Most people who book the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course ask the same question first: what will the exam actually look like? Knowing the format lets you plan your time, practice the right way and walk in calm. This guide sets out the format as described on the 3FOLD Training sample exam page for the CQI (Chartered Quality Institute) and IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors) ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor course. CQI and IRCA set the exam rules, so always confirm the current details with them and with your training provider.

What is the format of the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam?

It is a 120-minute closed book exam with 4 sections, 15 questions and 90 marks.

The CQI page for the ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor course describes continuous assessment during the course plus a 2 hour examination. The 3FOLD sample exam page sets out the structure of that exam in more detail. The questions get fewer but heavier as you move through the paper, so the later sections need more thinking time. Our guide to ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam questions and answers shows the kind of questions to practice with.

How are the sections and marks split?

Marks rise from 2 per question in Section 1 to 10 per question in Sections 3 and 4.

The time guide is our own planning aid. It simply shares the 120 minutes in proportion to the 90 marks, so it is not an official allocation. Sections 3 and 4 carry two thirds of the marks, so protect time for them.

Each section has its own minimum, and strong marks in one cannot cover a weak one.

How is the pass decided in the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam?

You need to reach the minimum mark in every section, not just a good total.

The 3FOLD sample exam page says each section has its own minimum mark and that you must pass every section. That means a very strong Section 1 cannot rescue a weak Section 4. The page also lists an overall figure that does not match the section minimums, so we advise you not to rely on a single total. Check the exact marks on the course page and with your training provider. Our guide to ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam preparation time helps you plan how long to study.

What can you take into the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam?

You may use ISO 45001:2018 and an English dictionary, and nothing else.

Because you can use the standard, you do not need to memorize clause wording word for word. You do need to know where things are, so practice finding clauses quickly. Our guide to how an ISO 45001 audit works helps you connect the clauses to the audit process.

Is the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam online or in class?

It depends on the training mode, and 3FOLD runs its final exam online.

The 3FOLD sample exam page says the exam is held online or in class depending on the training mode, and that 3FOLD runs its final exam online. It also mentions extra time of 24 minutes for non-native English speakers. Ask your training provider how this works for your batch, and check the technical needs for an online exam before the day. Our eligibility guide explains what you need before you book.

How should you prepare for the exam format?

Practice every section, time yourself and learn to find clauses quickly.

1. Attend and take notes throughout the 40 hours, because the exam draws on the whole course.
2. Practice with the standard open so you can find clauses fast.
3. Time yourself against the rough guide in the table above.
4. Practice all four sections because each has its own minimum.
5. Test yourself with our ISO 45001 MCQ questions and answers and the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor sample exam questions.

The role you want after the course also matters. Our guide to ISO 45001 internal auditor vs lead auditor compares the two.

What mistakes do Learners make with the exam format?

Common mistakes are poor time control, skipping a section and bringing the wrong material.

• Spending too long early. Time runs out before the heavy 10-mark questions.
• Skipping a section. Every section has its own minimum, so no section can be left.
• Relying on the total. A good overall score does not help if one section is below its minimum.
• Wrong materials. ISO 19011 is not allowed, and notes are not allowed in a closed book exam.
• Not checking arrangements. Online set-up and extra-time rules are asked about too late.

Treat these as prompts and confirm the rules for your own batch. Our ISO 45001 audit plan and checklist guide is also useful practice for the planning questions.

Frequently asked questions

Where 3FOLD Training fits

3FOLD Training is a CQI IRCA Approved Training Partner (ATP 6039853), licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course is delivered as 40 hours of Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT), with learning management system (LMS) access for class recordings and mock exams, and you can check the next available batch on the course page. We prepare you for the exam; CQI and IRCA examine and certify. Before you book, read what you need in our eligibility guide.