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IBEW Aptitude Tests
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is a labor union that represents more than 750,000 of the electrical workers in the US. As part of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) it produces an assessment used for electrician apprenticeship schemes.
What is the IBEW aptitude test?
The IBEW Aptitude Test (sometimes known as the JATC or NJATC Test) is an assessment that has to be passed for a candidate to be considered for an electrical apprenticeship in the US.
The test itself takes about 2.5 hours to be administered, and is a written test that takes place in specific venues (candidates typically pick the one closest to them). An adjudicator sits in the venue.
The test itself has 69 questions, split into two sections: Algebra and Functions, and Reading Comprehension.
It is designed to assess the skills and competencies of the applicant, based on aptitudes that are needed for a successful electrician. Surprisingly, there is no electrical knowledge needed to complete the test; just sound mathematical knowledge and reading comprehension.
What is on the IBEW aptitude test?
The first section has 33 questions and lasts 46 minutes. Candidates can take a short break before starting the second part, which has 36 questions to be answered in 51 minutes.
You do not need to bring anything with you for the test, apart from photographic ID, and calculators are not permitted.
Algebra and Functions
The focus on this part of the assessment is on your math skills. There are a high proportion of questions about equations and algebraic functions, as well as operations and number series. You can expect questions based on:
- Simplifying
- Order of operations (BEDMAS)
- Solving equations
- Simplifying polynomials
- Factoring polynomials
- Function formats
- Analyzing functions
This is a math exam, at roughly high school level. It is normal for some of the subjects to be tougher than others, but as electricians will need math knowledge and competencies that they will use every day, the questions are designed to be challenging.
Each question will have multiple-choice answers, and you will have 46 minutes to answer 33 questions, without using a calculator. This means that you need to work quickly and accurately.
Reading Comprehension
The reading comprehension test is similar to a verbal reasoning assessment. You will be provided with a passage of text that you need to understand and analyse to answer questions based on the information it contains.
There are 36 questions to answer, and you will have 51 minutes.
The questions ask for you to be able to recall specific information, summarise the key points, and draw conclusions based on the information provided.
As with verbal reasoning tests, the information that you need to answer the questions are provided in the text, so you need to be confident about picking out the important facts.
In the multiple-choice answers provided, it is likely that there will be a couple of possibilities that could be true, but only one that is – so you need to be sure of your answer before you move on. There is a bit more allowed time per question in this section, to give you space to read the passage.
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How is the IBEW aptitude test scored?
The scoring system for the IBEW aptitude test is simple: it is only marked on correct answers, with no negative score for wrong answers, or those that are unanswered.
You will know your score from the test between two and four weeks after completing it, and you must be in the top 45% to be considered for an apprenticeship. However, even if you achieve the right mark, you are not guaranteed to be taken further.
Once your score from the test has been received, and you have achieved the right mark, you will be invited for a face-to-face interview with a member of the IBEW or NECA, which is also scored. This is combined with your mark for the test to decide on your eligibility for the apprenticeship.
Five tips to pass the IBEW aptitude test
1. Get your math skills sharp
As an electrician, you will be relying on accuracy in math concepts and principles in your everyday working life, so you want to be sure of your technique in solving complicated problems, especially polynomials and equations.
This should be a question of refreshing and revising what you have previously been taught. It is usual for some of the questions to be more of a challenge, and when you know your weaknesses, you can focus on these.
2. Read widely
Knowledge comes from a variety of sources, and reading as much as you can will expand your vocabulary.
Choose different kinds of texts, from fiction to nonfiction as well as business writing and more formal content. When you are reading, look for the meaning of the passage, the arguments and highlight the key points that you think are most important. Make note of any unfamiliar words so that you can look them up later, and find the meaning.
3. Practice tests
Taking practice tests has several uses in your preparation for the IBEW aptitude test.You will become more confident as you recognise the layout and structure, and you can highlight your strengths and your weaknesses so that you make your revision count.
It is most beneficial to take practice tests under exam conditions so that you are used to answering questions under time pressure.
4. Maintain healthy habits
You will operate at your best when you are well rested and hydrated, so get plenty of rest before the assessment, and eat a healthy meal.
5. Don’t be afraid to guess
As the assessment is not negatively marked, you will not lose points for wrong answers. So if you are really stuck, take a best guess and move on so you don’t waste too much time.
You can always come back to questions you don’t know the answer to if you have time at the end, and you don’t want to make the mistake of missing easy points on questions you can answer quickly.
What are the basic requirements to apply?
To apply for an electrical apprenticeship you need to be 18 years old, and have your high school diploma, GED or equivalent. You must also be in general good health and physical shape, and in some cases you may need a valid state driving licence.
What kind of math is on the IBEW aptitude test?
The math is based on what is taught in high school, so there should be nothing that you have never been taught. The focus on polynomials and equations, operations and functions is mostly algebraic, and designed to be similar to the math that is used in everyday work.
What is a passing score on the IBEW aptitude test?
The IBEW aptitude test has a passing score of 4/9, but what that actually means is that you need to be in the top 45% of the people that have taken the test to be taken further in the apprenticeship scheme.
As there can be hundreds of people to be compared with, the top 45% might need to be a very high score, so aim as high as you can.
How often can you take the IBEW aptitude test?
If you are unsuccessful in your IBEW aptitude test, then you can reapply and retake the test after six months.
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IBEW 01
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Reviews of our IBEW tests
What our customers say about our IBEW tests
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Cesar JoJo
United States of America
July 10, 2022
good
Charts were off, there was no indication of prices per month. Using euros instead of dollars. Were all those calls out of allocation or just the texts?
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Tim Adams
United States of America
June 01, 2022
Problem solving and scratch paper
Not a bad prep test, didn't have pen and paper which made this a little more complex to do all in head but not difficult
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MATTHEW MOSKALA
United States of America
May 18, 2022
Graph Reading
I liked the questions and the graphing content but felt like it was a little fast for the difficulty of the questions
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OnlyJoeYouKnow
United States of America
April 28, 2022
I need to focus on reading comprehension
I did not like how the units on the last part were in Euros, I skipped passed all of it because it made it harder for me.
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Jerald Solomon
United States of America
March 29, 2022
Difficult
I am in an algebra course in college and I found that class easier than this aptitude test. I also have a 100% in my college algebra class.
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Cynthia O
United States of America
March 22, 2022
Time WAY too short
Too much information to review in order to do calculations accurately in time to answer all questions.
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James Huckaby
United States of America
March 21, 2022
Difficult, needed much more time
Not feeling confident. Had a difficult time determining which information was relevant. 100p to a Pound? Which time period were they interested in?
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Zachary E Moyer
United States of America
March 11, 2022
Very good
Didn't like that it used Euro for most of the questions since I'm from the US. Took me a little while to realize that pence was a smaller unit of the currency (i.e. dollars to cents).