IBEW Aptitude Test Math Section — Complete Breakdown With Examples

The math section is the single biggest reason applicants fail the IBEW aptitude test. 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.

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

Time Management Tips

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