18th Edition Exam: What to Expect & How to Pass

The 18th Edition exam (City & Guilds 2382-26) is a 2-hour, open-book exam with 60 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 60% (36 out of 60). You can use your copy of BS 7671 during the exam. Most candidates complete the qualification via a 2-day intensive course. It is required for all practising electricians in the UK.

The City & Guilds 2382-26 Level 3 Award in Requirements for Electrical Installations is the current qualification based on BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 — the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations including Amendment 4 (the “Orange Book”), published 15 April 2026. The earlier 2382-22 exam (covering Amendment 2) has been withdrawn — all new assessments are now the 2382-26.

The exam is a closed-hall, open-book assessment. You sit in an invigilated exam room with your copy of BS 7671 and answer 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours. The pass mark is 60% — meaning 36 correct answers out of 60. There is no negative marking, so you should always attempt every question.

Unlike many professional qualifications, this exam does not test your ability to memorise regulation numbers. It tests whether you can navigate BS 7671 efficiently, understand what the regulations require, and apply them to realistic scenarios. The candidates who pass comfortably are those who know their way around the book, not those who try to memorise everything.

The 2382-26 exam follows a consistent format. Understanding this structure will help you plan your time and approach on the day.

• ✓60 multiple-choice questions with four options each (A, B, C, D)
• ✓2 hours total exam time (120 minutes)
• ✓Pass mark: 60% (36 out of 60 correct)
• ✓Open book: BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (Orange Book) permitted (annotated copies allowed)
• ✓No On-Site Guide, Guidance Notes, or other reference books permitted
• ✓No electronic devices, phones, or smartwatches permitted
• ✓No negative marking — always answer every question

Questions are drawn from across the full breadth of BS 7671, including Amendment 4 content (Chapter 57 battery storage, Section 716 PoE, Section 545 ICT earthing, energy efficiency design, and revised Section 710 medical locations). The typical weighting is:

Question Distribution by Topic

• ✓Part 1 (Scope and Fundamentals) and Part 2 (Definitions): approximately 5-8 questions
• ✓Part 3 (General Characteristics): approximately 3-5 questions
• ✓Part 4 (Protection for Safety): approximately 15-20 questions — the largest section
• ✓Part 5 (Selection and Erection): approximately 12-18 questions
• ✓Part 6 (Inspection and Testing): approximately 5-8 questions
• ✓Part 7 (Special Locations): approximately 5-8 questions
• ✓Appendices (especially Appendix 4 — cable data): approximately 3-5 questions

The exam includes several distinct question styles. Recognising the type of question will help you determine whether to look up the answer or apply your knowledge directly.

Direct Regulation Lookup

These questions ask you to find a specific regulation number and identify what it states. For example: "According to Regulation 411.3.3, additional protection by an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding what value is required for socket outlets not exceeding 32 A?" The answer (30 mA) can be found directly by turning to the regulation. If your book is well-tabbed, these are quick wins.

Table Lookup Questions

These require you to find a value in the tables of BS 7671, particularly in Appendix 4 (current-carrying capacity and voltage drop). For example, you might be given a cable type, installation method, and ambient temperature, and asked to determine the current-carrying capacity. Practise navigating these tables before the exam — they can be confusing under pressure if you are not familiar with the layout.

Scenario-Based Application

These questions describe a practical situation and ask you to identify the correct regulation or requirement. For example: "A new kitchen installation in a domestic property includes a socket outlet rated at 13 A. What type of RCD protection is required?" These questions test your understanding of how regulations apply in real-world contexts.

Definition Questions

A smaller number of questions test your knowledge of technical definitions from Part 2 of BS 7671. For example, the difference between "basic protection" and "fault protection", or the definition of "skilled person (electrically)" versus "instructed person (electrically)". Tab the definitions section of your book so you can check these quickly.

Special Locations

Part 7 questions test the additional requirements for specific environments. Bathroom zones (Section 701) are a perennial favourite — know the zone dimensions, IP rating requirements, and which equipment can be installed in each zone. Questions on Section 722 (electric vehicle charging), the new Chapter 57 (battery energy storage systems), and Section 716 (Power over Ethernet) are now included since Amendment 4.

Success in the 2382-26 exam comes down to two things: understanding the structure of BS 7671 and being able to navigate it quickly. Here is a systematic preparation approach.

Step 1: Get Your Book Ready

Buy a copy of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026(the Orange Book). This must be the version including Amendment 4 — earlier printings marked +A2:2022 do not contain the new Chapter 57, Section 716, or Section 545 and cannot be used for the 2382-26 exam. Spend time reading through the contents page, the index, and each part heading. The exam rewards familiarity with the book's layout above all else.

Tab the key sections with coloured sticky tabs. A common system is:

• ✓Red tabs for Part 4 (Protection for Safety) — the most heavily examined section
• ✓Blue tabs for Part 5 (Selection and Erection)
• ✓Green tabs for Part 7 (Special Locations)
• ✓Yellow tabs for Appendix 4 (cable tables)
• ✓Orange tabs for definitions (Part 2) and the index

Step 2: Study the Key Regulations

While the exam is open book, certain regulations come up so frequently that you should know them without needing to look them up. This saves significant time. The regulations worth committing to memory include:

• ✓Regulation 411.3.2.2 and Table 41.1 — maximum disconnection times (0.4 s for 230 V TN final circuits, with 5 s permitted for TN distribution circuits under Regulation 411.3.2.3)
• ✓Regulation 411.3.3 — 30 mA RCD protection for socket outlets up to 32 A and mobile equipment up to 32 A for use outdoors (Regulation 411.3.4 covers domestic lighting circuits)
• ✓Regulation 421.1.7 — AFDD requirements and recommendations
• ✓Regulation 443.4 — protection against transient overvoltages (SPDs)
• ✓Regulation 522.6.202 and Table 52.1 — cables concealed in walls and partitions (safe zones)
• ✓Regulation 525.1 — voltage drop limits (3% lighting, 5% other uses)
• ✓Regulation 641.1 — initial verification during erection and on completion, before the installation is put into service

Step 3: Practise with Past Papers

The most effective preparation is practising with exam-style questions under timed conditions. Your training provider should supply practice papers. When you get a question wrong, do not just read the correct answer — find the regulation in BS 7671 and read it in context. This reinforces your ability to navigate the book.

Step 4: Take the Course

A good 2382-26 course will walk you through each part of BS 7671 including the new Amendment 4 sections, highlight the key regulations, and give you practice navigating the Orange Book. The course instructor will also share insights about common exam questions and the areas where candidates typically lose marks.

Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and helps you focus on the questions rather than the process.

Before the Exam

Arrive early. You will need to present photographic ID (passport or driving licence). The invigilator may check your copy of BS 7671 to ensure it does not contain loose inserts. You will be seated at a desk with your exam paper, answer sheet, a pencil, and your BS 7671 book. Electronic devices must be switched off and placed in your bag.

During the Exam

Read each question carefully. Many candidates lose marks by misreading the question — particularly questions that ask for the answer that is not correct or the minimum requirement. If you are unsure of an answer, make your best guess and mark the question for review. Never leave a question blank.

For lookup questions, go straight to the relevant section of BS 7671. If you cannot find the answer within a minute, try the index at the back of the book — it is comprehensive and can often get you to the right regulation faster than scanning through pages.

After the Exam

Results are typically available within a few weeks. Your training provider will advise on the expected timeline. If you pass, you will receive a City & Guilds certificate confirming your 2382-26 qualification. This is the document you will need to show to competent person schemes, employers, and building control.

The 18th Edition certificate is a foundational qualification, but it is rarely sufficient on its own. It is one component of the professional competence portfolio that electricians need to work independently, join a competent person scheme, or obtain an ECS card.

Next Steps for New Entrants

If you are training to become an electrician through the diploma route, the 18th Edition is typically taken after completing the Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas (2365) and before the 2391 inspection and testing qualification. The knowledge of BS 7671 gained here forms the foundation for the 2391, which tests your ability to apply the regulations during practical inspection and testing.

Next Steps for Existing Electricians

If you are an established electrician updating from the 17th Edition, the original 18th Edition, or the earlier 2382-22 (Amendment 2), your priority is notifying your competent person scheme that you have updated. NICEIC and NAPIT maintain records of your qualification status and will expect to see evidence of your current 2382-26 certificate. You can also book our exam-only option (£150 centre / £200 remote) if you have already self-studied Amendment 4 and just need to sit the 2382-26.

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Inspection & Testing (2391)

The 2391-52 Inspection & Testing qualification is the natural next step after the 18th Edition.

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