Everything You Need to Know About the IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test

As technology progresses, the demand in many trade positions has started to diminish. However, if you want to get into a trade that has high growth potential for the next decade at minimum, you definitely want to become an electrician. There is no need for special, expensive college education. In the US, you simply need your high school diploma, or a GED and you must complete an apprenticeship. 

The only difficult part is landing the apprenticeship, which requires that you pass the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Electrical Aptitude Test. If you are preparing to take the test or are interested in becoming an electrician, read on for some great information about the IBEW test. 

What is the IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test?

This electrical aptitude test was created by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as a way to ensure that individuals starting apprenticeships have the natural intelligence, learned knowledge, and overall cognitive ability to succeed in the field. This is largely because the positions are in high demand and masters don’t want to waste their effort teaching someone who is unlikely to excel. 

However, this assessment is also important to keep electricians and their apprentices in good health. Electricity is a dangerous source of power and only those with the knowledge to remain safe should be allowed to work with it. 

The test covers algebraic comprehension along with reading comprehension, for a well-rounded assessment of the test takers knowledge and ability to learn. 

Quick Facts:

1. Must be 18 to take the test
2. You may not use a calculator on the test
3. The test may be known by a multitude of other names, including:
4. Electrical Training Alliance Aptitude Test
5. NJATC Aptitude Test
6. NECA Apprenticeship Test
7. Pre-Apprenticeship Aptitude Test
8. JATC Test
9. Electrical Aptitude Test
10. Electrician Apprentice Test
11. The test can be retaken if failed
12. There are no penalties for wrong answers (so don’t leave any answers blank)
13. The math section includes number series questions
14. Both sections of the test are timed
15. The score is combined from both sections
16. Your score stays good for two years
17. The test is scored on a scale of 1-9

IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test Sample Questions

Question 1

Examine the number series below:

23|74|227|686|?

What is the next number in the series?

A. 737

B. 2195

C. 2063

D. 2058

Question 2

Solve using the Pythagorean Theorem  A²+B²=C²

A=5 and C=6

Question 3

The World Health Organization has decided to narrow an experiment with Ebola patients to two treatments that show real promise.
The treatments, known as REGN-EB3 and an antibody called mAb114, were being tried out in patients with Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with antiviral drugs ZMapp and Remdesivir.
The test of the drugs started in November as a part of the emergency response to the outbreak in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Source: Christensen, Jen (August 12, 2024) Two new Ebola treatments show promise in the fight against the outbreak in Congo, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/12/health/ebola-breakthrough-congo/index.html

1. Based on the passage, which of the statements below is false?
a. An outbreak in certain provinces served as the impetus for testing new drugs and treatments
b. The World Health Organization is aware of the problem and is actively working to fix the Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
c. Ebola is a major problem for the Democratic Republic of Congo and its people are subject to outbreaks on somewhat of a regular basis.
d. The drugs mentioned in the article did not test well when testing began in November.

How Long is the IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test?

The IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test has two sections of testing. The reading comprehension section has 36 multiple-choice style questions and the test taker will be given 50 minutes to complete the exam. The math sections, which includes algebraic reasoning and number series, has 33 multiple-choice style questions. This section must be completed within 46 minutes. 

Passing Scores for the IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test

The test is scored on a scale of 1-9 based on private criteria set by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Though we may not have access to the weight of each of these sections, we do know that the score is determined from a combination of each section’s scoring. We also know that there is no penalty for wrong answers, only increases in the score for every question that is answered right. 

That’s why it is important to watch your time and do your best to answer every single question. The best way to ensure that you don’t run out of time is to thoroughly prepare for the exam. 

How to Properly Prepare for the IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test

The most important key to passing any aptitude test is prep, prep, and more prep! Not only that, but you need to use the best tools at your disposal to ensure that you are practicing with questions and concepts that you will actually see on the real test. 

At JobAssessmentHelp, we have curated the perfect prep pack for the IBEW Electrical Aptitude Test and many other assessment tests. You will get unique practice tests, hundreds of applicable questions, in-depth study material, and the security of knowing it is all created with one goal in mind – to help you land that apprenticeship on the first try!

If you are ready to get started, check out JobAssessmentHelp today!