IBEW Scoring Bands Explained
What 1–9 actually means.
The 1–9 scale
- Bands 1–3: Below cutoff. You won't be invited to interview.
- Bands 4–6: You qualify. You may or may not be called depending on demand.
- Bands 7–9: Competitive. Most apprentice slots go to this group.
How raw score maps to band
Exact thresholds aren't published, but the rough mapping (out of 69 questions): Band 4 = ~28 correct, Band 7 = ~50 correct, Band 9 = 60+ correct.
Why band 7+ matters
Most locals interview applicants in band order, top first. If they fill all their seats from bands 7–9, bands 4–6 never get called — even though they "passed."
What this means for studying
Don't aim for "passing." Aim for a 7+. The difference between band 4 and band 7 is the difference between an interview and silence.
FAQ
No. The band is normalized — your raw score is compared against everyone else's.
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