SQA Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the SQA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 SQA Exam Format at a Glance

165

Questions

210 min

Time Limit

70.00%

Passing Score

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📚 SQA Topics to Study (38)

Common · 11 cards MCQ · 11 cards Startup · 11 cards Data Integrity and Electronic Records · 7 cards Startup · 7 cards Startup · 7 cards Startup · 7 cards Startup · 7 cards GLP Regulations and Compliance · 6 cards GLP Regulations and Compliance · 6 cards GLP Regulations and Compliance · 6 cards Quality Auditing Principles · 6 cards Quality Auditing Principles · 6 cards Quality Auditing Principles · 6 cards Regulatory Submissions and Compliance · 6 cards Regulatory Submissions and Compliance · 6 cards Regulatory Submissions and Compliance · 6 cards SQA Auditing and Inspection · 6 cards SQA Auditing and Inspection · 6 cards SQA Auditing and Inspection · 6 cards SQA Documentation and Record Management · 6 cards SQA Documentation and Record Management · 6 cards SQA Documentation and Record Management · 6 cards SQA Inspector Roles and Responsibilities · 6 cards SQA Inspector Roles and Responsibilities · 6 cards SQA Inspector Roles and Responsibilities · 6 cards SQA Laboratory Quality Systems · 6 cards SQA Laboratory Quality Systems · 6 cards SQA Laboratory Quality Systems · 6 cards SQA Regulatory Compliance and GxP · 6 cards

See all 38 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample SQA Questions & Answers

1. What is a 'remote audit' or 'desk audit' in pharmaceutical quality assurance?

✓ An audit conducted by reviewing documents, records, and evidence submitted electronically without physically visiting the site

A remote audit reviews quality records, procedures, and data submitted electronically, enabling some level of quality oversight without requiring an on-site visit.

2. In GLP auditing, what is the purpose of a retrospective data audit?

✓ To review completed raw data and records to verify accuracy, completeness, and GLP compliance after the fact

Retrospective data audits review completed study records to assess data integrity and GLP compliance of the documented study conduct.

3. What is the purpose of 'worst-case' testing in equipment or process validation?

✓ To demonstrate that the process or equipment performs acceptably even under the most challenging but still realistic conditions

Worst-case testing challenges the process or equipment at boundary conditions most likely to result in failure, providing confidence that routine operations will always succeed.

4. What is a 'process audit' in the context of GLP quality assurance?

✓ An audit that evaluates a specific work process against defined criteria such as SOPs or regulations

A process audit examines how a specific work process (e.g., sample processing, data recording) is performed compared to written procedures.

5. What is a 'periodic review' of SOPs in a GMP quality system?

✓ A scheduled review to ensure SOPs remain accurate, current, and reflective of actual practice

Periodic review ensures SOPs are reviewed at regular intervals (typically every 2-3 years) to verify they still reflect current practices, regulations, and equipment.

6. Which of the following best describes 'study initiation date' under GLP guidelines?

✓ The date the Study Director signs the protocol

The study initiation date is defined as the date the Study Director signs the study protocol.

🎯 Free SQA Practice Tests

MCQ · 11 questions Common · 11 questions Startup · 11 questions Data Integrity and Electronic Records · 7 questions Startup · 7 questions Startup · 7 questions Startup · 7 questions Startup · 7 questions Quality Auditing Principles · 6 questions GLP Regulations and Compliance · 6 questions

📖 SQA Guides & Articles

Your SQA Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 SQA Flashcards (248)🏆 SQA Exam Simulation

What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for SQA

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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

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