NEBOSH Practice Test
Updated November 2026Facts verified Nov 1, 2026 against National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health
NEBOSH: upcoming dates and official changes
- Nov 4, 2026: The next scheduled NEBOSH International General Certificate Unit GIC1 examination date is Wednesday 4 November 2026.[5]
- Nov 18, 2026: The next submission deadline for the NEBOSH International General Certificate Unit GIC2 practical assessment is Wednesday 18 November 2026.[5]
- Aug 6, 2026: The final assessment date for the October 2018 specification units (IG1 and IG2) was held on 5-6 August 2026, completing the full transition to the revised GIC1 and GIC2 units.[6]
- The assessment time for the NEBOSH International General Certificate Unit GIC1 open book examination is 5 hours.[1]
- NEBOSH recommends approximately 4 hours to complete all four sections of the International General Certificate Unit GIC2 practical assessment.[2]
- The pass mark for the NEBOSH International General Certificate Unit GIC2 practical assessment is 60%.[2]
- NEBOSH charges an assessment registration fee of £95 per unit for the International General Certificate, while full course fees are established by individual accredited Learning Partners.[3]
- Candidates re-sitting a NEBOSH International General Certificate unit pay the NEBOSH assessment registration fee of £95 per unit.[3]
- There is no limit to the number of times a learner can re-sit NEBOSH International General Certificate units within the five-year validity period.[1]
- Learners have five years from passing their first unit to complete all requirements of the NEBOSH International General Certificate.[1]
- Once all units have been completed, the NEBOSH International General Certificate qualification does not expire and does not require periodic renewal.[4]
- The NEBOSH International General Certificate is assessed through a digital scenario-based open book examination (GIC1) and a practical workplace risk assessment (GIC2).[5]
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
NEBOSH Exam at a Glance
What changed for NEBOSH in 2026
- Oct 31, 2026: Retake policy changed to Unlimited resits within 5-year period (previously Unlimited resits within the five-year period).[1]
- Oct 31, 2026: Exam fee changed to £95 per unit (tuition set by Learning Partners) (previously Set by each NEBOSH Learning Partner).[3]
- Oct 31, 2026: Time limit (GIC1) changed to 5 hours (previously 5 hours (open book examination)).[1]
- Oct 31, 2026: Time limit (GIC2) changed to 4 hours recommended (previously 3 hours (practical assessment)).[2]
- Oct 31, 2026: Score release changed to Within 60 working days (previously Within 60 working days of the exam or submission).[5]
- Oct 31, 2026: Delivery changed to Digital open book examination (GIC1) and practical risk assessment (GIC2) (previously Digital open book exam (GIC1) + practical risk assessment (GIC2)).[5]
- Oct 31, 2026: Eligibility changed to No formal entry requirements; IELTS 6.0 English level recommended (previously No entry requirements (IELTS 6.0 English level recommended)).[5]
- Oct 31, 2026: Next exam date (GIC1) changed to November 4, 2026 (previously Next GIC1 sitting: Wednesday 4 November 2026 (English only)).[5]
- Oct 31, 2026: Testing window (GIC1) changed to 24 hours starting from 11am UK time (previously 24 hours from 11am UK time on the exam date).[5]
- Aug 6, 2026: The final assessment date for the October 2018 specification units (IG1 and IG2) was held on 5-6 August 2026, completing the full transition to the revised GIC1 and GIC2 units.[6]
Important: The NEBOSH IGC is an internationally recognised health and safety qualification awarded by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. It consists of two units: IG1 (Management of Health and Safety) assessed via open-book exam, and IG2 (Risk Assessment) assessed through a practical workplace assessment. The NEBOSH general certificate is the gold standard for H&S professionals worldwide.
🏗️ What is the NEBOSH IGC?
The NEBOSH International General Certificate is a globally recognised health and safety qualification covering management of workplace hazards, risk assessment, and H&S legislation.
START NEBOSH PRACTICE TEST📋 What is a Risk Assessment?
A systematic process of identifying workplace hazards, evaluating the risks they pose, and implementing control measures to reduce harm. The IG2 unit is entirely a practical risk assessment.
PRACTICE RISK ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS⚖️ What is the Hierarchy of Control?
The hierarchy ranks control measures from most to least effective: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
WORKPLACE HAZARDS QUIZ📊 What is Plan-Do-Check-Act?
PDCA is the health and safety management system cycle used in NEBOSH IGC. Plan your H&S policy, implement it (Do), monitor performance (Check), and review/improve (Act).
H&S MANAGEMENT QUIZ🔥 What are NEBOSH Fire Safety Requirements?
NEBOSH covers fire risk assessment including sources of ignition, fuel, oxygen (fire triangle), means of escape, fire detection systems, and emergency evacuation procedures.
FIRE SAFETY PRACTICE TEST🏥 What is Occupational Health?
Occupational health covers workplace hazards that affect worker wellbeing including chemical exposure, noise, vibration, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health. NEBOSH IGC covers all these topics.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS QUIZMany employers sponsor their staff through NEBOSH courses as part of professional development. Check with your employer about funding for health and safety training — it may be covered under your CPD budget or company training programme. Practice with the free NEBOSH IGC practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
Free NEBOSH IGC Study Tools
Interactive NEBOSH IGC resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- NEBOSH IGC flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- NEBOSH IGC study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- NEBOSH IGC cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
According to National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, “Each assessment is marked out of 100, with the pass mark at 60% (60 marks out of 100). The assessment is marked as ‘Pass’ (60% or higher) or ‘Refer’ (59% or less).”[2]
NEBOSH content outline and where to practise each area
The content areas below are copied from the official NEBOSH content outline published by National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| Chemical and biological agents[1] | FREE NEBOSH IGC PRACTICE TEST Practise recognising how harmful substances enter the body and which controls apply to each kind of agent. |
| Electricity[1] | NEBOSH Workplace Hazards Practise the main electrical hazards, how injury happens and which protective measures reduce the risk. |
| Fire[1] | NEBOSH Fire Safety Management Practise fire prevention, detection, escape routes and how fire risk is managed in a workplace. |
| General workplace issues[1] | NEBOSH Work Environment Practise welfare provision, working conditions and the basic duties employers owe in the workplace. |
| Health and safety monitoring and measuring[1] | NEBOSH Monitoring and Review Practise the difference between active and reactive monitoring and how findings feed back into improvement. |
| How health and safety management systems work and what they look like[1] | NEBOSH H&S MANAGEMENT PRACTICE TEST Practise the stages of a management system and how policy, planning, delivery and review connect. |
| Managing risk – understanding people and processes[1] | NEBOSH RISK ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TEST Practise hazard identification, judging who could be harmed and choosing proportionate controls, including human factors. |
| Musculoskeletal health[1] | NEBOSH Musculoskeletal Hazards Practise spotting manual handling and repetitive work risks and the ways of reducing them. |
| Physical and psychological health[1] | NEBOSH Physical Hazards Practise noise, vibration, temperature and stress-related hazards and how each affects health. |
| Why we should manage workplace health and safety[1] | NEBOSH Foundations of Health and Safety Practise the moral, legal and financial reasons for managing safety, and what poor management costs. |
| Work equipment[1] | NEBOSH Work Equipment Safety Practise the duties around suitability, maintenance, guarding and safe use of equipment, including work at height. |
NEBOSH Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the NEBOSH - National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health IGC exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
NEBOSH Chemical and Biological Hazards
NEBOSH Exam Questions covering Chemical and Biological Hazards. Master NEBOSH Test concepts for certification prep.
NEBOSH Fire Safety Management
Free NEBOSH Practice Test featuring Fire Safety Management. Improve your NEBOSH Exam score with mock test prep.
NEBOSH Foundations of Health and Safety
NEBOSH Mock Exam on Foundations of Health and Safety. NEBOSH Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
NEBOSH Health and Safety Management Systems
NEBOSH Test Prep for Health and Safety Management Systems. Practice NEBOSH Quiz questions and boost your score.
NEBOSH Incident Investigation
NEBOSH Questions and Answers on Incident Investigation. Free NEBOSH practice for exam readiness.
NEBOSH Monitoring and Review
NEBOSH Mock Test covering Monitoring and Review. Online NEBOSH Test practice with instant feedback.
NEBOSH Musculoskeletal Hazards
Free NEBOSH Quiz on Musculoskeletal Hazards. NEBOSH Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
NEBOSH Physical Hazards
NEBOSH Practice Questions for Physical Hazards. Build confidence for your NEBOSH certification exam.
NEBOSH Risk Assessment
NEBOSH Test Online for Risk Assessment. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
NEBOSH Work Environment
NEBOSH Study Material on Work Environment. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
NEBOSH Work Equipment Safety
Free NEBOSH Test covering Work Equipment Safety. Practice and track your NEBOSH exam readiness.
Worked examples: how to reason through NEBOSH 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: Under PUWER 1998, what is the primary duty placed on employers regarding the provision of work equipment?
- Equipment must be suitable for its intended use and conditions
- Equipment must be purchased from approved suppliers only
- Equipment must be replaced every five years regardless of condition
- Equipment must be painted in high-visibility colours
Answer: A. Equipment must be suitable for its intended use and conditions
Explanation:
The correct answer is that equipment must be suitable for its intended use and conditions. PUWER 1998 asks the employer to look at the actual job, the place it is done and the risks present, then make sure the equipment fits that situation by design, construction or adaptation.
Buying only from approved suppliers is wrong because the regulations do not name suppliers; a supplier list does not prove the equipment suits the task. Replacing equipment on a fixed schedule regardless of condition is wrong because the duty depends on suitability and maintenance, not age alone. Painting equipment in high-visibility colours may help in some settings but it is not the primary duty.
The rule to remember: for work equipment, ask whether it is fit for this task in these conditions, not whether it came from a particular source or has reached a particular age.
Example 2
Question: Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which of the following welfare facilities must an employer provide?
- A gymnasium and shower facilities
- Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences, washing facilities, and drinking water
- A staff canteen with hot meals
- Individual offices for all employees
Answer: B. Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences, washing facilities, and drinking water
Explanation:
The correct answer is suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences, washing facilities and drinking water. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 set minimum welfare standards, and these three are the basics every employer must provide.
A gymnasium and showers go beyond the minimum; they are a benefit an employer may choose to offer, not a legal requirement. A staff canteen with hot meals is also not required, although there must be somewhere suitable to rest and eat in many workplaces. Individual offices for all employees is wrong because the regulations deal with space, ventilation and comfort in general terms, not private rooms.
The rule to remember: welfare duties cover essential needs such as toilets, washing and clean drinking water, not extras that improve comfort or morale.
Example 3
Question: Which of the following is classified as 'work at height' under NEBOSH IGC guidelines?
- Working in a basement below ground level
- Working on a flat roof with no edge protection
- Working at a desk on the ground floor
- Loading goods from ground level onto a pallet
Answer: B. Working on a flat roof with no edge protection
Explanation:
The correct answer is working on a flat roof with no edge protection. Work at height is defined by the chance of a fall that could cause injury, not by how high the person is. A roof edge with nothing to stop a fall fits that definition clearly.
Working in a basement below ground level is wrong because the risk there is different, such as confined space or poor ventilation, and a fall from height is not the central hazard. Working at a desk on the ground floor involves no fall risk of the kind described. Loading goods from ground level onto a pallet is a manual handling activity, not work at height.
The rule to remember: ask whether a person could fall and be hurt from where they are working, and do not rely on a fixed minimum height.
How to use these practice tests
Start with the official NEBOSH syllabus guide and write down each content area in your own words. Mark the ones you cannot explain without looking, since those need the most time.
Next, work through the practice sets one topic at a time rather than mixing everything. After each set, read the explanation for every question you missed and write one sentence stating the rule behind it. Return to that topic a few days later and retry only the missed questions.
Remember that GIC1 is open book and scenario based, so recalling facts is only part of the task. Use the practice sets to learn where information sits in your notes and the course material, then practise applying it to a short workplace scenario written in your own words. Practise explaining your answers aloud, because the closing interview asks about your submission.
For GIC2, practise a real walk-through of a workplace or a photo of one: list hazards, who could be harmed, existing controls and what you would change. Plan your time around the recommended 4 hours rather than rushing. In the final days, reread your rule sentences and check the current dates and requirements on the NEBOSH website.
NEBOSH IGC Exam Day Checklist
- ✓Download IG1 exam paper at scheduled time
- ✓Ensure stable internet connection
- ✓Have course notes and textbooks ready (open-book)
- ✓Plan your answer structure before writing
- ✓Reference relevant legislation and standards
- ✓Use real workplace examples where possible
- ✓Proofread for spelling and grammar
- ✓Submit within the 24-hour window
- ✓For IG2: complete risk assessment at your workplace
- ✓Keep a copy of your submissions for your records
After completing your NEBOSH IGC, consider joining IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) as a TechIOSH member. This provides access to networking events, CPD resources, and enhances your professional credibility in the health and safety field.
Related Construction & Safety Practice Tests
If you are preparing for a career in construction & safety, you may also find these related practice tests helpful:
Prepare for the IOSH - Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Managing Safely — the IOSH Managing Safely certification for managers and supervisors responsible for workplace safety.
Prepare for the CITB - Construction Industry Training Board — the UK Construction Industry Training Board health and safety test required for CSCS cards.
Prepare for the CSCS - Construction Skills Certification Scheme — the Construction Skills Certification Scheme card test verifying health and safety knowledge on UK sites.
Prepare for the CHST - Construction Health and Safety Technician — the Construction Health and Safety Technician certification for safety professionals on construction sites.
Prepare for the Certified Safety Professional Exam — the Certified Safety Professional exam for advanced occupational safety and health practitioners.
You can continue preparing with the nebosh sample exam questions, which includes answer explanations for every question.
Sample NEBOSH IGC Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free NEBOSH IGC practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What minimum workspace volume per person does the Approved Code of Practice recommend?
- A. 5 cubic metres
- B. 8 cubic metres
- C. 11 cubic metres
- D. 15 cubic metres
Answer: C. 11 cubic metres
The ACoP to the Workplace Regulations recommends a minimum of 11 cubic metres per person in a workroom. This calculation should exclude any space more than 3 metres above floor level and should account for furniture and fittings that reduce usable space.
Which of the following is classified as 'work at height' under NEBOSH IGC guidelines?
- A. Working in a basement below ground level
- B. Working on a flat roof with no edge protection
- C. Working at a desk on the ground floor
- D. Loading goods from ground level onto a pallet
Answer: B. Working on a flat roof with no edge protection
Any work where a person could fall and injure themselves, including on a flat roof with no edge protection, is classified as work at height regardless of the distance above ground.
What is the minimum workplace temperature for sedentary work as recommended by the Approved Code of Practice to the Workplace Regulations?
- A. 13°C
- B. 16°C
- C. 19°C
- D. 21°C
Answer: B. 16°C
The Approved Code of Practice to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 recommends a minimum temperature of 16°C for sedentary work (such as office work). For work involving severe physical effort, the minimum is 13°C. These are not absolute legal limits but ACoP guidance carries significant weight.
What is the hierarchy of control measures for workplace hazards according to NEBOSH principles?
- A. PPE first, then engineering controls
- B. Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last resort
- C. Administrative controls are most effective
- D. Only PPE is needed in hot climates
Answer: B. Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last resort
The hierarchy of control ranks measures by effectiveness: elimination (remove the hazard), substitution (replace with less hazardous), engineering controls (isolate people), administrative controls (change work patterns), PPE (last resort).
Official Resources
- NEBOSH International General Certificate (official qualification page) — NEBOSH's own page for the IGC, covering the open-book unit, the practical risk assessment unit, language options and the transition from the 2018 specification (IG1/IG2) to the new 2025 specification.
- IOSH — Institution of Occupational Safety and Health — the chartered professional body for health and safety practitioners, where IGC holders can apply for membership grades such as TechIOSH.
- International Labour Organization (ILO) — the UN agency that sets international labour standards, including the occupational safety and health conventions that underpin the IGC's international framework.
Sources & last verified
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — time limit, retake policy, validity, other (official source). “Unit GIC1 Unit GIC2 Assessment Type Open book examination (OBE) Practical assessment Assessment Time 5 hours 4 hours” Verified Nov 1, 2026 · source checked Oct 31, 2026.
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — time limit, passing score (official source). “The time needed to complete the assessment is not restricted. We do, however, recommend that you take around 4 hours to complete all four sections…” Verified Nov 1, 2026 · source checked Nov 1, 2026.
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — exam fee, retake fee (official source). “National and International General Certificates (GNC1, GIC1 2025 specification), (NG1, IG1 2018 specification) and Certificate in Fire Safety (FSC1) – per unit £95” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — renewal (official source). “No. Once all the units of a NEBOSH qualification have been successfully completed, the qualification achievement does not expire and NEBOSH does not require qualifications…” Verified Nov 1, 2026 · source checked Nov 1, 2026.
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — delivery, next exam date, eligibility, score release (official source). “Assessment is a two-step process: GIC1 - An open book examination to assess what you know. This is scenario based and will include a closing…” Verified Oct 31, 2026 · source checked Oct 31, 2026.
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — other (official source). “6 August 2026: final assessments against the current syllabus (October 2018 specification).” Verified Oct 31, 2026 · source checked Oct 31, 2026.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- nebosh.org.uk — Retake policy, time limit, score validity, renewal, passing score, test delivery, eligibility, exam dates, score release, test dates · verified Nov 2026