and software
sd n 0.2295 8
used, the answer may compute to 3.54.

67. D; t =

68. C; The null hypothesis is never accepted.

69. A
70. B
71. D
72. A
73. E; The correct answer is 21.6 + 3 21.6 = 35.54.
74. C
75. A; MS = SS df, F-statistic = MSsource MSerror , Fcritical: enter the F0.05 table with
numerator 6 and denominator 10.
76. B