O.K, I want to start off by saying that I have searched and read through many of the Thread's pertaining on what to expect and what to study on the IBEW - NJATC Aptitude Test and to be honest there are so many varying answers its hard to decipher what to really expect, so I apologize in advance for starting another thread on the aptitude test but I will try to be more specific with my question. I also realize that different unions have different test's but it seams like everyone basically gets the same set of practice questions in the packet you receive prior to the test consisting of 5 Math and 5 Reading. Obviously it's pretty easy to know what to expect as far as the Reading is concerned. I am actually taking this test today so it's too late for me to really gain anything from this thread but I am hoping that it will possibly help someone else out. So basically my question is how does the actual math portion of the test compare to the practice questions that are provided (which I will post a link below to them but am sure most know what I am referring to). Depending on the answers the post receives and what is actually on the test today when I take it: Perhaps I should put this under the complaint department and not the Union Topics due the the fact in the pamphlet it say's "IF you find some of the sample items to be difficult for you, you may want to review material that is similar to the sample items"....I Fear I may have taken the actual test too lightly in light of the fact I breezed through the sample test and got 10/10. I have a bachelors in business and took two years of college level math but wasn't that good in Algebra b/c my two math teachers barely spoke a word of english. I fear that the practice questions they provide may be too easy from some of the thread's I see on here but as I said answers very so much its hard to tell...So again my long winded question is [highlight]"SPECIFICALLY HOW DOES THE ACTUAL TEST COMPARE TO THE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AS FAR AS DIFFICULTY AND IF YOU BREEZED THROUGH THE PRACTICE QUESTIONS SHOULD YOU MAKE SURE TO STILL STUDY YOUR AS OFF"?[/highlight]
Also, I found this in a thread late last night and perhaps some people that find this thread in the future will find it helpful- It is an old study guide for IBEW that they used to give out apparently prior to the exam...Obviously I have no idea if the study guide is still relevant so take it for what it's worth and use it at your own risk.
Some training programs absolutely do not care how well you do or not on the written test. For them it's either pass or fail. I'm certain that I got 100% on that test but that didn't give me an advantage over the guy who only got 80%. It is the interview process, employer "report cards" (forgot what they were called), and apprenticeship test scores and grades that really count
I had an "A" in College Algebra and was worried a bit as at 40 (in the Obama Economy -- Worked as a Networking Tech/ Analyst for 12 years - another 2 as an Elec. estimator (doing takeoffs mostly) -Jr. Proj. Manager after laid of from the job I had in Networking for 12 years). Been around construction my whole life and actually Electricians as a Network analyst I worked with many C card guys (though I am going for A Card). I thought I would breeze through this test but at 40 and not having any math class in 15 years ...
The interview I am not sure I would have to take as the Elec. co I work for already wants to hire me out of school.
In 1998 - most of 1999 I worked as a C Card Apprentice (never went to school or knew I had to I just knew people can got hired on right out of college) - the pay was garbage so I jumped once I found a Networking gig paying twice that. Now everyone is laying people off as I foun out a few years ago -- thankfully I still have friends in the Elec. industry.
Bringing the question -- I have 1 1/2 years experience working as a C - Card apprentice (granted back in 98/99) , 1 year experience working in an Elec. Warehouse , and 1 year experience working in estimating. Does any or all of that count toward anything in the A card apprenticeship?
I could go on as an estimator here but I want to be a Project Manager the only way ant foreman shows any project manager respect is if they have been in the field and gone through it - and know what things are like in real life. That's why I want the apprenticeship. Make me a better/good project manager and get me respect with the crew.
Took the test back in October. .the sample questions in the pamphlet is joke.. study every algebra 1 pre-test you can and go in with a positive attitude. .I tested with almost 70 people and it seemed like nobody finished the math when they called time. The reading was a breeze. I think they just want to see how you handle things under pressure. Good luck!!!
cool picture thought they said rum
I took the test and then interview recently in Reno hardest part for me was that I took the tech math class studied 439 pages and about 60 of them in the test were applicable the other hard part is my weak work history for the last 3.5 years I have been working fast food 8 years before that I was a loan processor before that I worked at a mill and oil refinery. I am 37 in line out of 58 so I just hope to get the call to start training some time in the next 6 months.
the interview is graded and they averaged the score of the test with the score of the interview. I think people can leapfrog past me that get a higher score that take the test in the future so that is what I am worried about
I took the tech math as well just to qualify to apply. .it was well worth the money. Not only will it qualify you for entry, but its a required class to take once your in so you'll have a heads up on that part!
I just got back from taking my app test... I will say, my test was far from basic algebra or "easy" algebra. The number sequences were beyond figuring out at least to me, they were not simple ones. Then it goes straight into fractional quadratic equations with square and cube roots, which seriously take at least 5 mins to do each. Then goes into graphing quadratic.
Good luck, I know ill need to when I retake the test in 6 months.
Yeah everyone seems to get blindsided by the math portion. Im sure you did better than you think. In the time they give us and difficulty of the math im willing to bet they just want to see how well we do under pressure. Everyone finished the reading before time, but when they called "stop" for the math all you heard was a crowd of underbreath swear words lol
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