18th Edition Exam Questions: Format, Structure, and Question Types Explained

Knowing what to expect in the 18th Edition exam is half the battle. Candidates who understand the question format, the types of questions they’ll face, and how marks are distributed consistently outperform those who go in blind — even if both groups have studied the same material.

 

This guide breaks down the City & Guilds 2382-22 exam structure, walks through every question type with realistic examples, and gives you a targeted preparation strategy for each one.

Exam Format at a Glance

The 18th Edition exam is formally known as the City & Guilds 2382-22. Here’s what you’re sitting:

 

Detail	What to Know
Qualification	City & Guilds 2382-22
Based on	BS 7671:2018+A3:2024 (18th Edition including Amendment 3)
Format	60 multiple-choice questions, four options per question (A–D)
Duration	2 hours (120 minutes)
Pass mark	60% — 36 out of 60 correct
Open book?	Yes — you may bring your personal copy of BS 7671
Permitted materials	BS 7671 (tabbed/highlighted OK), pens, calculator
Not permitted	Loose notes, revision cards, electronic devices (except calculator)

 

Key point: Every question has exactly four options and only one correct answer. There is no negative marking — a wrong answer scores the same as a blank, so never leave a question unanswered.

 

Question Distribution by Topic

The 60 questions are not evenly spread across BS 7671. Understanding the weighting tells you where to focus your study time:

 

Topic	Questions	% of Exam
Part 1 — Scope & Fundamentals	4	7%
Part 2 — Definitions	2	3%
Part 3 — General Characteristics	6	10%
Part 4 — Protection for Safety	15	25%
Part 5 — Selection & Erection	14	23%
Part 6 — Inspection & Testing	4	7%
Part 7 — Special Installations	7	12%
Part 8 & Appendices	8	13%
Total	60	100%

 

Exam tip: Parts 4 and 5 together account for 29 questions — 48% of the exam. If you can score well on these two parts alone, you only need 7 correct answers from the remaining 31 questions to pass.

 

The Four Question Types

Every question in the 2382-22 falls into one of four categories. Recognising the type instantly tells you the best approach — whether to answer from memory, look it up, or work through a calculation.

 

Type	What It Tests	Best Approach	Approx. % of Exam
Direct recall	Key values, definitions, and facts	Answer from memory — don’t waste time looking up	30–35%
Scenario-based	Application of regulations to real situations	Read carefully, identify the relevant Part/regulation	30–35%
Regulation look-up	Ability to find specific information in BS 7671	Navigate to the correct section using your tabs	15–20%
Calculation	Applying formulas (adiabatic, voltage drop, Zs)	Use your calculator and reference the correct table	10–15%

 

Type 1: Direct Recall Questions

These test whether you know key values, definitions, and fundamental principles without needing to look them up. They should be your fastest questions — ideally answered in under a minute.

 

Example Question Styles

 

Style A — Key value recall:

“What is the maximum disconnection time for a TN system final circuit not exceeding 32A?”

• A) 0.2 seconds
• B) 0.4 seconds
• C) 1 second
• D) 5 seconds

Answer: B — Regulation 411.3.2.2. This is one of the values you should know by heart.

 

Style B — Definition recall:

“Which of the following best describes an ‘extraneous-conductive-part’?”

• A) A conductive part of equipment that can be touched
• B) A conductive part forming part of the electrical installation
• C) A conductive part not forming part of the electrical installation but liable to introduce a potential
• D) A conductive part that is normally live

Answer: C — Part 2 definition. Understanding the difference between exposed-conductive-parts and extraneous-conductive-parts is essential.

 

What to Memorise

The following values come up repeatedly in direct recall questions:

 

Category	Key Value	Reference
Disconnection time (TN, ≤32A)	0.4s	Reg. 411.3.2.2
Disconnection time (TT)	0.2s	Reg. 411.3.2.4
Disconnection time (distribution)	5s	Reg. 411.3.2.3
Additional protection RCD rating	30 mA	Reg. 415.1.1
Overload coordination	Ib ≤ In ≤ Iz	Reg. 433.1
Insulation resistance test voltage	500V DC	Reg. 612.3
Minimum insulation resistance	1.0 MΩ	Reg. 612.3
Max voltage drop (lighting)	3%	Reg. 525
Max voltage drop (other)	5%	Reg. 525
Bathroom Zone 1 height	2.25 m	Section 701

 

Exam tip: If you memorise the values above, you can answer roughly 15–20 questions without opening BS 7671 at all. That saves 20+ minutes for harder questions later. For more on what to commit to memory, see our guide on how to pass the 18th Edition exam first time.

 

Type 2: Scenario-Based Questions

These are the most common question type and the one that separates candidates who understand the regulations from those who’ve just memorised values. You’re given a real-world situation and asked to identify the correct regulation, requirement, or course of action.

 

Example Question Styles

 

Style A — Identifying the correct protection:

“An electrician is installing a socket outlet circuit in a domestic kitchen. The circuit is rated at 32A and protected by a Type B MCB on a TN-C-S system. According to BS 7671, what additional protection is required?”

• A) No additional protection is required
• B) A 100 mA RCD
• C) A 30 mA RCD
• D) A time-delayed RCD

Answer: C — Regulation 415.1.1 requires additional protection by a 30 mA RCD for socket outlets rated up to 32A.

 

Style B — Applying Part 7 requirements:

“A contractor is installing a lighting circuit in a hotel bathroom. Which of the following statements about Zone 1 is correct?”

• A) Any luminaire may be installed provided it is RCD protected
• B) Only fixed equipment with a minimum rating of IPX4 may be installed
• C) Equipment rated at IPX2 is sufficient
• D) No electrical equipment is permitted in Zone 1

Answer: B — Section 701 requires a minimum of IPX4 in Zone 1, and only fixed equipment is permitted.

 

How to Approach Scenario Questions

1. Read the entire question — identify the circuit type, earthing system, and location
2. Identify which Part of BS 7671 applies — is this a protection question (Part 4), a cable sizing question (Part 5), or a special location (Part 7)?
3. Watch for the earthing system — TN-S, TN-C-S, and TT systems have different requirements for disconnection times and RCD protection
4. Check if Part 7 applies — special locations add requirements on top of the general rules

 

Key point: Scenario questions often combine knowledge from multiple Parts. A bathroom question might test Part 7 (zones), Part 4 (RCD requirements), and Part 2 (IP ratings) all at once.

 

Type 3: Regulation Look-Up Questions

These test your ability to navigate BS 7671 and find specific information. They’re designed to be answerable — but only if you can find the right page quickly.

 

Example Question Styles

 

Style A — Finding a specific regulation:

“According to BS 7671, what is the minimum cross-sectional area of a main protective bonding conductor in a TN-C-S system where the supply neutral conductor is 16 mm² copper?”

• A) 6 mm²
• B) 10 mm²
• C) 16 mm²
• D) 25 mm²

Answer: B — Table 54.8 specifies minimum bonding conductor sizes based on the supply neutral. This requires navigating to the correct table.

 

Style B — Referencing an appendix table:

“A 2.5 mm² twin and earth cable is clipped direct (Reference Method C). According to Table 4D5, Column 6, what is the current-carrying capacity?”

• A) 20A
• B) 24A
• C) 27A
• D) 32A

Answer: C — Found in Appendix 4, Table 4D5. You need to know the correct table and column.

 

Navigation Strategy

Tab these sections in advance — they’re the most commonly referenced in look-up questions:

 

Section	What You’ll Look Up
Table 41.3	Maximum Zs values for MCBs and fuses
Table 54.7	Minimum CPC sizes
Appendix 4 (Tables 4D1–4D5)	Current-carrying capacity
Appendix 14	Maximum Zs values (alternative)
Table 4Ab	Voltage drop values
Reg. 612	Testing sequence

 

Exam tip: Practise navigating to these tables until you can find any of them within 15 seconds. Our guide on tabbing your BS 7671 covers the best tabbing strategy.

 

Type 4: Calculation Questions

These require you to apply formulas and use tables to arrive at a numerical answer. They take the longest per question but are entirely predictable — the same calculation types appear in every sitting.

 

Common Calculation Types

 

Calculation	Formula / Method	Reference
Adiabatic equation	S = √(I²t) ÷ k	Reg. 543.1.3
Voltage drop	Vd = (mV/A/m × Ib × L) ÷ 1000	Appendix 4, Table 4Ab
80% rule for Zs	Measured Zs ≤ 0.8 × Table 41.3 value	GN3 / Appendix 14
Overload coordination	Check Ib ≤ In ≤ Iz and I2 ≤ 1.45 × Iz	Reg. 433.1

 

Example Calculation Question

“A 6 mm² copper conductor with PVC insulation (k = 115) is protected by a 40A Type B MCB. The energy let-through (I²t) of the MCB is 50,000 A²s. Using the adiabatic equation, is the CPC adequately sized?”

• A) Yes — the minimum size is 1.94 mm²
• B) Yes — the minimum size is 4.0 mm²
• C) No — the minimum size is 8.0 mm²
• D) No — the minimum size is 10.0 mm²

Answer: A — S = √(50000) ÷ 115 = 223.6 ÷ 115 = 1.94 mm². Since 6 mm² exceeds 1.94 mm², the conductor is adequate.

 

Important: You don’t need to memorise every k value — they’re in Table 54.4 of BS 7671. But you must know how to apply the formula quickly. See our detailed walkthrough of the adiabatic equation for worked examples.

 

How Distractors Work — Reading the Options

Every question has one correct answer and three distractors — wrong answers designed to catch common mistakes. Understanding how distractors are constructed helps you avoid traps.

 

Distractor Type	How It Works	Example
Close value	Uses a similar but incorrect number	0.2s instead of 0.4s for TN disconnection time
Related regulation	Correct regulation from a different context	Giving a TT requirement when the question asks about TN
Partially correct	Answer is right for part of the question but not all	Correct IP rating but wrong zone
Common misconception	Exploits widespread misunderstandings	Confusing basic protection with fault protection
Outdated information	Uses values from older editions of BS 7671	Pre-Amendment 3 requirements

 

How to Avoid Distractor Traps

1. Read every option before selecting — the “most correct” answer may be C or D
2. Check the earthing system — TN and TT values are close but different
3. Note the exact wording — “shall” (mandatory) vs “should” (recommended) vs “may” (permissible) changes the correct answer entirely
4. Watch for “not” and “except” — questions phrased negatively trip up candidates who read too quickly

 

Exam tip: If two options look very similar, one of them is almost certainly the correct answer. The question is testing whether you know the precise distinction. For more on the language of BS 7671, see our guide on getting started with the IET Wiring Regulations.

 

Preparation Strategies by Question Type

Different question types require different preparation approaches. Here’s how to train for each:

 

For Direct Recall Questions

• Create flashcards for all key values, definitions, and regulation numbers
• Use spaced repetition — review cards daily, spacing out intervals as you get them right
• Test yourself actively — don’t just re-read, cover the answer and try to recall it
• Study our topic guides for Part 2 Definitions and Part 4 Protection — these are the heaviest recall topics

 

For Scenario-Based Questions

• Practise with realistic questions — our app includes 580+ scenario-style questions with detailed explanations
• Study by earthing system — understand what changes between TN-S, TN-C-S, and TT for every major topic
• Learn the Part 7 special locations — at least bathrooms, construction sites, EV charging, and solar PV
• Read our special installations guide for the most exam-relevant Part 7 content

 

For Look-Up Questions

• Tab your BS 7671 thoroughly — use coloured tabs for different categories (tables, regulations, Part 7 sections)
• Time yourself finding specific tables — aim for under 15 seconds per look-up
• Do practice questions with the book — simulate the actual exam experience
• Know the table structure — which column is which installation method, which row is which cable size

 

For Calculation Questions

• Learn the formulas — there are only four or five you need to know
• Practise worked examples — do at least 10 adiabatic equation and 10 voltage drop calculations before the exam
• Know which table to use — the formula is useless if you can’t find the right k value or mV/A/m figure
• Work through our guides on voltage drop and cable sizing and the adiabatic equation

 

Time Management on Exam Day

With 60 questions in 120 minutes, you have exactly 2 minutes per question. Here’s how to allocate your time:

 

Phase	Time	What to Do
First pass	80–90 min	Work through all 60 questions. Answer everything you can. Mark difficult ones
Second pass	20–30 min	Return to marked questions. Use your book to look up answers
Final check	5–10 min	Verify no questions are left blank. Review any you’re unsure about

 

The Three-Stack Method

As you work through the exam, mentally sort each question:

 

Stack	Action	Time Per Question
Know it	Answer immediately from memory	30–60 seconds
Can find it	Mark it, answer on second pass using BS 7671	2–3 minutes
Don’t know	Make your best guess, mark it, review at the end	1 minute (guess) + review

 

Important: Never spend more than 3 minutes on a single question during the first pass. Mark it and move on. A question you’re stuck on for 5 minutes is stealing time from three easier questions you haven’t reached yet.

 

Common Exam Questions

These questions come up frequently when candidates are preparing for the 18th Edition exam:

 

Question	Answer
How many questions are in the exam?	60 multiple-choice questions with four options each
What’s the time limit?	2 hours (120 minutes)
What’s the pass mark?	60% — 36 out of 60 correct
Can I use my own copy of BS 7671?	Yes — tabbed and highlighted is fine. No loose notes
Is there negative marking?	No — a wrong answer scores zero, same as a blank
Which edition of BS 7671 is the exam based on?	BS 7671:2018+A3:2024 (the 18th Edition including Amendment 3)
Do I need to memorise regulation numbers?	Not all of them, but knowing key regulation numbers helps you navigate faster and answer recall questions without the book
Can I use a calculator?	Yes — a basic scientific calculator is permitted

 

Practice and Further Study

The best way to prepare for the 18th Edition exam is to practise with questions that match the real exam format. Test yourself across all question types:

• Part 4 — Protection for Safety quiz
• Part 5 — Selection and Erection of Equipment quiz
• Part 6 — Inspection and Testing quiz
• Part 7 — Special Installations quiz

 

For deeper study on the topics covered in this guide:

• How to Pass the 18th Edition Exam First Time — 10 tips from qualified electricians
• Mock Test Tips and Strategies — how to get the most from practice tests
• Understanding Protection for Safety — Part 4 — the highest-weighted exam topic
• Maximum Zs and the 80% Rule — the calculation that catches everyone out

 

Our app includes 580+ practice questions covering all 8 parts with detailed explanations referencing specific regulation numbers, plus full mock tests with the same weighted question distribution as the real exam.

 

Study on the go with our mobile app: App Store | Google Play