CCT Practice Test

The Certified Composites Technician (CCT) credential from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) is for people who work in composites or have studied composites or a related field. This page has free practice sets on materials, curing, bonding, inspection, repair and safety. It also has worked explanations of sample questions and a short summary of the exam rules, taken from ACMA's own pages so you can check them against the official source.

CCT Exam at a Glance

What changed for CCT in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery changed to Online via ACMA Education Hub (unproctored) (previously Online via ACMA Education Hub; no proctor needed).^[3]
• Oct 27, 2026: Eligibility changed to 18+ years old with relevant composites work experience or education (previously 18+ and relevant composites work experience or education).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Testing window changed to Year-round, within 1 year of enrollment (previously Year-round, on demand, within 1 year of enrollment).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Score release changed to Immediately upon completion (previously Immediately on completion; digital certificate).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy changed to 2 attempts included per enrollment (previously 2 attempts per enrollment).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake fee changed to Second attempt included; full enrollment fee if a third attempt is needed (previously Second attempt included; after that, a new full-price enrollment).^[3]

What the CCT is and how it works

According to American Composites Manufacturers Association, “To obtain the CCT credential, individuals must: • Be 18 years of age or older. • Have relevant work experience or an educational background in composites or a related field. • Adhere to ACMA’s enrollment procedures.”^[2]

ACMA runs the CCT exam to show that a technician understands composite materials and fabrication work. To be eligible you must be 18 or older, have relevant work experience or an educational background in composites or a related field, and follow ACMA's enrollment procedures.

• Format: 100 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit.
• Passing score: 80%.
• Delivery: online through the ACMA Education Hub. You no longer need a proctor or a proctor code. You launch the exam yourself when you are ready.
• When you can test: online exams are available year-round, within 1 year of enrollment.
• Fee: $345 for ACMA members and $475 for non-members.
• Retakes: each enrollment includes 2 attempts. If you do not pass on the second attempt, you must buy a new enrollment before a third attempt.
• Results: shown in the Education Hub as soon as you finish.
• Validity: you must recertify every 3 years to keep the credential.

We could not verify a topic-by-topic breakdown of the exam from ACMA. Our practice sets are therefore grouped by common composites skills, not by official exam domains. Fees and policies can change, so check the current CCT Candidate Handbook and FAQ on the ACMA website before you enroll.

Worked examples: how to reason through CCT questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What does a cure cycle define in composite autoclave processing?

1. The color mixing schedule for resins
2. The time-temperature-pressure profile followed during laminate cure
3. The number of plies in the layup stack
4. The fiber orientation sequence

Answer: B. The time-temperature-pressure profile followed during laminate cure

Explanation:

B is correct. A cure cycle is the time-temperature-pressure profile a laminate follows in the autoclave: how fast it heats, how long it holds at each temperature, how much pressure is applied and how it cools down. That profile controls resin flow, consolidation and crosslinking. A is wrong because resin colour is not part of the cure. Pigments are added before layup, and the autoclave does not set them. C is wrong because the number of plies is fixed in the layup stack before the part goes into the autoclave. D, fiber orientation, is also set during layup by the ply schedule. Rule to remember: layup documents describe what goes into the part. The cure cycle describes what the autoclave or oven does to it.

Example 2

Question: What common challenge do professionals face when applying Electrical Systems & Wiring principles?

1. Balancing theoretical best practices with practical constraints and real-world conditions
2. Finding the relevant textbook chapter
3. Obtaining permission to use the principles
4. The principles are too simple to present any challenge

Answer: A. Balancing theoretical best practices with practical constraints and real-world conditions

Explanation:

A is correct. Real electrical and wiring work rarely matches the textbook case. Limited space and access, existing equipment, schedules and site conditions all restrict what you can do. The skill is applying sound principles safely within those limits. B is wrong because finding the right reference is a small task, not the main difficulty. C is wrong because you do not need permission to use principles and good practice. Permits and approvals apply to specific jobs, not to knowledge. D is wrong because no technical field is free of challenges, and assuming it is leads to mistakes. Rule to remember: on scenario questions, choose the answer about applying correct principles under real constraints over answers that dismiss the work or describe a trivial obstacle.

Example 3

Question: Which process is used to form flat honeycomb core into a curved shape without cutting and re-bonding?

1. Resin transfer molding
2. Flex-core expansion or OML machining
3. Wet layup reshaping at room temperature
4. Compression molding with matched tooling

Answer: B. Flex-core expansion or OML machining

Explanation:

B is correct. Flex-core, also called over-expanded core, has a cell shape that lets it bend into curves without splitting. Machining the outer mold line (OML) cuts a curved surface into thicker core. Either way, the cells stay continuous, so you do not need to slit, dice or re-bond the core. A, resin transfer molding, injects resin into a dry preform in a closed mold. It does not shape core. C is wrong because standard honeycomb does not reshape during a room-temperature wet layup. Forcing it tends to crush or split the cells. D, compression molding with matched tooling, presses material between rigid tools and would crush unsupported honeycomb. Rule to remember: you shape core by choosing a formable core type or by machining it, not through the laminating process.

How to use these practice tests

Start by reading the ACMA CCT Candidate Handbook and FAQ so you know the rules: 100 multiple-choice questions, a 2-hour limit and an 80% passing score. Then work through the composites-specific sets, which are closest to day-to-day composites work:

• Composite Materials & Fabrication Processes
• Curing Processes & Autoclave Operations
• Surface Preparation & Bonding
• Core Materials & Sandwich Structures
• Inspection & Testing
• Repair Techniques & Quality Control
• Safety & Environmental Compliance

After each set, write down every question you missed and the rule behind it, not just the right letter. The broader trade sets, such as Blueprint Reading and Troubleshooting, are useful review but are not confirmed exam areas. Once you score above 80% on our sets, do a timed run that matches the 2-hour limit. Our questions are not real exam questions, so treat the scores as a rough guide. Because 2 attempts come with each enrollment and the exam is unproctored, launch it only when your timed practice is steady.

Sources & last verified

1. American Composites Manufacturers Association — number of questions, time limit, passing score, retake policy (official source). “100 multiple-choice questions” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
2. American Composites Manufacturers Association — exam fee, eligibility, score release (official source). “The exam fee is $345 for ACMA members and $475 for non-members.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
3. American Composites Manufacturers Association — retake fee, delivery (official source). “If you do not pass after the second attempt, you must purchase a new certification enrollment before testing again. The previous $100 re-examination fee no…” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
4. American Composites Manufacturers Association — validity (official source). “Recertification is required every three (3) years to maintain your CCT credential.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.