Exam-day tips for ISO auditor courses

1 The night before

Re-read your one-page summary of clauses 4 to 10
Re-read the principles of auditing and the audit stages
Check exam logistics: time, format, what you may bring (standard, notes, dictionary), ID, and for online exams your device, browser and webcam
Sleep — the last day of a five-day course is tiring enough

2 In the exam

Read every question twice. Underline who is acting (auditor, auditee, top management) and what is being asked
Answer the questions you are sure of first, then return to the rest
For “is this a nonconformity?” questions: name the requirement, then decide whether the evidence shows it is not met. No requirement, no nonconformity
Watch for absolutes (“always”, “never”) and for options that are true but do not answer the question
In open-book exams, use the standard to confirm — not to learn
Leave time to check that every question has an answer

3 Written answers

Use the structure the course taught (requirement → evidence → statement)
Quote the clause number and keep to facts the scenario gives you
Short, clear sentences score better than long ones

4 If it goes wrong

Ask your provider about resits and what feedback you can get. PECB, for example, says it adds a list of the domains where a candidate performed poorly to the results email for those who fail.

1 The night before

2 In the exam

3 Written answers

4 If it goes wrong

S Sources