IBEW / NJATC Aptitude Test
Last updated: October 2026
The IBEW/NJATC aptitude test is the entrance exam for union electrical apprenticeships run through the Electrical Training ALLIANCE. It has 69 questions in two sections: 33 algebra and functions questions in 46 minutes, then 36 reading comprehension questions in 51 minutes. No calculator, no penalty for guessing, and the result is reported on a 1–9 scale. Most JATC programs want at least a 4.
The two sections
- Algebra and Functions — 33 questions in 46 minutes, about 84 seconds each. First-year high-school algebra: order of operations, linear equations and inequalities, polynomials, function tables, number series, ratios and percentages, exponents and roots. Worked by hand, since calculators are not permitted.
- Reading Comprehension — 36 questions in 51 minutes, about 85 seconds each. Short nonfiction passages with questions on details, main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, and which statement the passage supports.
- Break — a short break between the sections. Plan for roughly two and a half hours on site once check-in and instructions are counted.
How it is scored
The ALLIANCE reports a score from 1 to 9, and the raw-to-scale conversion is not published. Local programs set their own qualifying line: a 4 is the common floor and some locals ask for 5. Passing the written test gets you to the oral interview, where your rank on the eligibility list is set by the interview plus your application; the score alone does not place you.
Rules that decide the day
- No calculator. Every arithmetic step is by hand. Practice the same way, or a timed section will run out before the questions do.
- Answer everything. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so a blank is strictly worse than a guess.
- The retest wait is real. Six months is common and three is the shorter version, and it applies across JATC locations. Treat the first sitting as the one that counts.
- Bring photo ID. No ID, no test. Arrive early; late arrivals are treated as a no-show.
How to prepare
The algebra section rewards a refresher, not new material: most candidates have not solved a two-step equation by hand in years. Work through order of operations, solving for x, expanding binomials, function tables, and number series in that order, then drill under a clock at 84 seconds a question. The reading section rewards a habit, not a trick: read the passage once for what it says, then prove every answer from a specific sentence.
Full plan in the IBEW study guide.
Try a free IBEW sample
Our free sample is an 8-question slice of the bank — algebra and functions items plus a reading passage — at the real per-question pace, with an explanation after every item. Full 69-question, 97-minute practice batteries are included with complete access.
Take the free IBEW sampleFrequently asked questions
How many questions are on the IBEW aptitude test?
69 questions in two sections: 33 algebra and functions questions in 46 minutes, then 36 reading comprehension questions in 51 minutes. Total answering time is 97 minutes, plus a short break.
How is the IBEW aptitude test scored?
On a 1 to 9 scale. Local JATC programs set their own qualifying line, and many ask for a 4 or better. The raw-to-scale conversion is not published, so practice scores are a guide to readiness, not a prediction of the reported band.
Can I use a calculator?
No. Calculators are not permitted. Pencils and scratch paper are provided at the test site.
How long before I can retake it?
Commonly six months, and some programs enforce three. The wait applies across JATC locations.
Is there mechanical reasoning on the IBEW test?
Some locals add mechanical questions about pulleys, loads, and hoisting. The published ALLIANCE format is the two sections above, so check the instructions that come with your own test invitation.
TestPrep.me writes all of its practice questions to this specification rather than copying real test items; the Electrical Training ALLIANCE does not publish its item bank. Our practice batteries follow the published 33 + 36 question split and the 46 + 51 minute section clocks as one continuous 97-minute run, so the pacing and question mix match even though the real test announces separate section timers.