If you are interested in an electrical career, taking and passing the IBEW® Aptitude Test may be in your future! The test is used to see if you’re a good fit for the IBEW electrician apprenticeship program.
Eligibility Requirements
Before you can take the IBEW aptitude test, your local JATC or electrical training center will review your application to make sure you meet its minimum requirements.
Typically, the minimum requirements include being a certain age, having a high school diploma or an equivalent, and having a valid driver’s license.
Some programs may require official transcripts or proof of algebra/math coursework, and others may also require a drug screen, physical exam, background check, apprentice electrician license, or proof that you are physically able to perform electrical construction work.
IBEW Aptitude Test Outline
The electrician aptitude test contains 69 multiple-choice questions, and you will be given a time limit of 97 minutes.
The test is split into two sections:
Math (33 questions)
The Math section of the test, which is timed at 46 minutes, is designed to assess your general math knowledge and skills, as well as your knowledge of basic mechanics.
These are the topics you’ll likely come across in this section:
- Basic operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals
- Order of operations (PEMDAS)
- Ratios and proportions
- Percentages
- Solving linear equations for one variable
- Simplifying algebraic expressions
- Working with exponents
- Basic geometry concepts
- Number series
- Quadratic equations and factoring
- Basic mechanical theory
- Gears
- Levers
- Pulleys
- Load distribution
You will not be able to use a calculator at any point during the Math section.
Reading (36 questions)
The Reading section of the test, which is timed at 51 minutes, is designed to assess your reading comprehension skills related to electrical work.
These are the things you will likely be asked to do in this section:
- Understand technical information related to electrical work (with no prior electrical knowledge required)
- Identify the main idea and supporting details in passages
- Draw conclusions based on the information provided
- Follow instructions and procedures
- Analyze charts, graphs, and tables
Top 3 Most Challenging IBEW Questions
Now that you know more about the test, try your hand at some targeted practice!
Over the last year, we’ve compiled the data from about 4,000 test-takers who tried their hand at the practice test at the top of this page. According to the data, around 70% of people answered these three questions incorrectly.
Answer each question and read through the answer explanation, whether you got the answer right or wrong. This will help you ensure you’ve got the topic mastered.
Whether you struggled with these questions or aced them on your first try, be sure to take the full practice test to get a better idea of how prepared you really are!
1. If \(f(x)=1\), which of the following approximates \(x\) in the function below?
Any number to a power of 0 equals 1, so \(10^0=1\) and \(x=0\).
2. Quinn deposits $250 from each quarterly paycheck into a savings account. How much will he have deposited in the account after five years?
\(\dfrac{250}{3}=\dfrac{x}{60}\)
We solve by first cross-multiplying.\(3x=15{,}000\)
Then, divide both sides of the equation by 3.\(x=5{,}000\)
Therefore, Quinn will have deposited $5,000 into the account after five years.3. Read the passage below before answering the question:
Read Passage
Of course, there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience. It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire. To a degree, academic freedom is a reality today because Socrates practiced civil disobedience. In our own nation, the Boston Tea Party represented a massive act of civil disobedience.
We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal.” It was “illegal” to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers. If today I lived in a Communist country where certain principles dear to the Christian faith are suppressed, I would openly advocate disobeying that country’s anti-religious laws.
Adapted from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," written in April 1963
Which sentence best summarizes why King believes there may be occasions when breaking the law is justified?
Choice A describes how one should break the law if the occasion calls for it. Choice B provides illustrative evidence to further support the assertion referred to in the previous question, but it is not itself a summary of that assertion. Choice C gives yet another example of civil disobedience, but it does not summarize the idea referred to in the previous question.
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Registration
To take the test, you will need to apply to the IBEW apprenticeship program. Assuming you meet their eligibility requirements, they will give you the electrician aptitude test as part of the application process.
The application fee will vary depending on where you take the test, but it’s generally anywhere from $20-$35.
How the Test is Scored
The test is scored on a range of 1-9, though you don’t usually receive a detailed score report. In most cases, you’ll just be told whether or not you received a qualifying score.
A qualifying test result makes you eligible for the interview step, but final placement depends on your interview and overall application review, not just the test score.
Retaking the Test
If you failed the exam and wish to retake it, you may do so after a 3-month waiting period. For any subsequent retakes, you’ll have to wait 6 months between attempts.
IBEW Aptitude Online Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online IBEW aptitude prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!
Here’s what you’ll find in the IBEW Aptitude course:
- 70+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- Over 550 IBEW Aptitude Practice Questions
- 200+ Digital Flashcards
- 150+ Instructional Videos
- Money-back Guarantee
- Mobile Access
Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the IBEW aptitude online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the IBEW aptitude exam.
Click below to check it out!
What Happens During the Interview?
The interview is usually conducted by a committee representing labor and management (e.g., IBEW and NECA).
Keep in mind that this is a real interview. The committee will consider things like your overall education, math background, work history, military experience, attitude, reliability, and overall readiness for training.
After the interview, you’ll be placed on a ranked eligibility list. Programs generally select apprentices from that list as openings become available. It’s important to note that being placed on the ranked list does not guarantee immediate entry into the apprenticeship.
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FAQs
Q
Can you use a calculator on the IBEW Aptitude Test?
A
No, you will not be able to use a calculator on any portion of the test.
Q
How hard is the IBEW Aptitude Test?
A
The test is considered to be somewhat harder than other apprenticeship aptitude tests.
Q
How long is the IBEW Aptitude Test?
A
The test is timed at 97 minutes.
Q
How is the IBEW Aptitude Test graded?
A
The test is graded on a scale of 1-9.
Q
How many questions are on the IBEW Aptitude Test?
A
There are 69 questions on the test.
IBEW is a registered trademark of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which is not affiliated with Mometrix Test Preparation and does not endorse this page.
