How to Prepare for the Six Sigma White Belt Certification Exam

Enterprises depend on their Six Sigma employees to raise profits by eliminating defects, reducing costs, and optimizing efficiency. Because Six Sigma methodologies are proven to eliminate errors that can impact customer satisfaction and profit losses to the business, professionals adept in Six Sigma process improvement methods are in high demand. Becoming a Six Sigma professional will raise your value as a professional, making you eligible for higher salaries and expanding your career opportunities.

Earning a Six Sigma White Belt (SSWB) certification is the first step to making yourself indispensable to your employer. A Six Sigma White Belt Certification proves an understanding of the most basic level of the Six Sigma Methodology.

To become a White Belt, you must pass the SSWB Certification Exam to demonstrate proficiency in the discipline’s primary definition, history, and structure. To increase your chances of passing, it’s recommended that you take a Six Sigma White Belt course to prepare for the exam. Some SSWB courses are free, like our training courses for traditional Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma.

On this page:

• Prerequisites for Six Sigma White Belt
• 5 Ways to Prepare for the Six Sigma White Belt Certification Exam
• Career Opportunities
• Summary

Prerequisites for Six Sigma White Belt

There are no prerequisites for becoming a Certified Six Sigma White Belt, though adequate preparation for the exam, whether with an approved training provider or using a self-study guide, is recommended. SSWB introduces you to the foundational concepts of Six Sigma and provides an understanding of the roles and responsibilities involved with a Six Sigma implementation.

Below are the two routes you can pursue to achieve the SSWB certification.

1. First, if you have already completed training and feel you’ve gained a significant understanding of the topics covered in the White Belt Certification “Body of Knowledge,” you can sit for the standard comprehensive examination. 
2. You can complete several short exams progressing through the different sections rather than sit for the more extensive comprehensive exam. Completing the shorter exams is an excellent option if you have chosen to train using our free Self-Study Guides, independently or in conjunction with an approved training provider.

We recommend the second path as the best option for those newer to the Six Sigma methodology, professionals looking for a solid refresher, or those candidates who want to reduce the costs put towards the examination and certification.

Upon receiving this certification, you can assist with organizational change management and support Six Sigma teams with their projects. You are also free to pursue Six Sigma Green and Black Belt certifications to further your knowledge and proficiency in the Six Sigma methodology.

5 Ways to Prep for the Six Sigma White Belt Certification Exam

Gaining the necessary knowledge to prepare you for the free Six Sigma White Belt Certification exam can be challenging, especially if you are already working full-time. To help you ready yourself for the certification, here are several preparatory tactics we recommend:

1. Take a (CSSC) Accredited Training Course for SSWB

The Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) has created a set of standards to help training programs and institutions across the globe teach practical and applicable Six Sigma certification courses. The accreditation program on CSSC ensures that training and certification providers offer courses covering critical fundamentals of the Six Sigma methodology. We recommend taking our free Six Sigma White Belt training course, which is accredited by CSSC.

2. Choose the Exam Path that Benefits You

As previously mentioned, there are two exam paths you can take to earn your certification.

First, the “Standard Exam” consists of 30 questions. It is an open-book format examination that you will have 30 minutes to complete. The exam consists of multiple-choice and true/false questions from the major sections of Six Sigma White Belt “Body of Knowledge.” This option is ideal for those with an existing understanding of the Six Sigma White Belt “Body of Knowledge.”

The second “Self-Study Exams” option is for candidates who would like to have the ability to obtain the various levels of our standard certifications (White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt) as they progress. This path is designed for candidates utilizing our free Self-Study guides or candidates seeking a more comprehensive way toward their certification goals. Each time the individual completes a chapter of the Self-Study guide, they will take a short (10-15 question) online exam, all of which are available to be taken online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Six Sigma White Belt Certification exam can be taken online at CSSC, through a CSSC accredited partner like ourselves, or at designated testing centers worldwide. There is no examination assessment fee for this path, and you have unlimited attempts to successfully pass the exam with the required minimum score within 12 months of registering. The current examination assessment fee for the Self-Paced Exams option is $349.00.

3. Study and Practice for the Exam

We recommend that any candidate looking to successfully pass an official Six Sigma White Belt certification exam obtain Six Sigma training, either through a qualified training provider or by studying the free self-study guide issued by The Council for Six Sigma Certification or the free Training Manual for SSWB provided by Six Sigma Online. Training with a qualified provider or using the free self-study materials will help you gain the knowledge and skills to succeed. Additional study techniques, including making flashcards and completing practice tests, are also valuable.

4. Bring Your Six Sigma Study Guide to the Exam

Both examination options are open-book, and we encourage using either the free Self-Study Guide or SSWB Training Manual while taking the exam.

5. Get Plenty of Rest Before Your Exam

No matter how much training you complete and studying you do ahead of the exam, there is no substitute for a fresh mind. Going to sleep early the night before and eating well will ensure you have the energy and focus you need to earn your certification.

Career Opportunities

Six Sigma process improvements are evergreen in the value they offer companies. That’s why decades after the methodology’s conception, companies large and small continue implementing Six Sigma process improvements. Getting certified highlights your expertise in eliminating business errors and generating increased profits. Becoming an SSWB is an excellent way to ensure HR places you at the top of potential candidates during the hiring process.

Summary

The Six Sigma White Belt is the first step toward permanently increasing your job security. Through economic booms and downturns, Six Sigma employees are integral in helping companies save money, optimize operations, and keep customers happy. No matter the environment you work in, being a certified Six Sigma professional exponentially raises your value, making you indispensable and more likely to attain leadership positions. Prepare for the Six Sigma White Belt Certification Exam by taking our free SSWB course. Or for a more specialized approach, take one of our free 23-industry specific Six Sigma White Belt training courses.