IBEW Aptitude Test

IBEW Aptitude Test Math Section — Complete Breakdown With Examples

April 22, 2026 7 min readBy Michael Briglio, IBEW Local 134 Journeyman

The math section is the single biggest reason applicants fail the IBEW aptitude test — in the pre-apprenticeship cohorts I teach in Chicago, roughly 70% of first-attempt failures trace to it. The good news: the topics are predictable, standard, and learnable. The bad news: no calculator, tight clock, and word problems that trip up adults who haven’t done long-form arithmetic since high school.

The test maker is explicit about what this section measures. The electrical training ALLIANCE’s official sample-test instructions describe it plainly: “This is a test of your ability to solve problems using algebra.” Work through those official samples first — then use the drills below to build speed.

What Math Topics Appear

Fractions — add, subtract, multiply, divide; mixed and improper
Decimals and rounding
Percentages and percent change
Ratios and proportions
Basic algebra — solve for x
Order of operations (PEMDAS)
Applied word problems

Fractions — Worked Examples

Example 1

3/4 + 5/8. Common denominator 8: 6/8 + 5/8 = 11/8 = 1 3/8.

Example 2

7/12 − 1/4. Common denominator 12: 7/12 − 3/12 = 4/12 = 1/3.

Example 3

2/3 × 3/4. Multiply numerators and denominators: 6/12 = 1/2.

Algebra — 5 Examples

1. 3x + 7 = 22

Subtract 7: 3x = 15. Divide by 3: x = 5.

2. 5x − 12 = 38

Add 12: 5x = 50. Divide by 5: x = 10.

3. 2(x − 3) = 14

Distribute: 2x − 6 = 14. Add 6: 2x = 20. x = 10.

4. x/4 + 5 = 11

Subtract 5: x/4 = 6. Multiply by 4: x = 24.

5. 3x − 2 = x + 8

Subtract x: 2x − 2 = 8. Add 2: 2x = 10. x = 5.

Percentages and Ratios

15% of 240

10% = 24. 5% = 12. Sum: 36.

Ratio: 3 ft of wire per 2 ft of conduit

14 ft of conduit = 14/2 = 7 units × 3 ft = 21 ft of wire.

The Calculator Rule

No calculator. Practice every problem by hand. Calculator-trained brains freeze when forced to work fractions manually under time pressure.

Time Management Tips

Aim for 60 seconds per question — that buys you slack for harder ones
If a question is taking 90+ seconds, mark and move on
Easy questions and hard questions are scored the same — collect easy points first
Never leave a question blank — no penalty for guessing

Time-management drill: Set a timer for 46 minutes. Do 33 math questions. Don’t check answers until the timer runs out. The first time you do this, you won’t finish. By the third or fourth time, you will.

Ready to test yourself?

20 questions · No signup required · Instant results

Take the Free Practice Test

Take Your Prep Everywhere

440+ aptitude practice questions, timed tests, and AI tutoring on your phone. Free 7-day trial — no credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What math is on the IBEW aptitude test?

Fractions (add/subtract/multiply/divide), percentages and ratios, basic algebra (solve for x), order of operations, and applied word problems. No calculator allowed.

How many math questions are on the IBEW aptitude test?

33 questions in 46 minutes. That works out to about 84 seconds per question. The math section is the most heavily weighted on the exam.

How do I study for the IBEW math section?

Practice every fraction and algebra problem by hand for 20-30 minutes daily for 3-4 weeks. Build pace with timed sets. Identify your weakest sub-topic and drill it specifically.

Related Resources

Free IBEW aptitude practice test

Math section guide