[Total Applicants Surpass 1.75 Million!!] Applications Open for the 42nd Quality Control (QC) Exam!
The Japanese Standards Association will begin accepting applications for the 42nd Quality Control Exam. Levels 3 and 4 will be conducted via CBT, serving as a tool to cultivate a 'quality culture' for corporations and as a job-hunting advantage for students.
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The Japanese Standards Association (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Hiroshi Asahi) will begin accepting applications for the 42nd Quality Control Exam (QC Exam).
Grades 1 and 2 will be conducted by written examination, and Grades 3 and 4 will be conducted by CBT (Computer Based Testing).
The exam dates and application acceptance periods differ, so please check the table below.
1. Overview of the QC Exam and Recommendations for Taking It
The QC Exam objectively evaluates the degree of knowledge one has regarding quality control, and the cumulative number of applicants has exceeded 1.75 million.
For companies, improving quality and reducing costs are eternal themes. If 'good human resource development' is achieved, it naturally becomes possible to achieve 'good manufacturing' and 'good service provision' combined with efficiency. The QC Exam is utilized by many companies as part of the education necessary for this 'good human resource development'. In some cases, it is an essential qualification or a requirement for promotion, and in other cases, taking the exam is recommended as part of internal training programs, resulting in many working adults taking the exam each year.
In addition, there are job openings at companies that offer preferential treatment to those who have passed the QC Exam, leading to many students who are job hunting taking the exam.
[For Companies and Working Adults]
Please utilize the QC Exam to penetrate quality control education and raise the overall QC level of your organization. By undertaking the exam, understanding of the concept of quality is promoted, and problem-solving skills using statistical methods are cultivated. We also recommend it as a means of personal career advancement and enhancing expertise.
[For Schools and Students]
In recent years, an increasing number of companies are evaluating QC Exam passers during job hunting, in addition to academic grades and interview performance. The QC Exam is an exam already recognized by many companies, and it will definitely be useful after becoming a working adult. Grades 3 and 4, taken by many students, are CBT (Computer Based Testing) exams where you can choose the exam date, making it easier to adjust the exam schedule.
[For Organizations with ISO 9001 Certification]
ISO 9001:2015 (Quality management systems - Requirements) is scheduled to be revised within 2026, and one of the keywords of this ISO 9001 revision is the 'cultivation of a quality culture' in organizations. The QC Exam is utilized in many organizations as an educational tool to foster quality awareness and common understanding, and taking the basic level Grades 3 and 4, in particular, can be useful as a catalyst for the 'cultivation of a quality culture'.
2. Usage Status of the QC Exam
Data on applicants and a list of companies, organizations, and schools that have applied as a group (only those organizations that have given permission to be published) are available on the QC Exam Web.
3. About CBT: Computer Based Testing
Starting from fiscal year 2025, Grades 3 and 4 of the QC Exam have fully transitioned to the CBT (Computer Based Testing) method, where all exams are conducted on a computer. You will take the exam at test centers (computer test venues) nationwide, not at home. The exam implementation period for the CBT-based Grades 3 and 4 has been extended, and it is now possible to change the schedule after booking an exam date.
4. Summary of QC Exam Related Information
For those who want to know more about the QC Exam or how to apply, we have compiled related information posted on the QC Exam website by category.
■ Exam Guidelines
The scope of questions, levels, and passing criteria for each grade are posted. Example questions for each grade are also posted, so please check them as well. Please also utilize the CBT trial exam.
- Scope of questions (Quality Control Exam Level Table (Ver.20150130.2))
- Example questions for each grade and CBT exam demo
■ Pamphlets and Posters
Pamphlets and posters can be downloaded. Please use them for internal or school postings and application guidance.
- Examinee guidance poster/pamphlet / Year-round use poster/pamphlet
■ Learning Related Information
Introduces books and seminars that correspond to the QC Exam.
- QC Exam Book List
- Seminars hosted by Japanese Standards Association
- Seminars hosted by Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers
- Textbook for Grade 4
Grades 1 and 2 will be conducted by written examination, and Grades 3 and 4 will be conducted by CBT (Computer Based Testing).
The exam dates and application acceptance periods differ, so please check the table below.
1. Overview of the QC Exam and Recommendations for Taking It
The QC Exam objectively evaluates the degree of knowledge one has regarding quality control, and the cumulative number of applicants has exceeded 1.75 million.
For companies, improving quality and reducing costs are eternal themes. If 'good human resource development' is achieved, it naturally becomes possible to achieve 'good manufacturing' and 'good service provision' combined with efficiency. The QC Exam is utilized by many companies as part of the education necessary for this 'good human resource development'. In some cases, it is an essential qualification or a requirement for promotion, and in other cases, taking the exam is recommended as part of internal training programs, resulting in many working adults taking the exam each year.
In addition, there are job openings at companies that offer preferential treatment to those who have passed the QC Exam, leading to many students who are job hunting taking the exam.
[For Companies and Working Adults]
Please utilize the QC Exam to penetrate quality control education and raise the overall QC level of your organization. By undertaking the exam, understanding of the concept of quality is promoted, and problem-solving skills using statistical methods are cultivated. We also recommend it as a means of personal career advancement and enhancing expertise.
[For Schools and Students]
In recent years, an increasing number of companies are evaluating QC Exam passers during job hunting, in addition to academic grades and interview performance. The QC Exam is an exam already recognized by many companies, and it will definitely be useful after becoming a working adult. Grades 3 and 4, taken by many students, are CBT (Computer Based Testing) exams where you can choose the exam date, making it easier to adjust the exam schedule.
[For Organizations with ISO 9001 Certification]
ISO 9001:2015 (Quality management systems - Requirements) is scheduled to be revised within 2026, and one of the keywords of this ISO 9001 revision is the 'cultivation of a quality culture' in organizations. The QC Exam is utilized in many organizations as an educational tool to foster quality awareness and common understanding, and taking the basic level Grades 3 and 4, in particular, can be useful as a catalyst for the 'cultivation of a quality culture'.
2. Usage Status of the QC Exam
Data on applicants and a list of companies, organizations, and schools that have applied as a group (only those organizations that have given permission to be published) are available on the QC Exam Web.
3. About CBT: Computer Based Testing
Starting from fiscal year 2025, Grades 3 and 4 of the QC Exam have fully transitioned to the CBT (Computer Based Testing) method, where all exams are conducted on a computer. You will take the exam at test centers (computer test venues) nationwide, not at home. The exam implementation period for the CBT-based Grades 3 and 4 has been extended, and it is now possible to change the schedule after booking an exam date.
4. Summary of QC Exam Related Information
For those who want to know more about the QC Exam or how to apply, we have compiled related information posted on the QC Exam website by category.
■ Exam Guidelines
The scope of questions, levels, and passing criteria for each grade are posted. Example questions for each grade are also posted, so please check them as well. Please also utilize the CBT trial exam.
- Scope of questions (Quality Control Exam Level Table (Ver.20150130.2))
- Example questions for each grade and CBT exam demo
■ Pamphlets and Posters
Pamphlets and posters can be downloaded. Please use them for internal or school postings and application guidance.
- Examinee guidance poster/pamphlet / Year-round use poster/pamphlet
■ Learning Related Information
Introduces books and seminars that correspond to the QC Exam.
- QC Exam Book List
- Seminars hosted by Japanese Standards Association
- Seminars hosted by Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers
- Textbook for Grade 4