IBEW Reading Comprehension Section — Strategy and Practice

✓ Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician · ✓ Updated May 2026 · ✓ Reviewed for NEC accuracy

The reading section is tight on time. Most applicants don't fail because the passages are hard — they fail because the clock runs out. This guide shows you the right strategy and gives you two practice passages.

What the Reading Section Covers

Short passages (3-5 sentences) on practical topics
Workplace procedures, electrical safety, mechanics
Detail questions — "According to the passage…"
Inference questions — what does the passage imply?

Time Limit and Format

36 questions in 30 minutes. Average is about 50 seconds per question including reading time. Speed is the bottleneck, not difficulty.

The Strategy: Question First, Passage Second

Read the question before the passage
Skim the passage with the question in mind
Underline key facts as you read
Eliminate obviously wrong answer choices
Choose between the remaining two

Sample Passage 1

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures require that all energy sources be isolated and locked in the off position before any maintenance begins. Each worker must apply their own personal lock. A lock must never be removed by anyone other than the worker who applied it. After lockout, the worker must verify zero energy state by attempting to operate the equipment.

Question: What is the primary purpose of each worker applying their own lock?

Answer: So no single person can remove all the locks. Each lock protects the worker who applied it. If one person could remove every lock, the equipment could be re-energized while other workers were still in the danger zone.

Sample Passage 2

Before pulling wire through conduit, an electrician must ensure the conduit is free of burrs and sharp edges. A conduit reamer or deburring tool should be used on all cut ends. Fish tape or a pull line is inserted first, followed by wire pulling lubricant applied to the conductors. Pulling too fast can damage insulation.

Question: What must be done BEFORE inserting the fish tape?

Answer: Remove burrs and sharp edges. The passage establishes this as the first step, before the fish tape is inserted.

How to Eliminate Wrong Answers

Cross out anything not mentioned in the passage
Cross out absolutes ("always", "never") if the passage uses hedged language
Cross out answers that are partly right but contain a wrong detail
If two answers seem right, the more specific one usually wins

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the IBEW reading comprehension section?

The IBEW reading section has 36 questions in 30 minutes — about 50 seconds per question, including reading time. Speed matters as much as accuracy.

What kind of passages are on the IBEW reading section?

Passages are short (3-5 sentences) on practical topics like electrical safety, basic mechanics, and workplace procedures. They are written at roughly an 8th-10th grade reading level.

How do I prepare for IBEW reading comprehension?

Read the question first, then scan the passage with the question in mind. Practice with timed passages so you build pace. Eliminate obviously wrong answers before choosing.

Related Resources

Free IBEW aptitude practice test

Study guide

Math section guide

Michael B.

IBEW Local 134 Journeyman Electrician · Licensed Electrical Contractor

Michael is a licensed electrical contractor and IBEW Local 134 journeyman with years of field experience. He built Sparky AI after ChatGPT gave him wrong NEC code information on a job — costing him $800 in callbacks. Every answer in Sparky AI is verified against the actual NEC.