What is the CMQ/OE® passing score and how is it calculated?
You need 550 out of 750, but that is not 73%. Here is how ASQ scores the exam, what happens on exam day and after, and where UAE candidates must sit the exam.
In this guide
Many quality professionals preparing for the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) exam do not fully understand how it is scored, or what the 550 out of 750 passing score really means. This guide explains how the American Society for Quality (ASQ) scores the exam, why it uses a scaled score, and what to expect before, during and after your exam day.
Quick answer
To pass the CMQ/OE exam, you need 550 points out of a possible 750, according to the American Society for Quality (ASQ®). This is a scaled score, not a percentage of questions answered correctly. ASQ sets a raw cut score through a cut score study, converts it to a scaled score and adjusts for difficulty between exam versions. The computer-based exam has 180 questions, of which 165 are scored.
| Awarding body | American Society for Quality (ASQ) |
| Passing score | 550 points out of a possible 750 (scaled score) |
| Questions (computer-based) | 180 multiple choice: 165 scored, 15 unscored |
| Exam time | 4 hours 18 minutes, within a 4.5-hour appointment |
| Format | Open book, English only |
| Exam fee and retake fee | USD 585 and USD 385; ASQ members save USD 100 on the initial exam fee |
| Pass rates listed by ASQ | 54% (2022), 60% (2023), 67% (2024) |
What is the passing score for the CMQ/OE exam?
You need a scaled score of 550 out of a possible 750.
ASQ says on its passing score FAQ that you need 550 points out of a possible 750 to be certified. ASQ exams are criteria-based and scored against an established standard of performance, which means you are measured against that standard, not against other candidates. If your scaled score is 550 or higher, you pass.
How is the CMQ/OE score calculated?
ASQ sets a raw cut score, converts it to a scaled score and adjusts for difficulty between exam versions.
The raw score is the number of scored questions you answered correctly. ASQ explains on its exam grading process page how the passing point is decided, in three steps.
| Step | What ASQ does |
|---|---|
| 1. Cut score study | A panel of 12 to 15 subject matter experts uses the Modified Angoff method to set the passing point each time a body of knowledge is created or revised |
| 2. Scaling | After the Certification Board approves it, the raw cut score is converted to a scaled score, which becomes the minimum needed to earn certification |
| 3. Equating | ASQ embeds common questions from the previous exam in the next one, and adjusts the cut point only if a harder exam needs to be offset |
Why does ASQ use a scaled score?
Different versions of an exam can vary slightly in difficulty. ASQ says the scale score allows adjustments for exam difficulty on later forms, so a score of 550 means the same standard whichever version you sit. Think of it as adjusting a grade for how hard the test was.
Can you work out your score from the number of answers you got right?
No. ASQ does not publish how raw scores convert to scaled scores, and the number of correct answers needed can differ between versions. Do not chase a percentage you read online. Aim for solid knowledge across all seven areas of the Body of Knowledge instead.
What are the CMQ/OE pass rates?
ASQ lists CMQ/OE pass rates of 54% in 2022, 60% in 2023 and 67% in 2024 on its grading page. They are a useful context, not a prediction, because your result depends on your experience and preparation.
Preparing for the CMQ/OE exam? Ask about live virtual instructor-led training aligned to the ASQ Body of Knowledge.
What is the format of the CMQ/OE exam?
The computer-based exam has 180 multiple-choice questions, 165 scored and 15 unscored, and it is open book.
| Item | Computer-based exam |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 180 multiple choice |
| Scored questions | 165 |
| Unscored questions | 15 (not counted toward your score) |
| Exam time | 4 hours 18 minutes, within a 4.5-hour appointment |
| Language | English only |
| References | Open book; all references must be bound and remain bound |
The exam covers the seven areas of the ASQ Body of Knowledge: leadership; strategic plan development and deployment; management elements and methods; quality management tools; customer-focused organizations; supply chain management; and training and development. ASQ also offers a paper-based exam of 165 questions in four hours, so check which format you book on ASQ’s CMQ/OE page.
When do you get your CMQ/OE results?
You see a preliminary result at the test center, and ASQ emails the official result afterwards.
- At the test center: a preliminary pass or fail result appears when you finish the computer-based exam.
- By email: ASQ’s results FAQ says official results are emailed within 7 days, and its CMQ/OE page mentions a confirming email within 3 to 5 business days.
- If you pass: you receive an email from Accredible with a link to claim your digital badge. You do not receive a score breakdown, because ASQ does not report scaled scores to successful candidates.
- If you do not pass: you can log in to your ASQ account for a detailed analysis of correct and incorrect answers in each subtopic of the Body of Knowledge.
Can you retake the exam?
Yes. ASQ places no limit on attempts, but a fee applies each time, and it lists the CMQ/OE retake fee at USD 385. You must retake within two years of your last attempt, and not within the same window as your initial exam. Read the ASQ exam results FAQ for the current rules.
What should you bring on exam day?
Bring one valid government-issued photo ID and bound reference materials, and arrive 30 minutes early.
- Identification: one valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license. It must be the original, in good condition, and the name must match your scheduling notification. A secondary ID is needed only if your government ID lacks a photo or signature.
- Arrival: arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. If you are late, you will not be allowed to test and will forfeit your exam fee.
- References: all exams are open book, but references and notes must be bound and stay bound. Sticky notes are allowed only as book tabs, attached before you enter the test center. Loose or hand-stapled pages and unbound notes are not allowed.
- Calculators: a basic on-screen scientific calculator is provided. A personal calculator must be silent, handheld and battery-operated, with no alphabetic keyboard and its programmable memory cleared.
These rules come from ASQ’s Prometric test center guidance. Always confirm them in your appointment email before exam day.
Want to be ready for exam day? Ask about mock exams and guidance on the exam application process.
Can you take the CMQ/OE exam remotely?
Not from the UAE. ASQ says live remote proctoring is not available in China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Pakistan.
Candidates in those countries must take the exam at a Prometric test center, and ASQ says you cannot change the country you selected after you apply. Read the details on ASQ’s computer-based testing page. If you test from another country by remote proctoring, ASQ stresses a stable internet connection, and a failed launch caused by your connection carries a USD 130 reschedule fee.
Exam-mode checker
For planning only. Pick the country where you will sit the exam and see which delivery option ASQ offers there.
The preloaded example is a candidate in the UAE. ASQ says live remote proctoring is not available there, so the candidate must book a Prometric test center.
How can you verify a CMQ/OE certification?
Use ASQ’s Certification Verification Registry.
The registry at asq.org/cert/registry lets potential employers and others verify that a person earned a certification and, where applicable, kept it through recertification. It supports trust and transparency for certified professionals.
Have a question about the CMQ/OE exam? Message our team on WhatsApp or send your question through the course inquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for the CMQ/OE exam?
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) states that you need 550 points out of a possible 750 to be certified. That is a scaled score, not a percentage of questions answered correctly. ASQ does not publish how raw scores convert to scaled scores, so you cannot work out your result from the number of questions you answered correctly.
Is 550 out of 750 the same as 73%?
No. A scaled score of 550 out of 750 is not the same as answering 73% of questions correctly. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) sets a raw cut score, converts it to a scaled score and adjusts for exam difficulty between versions, so the percentage of correct answers needed can differ from one exam form to another.
How does ASQ set the CMQ/OE passing score?
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) sets the passing point through a cut score study using the Modified Angoff method. A panel of 12 to 15 subject matter experts reviews the exam, and ASQ’s Certification Board approves the result. The raw cut score is then converted to a scaled score, which becomes the minimum needed to earn certification.
How many questions are on the CMQ/OE exam?
The computer-based exam from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) has 180 multiple-choice questions, of which 165 are scored and 15 are unscored. The exam time is 4 hours and 18 minutes within a 4.5-hour appointment. The exam is in English only, and it is open book.
What is the CMQ/OE pass rate?
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) lists CMQ/OE pass rates of 54% in 2022, 60% in 2023 and 67% in 2024 on its exam grading page. Pass rates change from year to year and do not predict your own result, which depends on your experience and preparation.
When do you get your CMQ/OE results?
For the computer-based exam, you see a preliminary result at the test center when you finish. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) then emails official results, within 7 days according to its results FAQ, and its CMQ/OE page mentions a confirming email within 3 to 5 business days. If you pass, you receive an email from Accredible to claim your digital badge.
What do you receive if you pass or fail the CMQ/OE exam?
If you pass, you do not receive a score breakdown, because the American Society for Quality (ASQ) does not report scaled scores to successful candidates. If you do not pass, you can log in to your ASQ account to see how many answers were correct and incorrect in each subtopic of the Body of Knowledge.
Can you retake the CMQ/OE exam?
Yes. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) places no limit on attempts, but a fee applies each time, and it lists the CMQ/OE retake fee at USD 385. You must retake within two years of your last attempt, and not within the same window as your initial exam. Check ASQ’s results FAQ for the current rules.
Can you take the CMQ/OE exam remotely from the UAE?
No. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) says live remote proctoring is not available in China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Pakistan. Candidates there must take the exam at a Prometric test center. ASQ also says you cannot change the country you selected after you apply.
How can you verify a CMQ/OE certification?
Use the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certification Verification Registry at asq.org/cert/registry. ASQ says the registry lets employers and others verify that a person earned a certification and, where applicable, kept it through recertification.
Where 3FOLD fits
3FOLD Training is licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. Our CMQ/OE training is delivered as 4 Sundays of live virtual instructor-led training aligned with the ASQ Body of Knowledge, with one year of free retraining, one-year Learning Management System (LMS) access with recorded videos, module-wise quizzes and mock exams, guidance on the exam application process, and a certificate of completion. We prepare you; ASQ examines and certifies, and we cannot guarantee a pass. Send your questions through the course inquiry form.
Next step: ready to prepare for the CMQ/OE exam? Ask about the next batch and how the training is structured.
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