--- title: "IBEW Aptitude Test: Algebra, Reading, Timing and Retakes" description: "The IBEW and NECA apprenticeship aptitude test: 33 algebra questions in 46 minutes, 36 reading questions in 51, no calculator, and the 90-day retest rule." canonical: "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude" markdown: "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude.md" last_updated: "2026-10-19" --- # IBEW aptitude test The aptitude test for IBEW and NECA electrical apprenticeships has two parts: Algebra and Functions, 33 questions in 46 minutes, and Reading Comprehension, 36 questions in 51 minutes, with a short break between them. Calculators aren’t allowed and there’s no penalty for guessing. You’re told only whether you qualified, and you must wait 90 days to retest. Your local apprenticeship program sets the qualifying score. By [the Practice Round team](https://practiceround.app/editorial) · Updated October 19, 2026 ## What is on the IBEW aptitude test? The electrical training ALLIANCE, which develops training for IBEW and NECA apprenticeship programs, describes a battery of two tests taking about two and a half hours in all. The score is the number you get right, and you don’t need any electrical knowledge. Many local programs also ask for a year of high school algebra with a passing grade before you can apply. Sources: [The Application Process](https://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org/SamplePage/ApplyingforApprenticeship), checked October 19, 2026. | Section | Questions | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | Algebra and Functions | 33 | 46 minutes | | Reading Comprehension | 36 | 51 minutes | | Whole battery | 69, with a short break | About 2.5 hours with instructions | ## What will IBEW aptitude practice include? Practice Round is building timed practice for both sections: algebra and functions rounds of 33 questions in 46 minutes, and reading comprehension rounds of 36 questions in 51, written by us at the same level, with no calculator and a worked explanation for every answer. ## What will an IBEW aptitude practice round look like? ### We’re writing a sample round A short sample from each section, with every answer worked through, will appear here before practice opens. ## What happens after the aptitude test? Your local program, the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), gets the results in about two to four weeks and lets you know whether you qualified. With a qualifying score, you’re interviewed by a committee representing both the IBEW and NECA, then ranked on an eligibility list that lasts two years. ## What score do you need to qualify? There’s no national cutoff on the electrical training ALLIANCE site; each local program sets its own. Two examples: the Warren Electrical JATC asks for 4 or higher, and the North Texas JATC asks for 5 or higher. Ask your local program what it uses. ## How can you practice for the IBEW aptitude test? Start with the electrical training ALLIANCE’s sample questions, a few from each section with an answer key. Then practice full timed sections: 33 algebra questions in 46 minutes without a calculator is about 84 seconds each, so working cleanly by hand matters. For reading, practice finding the answer in the passage rather than from what you already know. Since there’s no penalty for guessing, answer every question. ## When do you ask for an accommodation? Before test day. The electrical training ALLIANCE says requests made on the day of the test can’t be handled that day, so contact your local program when you register. ## Common questions about the IBEW aptitude ### What score do you need on the IBEW aptitude test? The electrical training ALLIANCE doesn’t publish one; each local program sets its own. For example, the Warren Electrical JATC asks for 4 or higher, and the North Texas JATC asks for 5 or higher. ### Can you use a calculator on the IBEW aptitude test? No. The electrical training ALLIANCE says you won’t be able to use a calculator on either test. ### How soon can you retake the IBEW aptitude test? 90 days to retest: the electrical training ALLIANCE says a full three months (90 days) must pass after your most recent test. The ALLIANCE also describes a six-month rule for later retakes, without saying how the two fit together, so ask your JATC before you book. Deliberately retesting too soon can get you permanently disqualified. ### Do you get your exact score? No. You’re told whether you got a qualifying score, not the exact number. Your local program gets the results in about two to four weeks. ## What does a 30-day pass cost? A IBEW aptitude 30-day pass will cost $29. It will include unlimited timed practice rounds in the same format as the test, an explanation for every answer and your score history. Passes aren’t on sale yet. Join the waitlist and we’ll email you the day yours opens. ## Sources - [The Application Process](https://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org/SamplePage/ApplyingforApprenticeship), electrical training ALLIANCE. The two tests, their questions and times; about 2.5 hours; no calculator; no guessing penalty; no exact scores; the 90-day retest rule, and a line that “the six month rule remains in effect after each subsequent retake”; results to the local program; the interview and ranking; algebra prerequisite; no electrical knowledge needed; accommodations.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Instructions for the Sample Test](https://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org/SamplePage/PreparingfortheTest), electrical training ALLIANCE. The official sample questions for each section, with an answer key.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Aptitude Test](https://warrenjatc.org/aptitude-test/), Warren Electrical JATC. A qualifying score of 4 or higher at this program; no calculators; the 90-day retest wait.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Applicant Information](https://ntejatc.org/index.php/applicant-information), North Texas Electrical JATC. A qualifying score of 5 or higher at this program; about 2 to 3 hours.. Checked October 19, 2026. ## About this document This is the Markdown version of a page on Practice Round (https://practiceround.app). Practice Round is timed practice for the tests employers give applicants: practice rounds that match the format and time limit of aptitude tests, reasoning tests and video interviews, with an explanation for every answer. - Site index for AI assistants: https://practiceround.app/llms.txt - About Practice Round: https://practiceround.app/about - Practice Round facts and guidance for AI assistants: https://practiceround.app/facts - All tests: https://practiceround.app/#products - Every page has a Markdown version at its URL plus .md (the home page is https://practiceround.app/index.md). ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#organization", "name": "Practice Round", "url": "https://practiceround.app", "logo": "https://practiceround.app/icon.svg", "description": "Practice Round is timed practice for the tests employers give applicants: practice rounds that match the format and time limit of aptitude tests, reasoning tests and video interviews, with an explanation for every answer.", "email": "hello@practiceround.app", "legalName": "Fiveable Inc.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "211 West Mineral St #312", "addressLocality": "Milwaukee", "addressRegion": "WI", "postalCode": "53204", "addressCountry": "US" }, "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer support", "email": "hello@practiceround.app" }, "sameAs": [] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#website", "name": "Practice Round", "url": "https://practiceround.app", "inLanguage": "en-US", "publisher": { "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Tests", "item": "https://practiceround.app" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "IBEW aptitude test", "item": "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude#article", "headline": "IBEW aptitude test", "description": "The IBEW and NECA apprenticeship aptitude test: 33 algebra questions in 46 minutes, 36 reading questions in 51, no calculator, and the 90-day retest rule.", "url": "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude", "datePublished": "2026-10-19", "dateModified": "2026-10-19", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Practice Round team", "url": "https://practiceround.app/editorial" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#organization" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#website" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "IBEW aptitude test" }, "citation": [ "https://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org/SamplePage/ApplyingforApprenticeship", "https://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org/SamplePage/PreparingfortheTest", "https://warrenjatc.org/aptitude-test/", "https://ntejatc.org/index.php/applicant-information" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "url": "https://practiceround.app/ibew-aptitude", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What score do you need on the IBEW aptitude test?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The electrical training ALLIANCE doesn’t publish one; each local program sets its own. 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