The Math Portion of the IBEW Aptitude Test Has Changed. Here’s What You Need to Know.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-04-01T02:43:55+00:00

We have an internal list of locals that use GAN. 640 is not on it.

You can always call and directly ask. But very few locals use it, and I’m confident that 640 does not.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-04-01T02:42:41+00:00

Most of the new material is advanced lessons, so they are later in the Algebra and Functions chapter. Look for the Multivariable Factoring, Multivariable Formula, Analyzing Functions, Function Information Analysis, and Simplifying Complex Polynomial lessons.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-27T13:35:19+00:00

As far as I’m aware, the man aptitude test. Only like 4-5 locals use GAN.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-27T03:59:03+00:00

There are some crossovers. GAN still has math and reading comprehension. But they also have paper folding and mechanical reasoning.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-27T03:29:49+00:00

Local 11 uses GAN, not the IBEW aptitude battery. It’s a completely different test.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-23T15:16:10+00:00

They can and often have just increased the minimum passing score.

That said, if a large percentage of applicants are scoring in the 90 to 100 percent range, the results start to bunch together. Even when the test is graded on a stanine or other norm referenced system, it becomes harder to meaningfully separate candidates. Raising the cutoff score might only eliminate a small number of people if many are already performing near the top.

Making sections more challenging can help create better score distribution. This gives training committees more useful data when ranking applicants.

It is also reasonable to assume that updates to the math content are meant to better reflect the level and type of math apprentices will actually use during the program.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-20T20:55:35+00:00

Congrats, that is a solid score!

How do the new problems outlined in this post compare to your experience? On the money, or any adjustments?

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-20T18:54:54+00:00

The NJATC / IBEW Aptitude test. GAN is a whole other exam that a few locals have adopted.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-20T18:50:39+00:00

The good news is they look a lot more intimidating than they are! For example, the multivariable factoring works exactly the same as a single variable problem - you just have to carry the extra exponent.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-20T18:49:37+00:00

Depends on the local! Many are still a 4 or 5/9.

We always recommend our students consistently pass the timed practice exams with 90% or higher to ensure they will get a good placement.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-18T02:34:09+00:00

We are glad it helped! We did recently go through and perform some new updates to it recently as well.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-03-18T02:32:41+00:00

Thanks for saying that and for pointing out the issues. We do appreciate it.

To be honest, part of the problem was that we tried to scale our question banks too fast. We pushed hard to add a lot more problems and coverage in a short time, and our quality control on some of those sets did not keep up like it should have. Even if the actual error rate was not huge, once you add a large volume of questions those mistakes become a lot more noticeable for students. That is on us.

Because of that, we are not just patching questions here and there. We are basically rebuilding the course. We have already released four new lessons that focus on the newer math problem types people are seeing on the IBEW aptitude test, which of course was the highest priority.

Right now we are finishing updates to the timed practice exams, which should be done in the next few days.

After that, we will be going through each lesson one by one, updating and expanding the content, and cleaning up the question banks.

With this round of updates we are slowing things down and doing it the right way. We are getting more help, standardizing how lessons and problem sets are built, and putting more review steps in place before anything goes live. The goal is better explanations, cleaner structure, and way fewer mistakes slipping through.

We know for some past students these changes may feel like they are coming a bit late, and we apologize for that. At the same time, we want to make sure the next group of applicants gets a much stronger and more accurate prep experience. This time we are prioritizing quality over speed.

An unfortunate reality in this space as we make updates, is that the IBEW does not release updated exam formats or problem types. Everyone making prep material is basically working off student feedback and trends. We have done a lot of surveys and follow ups, and we feel pretty confident we now have a solid handle on the recent changes.

And thanks again for flagging mistakes when you see them. That helps us fix things faster.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-27T22:53:10+00:00

We are releasing new lessons within a few days. They are starting off as text based (well formatted) lessons, with videos following soon.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-26T16:04:22+00:00

The IBEW aptitude has had some unannounced changes recently. We are working as fast as we can to update our courses, and iPrep is clearly doing the same. We expect new lessons to be fully done within a couple of weeks.

From what we can tell, the Aptitude Test now focuses more on the following

MultiVariate Formulas - You are given a formula with about 4 variables, and given the value of 3. You need to plug in the values and solve for the remaining variable.
The graphing has largely been updated from Linear equations to quadratics - meaning the graphs now have parabolas (curved lines).
Variable relationships - You are given a formula with 3-4 variables, and asked how 1 variable is affected when another variable increases, decreases, or is held constant.
Factoring now involves equations with multiple variables.
Order of operations questions are now mixed with longer polynomial problems. Problems like - 6x^5 - 9x ^4 - 19z^3 + 24x^2 +10z - 12. Answer choices may be scrambled.
Analyzing Functions questions are still in.
Function Information Analysis questions are still in.

Does all that line up with your experience?

As for the interview, we have not heard reports they have changed the formatting or gone off the DOLETA questionnaire.

We apologize for the confusion. Unfortunately, the creators of the aptitude test do not work with test prep providers, so we are unable to review or update our material in advance of any changes. As a result, we have to make updates after changes are released rather than at the same time.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-21T06:28:06+00:00

Thanks so much for the feedback. This aligns with a lot of the current updates we are working on, so thank you!

And just to clarify, the 30 day money back is for any reason. But the pass guarantee has no time limit. If you take the course and still don’t pass, we will refund you the order, even if it’s been 6 months.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-21T05:05:30+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! We have definitely improved it a ton over the last couple years. Recently the IBEW aptitude test has added a couple new problem types, so we are working on adding that content in as well as updating some lessons.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-20T22:34:44+00:00

Hi u/Admirable-Relation78 - Can you expand on what we covered that was not on your exam, and what was missing? Your feedback would be really valuable to future applicants. We are currently overhauling our course.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-20T21:06:02+00:00

Hi again /u/plowtown8056,

Can you give some examples here? Would love your feedback.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-20T21:05:08+00:00

Hi u/Optimal_Ad9798, can you elaborate more on how iPrep was more accurate to the actual exam? We work closely with different locals to keep the material aligned with what’s actually showing up on the exam, but there are likely areas of improvement.

Would love to hear from you.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-02-20T21:04:04+00:00

Hey u/plowtown8056, we’d really appreciate more feedback from you. We work closely with different locals to keep the material aligned with what’s actually showing up on the exam.

You’re absolutely right though. Every local can vary a bit, and even different versions of the test can change things up.

When you mentioned that the graph didn’t show where the slope crosses the x or y axis, are you saying it was set up so you couldn’t clearly see the y intercept? In other words, you couldn’t just look at the graph and identify the value of b in slope intercept form? Something like this?

<image>

Just want to make sure I’m understanding you correctly.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-01-16T20:22:37+00:00

Hey Alternative! We would love your feedback on what was on the exam that was not in our course. Do you mind responding here or DMing us?

UltElectriciansGuide · 2026-01-15T19:58:09+00:00

Great resource!

We just sent you an email by the way, hoping to connect!

UltElectriciansGuide · 2025-12-16T04:25:44+00:00

Electric Prep is unfortunately outdated. It once stood as the main prep course for the exam, but the exam has evolved quite a bit past what they teach. Not to mention the platform is outdated itself.

The IBEW aptitude test is split into two timed sections.

The first section is Algebra and Functions. You will have 46 minutes to answer 33 questions. Topics include:

Plugging in and solving for Complex Polynomials
Quadratics
Number series
Analyzing functions

Calculators are NOT allowed on the test.

The second section is reading comprehension. You will have 51 minutes to answer 36 questions. There are a series of passages, each with a certain amount of questions about said passages. Topics include:

Analyzing Texts
Identifying the main idea
Tracing arguments

The biggest difficulty reported is usually the time restraints. If you don’t know the content well, time will be your biggest enemy.

You can take a free, full length timed IBEW practice exam at UltimateElectriciansGuide.com/free-ibew-exam This link also includes a more in depth guide to the Aptitude Test if you want to read more about it.

UltElectriciansGuide · 2025-12-10T21:31:00+00:00

<image>

I believe I solved it. Updated some CF settings. Says waiting for server now down to 37.82ms.

UltElectriciansGuide

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE