What Is the Electrical Aptitude Test?
The electrical aptitude test is a prerequisite for electrician apprenticeship programs and qualification programs. This assessment, also known as the IBEW aptitude test, is administered in a specified location under the watch of a proctor. Candidates are given two and a half hours to complete the assessments with a small break in between test sections.
The electrical aptitude test is a part of the interview process for electricians. Additional steps include:
- Application & Verification of Qualifications
- Electrical Aptitude Test
- Face-to-Face Interview
Applicants must be eighteen or older to apply with a high school diploma or GED.
Electrical Aptitude Test Sections
The electrical aptitude test evaluates applicants with mathematics and a reading comprehension section. These can be further divided into the following sections:
- Mathematics
The mathematics is algebra heavy with questions addressing multi-variable linear and quadratic equations, basic mathematical functions, simplifying, polynomial factoring as well as practical applications. This section will have 33 questions with 46 minutes allotted for completion.
- Reading Comprehension
The reading comprehension section will provide applicants with a passage of information, typically on a random topic, followed by a series of multiple-choice questions that probe at the main idea and inferences. There are 36 questions, and the applicant will have fifty minutes to complete this portion of the assessment. The test is formatted with four to six paragraphs of material with eight to thirteen subsequent questions.
- Mechanical
Within the math section of the electrical aptitude test, there will be miscellaneous mechanical questions. These questions concern pulleys, gears and shape sequences. The subjects of the mechanical questions are tied into math; for example, how much weight would X number of pulleys be able to lift.
Applicants will be mailed a notice of whether or not they passed within one month of completion. The test is scored on a scale of one to nine and you must receive a minimum score of four in order to proceed to the next section of the interview process. If you score less than four, you must wait six months before being allowed to retake the assessment.
How to Prepare for the Electrical Aptitude Test?
The electrical aptitude test requires considerable preparation. Most people find the mathematics portion of the test to be the most difficult, especially due to the time limit and the restriction on the use of calculators. Try running through practice questions or taking an online practice test to build confidence and improve your score. The online practice test closely simulates the electrical assessment by recreating the questions and time constraints.
Helpful references for material include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Electrician Association (NEA), and the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC). Because these organizations have approved versions of the electrical aptitude test, their resources and the tests they administer will not vary significantly.
Electrical Aptitude Test Tips
On the day you take your electrical aptitude test, make sure you show up fifteen minutes early to ensure you are not late. The site does not allow late entries and will mark you as a no-show which will cost you a fee to reschedule. Bring a photo id as well. During your test you may not use a calculator, but you will be provided with a pencil and scrap paper to work out the equations. There will be a small break in between the two sections, and it is recommended that you stretch and eat before going back in; this will help you regain your focus and energy. Those who have previously completed the test advise that you skip the questions you are unsure of and come back to them later. This method is beneficial because your score is completely made up of your correct answers and the wrong ones will not count against you.
