If you have landed on this guide, there is a good chance you are studying for the IBEW aptitude test or at least thinking about it. Most people do not casually read about aptitude exams unless one is coming up on their calendar.
This guide is meant to give you a clear, straightforward explanation of what the IBEW aptitude test looks like and how to prepare using free study tools and structured practice. It is intended for individuals who are considering taking the aptitude test now or at some point in the future and want to understand the exam format, content, and expectations.
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Let’s get into how the IBEW aptitude test works and what you can expect when you sit down to take it.
The IBEW aptitude test is a standardized entrance exam used by many electrical apprenticeship programs associated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The test may also be referred to as the NJATC aptitude test, JATC aptitude test, or ETA aptitude test. These names all refer to the same assessment.
The exam evaluates academic fundamentals rather than trade knowledge. It is designed to measure math reasoning and reading comprehension skills that are commonly required in structured technical training programs.
The format and content of the test are generally consistent across testing locations. This allows applicants to prepare using the same study approach regardless of where the test is administered.
The aptitude test serves as a standardized way to evaluate readiness for classroom instruction. Electrical training programs often involve technical reading, applied math, and time-based problem solving. The test assesses whether an applicant has the foundational skills needed to work through that type of material.
The test does not measure hands-on ability, prior work experience, or personal background. It strictly measures performance on timed math and reading tasks.
The IBEW Aptitude test consists of two scored sections. Each section is timed separately. There is a short break between sections.
Both sections contribute equally to the final score. Performance in only one section is not sufficient for a strong overall result.
The Algebra and Functions portion of the IBEW Aptitude Test is the section that eliminates the largest number of applicants. Not because the math is advanced, but because it is timed, calculator-free, and unforgiving of weak fundamentals.
This section contains 33 questions in 36 minutes, giving you just over one minute per problem. Every question is designed to test whether you can recognize patterns, apply algebra rules quickly, and avoid common mistakes under pressure.
Below is a complete breakdown of every math concept tested, followed by 9 focused math guides you can use to master each topic efficiently.
Before jumping into practice questions, it’s important to understand what each type of math problem actually is and what the test is asking you to do.
The IBEW aptitude test does not test advanced math. It tests whether you can follow rules, work carefully, and solve problems step by step without a calculator.
If algebra feels unfamiliar, that’s normal. Everything below is explained from the ground up.
Quadratics are equations or expressions where the highest power of x is 2 (x² = x squared). When you see x², that does not mean “x times 2.” It means x multiplied by x.
Quadratics are written in the form
ax² + bx + c = 0
On the IBEW aptitude test, quadratics usually show up as equations where everything is set equal to zero.
You do not need to remember any formulas to start. The most important thing is recognizing that the problem includes x².
Your goal is simple: Find the number (or numbers) that make the equation true.
Factoring is the easiest first approach, and the others are available in case it cannot be easily factored.
Example #1
x² + 8x + 15 = 0
Example #2
3x² – 10x – 8 = 0
Example #3
6x² – x – 12 = 0
These problems may look intimidating at first, but they all follow the same pattern. If you can recognize the pattern and stay organized, they become much easier.
If you haven’t done algebra in a long time, that’s okay. These skills come back quickly with the right explanation and practice.
Video Guide:
The math itself is manageable. Most difficulty comes from not remembering what the problem is asking.
Once you understand what x² means and what factoring is doing, these questions become predictable.
Fractions and decimals are just two different ways of showing parts of a whole.
A fraction like 1/2 means one part out of two equal parts.
A decimal like 0.5 means the same thing, just written differently.
On the IBEW aptitude test, fractions and decimals show up often. Sometimes they are the entire question, and other times they are part of a bigger problem. Being comfortable with them makes everything else easier.
Most fraction and decimal questions fall into one of these categories:
You do not need advanced math. You just need to know a few repeatable steps and when to use them.
Example #1
Convert 2.375 into a mixed fraction
Example #2
Add 5/12 + 3/8
Example #3
Divide 7/10 ÷ 7/25
These are very common IBEW-style questions. They look different, but they all use the same basic ideas.
If fractions and decimals feel uncomfortable right now, that’s completely normal. These skills come back quickly once you see the same steps a few times.
Video Guide:
Order of operations is the set of rules that tells you which math steps to do first.
Without these rules, the same math problem could give different answers depending on how someone solves it. That’s why everyone follows the same order.
You may have heard of PEMDAS. This is just a memory tool, not a formula.
PEMDAS stands for:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication and Division
Addition and Subtraction
Order of operations is not about doing more math.
It’s about doing the steps in the correct order.
One important thing to remember:
Multiplication does not automatically come before division. Addition does not automatically come before subtraction.
Example #1
5 + 3 × 2
Example #2
6(2³) – 4(2 + 1)²
Example #3
–12 + (18 – 6) ÷ 3
These problems are designed to check whether you slow down and follow the rules, not whether you can do hard math.
Order of operations questions become much easier when you focus on one step at a time and avoid rushing.
Video Guide:
Polynomial problems look intimidating because they include letters, exponents, and parentheses. In reality, they are just organized multiplication and cleanup.
A polynomial is a math expression made up of:
Examples of polynomials look like this:
4x – 7
2x² + 5x – 3
On the IBEW aptitude test, you are usually asked to either multiply polynomials or factor them.
There are two main things the test asks you to do:
Factoring is just the reverse of multiplying. If you understand how multiplying works, factoring makes much more sense.
Example #1
Multiply (4x – 7)(2x + 3)
Example #2
Multiply (5x + 2)(x – 6)
Example #3
Factor 6x² + 11x – 10
These problems are common and follow predictable steps. Most mistakes happen when steps are skipped or signs are missed.
Polynomial problems reward organization more than speed. Writing clean steps and checking your signs makes a big difference.
Video Guide:
Sequence questions are about patterns in numbers.
Instead of solving equations, you are asked to look at a list of numbers and figure out how they are changing. Once you see the pattern, you use it to find the next number or a missing number.
These questions are not about advanced math. They are about paying attention and spotting simple changes.
Most sequence questions follow one clear pattern. The numbers may:
Your job is to figure out what is happening from one number to the next.
Example #1
100, 94, 88, 82, ___
Example #2
3, 9, 27, 81, ___
Example #3
1, 4, 9, 16, ___
At first glance, these may look different. In reality, each one follows a simple rule.
Sequence questions become easier once you’ve seen a few common patterns. The key is slowing down and checking changes one step at a time.
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Video Guide:
Systems of equations are problems where you are given two math statements that describe the same situation.
Instead of finding just one number, you are finding two numbers that work together.
These problems usually use two letters, most often x and y.
Each equation gives you part of the information. Both equations must be true at the same time.
Your goal is to find the values of x and y that make both equations work, not just one of them. This might sound complicated, but the steps are very repetitive once you learn the process.
Example #1
x + y = 10
x − y = 2
Example #2
3x + 4y = 25
x + y = 7
Example #3
y = 3x − 2
4x + y = 19
These problems look different, but they are all asking the same thing:
“What two numbers make both equations true?”
Systems of equations are more about staying organized than doing hard math. If you follow the steps and take your time, they become very predictable.
Video Guide:
Word problems are math questions written as short stories.
Instead of seeing numbers and symbols right away, you are asked to read a situation and figure out what math needs to be used. The math itself is usually not new, it’s the wording that makes these problems feel harder.
On the IBEW aptitude test, word problems are used to see whether you can understand instructions and turn real-world information into math.
Most word problems follow the same pattern:
These questions are not about trick language. They are about slowing down, identifying what matters, and ignoring extra information.
Example #1
The length of a cable is 25 feet. One piece is 5 feet longer than the other. How long is each piece?
Example #2
A rectangle has a length of (3x + 1) and a width of (2x − 3). What is the area of the rectangle?
Example #3
Adult tickets cost $9 and child tickets cost $6. A total of 220 tickets were sold for $1,614. How many adult tickets were sold?
These problems look very different, but each one turns into math you’ve already seen elsewhere on the test.
Word problems get easier once you stop trying to solve them all at once. Breaking them into steps makes a big difference.
Video Guide:
Graph questions use pictures instead of long math problems.
Instead of solving equations, you are asked to look at a graph and understand what it is showing. These questions are not about drawing perfect graphs. They are about reading information correctly.
On the IBEW aptitude test, graph questions usually involve straight lines or simple curves.
Most graph questions ask you to:
You are not expected to memorize formulas. You are expected to understand what the graph represents.
Example #1
Identify the slope of the line shown on the graph
Example #2
Find the y-intercept of the line
Example #3
Identify the vertex of a parabola
These questions focus on understanding what you see, not doing complicated calculations.
Graph questions become easier once you know what to look for. Taking a second to understand the axes and direction of the graph helps avoid simple mistakes.
Video Guide:
The reading portion of the IBEW aptitude test is not about advanced vocabulary or trick questions.
It is designed to check whether you can:
Most people struggle with this section not because they can’t read, but because they rush or overthink the questions.
The reading portion of the IBEW aptitude test uses a small number of question types, repeated across different passages.
The questions are not tricky, but they are designed to see whether you can:
Once you understand the types of questions being asked, the section becomes much more predictable.
Main idea questions ask what the passage is mostly about.
They are not asking for:
They are asking for the big picture.
You will often see wording like:
How to approach these:
The correct answer should describe the passage as a whole, not just one sentence.
Detail questions ask about specific information stated in the passage.
They are very literal.
Common wording includes:
How to approach these:
If you cannot point to a specific line in the passage, it is probably not the correct answer.
Inference questions ask you to figure out what is implied, not directly stated.
This does not mean guessing.
An inference is a conclusion that logically follows from the information given.
Common wording includes:
How to approach these:
The correct answer will feel like a safe, reasonable step, not a leap.
These questions ask what a word means as it is used in the passage.
They are not asking for a dictionary definition.
Common wording includes:
How to approach these:
Often, the test uses words that have multiple meanings. Context is what matters.
These questions ask why the passage was written or how the author feels about the topic.
Common wording includes:
How to approach these:
Most passages are neutral and informative.
Some passages are written like instructions, procedures, or guidelines.
The questions test whether you can:
Common wording includes:
How to approach these:
These questions are very similar to real-world job instructions.
These questions test whether you can separate facts from assumptions.
Common wording includes:
How to approach these:
The correct answer will always be supported directly by the passage.
Many wrong answers are designed to look tempting. Common traps include:
When in doubt, go back to the text.
The exam will also give you a short passage to read. After the passage, you will answer several questions about it. The questions are based entirely on the passage. You do not need outside knowledge.
Everything you need to answer the questions is already on the page.
Example #1
What is the main idea of the passage?
Example #2
According to the passage, why is a certain procedure important?
Example #3
Which statement is supported by the information in the passage?
These questions are meant to test understanding, not memory or opinion.
Read the passage below carefully.
Technical training programs require students to follow written instructions precisely. Misunderstanding these instructions can lead to errors, delays, or safety concerns. For this reason, trainees are expected to read all materials thoroughly before beginning any task.
Question #1
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Training programs are difficult
B. Written instructions are optional
C. Following written instructions is important in training
D. Safety concerns are unavoidable
Correct answer: C
Question #2
According to the passage, what can happen if instructions are misunderstood?
A. Tasks may become easier
B. Errors or delays may occur
C. Training materials are changed
D. Students are tested more often
Correct answer: B
The reading section is usually very straightforward when you stay focused on the passage.
The best way to improve reading comprehension for this test is to:
The reading portion of the IBEW aptitude test is meant to reflect real-world job situations.
Electricians regularly:
This section checks whether you can take in written information and use it correctly.
This guide gives you a clear picture of what’s on the IBEW aptitude test and how to approach it. If you want to go further, with structured lessons, realistic practice questions, and step-by-step walkthroughs, Dakota Prep is built specifically for that purpose.
Dakota Prep isn’t generic test prep. It’s designed for people preparing for apprenticeship, journeyman, master, and contractor exams who haven’t been in a classroom in years and want explanations that actually make sense.
With Dakota Prep, you get:
You don’t need to relearn everything; you just need the right tools and the right approach.
If you’re serious about passing your aptitude exam and moving forward in your career, start preparing with Dakota Prep today.
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