IBEW aptitude test

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Zaria B said:
im taking the entry test for the IBEW in april of 2017, what can i look forward to before and after being accepted into the union?
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In my case I was fortunate enough to have had an excellent apprenticeship training program. The teachers were great and so were the students. I also was part of the 'forced rotation' program which had us work for different contractors every 6 - 12 months doing different types of work.

The downside, for me, was the drive to the jobs all over our 14 county local, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I really enjoyed the apprenticeship.

Take advantage of your apprenticeship and absorb info like a sponge and don't be afraid to ask questions, both in school and here.

I was told that in order to pass today's tests one has to be very strong in math, especially algebra.

Good luck on your test!
 
I'm not sure if you're asking about the test itself or union life so I guess I'll answer both ways.

Last time I checked, the test was two parts: algebra and reading comprehension. Get yourself a small algebra refresher book and do all the test questions, you should be good. If you can read a story and answer questions correctly about it, you're all set.

As far as union life is concerned, you will probably stay employed the entire time you are an apprentice. They are usually in short supply. Once you become a journeyman, you may spend months at a time unemployed, unless you are willing to travel to where the work is. Some people like travelling. Others hate it.

While you are an apprentice you will encounter lots of different journeyman. Some will be nice. Some will be mean. Some will teach you and some will ignore you. Some will treat you like a slave, others like a king. Try to learn something from each and don't overreact to the bad ones. Just remember you'll spend a short time being an apprentice and after that, you'll have apprentices of your own.
 
I just took the ibew aptitude test for 363
thwirs two parts one math and English composition.

the math is algebra you can not use calculator
and if is timed .

the English part you read a story and then you answer questions on the story .

the test is not the only factor on you geting in to the apprenticeship program
so I wouldn't get to nervous.

i didn't score to well and just found out I got into the laybor history program .
good luck brotherrrrrrr the ibew is deff the right way to go ������������
 
I remember the manual dexterity test. Guess they don't do those anymore. :)

SPECIALTY-CASE-CO-TEST-Manual-Dexterity-Motor-Skills-_1.jpg
 
liquidtite said:
never
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oh, yeah they did.... colorblindness test as well. general education
and light duty IQ test as well.

peg, washer, spacer, washer, peg, washer, spacer, washer, peg,
washer, spacer, washer, peg, washer, spacer, washer,..... DING!
TIME UP!

i was the last applicant in Jan. of 1977, and it took until July to
interview, vett, and put togeather a class. They started you in
July, so you'd have a fair lick of work before seasonal slowdowns.

there was a written test, but what really made or broke you at that
time, was the oral interview. most guys back then had applied two
or three times before being accepted. a buddy was two years ahead
of me, and gave me some tips for the interview.

it was 8:30 in the morning, and there were four members of the local
executive board interviewing. there were a couple of chit chat questions,
and then one guy asked me why i wanted to be an electrician.

my answer went like this: i've decided that this is what i want to do with
my life, and you are the people i want to do it with. i'll do it anywhere i can,
if i can't do it here, but i want to do it here.

they thanked me for coming in, and that was that. it lasted about 5 minutes.

i figured i'd blown it. the guy coaching me figured i'd blown it. the apprenticeship
committee figured otherwise, and i got picked.

that was 40 years ago. the industry has changed, the demographics have changed
somewhat, and tho i still have a current union dues receipt, at 61 i'd probably be
on the "how fast can we spin him?" list. i'll have a current dues receipt as long as
i'm active in the industry, even tho i've been self employed as a one man band
for a very long time now. a deal's a deal. i'd have been quite content to remain
working thru the IBEW, but work in that venue has been sparse for decades now
in this part of the country.

the folks who taught me were some of the best craftspeople i've ever seen, and
some who'd be unemployable without that union membership. i learned a lot from
all of them.

the skills that i was taught have served me well.
 
Fulthrotl said:
the folks who taught me were some of the best craftspeople i've ever seen, and
some who'd be unemployable without that union membership. i learned a lot from
all of them.

the skills that i was taught have served me well.
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I had a similar fortunate turn of events in my life. If I had not stumbled into my bosses office on the day I did he would not have been desperate enough to replace the guy that just quit with a wet behind the ears type that I was and I would not be half the electrician I am now.
 
Back in 1986 the test consisted of a math test, colorblindness test and a manual dexterity using a peg board similar to the one that I posted. It was pretty funny to see a long table full of apprentice applicants with pegs flying all over the place. :)
 
infinity said:
Back in 1986 the test consisted of a math test, colorblindness test and a manual dexterity using a peg board similar to the one that I posted. It was pretty funny to see a long table full of apprentice applicants with pegs flying all over the place. :)
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So what were you supposed to do on the dexterity test? Keep jumping pegs and hopefully only be left with one?
 
ActionDave said:
So what were you supposed to do on the dexterity test? Keep jumping pegs and hopefully only be left with one?
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From what I remember there were two tests, one where you turned over and reinserted the peg in the same hole as many pegs as you could in 30 seconds. The second was you moved the pegs from one board to another and reinserted them, as many as you could in 30 seconds.

I guess that the thought was that without a certain amount of manual dexterity in your hands you couldn't be a good electrician.
 
Smart $ said:
Afraid not...




...that's the attitude test. :D
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it was neither. instead, it turned out
to be the reality for a lot of folks... :huh:


you may have a problem when you take a
look at the dispatch page on your local unions
website, and under work available for dispatch,
there is a link to extended unemployment claims,
and the food bank.

just sayin'..... ;-)
 
Fulthrotl said:
it was neither. instead, it turned out
to be the reality for a lot of folks... :huh:


you may have a problem when you take a
look at the dispatch page on your local unions
website, and under work available for dispatch,
there is a link to extended unemployment claims,
and the food bank.

just sayin'..... ;-)
Click to expand...
And that don't test one's attitude...??? :blink:
 
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