PCB Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PCB facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does the term 'design freeze' communicate to stakeholders in a PCB project? → No further schematic or layout changes will be accepted without formal ECO approval
2. During PCB design review for WEEE compliance, what is the designer's primary responsibility? → Marking the product with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
3. Which level of evidence is generally considered lowest on the evidence hierarchy? → Expert opinion or anecdotal report
4. A PCB professional's duty to report suspected child abuse is: → Mandatory in all U.S. states regardless of professional opinion
5. When scaling a pilot PCB program to a larger population, the most critical consideration is: → Maintaining core program components while adapting for new contexts
6. In KiCad, what file format stores the schematic's electrical connectivity used for PCB layout? → KiCad Netlist (.net)
7. In PCB data privacy, de-identified data means that: → All direct and indirect identifiers have been removed so individuals cannot be identified
8. Which body certifies PCB designers through the CID and CID+ programs? → IPC
9. Which IPC standard defines acceptability criteria for printed circuit board assemblies? → IPC-A-610
10. A PCB designer receives conflicting requirements from the mechanical team and the electrical team. What is the best course of action? → Facilitate a cross-functional meeting to resolve the conflict with documented decisions
11. A USB 2.0 full-speed device fails eye diagram testing. The differential pair has 3 vias and a 2-inch stub. What is the primary issue? → The via stubs create resonances that distort the signal at USB frequencies
12. What risk does insufficient clearance between high-voltage traces on a PCB introduce? → Dielectric breakdown and arcing between conductors
13. What role does peer review play in Design practice? → It provides quality assurance and professional development through collegial evaluation
14. A PCB manufacturer reports a 'bow and twist' measurement of 0.75% on a standard FR4 board. According to IPC-6012, is this acceptable? → No, the maximum allowed is 0.5% for SMT boards
15. What is a risk mitigation strategy in Design practice? → Implementing controls that reduce the likelihood or impact of identified risks
16. What is the purpose of regular risk reviews in Design practice? → To identify new risks, evaluate control effectiveness, and update mitigation strategies
17. Which PCB design software feature allows you to set minimum clearance rules between copper features on the same layer? → Design Rule Check (DRC)
18. A PCB practitioner is offered a gift by a client's family member in gratitude for services. What should the practitioner do? → Decline politely and explain professional boundary policies
19. Which defect is described as a hole in the PCB that is smaller than its design diameter after drilling? → Undersize drill
20. Which condition represents 'delamination' versus 'blistering' in PCB laminate defects? → Delamination is a subsurface separation while blistering is a visible surface bubble
21. What is the recommended placement strategy for bypass (decoupling) capacitors? → Place them as close as possible to the power pins of the IC they are decoupling
22. Which file format is commonly used to exchange PCB designs between different EDA tools in a neutral, standardized way? → IPC-2581
23. When a practitioner searches databases for relevant research, using Boolean operators such as AND, OR, and NOT is primarily intended to: → Refine and expand the search to identify the most relevant studies
24. What happens to the impedance of a real bypass capacitor at frequencies above its self-resonant frequency (SRF)? → It increases as the component behaves inductively due to ESL
25. What is the primary value of case study analysis in Design training? → Developing critical thinking by applying theory to realistic professional scenarios
26. What is the function of an X-ray inspection system in PCB quality assurance? → To inspect hidden solder joints such as BGA balls and buried vias
27. Which approach best ensures that a PCB program is culturally responsive? → Co-designing the program with members of the target community from the outset
28. A PCB shows 'pink ring' around drilled holes. What does this indicate? → Delamination of the glass-resin bond in the hole annular ring area
29. In IPC classification, a Class 3 PCB is intended for which application? → High-reliability military and life-support systems
30. A PCB intended for aerospace avionics must comply with which IPC standard for high-reliability rigid boards? → IPC-6012