NCCER Pipefitter Test – Ultimate Study Guide With Practice Questions
Are you considering a career as a professional pipefitter? Then you are in luck, we have highlighted everything you need to know about the pipefitter test which will help you land your dream job as a pipefitter.
When it comes to skilled trades services, industry experience is no longer the only thing that employers are looking for. Employers want to make sure that they hire the best people who have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. Whether you have had hands-on experience as a pipefitter or you are just starting in your career a pipefitter test certification is essential.
Here is everything you need to know about the pipefitter test, including a few tips to help you prepare and pass your test.
Table of Contents
About the NCCER Pipefitter Test
Pipefitters are professionals who construct pipe systems by handing in the cutting, fitting, repairing, and installation of pipes. While this is the main duty of pipefitters, these professionals have quite complex duties such as reviewing blueprints, welding, cutting torches, measuring and determining the dimensions of the pipes based on the specifications, and more.
This is why employers want to ensure the pipefitters that they choose to employ has the necessary credentials. To make sure they have the required skills and knowledge to complete projects safely and accurately.
The certification a pipefitter may need will differ based on the state they plan to work in, different states require different certifications and years of experience. While there are a few different pipefitter tests to choose from, one of the best assessments to complete is the NCCER Pipefitter Test.
This test has been developed using the NCCER curriculum, as well as knowledge from the industry itself. The NCCER curriculum consists of four levels which cover a wide range of topics such as Piping Systems, Excavations, Pipefitting Trade Math, Identifying and Installation of Valves, and more.
The NCCER Pipefitter test is a closed book assessment that is now exclusively completed online. The passing score for the NCCER Pipefitter assessment is a minimum of 75 and the test has a three-hour time limit. This test is available in both English and Spanish and costs $70.00. Candidates will only be allowed to use a basic function calculator when completing this assessment.
Pipefitter Skills and Tools
While passing the test is an absolute must before entering the industry, this is not the only criteria all pipefitters should have. There are certain skills that all pipefitters should make sure they have, a few of these skills include:
- Attention to detail
- Ability to thrive under pressure
- Strenght
- Versatili
- Good communication skills
Another criteria that candidates who are thinking about becoming a professional pipefitter should meet is the ability to work with all the tools commonly used in this industry. After all, the last thing an employer or independent pipefitter wants to deal with is damages because tools were not used properly. A few of these tools that pipefitters usually use include:
- Saw
- Level
- Power tool
- Welding torch
- Blow torch
- Pressure gauge
It is also extremely important for professional pipefitters to own use of all the necessary attire required when working in the field. These items are essential to ensure the safety of the workers, a few of these items include:
- Helmets
- Face shields
- Goggles
- Steel-toed boots
- Lunisitant vests
Types of Questions Asked in the Pipefitter Test
Usually, all pipefitter tests consist of multiple-choice questions, which are both good and bad. The good thing about having a multiple-choice test means that the test will not require a lot of writing, just selecting. However, multiple-choice tests can be a bit harder because the options that you choose from may be similar which usually causes some confusion.
The questions in the pipefitter test are relatively complex, if would like to have a better idea of the types of questions that are asked in these tests then a good idea would be to view a few sample test questions. There are several sample tests to choose from and you can even find them by simply using Google.
Another great way to get a better idea of the types of questions that you can expect to see when completing the pipefitter test is to read over or complete a pipefitter practice test. These practice tests usually have similar questions that will be asked, so once you have completed a pipe fitter test you will a bit more prepared.
How to Prepare for the Pipefitter Test
Now that you know what to expect from your upcoming pipefitter examination, you can now begin preparing for your test to help make sure that you pass. The pipefitter test is quite complex and the thought of beginning your studying process for this assessment may be overwhelming. To help make this process a little easier here are six tips that will help you prepare for your upcoming pipefitter test:
1. Complete Pipefitter Practice Test
One of the best ways to prepare for any assessment is to complete a few practice tests before you take the official test. There are a few different pipefitter practice tests available including an NCCER practice test. Not only will the practice tests help you get a better idea of the NCCER pipefitter test questions, but they can also give you a better insight into how you will score on the test.
The best way to complete a practice test is to treat it as if you are taking the real test, which means that you complete the test within the set time limit that you will be given and use only the materials that you will be allowed to use during the assessment. Once you have completed a few of these practice tests and your score starts improving you will also begin to feel a bit more prepared for your test.
2. Use a Study Guide
What is great about using a study guide when preparing for a test is that it helps you determine what work will be asked about in the assessment. The study guide will help you figure out which topics you should spend a bit more attention to. Most tests will not ask questions about every single topic so study guides can also help you prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
There are plenty of pipefitter study guides to choose from, we recommend this one from JobTestPrep. If the pipefitter test that you are taking does not recommend a study guide for you, you can also find a few guides on Google but it is important to keep in mind that different tests may work off different study guides.
3. Make Sure You have Sufficient Studying Time
The pipefitter test is a complex assessment that will require a lot of studying time. This means the last thing you should do is cramp all of the work that you have to study just a week before your exam.
As soon as you know when your exam date is, you should start preparing to study you can always make notes and go over them. It is never too early, to begin with, the studying process.
4. Don’t Waste Time on Difficult Questions
While completing your pipefitter test you might come across questions that seem hard to understand or you may just not know the answer to. When this happens the best thing to do is leave out the question. Then after you have completed answering all the other questions in the test you can then go back to it. By doing this you will prevent yourself from wasting any time.
5. Practice Your Time Management Skills
Usually, the pipefitter tests are approximately three hours long, even though this might seem like a lot of time it is not. With the type of questions being asked in this assessment, you must use every minute wisely. Make sure to have a watch on you while completing your test to help you track how much time you have left.
6. Read Over Your Work
Once you have completed your test the only thing you probably will want to do is shut down your computer. However, before you do this make sure to spend a little extra time reading over your work and make sure you have answered all the questions correctly.
Final Thoughts
While there may be a few pipefitters out there who have not completed their pipefitter test, this is the last thing you want to do. In several states, professional pipefitters are required to be certified, and employers prefer hiring those candidates as pipefitters who have successfully based this examination.
If you are interested in a career as a pipefitter then the best thing for you to do for your career is to complete the pipefitter test. The NCCER pipefitter test is one of the best options that you can choose to complete. To pass this test you will need to score a minimum of 75.
Even though the thought of taking this test may feel overwhelming, what can help you feel more prepared for this test is to keep our tips in mind which will help you pass your upcoming pipefitter test.
Don’t wait any longer and start working towards your professional career and get your pipefitter certification as soon as possible.
Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.
