Electrical Exam Tips: How to Pass City & Guilds Exams

City & Guilds exams can feel daunting, especially if you have been out of education for a while. But with the right preparation, they are very achievable. Thousands of people pass these exams every year, and the key to success is understanding the exam format, preparing effectively, and managing your time on the day.

This guide covers practical exam tips for the three main City & Guilds electrical qualifications: the 18th Edition (2382-22), the Inspection and Testing (2391-52), and the Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365). Each has a different format and requires a different approach to revision.

The 18th Edition exam is an open-book exam, meaning you can bring your copy of BS 7671 (the wiring regulations book) into the exam room. This makes preparation fundamentally different from a closed-book exam — the focus is on knowing where to find information quickly rather than memorising every regulation.

Exam Format

• ✓Online or paper-based multiple-choice exam
• ✓Approximately 60 questions
• ✓Two-hour time limit
• ✓Open book — BS 7671 is allowed
• ✓No other reference materials permitted
• ✓Pass mark typically around 60 percent

How to Tab Your BS 7671

Tabbing your BS 7671 is the single most important preparation step. Use coloured adhesive tabs to mark the sections you are most likely to need. The key chapters to tab are:

• ✓Chapter 41: Protection against electric shock (automatic disconnection of supply)
• ✓Chapter 42: Protection against thermal effects
• ✓Chapter 43: Protection against overcurrent
• ✓Chapter 52: Selection and erection of wiring systems
• ✓Chapter 53: Switching and control (includes RCD selection)
• ✓Part 6: Inspection and testing
• ✓Part 7: Special locations (bathrooms, swimming pools, etc.)
• ✓Appendix 4: Current-carrying capacities of cables

Use different coloured tabs for different sections so you can navigate quickly. The time saved by efficient tabbing can make the difference between passing and failing. Practise finding regulations before the exam — ask yourself questions and time how quickly you can locate the answer.

Revision Tips for 2382

• ✓Do not try to memorise the entire book — focus on understanding key principles
• ✓Practise using the book to answer questions quickly
• ✓Complete at least three full practice papers under timed conditions
• ✓Focus on calculation-type questions (cable selection, fault current)
• ✓Understand the definitions in Part 2 — questions often hinge on exact wording
• ✓Pay attention to Amendment 2 changes — recent amendments feature heavily

The 2391-52 is widely considered the most challenging of the City & Guilds electrical exams. It has two components: a written paper and a practical assessment. Both require thorough preparation, but the practical element is where most candidates struggle.

Written Paper

• ✓Approximately two hours
• ✓Mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions
• ✓Covers testing procedures, regulation references, and certification
• ✓BS 7671 and the IET Guidance Note 3 are allowed
• ✓Questions focus on why you test, not just how

Practical Assessment

The practical assessment is typically a full day, approximately six hours. You are given a real electrical installation to inspect and test. You must carry out a complete sequence of tests, record all results accurately, and complete either an EICR or EIC depending on the scenario.

• ✓Carry out a visual inspection of the installation
• ✓Perform dead tests: continuity of protective conductors, ring circuit continuity, insulation resistance
• ✓Perform live tests: earth fault loop impedance, RCD operation, prospective fault current
• ✓Record all results on the correct forms
• ✓Identify defects and assign appropriate observation codes
• ✓Complete the certification (EIC or EICR) accurately

Key Tips for the 2391 Practical

• ✓Practise the full test sequence until it becomes second nature
• ✓Know the correct order of tests (dead before live, always)
• ✓Bring your own multifunction tester and know how to use it efficiently
• ✓Write neatly — illegible results lose marks
• ✓Check your readings make sense (an insulation resistance of 0.5 megohms should ring alarm bells)
• ✓Manage your time — do not spend too long on any single test
• ✓Practise safe isolation every time, even if it feels slow

The 2365 Diploma in Electrical Installations includes a mix of assessment types at both Level 2 and Level 3. These include online multiple-choice tests, written exams, and practical assessments completed during the course.

Assessment Types

• ✓Online GOLA tests: multiple-choice, computer-based, completed during the course
• ✓Written end-of-unit exams: short answer and scenario-based questions
• ✓Practical assessments: observed installation tasks in the workshop
• ✓Portfolio evidence: documented work and assignments throughout the course

Tips for 2365 Level 2

• ✓Focus on understanding electrical science fundamentals (Ohm's law, power formula, series and parallel circuits)
• ✓Learn the colour codes for cables and wiring systems
• ✓Understand health and safety requirements thoroughly
• ✓Practise practical skills (terminations, wiring accessories) outside of class time
• ✓Keep your portfolio organised and up to date throughout the course

Tips for 2365 Level 3

• ✓Understand three-phase systems and how they differ from single-phase
• ✓Focus on fault diagnosis techniques and logical fault-finding approaches
• ✓Be confident with design calculations (cable sizing, volt drop, circuit protection)
• ✓Practise reading electrical drawings and schedules
• ✓Understand the theory behind inspection and testing procedures

Regardless of which exam you are sitting, the following tips apply to all City & Guilds electrical assessments.

Before the Exam

• ✓Get a good night's sleep — tired brains make more mistakes
• ✓Arrive at least 30 minutes early to settle in
• ✓Bring all required materials: ID, calculator, BS 7671, stationery
• ✓Eat a proper breakfast or lunch — exams are mentally demanding
• ✓Review your notes briefly, but do not try to learn new material

During the Exam

• ✓Read every question twice before answering
• ✓Look for key words: always, never, must, should, may — these change the meaning
• ✓Eliminate obviously wrong answers to improve your odds on difficult questions
• ✓Do not spend too long on any single question — move on and come back
• ✓Manage your time: if there are 60 questions in 120 minutes, you have 2 minutes each
• ✓Check your answers if you finish early — first instincts are usually right, but catch careless errors

If You Do Not Pass

Failing an exam is not the end of the world. Many successful electricians did not pass every exam on the first attempt. Analyse which areas you were weakest in, get additional support from your training provider, and rebook the exam once you feel confident. The resit fee is typically 50 to 100 pounds depending on the assessment.

Good revision materials make a significant difference to your exam performance. Here are the most useful resources for each qualification.

For All Electrical Exams

• ✓City & Guilds official practice papers (available from their website)
• ✓IET Guidance Notes (especially GN3 for inspection and testing)
• ✓Brian Scaddan textbooks (widely used and clearly written)
• ✓Online practice tests (websites like SparkyFacts and Electrical Exam Academy)
• ✓YouTube tutorials for visual learning of practical skills

For the 18th Edition Specifically

• ✓A clean, well-tabbed copy of BS 7671
• ✓IET On-Site Guide (companion to BS 7671)
• ✓18th Edition practice exams (multiple books available)
• ✓The IET website has free resources and regulation updates

Combining self-study with course attendance, practice papers, and revision sessions gives you the best chance of passing every exam on the first attempt. Most people who fail do so because of insufficient preparation, not because the exams are too difficult.