Six Sigma & Lean Fundamentals
41 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 41 free Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt practice questions on Six Sigma & Lean Fundamentals, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Six Sigma & Lean Fundamentals: example questions & answers
Here are 6 example questions from this topic. Practise the full set of 41 free in the browser.
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The primary goal of Lean is best described as:
- A Reducing process variation to 3.4 defects per million
- B Increasing the number of inspection points
- C Maximising machine utilisation regardless of demand
- D Eliminating waste and improving flow to deliver value to the customer ✓
Answer: Lean focuses on eliminating waste (non-value-adding activity) and improving flow so that value moves smoothly to the customer.
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In a 'Six Sigma' process, how many defects per million opportunities (DPMO) are expected?
- A 3.4 defects ✓
- B 66,807 defects
- C 6 defects
- D 233 defects
Answer: A process operating at Six Sigma quality (with the standard 1.5 sigma shift) produces about 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
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In Lean thinking, an activity that the customer is willing to pay for and that changes the product or service is called:
- A Value-adding ✓
- B Business-non-value-adding
- C Necessary waste
- D Non-value-adding
Answer: A value-adding activity transforms the product or service in a way the customer is willing to pay for.
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The term 'sigma level' in Six Sigma is a measure of:
- A The speed of a production line
- B The number of employees on a team
- C How much process variation fits within customer specification limits ✓
- D The total cost of a project
Answer: Sigma level expresses how many standard deviations fit between the process mean and the nearest specification limit; higher sigma means fewer defects.
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Which of these best describes 'common-cause' variation?
- A Variation caused only by operator mistakes
- B Variation that can never be reduced
- C Variation from a one-off, unusual event
- D The natural, inherent variation always present in a stable process ✓
Answer: Common-cause variation is the routine, inherent variability of a stable process, as opposed to special-cause variation from specific identifiable events.
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The main purpose of a kaizen event is to:
- A Increase inventory to buffer against demand
- B Audit the company's finances
- C Conduct a rapid, focused improvement on a specific process over a short period ✓
- D Replace all factory equipment at once
Answer: A kaizen event is a short, focused, team-based effort to rapidly improve a targeted process or area.