Failed the NJATC aptitude test twice, what am I missing?

by Jessica L. 588 views3 replies
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Jessica L.OP
May 27, 2026

So I just got my second rejection letter from the IBEW apprenticeship program and I'm honestly at a loss. Both times I've scored okay on the reading comprehension part but the algebra section absolutely kills me. I didn't take math seriously in high school and now I'm paying for it ten years later. I'm 28, got a family to support, and this is the career I actually want.

Between attempts I watched some YouTube videos and bought a cheap study guide off Amazon but clearly that wasn't enough. I've been hearing people mention the NJATC practice test materials — are those worth tracking down? My local JATC office wasn't super helpful when I asked about prep resources. I need something that actually mirrors what shows up on the real thing, specifically the math reasoning portion.

For anyone who passed on a third attempt or beyond — how many hours did you realistically put in, and what did you focus on? I've got about eight weeks before I can reapply.

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rachel_s
May 28, 2026
Been there man. Third attempt I finally passed with a 93. Honestly the biggest thing for me was Khan Academy — I spent about 45 minutes every single day on algebra for six weeks straight, nothing fancy. The NJATC practice test I found through my union hall helped me get used to the timing though. You've got to be able to move fast. Don't skip the function notation stuff, it shows up more than you'd think.
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Sarah M.
May 28, 2026
The math on that test is mostly pre-algebra and basic algebra — no trig or anything scary. What caught me off guard was how they word the problems. It's not hard math, it's tricky reading. I'd grab an exam tips guide specifically for trade apprenticeship tests because they usually break down the question formats. Also, does your JATC offer any prep nights? Mine did, completely free, just had to ask the right person.
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Sarah M.
May 28, 2026
Eight weeks is plenty if you're consistent. I passed on my second try after going hard for just five weeks. Lock in on fractions, ratios, and basic equations — that's like 80% of the algebra section right there. You've got this.

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