I will be taking the aptitude test in a few weeks and don't know what to study. I am switching careers and am currently a system support specialist in the financial field. I haven't taken an algebra course in 18 years. If anyone can give me some advice on what to study it would be greatly appreciated.
Which aptitude test? The one for the IBEW apprenticeship?
We need more information please.
Peter
Sorry , yes it is for the inside wireman and is a 2.5 hour math and reading comprehension test. I just want to be prepared and do well on the test as i'm 39 and not getting any younger and don't want to have to re take the test.
The math part is a straightforward, serious, appropriate algebra test.
Is there anything I should focus on or not focus on? I only have a few weeks to study and don't want to waste any time on things that won't be on the test.
It's really easy. I had been out of school for 10 years and took it and passed it first time.
I just started the apprenticeship last year. We started with close to 150 people and are now down to 48 or so.
It wasn't that the course is hard, it was the fact that half of those really didn't want to work and the other half didn't like the work in this field.
It has been great so far and I have learned so much in a short period of time.
If you have any more questions I would be happy to answer them or even give you some sample questions of things I remembered seeing on the test.
But to sum everything up, it was pretty easy. Just basic algebra stuff.
Thanks for the offer GA76. Check your e-mail
Welcome johnb!
It sounds like to me from what I read about you that you'll do great, since you've been a system support specialist. Most of the formulas we use electrical work are provided in the NEC2002; you just have to supply the variables. I've gotten a lot of help on this forum with formula-related questions, so make sure you ask! I hope it goes well for you.
E-mail replied.
You should do well. Don't sweat it too much.
One thing I just plain suck at is algebra. When I was in vocational school algebra was a requirement in order to be in the electrical program. Fortunately they made an exception for me because I had no trouble with the formulas when they were actually applied to something rather than xy this and that. Good luck!
I'm scheduled for the test in December. If anyone has taken it recently any study guides or info would be greatly appreciated.
John
Hi John,
I took the test about 4 months ago. It really wasn't that bad. Best of all its multiple choice. My math skills really aren't too good, but with a little studying and some common sense I passed the test.
My biggest tip would be, don't spend too much time on the more difficult questions. I think most people ran out of time without answering them all. And, the easiest graphing questions were at the end, and I barely got to them. So, shoot through and answer all the one you can first, then go back and do your best on the rest.
Most of the math was mostly more basic stuff. Being comfortable multiplying and dividing helps of course. Study up on the FOIL method. There were maybe a dozon problems regarding factoring polynomials, but they were pretty basic, nothing too tricky. I *think* there were problems about adding/subtracting/multiplying fractions with decimals, but I'm not 100%sure. There were some graphing problems that were pretty easy. Like I said, it is multiple choice, so that helps A LOT when you aren't sure of the answer. I'm 38, and was never a math wiz, and I passed. Just study-up a little and you'll be fine.
Also, the way it was explained to us, was that your reading comprehension and math scores are combined, then the total score has to be above a certain level. You can't fail in either catagory. In my case I think my reading skills carried me through the math portion.
About the reading portion...
You'll read about 5 articles/stories/reports, each about two pages long, and answer questions regarding details of the article. Many of the questions are about specific numbers or amounts contained in the article.
What I did was, as I read, unerlined each thing that looked as though it might be an important detail. When it was time to answer the questions I had most of the answers already underlined. It really helped a lot.
There seemed to be a lot more time available for the reading comprehension than the math. Like I said, don't waste time on the tougher questions and do a little FOIL review, and you'll be fine.
Good luck, Brian.
So what is the FOIL thing?
~Peter
I took that test 3 years ago. The office even gave me some study guides. Polish up on the trigonometry too... just basic SOH-CAH-TOA.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/wink.gif)
I have FOIL down but what exactly is SOH CAH TOA?
Sine
Cosine
Tangent
**O
S=-
**H
**A
C=-
**H
**O
T=-
**A
Sine is equal to Opposite divided by Hypoteneuse. Cosine is equal to Adjacent divided by Hypoteneuse and Tangent is equal to Opposite divided by adjacent.
Basic angles of a triangle.
[This message has been edited by GA76Apprentice (edited 11-05-2004).]
I thought sine cosine and tangent were trig? Is there any questions regarding trig? I'm taking the test on Dec 4th so i'm brushing up the next few days.
I have found
http://www.math.com/ to be helpful.
I always use "The Other Afternoon, She Offered Him, Candy And Honey" to remember the trig relationships. SOH CAH TOA seems so weird.
You will be fine. I persoanally guarantee you will pass. It is a simple test to see how much you know and if you are confident with math, you will be fine.
The test is really easy. Don't STRESS!!!!!
I was horrible in math and all other subjects in High School. I finished the apprenticeship program with a 3.4 GPA which suprised me...It all depends on whether you want to learn or not...if you are dedicated regardless of whether your a math wiz or not..you will pass..Like someone else said...the people who dont want to be in the program get weeded out by their own choice...if you are motivated they will make sure you pass...dont sweat it...learn and have fun.
I just got my results back and I passed the test. My next step is the oral interview. What are they looking for in the interview and how many are there? Any help appreciated.
John in NJ
If they are our the local here they are looking for relatives or soon to be relatives bust you must remerberit is always fair. LOL
John,
Congradulations!
You are not afraid of heights. You like to crawl around in crawl spaces. You don't have any future disabilities and your father used to be a union electrician but now can't be reached because he has Alzheimers.
~Peter
I am about to take the test in February for the ibew here in sacramento. Hey John did the test go pretty smooth? I passed the havc test no problem, but I hear that the ibew is a harder test. Congrats on passing how is the job market where you are at?
The mistake I made was to not make a note of the time when the test started. When the bell rang and they said pencils down I thought I had at least 20 min more. The math is mostly algebra with some easier graphs and a few number progressions. I think my reading score carried me through. The job market is ok in NJ, It couldn't be any worse than my current job where outsourcing is the norm these days. Good luck with the test and watch the time.
Check this site out...it has FREE exams for electricians to practice on before taking the official ones...
http://www.mikeholt.com/examprep.php?id=exampreponlinejourneyman Hope this helps!
Bill
Does anyone have a copy of the test or close to it?
no one can post a reply ?
There really isn't anything good as far as sample tests. I paid 35 bucks for some electrical aptitude test prep book and it wasn't even close. I studied my ass off and didn't even finish the test. I did answer most of the tough ones and I lost track of the time.I aced the reading and I think that carried my through. Know your algebra and don't work every answer trying to eliminate it as wrong. Thats how I ran out of time. Once you find the right answer go on. There isn't enough time. E maill me if you have any other questions. Good luck
my ibew aptitude test was six years ago.
no books no calculator.
500 people take it and fight for the best score. No pass or fail.
they just take top 100 best scores.
I didn't do so well the first time so went back to school put a couple of algebra classes under the belt and got a interview the second time.
Just found out i passed the test. Any advise on the interview ?
I am applying to the electrician apprenticship program at my locacl ibew, and was wondering what to expect for the aptitude test and interview.
I wrote my IBEW aptitude test 4 years ago. It came after the interview... I had to do it within one month of being placed on the job. I scheduled to write it only a couple of days after being dispatched. They had study material available for ~$10 which I purchased. I had been out of highschool 6 years at that point. I scored 91%. Non-programmable calculator permitted.
The interview was straightforward. It felt more like a technicality than other interviews I'd had in the past for IT jobs.
[This message has been edited by u2slow (edited 05-01-2005).]