Are you gearing up for your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exam and feeling the pressure? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! The last few hours before the test can be nerve-wracking, but they’re also an opportunity to solidify your knowledge and boost your confidence.
In this blog post, we’ll provide you with practical, last-minute tips that can make a real difference in your exam performance. We’ll cover everything from quick revision strategies to what to do on the day of the exam. So take a deep breath, and let’s dive into these last-minute preparation strategies that can help you cross the finish line with flying colors.
Table of Contents
Understand the Exam Layout
Quick Recap of Types of Questions, Marking Scheme, and Duration
Understanding the layout of the Green Belt exam can give you a significant edge. You’ll know what to expect and can tailor your last-minute study strategy accordingly. So, what does the exam look like?
Types of Questions: You’re likely to encounter multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, and maybe even a few scenario-based questions that test your practical application of Lean Six Sigma principles.
- ASQ Green Belt Question Types and Timing: The Lean Six Sigma Green belt has a total of 110 Questions 10 Pre-test questions and 100 in test question. All Question are Multiple choice. The total test time is 4 Hours and 18 Minutes This will give you an mean average time of 2 minutes and 34 seconds per question.
- IASSC Green Belt Question Types and Timing: The Lean Six Sigma Green belt has a total of 100 Questions, Some forms of exams may also include 10 non-graded questions. All Question are a mix of Multiple choice and True/False. The total test time is 3 Hours This will give you an mean average time of 1 minute and 48 seconds per question.
Examination Areas of Focus:
ASQ Green Belt: As you can see in the below table the ASQ Green belt Focuses on the overview of Six Sigma and the 5 stages of DMAIC with a strong focus on the Define and Measure stages as these areas are important to ensure the project is started with the correct scope and definition with the correct data collected.
| ASQ Green Belt | Exam Percentage |
| Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (including Lean and DFSS overview) | 15% |
| Six Sigma – Define | 25% |
| Six Sigma – Measure | 30% |
| Six Sigma – Analyze | 15% |
| Six Sigma – Improve and Control | 15% |
IASSC Green Belt: As you can see in the below table the IASSC Green belt Focuses on the overview of Six Sigma and the 5 stages of DMAIC with an equal weighting across the areas at 20% of exam focus per DMAIC phase.
| IASSC Green Belt | Exam Percentage |
| Define phase (including lean overview but not DFSS) | 20% |
| Measure Phase | 20% |
| Analyze Phase | 20% |
| Improve Phase | 20% |
| Control Phase | 20% |
ASQ Marking Scheme: ASQ vary the scoring per question based on its difficulty, harder questions scoring multiple marks, easier questions scoring 1 mark. Incorrect answers scoring 0 marks.
IASSC Marking Scheme: IASSC score 1 mark for a correct answer and 0 marks for an incorrect answer.
ASQ Pass Requirements: The ASQ require a minimum score of 550 out of 750 total score which works out at 73.33%.
IASSC Pass Requirements: The IASSC require a minimum score of 70% or 70 Correct Answers to pass the exam.
Brining notes into Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Exam
ASQ Exam: The ASQ LSSGB is open book therefore you can bring notes into the exam to support your answering of questions.
IASSC Exam: The IASSC LSSGB is a closed book exam there you are not allowed to bring notes into the exam to support your answering of questions
Importance of Time Management During the Exam
Managing your time well during the exam is crucial for a good performance. Here’s why:
- Avoid Rushing: Knowing how much time you can spend on each question ensures you don’t rush and make careless mistakes.
- Time for Review: Efficient time management means you’ll have time left to review your answers. You might catch errors or recall important points during this review time.
- Less Stress: When you have a time management strategy, you reduce the stress of the ticking clock, allowing you to focus more on answering correctly.
Tips for Time Management:
- Divide the total time by the number of questions to get an idea of how many minutes you have for each.
- Use a watch or the exam room clock to keep track of time.
- If you get stuck on a question, mark it and move on. Return to it if time allows.
Understanding the exam layout and mastering time management can give you a significant advantage. You’ll go into the exam room prepared, not just with the course material but also with a game plan for how to tackle the exam itself.
Flashcards for Quick Revision
As the exam nears, heavy textbooks and lengthy notes aren’t your best friends. What you need is a way to quickly jog your memory and test your understanding. Enter flashcards! These pocket-sized powerhouses are ideal for last-minute revisions. Here’s how to make the most out of them.
Tips on Creating or Using Existing Flashcards
- Simplicity is Key: Each card should represent one idea, fact, or concept. Keep the information concise.
- Use Visuals: Where possible, include diagrams or doodles that can help you remember the information more vividly.
- Categorize: Sort your flashcards into different piles based on the DMAIC methodology or the specific subject matter. This can help you target your weak areas.
- Interactive Elements: If you’re making digital flashcards, consider incorporating interactive elements like quick quizzes or clickable infographics.
- Review, Shuffle, Repeat: Don’t just go through the cards once. Shuffle them and go through them multiple times to reinforce your memory.
Highlight Key Metrics, Statistical Tools, and Lean Principles
When you’re close to the exam, you should focus on the most crucial elements of Lean Six Sigma, such as:
- Key Metrics: Cards for metrics like Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO), Process Sigma, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) are a must.
- Statistical Tools: Don’t forget flashcards on tools like Pareto Charts, Control Charts, and Fishbone Diagrams. Understanding these tools is crucial for both the exam and real-world applications.
- Lean Principles: Cover the core principles like ‘5S’, ‘Just-In-Time’, and ‘Voice of the Customer’ to make sure you’re well-rounded in your understanding.
Flashcards are a powerful tool for last-minute revision. They help you focus on the key points that are often the difference between passing and failing. They’re also portable, making it easy to revise on the go, anytime, anywhere.
Mock Tests: The Final Frontier
You’ve been through the books, aced the flashcards, and even visualized your success. But there’s one last crucial step in your Green Belt exam preparation—taking a mock test. This is your opportunity to test your mettle in an exam-like setting, so don’t overlook it.
Importance of Taking at Least One Mock Test Under Timed Conditions
- Real-world Experience: A timed mock test simulates the pressure of the real exam, helping you get a feel for the experience you’ll face.
- Identify Weak Areas: Mock tests can provide you valuable insights into subjects or topics you may still be struggling with. Use this feedback for targeted last-minute revisions.
- Time Management: Practicing under timed conditions can help you understand how to allocate your time effectively during the real exam.
- Boost Confidence: Scoring well on a mock test can be a big morale booster. It serves as a sign that you’re ready for the real deal.
Where to Find Quality Mock Tests Online
The internet is flooded with mock tests, but quality is key. Here are some suggestions for finding reliable resources:
- Certifying Bodies: Websites of official certifying organizations often offer practice tests, either free or for a small fee.
- Educational Platforms: Sixsigmastudyguide.com offer access to 1000 Greenbelt questions for $49 a month.
- Lean Six Sigma Communities: Forums or LinkedIn Groups focused on Lean Six Sigma often share quality resources, including mock tests.
- Learnleansigma.com: Check out our Practice Test section for mock green belt exams for Free, you can pick between a range of questions across Lean Six Sigma Green belt and focused topic mock exams such as 5S, Data Analysis or DMAIC if you feel you need to focus on a specific topic. These mock tests are helpful as they feedback instantly what you got right but more importantly what you got wrong to focus on improving in those areas. You may also find our guides helpful to improve your knowledge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, last-minute preparations for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exam don’t have to be a frantic scramble. By focusing on key strategies like understanding the exam layout, utilizing flashcards for rapid-fire revision, and taking a quality mock test, you can maximize your chances of success. These techniques offer you a structured approach, cutting down on the chaos and enabling a concentrated, effective revision process.
Remember, the goal is not just to pass the exam but to emerge with a solid grasp of Lean Six Sigma principles that will serve you well in any professional setting. As you gear up for the final stretch, keep a positive mindset and employ these tactics to navigate through your preparation journey strategically and confidently. Good luck; you’ve got this!
References:
- IASSC: Green Belt Certification
- ASQ: Certification
