PECB QMS ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor ISO-9001-Lead-Auditor Exam Questions

Page: 1 / 14
Total 227 questions
Question 1

Scenario 5: Mechanical-Electro (ME) Audit Stages

Mechanical-Electro, better known as ME, is an American company that provides mechanical and electrical services in Chin

a. Their services range from air-conditioning systems, ventilation systems, plumbing, to installation of electrical equipment in automobile plants, electronic manufacturing facilities, and food processing plants.

Due to the fierce competition from local Chinese companies and failing to meet customer requirements, ME's revenue dropped significantly. In addition, customers' trust and confidence in the company decreased, and the reputation of the company was damaged.

In light of these developments, the top management of ME decided to implement a quality management system (QMS) based on ISO 9001. After having an effective QMS in place for over a year, they applied for a certification audit.

A team of four auditors was appointed for the audit, including Li Na as the audit team leader. Initially, the audit team conducted a general review of ME's documents, including the quality policy, operational procedures, inventory lists, QMS scope, process documentation, training records, and previous audit reports.

Li Na stated that this would allow the team to maintain a systematic and structured approach to gathering documents for all audit stages. While reviewing the documented information, the team observed some minor issues but did not identify any major nonconformities. Therefore, Li Na claimed that it was not necessary to prepare a report or conduct a meeting with ME's representatives at that stage of the audit. She stated that all areas of concern would be discussed in the next phase of the audit.

Following the on-site activities and the opening meeting with ME's top management, the audit team structured an audit test plan to verify whether ME's QMS conformed to Clause 8.2.1 (Customer Communication) of ISO 9001.

To do so, they gathered information through group interviews and sampling. Li Na conducted interviews with departmental managers in the first group and then with top management. In addition, she chose a sampling method that sufficiently represented customer complaints from both areas of ME's operations.

The team members were responsible for the sampling procedure. They selected a sample size of 4 out of 45 customer complaints received weekly for electrical services and 2 out of 10 complaints for mechanical services.

Afterward, the audit team evaluated the evidence against the audit criteria and generated the audit findings.

According to general principles of sampling procedure, did the audit team select a valid sample for electrical services?



Answer : A

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth

The audit team selected 4 out of 45 customer complaints for electrical services, which is too low based on standard statistical sampling methods. According to ISO 19011:2018 (Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems), for a population size between 13 and 52, a minimum sample size should be 5 to achieve a reasonable level of confidence.

This means the selected sample (4 complaints) was insufficient and did not align with standard sampling procedures. Therefore, the correct answer is A.


ISO 19011:2018, Clause 6.4.5 (Sampling Methods in Auditing)

Question 2

Which statement regarding the drafting of the audit conclusions is correct?



Answer : B

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth

According to ISO 19011:2018, Clause 6.4.9 (Audit Conclusions):

Audit conclusions must be based on verified evidence.

The evidence must be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively to ensure accuracy.

Observations alone (A) are insufficient; conclusions must be supported by objective evidence.

Thus, B is the correct answer.


ISO 19011:2018, Clause 6.4.9 (Audit Conclusions)

Question 3

Scenario 5: Mechanical-Electro (ME) Audit Stages

Mechanical-Electro, better known as ME, is an American company that provides mechanical and electrical services in Chin

a. Their services range from air-conditioning systems, ventilation systems, plumbing, to installation of electrical equipment in automobile plants, electronic manufacturing facilities, and food processing plants.

Due to the fierce competition from local Chinese companies and failing to meet customer requirements, ME's revenue dropped significantly. In addition, customers' trust and confidence in the company decreased, and the reputation of the company was damaged.

In light of these developments, the top management of ME decided to implement a quality management system (QMS) based on ISO 9001. After having an effective QMS in place for over a year, they applied for a certification audit.

A team of four auditors was appointed for the audit, including Li Na as the audit team leader. Initially, the audit team conducted a general review of ME's documents, including the quality policy, operational procedures, inventory lists, QMS scope, process documentation, training records, and previous audit reports.

Li Na stated that this would allow the team to maintain a systematic and structured approach to gathering documents for all audit stages. While reviewing the documented information, the team observed some minor issues but did not identify any major nonconformities. Therefore, Li Na claimed that it was not necessary to prepare a report or conduct a meeting with ME's representatives at that stage of the audit. She stated that all areas of concern would be discussed in the next phase of the audit.

Following the on-site activities and the opening meeting with ME's top management, the audit team structured an audit test plan to verify whether ME's QMS conformed to Clause 8.2.1 (Customer Communication) of ISO 9001.

To do so, they gathered information through group interviews and sampling. Li Na conducted interviews with departmental managers in the first group and then with top management. In addition, she chose a sampling method that sufficiently represented customer complaints from both areas of ME's operations.

The team members were responsible for the sampling procedure. They selected a sample size of 4 out of 45 customer complaints received weekly for electrical services and 2 out of 10 complaints for mechanical services.

Afterward, the audit team evaluated the evidence against the audit criteria and generated the audit findings.

Which stages of the audit were performed?



Answer : B

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth

Understanding Audit Stages Based on ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015

ISO certification audits consist of two main stages:

Stage 1 Audit (Readiness Review)

The organization's documented information is reviewed to assess readiness for Stage 2.

This ensures that the QMS is developed, implemented, and prepared for full assessment.

Stage 2 Audit (On-Site Evaluation)

Auditors assess process implementation and effectiveness through interviews, observations, and evidence collection.

The audit team verifies if the organization meets ISO 9001 requirements in practice.

Why is the Correct Answer B?

The audit team reviewed ME's documents, which is a Stage 1 activity.

The audit team performed interviews, sampling, and on-site verification, which is a Stage 2 activity.

There was no mention of an audit follow-up or a surveillance audit, which occur post-certification.

Why are the Other Options Incorrect?

A (Audit follow-up and Stage 1 Audit) Follow-up audits occur after certification, which was not the case here.

C (Stage 2 Audit and Surveillance Audit) Surveillance audits are post-certification audits and were not conducted yet.


ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, Clause 9.3.1 -- Initial Certification Audit (Stage 1 & 2)

Question 4

Scenario 5: Mechanical-Electro (ME) Audit Stages

Mechanical-Electro, better known as ME, is an American company that provides mechanical and electrical services in Chin

a. Their services range from air-conditioning systems, ventilation systems, plumbing, to installation of electrical equipment in automobile plants, electronic manufacturing facilities, and food processing plants.

Due to the fierce competition from local Chinese companies and failing to meet customer requirements, ME's revenue dropped significantly. In addition, customers' trust and confidence in the company decreased, and the reputation of the company was damaged.

In light of these developments, the top management of ME decided to implement a quality management system (QMS) based on ISO 9001. After having an effective QMS in place for over a year, they applied for a certification audit.

A team of four auditors was appointed for the audit, including Li Na as the audit team leader. Initially, the audit team conducted a general review of ME's documents, including the quality policy, operational procedures, inventory lists, QMS scope, process documentation, training records, and previous audit reports.

Li Na stated that this would allow the team to maintain a systematic and structured approach to gathering documents for all audit stages. While reviewing the documented information, the team observed some minor issues but did not identify any major nonconformities. Therefore, Li Na claimed that it was not necessary to prepare a report or conduct a meeting with ME's representatives at that stage of the audit. She stated that all areas of concern would be discussed in the next phase of the audit.

Following the on-site activities and the opening meeting with ME's top management, the audit team structured an audit test plan to verify whether ME's QMS conformed to Clause 8.2.1 (Customer Communication) of ISO 9001.

To do so, they gathered information through group interviews and sampling. Li Na conducted interviews with departmental managers in the first group and then with top management. In addition, she chose a sampling method that sufficiently represented customer complaints from both areas of ME's operations.

The team members were responsible for the sampling procedure. They selected a sample size of 4 out of 45 customer complaints received weekly for electrical services and 2 out of 10 complaints for mechanical services.

Afterward, the audit team evaluated the evidence against the audit criteria and generated the audit findings.

After reviewing the documented information, Li Na claimed that it was not necessary to report the minor nonconformities that were identified; instead, they would be discussed in the next audit phase. Is this acceptable?



Answer : C

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth

As per ISO 9001:2015, Clause 10.2 (Nonconformity and Corrective Action), all identified nonconformities, including minor ones, must be documented and communicated to the auditee.

Minor nonconformities can lead to major issues if left unaddressed. The auditor must inform the organization before moving to the next audit phase so that corrective actions can be taken. Clause 9.2.2 (Internal Audit) states that audit findings should be reported without undue delay.

Since Li Na did not report the minor nonconformities immediately, her decision was incorrect. Minor nonconformities should always be documented and communicated before proceeding to the next phase.


ISO 9001:2015, Clause 9.2.2 (Internal Audit Reporting)

ISO 9001:2015, Clause 10.2 (Nonconformity and Corrective Action)

Question 5

According to ISO 9000, what is quality?



Answer : B

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth

ISO 9000:2015 defines quality as 'the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics of an object fulfills requirements.'

Clause 3.6.2 (Quality) confirms this definition.

Quality is determined by how well an object (product, service, or process) meets defined requirements (customer, regulatory, or internal).

The other options do not align with the official ISO definition:

Option A refers to performance capability but does not define quality.

Option C describes work conditions, not quality.

Option D focuses on efficiency rather than fulfilling requirements.


ISO 9000:2015, Clause 3.6.2 -- Quality

Question 6

An ISO 9001 certified organization sells packaged food. To maximize the benefits of third-party certification to the organization and stakeholders, the organization has labelled their product 'ISO 9001 certified product' and is selling it as 'quality food'.

Which TWO of the following describes this situation in the context of the purpose and benefits of third-party ISO 9001 certification?



Answer : A, D


Question 7

Scenario 6: Davis Clinic (DC) is an American medical center focused on integrated health care. Since its establishment DC was committed to providing qualitative services for its clients, which is the reason why the company decided to implement a quality management system (QMS) based on ISO 9001. After a year of having an active QMS in place, DC applied for a certification audit.

A team of five auditors, from a well-known certification body, was selected to conduct the audit. Eva was appointed as the audit team leader. After three days of auditing, the team gathered to review and examine their findings. They also discussed the audit findings with DC's top management and then drafted the audit conclusions.

In the closing meeting, which was held between the audit team and the top management of DC. Eva presented two nonconformities that were detected during the audit. Eva stated that the company did not retain documented information regarding its outsourced services for an analysis laboratory and regarding the conducted management reviews. During the closing meeting, the audit team required from DCs top management to come up with corrective action plans within two weeks. Although the top management did not agree with the audit findings, the audit team insisted that the auditee must submit corrective actions within the given time frame in order for the audit activities to continue.

Once the action plans were evaluated, the audit team began preparing the audit report. Eva required from the team to provide accurate descriptions of the audit findings and the audit conclusions. The report was then distributed to all the interested parties involved in the audit, including the certification body Based on the report, the certification body together with Eva, as the audit team leader, made the certification decision.

Based on the scenario above, answer the following questio n:

Why is it important to discuss the audit findings with DC's top management prior to the closing meeting and the submission of the final audit report?



Answer : A

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth

Discussing audit findings before the closing meeting ensures that:

The audit objectives have been met (ISO 19011:2018, Clause 6.4.10).

The auditee has an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings or provide additional evidence.

The audit team and the auditee agree on the accuracy of findings before finalizing the report.

While encouraging corrective actions (B) is beneficial, the primary purpose of discussing findings is to ensure that the audit was conducted effectively and aligned with objectives. Identifying responsible persons (C) is not the auditor's role.


ISO 19011:2018, Clause 6.4.10 (Communicating Audit Findings Before the Closing Meeting)

Page:    1 / 14   
Total 227 questions