Completing at least one of our CSCS mock test is a great way of testing your knowledge on all the CSCS test topics, our practice questions are designed to give you a preview of how the CSCS card test questions are structured and what to expect from the CSCS test.

Here’s an example of a CSCS mock test with questions similar to the ones you’ll face in your CSCS Health Safety and Environment test 2024 – the pass mark is 45 out of 50.

 

Because different job roles require different types of CSCS cards, we have created mock test questions that are unique to each type of CSCS card and role; this includes areas such as health and safety signs, manual handling, fire extinguishers etc.

Practice is the key to success, so I would recommend that you try and complete as many CSCS mock exams as possible.

Before you get started on any of the mock test questions it’s important that you have basic knowledge about the CSCS testing process, so here I will explain some commonly asked questions about CSCS cards and tests or you could continue to all our CSCS practice tests now.

What is a CSCS card?

A CSCS card is one of the most important qualifications a construction worker will need, it proves to your employer that you have undergone training and have been deemed competent in carrying out your job role safely.

It shows that you have taken the required Health, Safety and Environment Test and gives details of any other job-specific qualification you have attained.

Types of CSCS cards

Labourer: application requires a Health and Safety in a Construction Environment Award (Level One); or an effective Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness Course certificate. Applicants must also complete the CITB Health Safety & Environment (HSE) test for Operatives.

Craft and Operative Trainee: application requires SVQ or NVQ registration, but those holding (or registered for) a Construction Award may also apply. Eligibility requires an occupation-specific CITB HSE test, or certificated attendance at a one-day Health and Safety Awareness Course.

Experienced Worker: a temporary non-renewable card available to those (with work experience) registered for and working towards a Construction-Related SVQ or NVQ – Level 2 or above. Application requires prior completion (during the previous two years) of the occupation-specific CITB Operatives HSE test. The expectation is the applicant will then apply for Skilled Worker status.

Experienced Manager, Supervisor or Technician: available to those (with work experience) without either a Construction-Related SVQ or NVQ (level 3, 4 or 5), or a Construction-Related QCF (level 6 or 7), not belonging to an approved Professional Association.

Non-renewable and effective for 36 months, this temporary card is held whilst registered for and working towards a Construction-Related SVQ or NVQ (level 3 or above), and will be replaced with a Skilled Worker card once this qualification is achieved. The application requires prior completion (during the previous two years) of the occupation-specific CITB Operatives HSE test.

Trainee (Management/Supervisory/Technical): application requires FE/HE college or university registration for an approved construction-related qualification. Prior completion of the occupation-specific CITB Operatives HSE test is also required.

Apprentice: a non-renewable four-year card for those registered on approved apprenticeship frameworks. If applicants have met Managing Agency health and safety conditions, CITB HSE test is unnecessary.

Provisional: a six-month, non-renewable card – requiring completion of the CITB HSE test (during the previous two years) – for:

  • probationary workers on employment assessment;
  • those 16 and over on work experience;
  • labourers with no previous CSCS card applications;
  • labourers holding expired Construction Site Operative cards.

Skilled Worker: application requires a completed HSE test and:

  • Construction-Related SVQ/NVQ level 2; or
  • completion of apprenticeship plus City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.

Blue Card – Craft Unit Level: available where trade-specific qualifications are completed in occupations lacking Construction-Related SVQ/NVQ schemes. Completed CITB Operatives HSE test required.

Manager: requires CITB Managers and Professionals HSE test and occupation-specific Construction-Related SVQ/NVQ (levels 4/5), or Construction-Related QCF (level 6/7).

Escorted Site Visitor: for frequent site visitors without construction-specific skills – requires completed CITB Operatives HSE test.

Advanced Craft/Supervisory: requires CITB Operative or occupation-specific test and:

  • Construction-Related SVQ/NVQ level 3; or
  • approved indentured apprenticeship; or
  • completion of apprenticeship plus City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.

Professionally Qualified Person: for members of competence-assessed CSCS-approved Associations. Requires CITB HSE test plus professional recommendation.

Construction Related Occupation: for those not covered via other types of CSCS cards. Requires CITB HSE test.

Academically Qualified Person: available to holders of listed qualifications – construction-related degrees, CIOB certificate, NEBOSH dip., HND and HNC. Requires occupation-specific CITB HSE test.

Why is a CSCS card so important?

Without a CSCS card, it’s literally impossible for anyone to get a job within the construction industry in the UK.

Almost all construction companies require a CSCS card before they would even consider giving them a job, this acts as the only proof that you’ve had the necessary training, and with all the health and safety guidelines these days, no company can afford to hire workers that are insufficiently trained.

Who needs a CSCS card?

Every single person on a worksite should have a valid CSCS card. This includes site operatives, managers and supervisors; some people will have more privileges than others depending on the type of CSCS card they hold, for example, a construction site operative will have less access to certain machinery than a site supervisor.

Almost all work sites will also require their subcontractors to hold a valid CSCS card or equivalent regardless of the nature of their work. Even regular site visitors who have no construction-related skill or training should possess at least a yellow CSCS card before they’re allowed to enter most building sites.

How to get a CSCS card?

There are quite a number of ways to get a CSCS card, some people prefer to go through testing affiliates whereas some prefer to get their CSCS card directly from the testing company.

As stated on the CSCS card website, the quickest way to get a CSCS card is to call 0344 9944 777, you will then be asked a few basic questions about yourself such as your current and previous job role and they will also inform you what necessary qualifications you require for your desired card type.

How much does a CSCS card cost?

A CSCS card cost £36 inclusive of vat, this does not include the cost of the Health, Safety and Environment Test, that’s a separate £21. While some companies stand the cost of the CSCS card for their staff, it’s generally the individual’s responsibility to stand their own CSCS card cost.

Taking the CSCS card test

Taking the CSCS card test is no different from any test, you’re given a 45-minute limit to try and complete the test. The test consists of 50 questions, 38 of these will be knowledge questions and the remaining 12 are behavioural case study questions. The knowledge questions are divided into 4 categories, these are:

  • Standard multiple-choice questions:  You will need to select one or more answers or images (depending on the question) from a list.
  • Drag and drop questions: You will need to drag and drop the correct answer from a list of choices into the answers area.
  • Hot spot questions: You will need to identify the correct area of an image to answer the question.
  • Hot area question: You will need to select the correct area of an image to answer the question.

You’ll need to score 45 out of 50 to pass the Operatives test.

You’ll need to score 45 out of 50 to pass the Specialists test.

You’ll need to score 46 out of 50 to pass the Managers and Professionals

The questions depend entirely on the type of CSCS card you’re applying for. The test is done on a touchscreen computer and you’re likely to be faced with a few what-if scenarios, especially for supervisors.

The actual CSCS test is quite similar to our mock test questions as they will test your knowledge on different aspects of health and safety. Try an example of our 50 questions CSCS card practice test.

Where can I take my CSCS Test?

The CSCS test cannot be taken online from home, you will need to find your closest approved testing centre. There are countless testing centres and mobile testing centres across the UK, as always if you require help in finding your nearest CSCS test centre then please visit the CITB website directly using this link.

What are the behavioural case study questions?

As of April 2012, the CITB Health Safety and Environment Test have added a new method of testing the reactions and behaviour of workers on a construction site, these 12 behavioural case study questions are meant to test your reaction and behaviour to certain safety-critical situations as they unfold on site. Here’s an example of what a behavioural case study question will look like.

Taking the CSCS Test in a different language

At present (2024) the main language for the CSCS test is English.

  • Those taking the operatives test can have voice-overs in the following languages: Polish, Bulgarian, French, Spanish, German, Hungarian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Romanian, Czech, and Lithuanian. If your language is not listed you should request an interpreter when booking your test.
  • For those taking the specialist test, there are no pre-recorded voiceovers available. Instead, you can request an interpreter when booking your test.
  • For those taking the managers and professionals test, there will be no voiceovers and no interpreter as these tests require a basic command of the English language.

Here’s an outline of the special assistance available for the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test:

Assistance Available
 Type of Test
Operatives HS&E Test Specialist HS&E Test Managers and Professionals HS&E Test
Voice over All (see list above) English and Welsh English and Welsh
British sign language
Wheelchair access
Translator  English and Welsh only
Signer
Reader

How to pass the CSCS test

The CSCS test is a simple and straightforward test that most people should pass on their first attempt. There’s a 2 step process to passing your CSCS test and I’m sure it comes as no surprise when I tell you all that’s needed to pass the CSCS test is a bit of revision and a bit of practice.

You can use the revision section of this website to get a better understanding of what’s covered in the CSCS test and you can use the mock exam section to prepare and familiarize yourself with some of the commonly asked CSCS test questions.

Choosing the right CSCS study material

There are a number of CSCS revision books on the market today, some people prefer to be more interactive and go for training CDs whereas some prefer the old-fashioned CSCS test revision books. They both contain the same contents and references so the choice is yours. They both also contain examples of CSCS mock test questions and answers.