Sheet Metal Apprentice Aptitude Test – Guide and Practice [2025]
The Sheet Metal Aptitude Test covers a variety of topics, which may vary depending on the particular union local or JATC program you apply to.
In the following guide, we will give the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the test, including a preparation plan that gets you covered for ANY test of ANY local you apply to:
- Math practice tests (basic + advanced) - Practice that focuses on the types of math questions you will find on the actual Sheet Metal Aptitude Test - both basic and advanced.
- Reading Comprehension and English practice tests - Learn how to score higher on reading and English test questions in less time with a tailored practice that focuses on what these questions are designed to assess.
- Mechanical practice tests - Learn the physical principles behind mechanical and electrical tests to ace any question that comes your way.
- Abstract Reasoning - This section is probably the most challenging for inexperienced candidates. With practice tests that simulate all the question types that appear on the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test, you will develop the best techniques to pass this challenging section.
- Spatial Relations - 2d, 3d, and matching parts are only some of the topics you may encounter in this section. Use dozens of practice questions to improve your spatial reasoning.
Sheet Metal Apprentice Exam Practice
- Math practice tests (basic + advanced)
- Reading comprehension and English practice tests
- Mechanical practice tests
- Hundreds of problem-solving questions
- Abstract reasoning
- Spatial relations
- Over 850 practice questions
- Covers all Locals' Sheet Metal Aptitude Tests
- Bonus: Personality test plus a complete breakdown of the ideal Technical profile
What Is the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test?
The Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Aptitude Test is a test used to screen candidates for sheet metal worker apprenticeships in various locals across the U.S. The test is conducted by each local's JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) on behalf of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART).
Therefore, similar to other pre-apprenticeship tests, the precise content and structure of the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test depend on the local.
However, Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test questions are always gathered from the following list of topics:
- Problem-Solving
- Mathematics
- Spatial Relations
- Mechanical Aptitude
- Abstract Reasoning
Further below we will provide sample questions and answers for each topic, and review 3 particular test versions: the Southern California Sheet Metal JATC Test, the SMART Local 36 (St. Louis) Test, and the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC Aptitude Test.
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Aptitude Test Content and Structure
As I mentioned above, while the test topics and question types are rather similar across all tests, the exact topic combination, structure, and formatting of the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test may vary.
Let's give 3 popular examples used by major Sheet Metal Union Locals across the U.S., all of which are covered in the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice:
- Southern California Sheet Metal JATC Test
- SMART Local 36 (St. Louis, Missouri) Test
- Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC Aptitude Test
Southern California Sheet Metal JATC Test
The Southern California Sheet Metal JATC test is one of the most demanding tests in the sheet metal apprenticeships world.
The test is divided into two sections:
Section #1 - Mathematical Test
This initial test contains 25 basic math questions to be solved in 15 minutes. Topics include fractions, decimals, four operations, and algebraic equations. This is a pass/fail test.
Section #2 - Written Test
This second stage is, in turn, divided into 3 sub-sections with 15 questions each:
- Mental Ability - includes abstract reasoning questions such as pattern recognition, finding differences and similarities between shapes, etc.
- Comprehension Test - focuses on understanding mechanical concepts, a topic commonly known as mechanical aptitude.
- Paper Board Test - measures your ability to visualize in 2d and 3d, an ability known as spatial reasoning.
To pass this test, you need a score of 30/45. However, higher-scoring candidates will get priority for open apprenticeships, so make sure you score as high as you can.
SMART Local 36 (St. Louis, Missouri) Test
The SMART Local 36 Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test contains 4 categories:
- Problem-Solving - This section combines a variety of numerical, verbal, and abstract questions, and requires familiarity with the common types of questions given in psychometric tests to succeed.
- Mathematics - This section focuses on quick and accurate calculation abilities.
- Spatial Relations - Assesses your ability to mentally manipulate shapes and find the relations between them, a skill often referred to as spatial reasoning.
- Mechanical Aptitude - The last section of the test assesses your ability to understand and apply mechanical and electrical principles.
Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC Aptitude Test
The Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test conducted by Western Washington JATC is comprised of two sections:
- Math - including basic math (fractions, decimals, basic calculations, etc.) and advanced math (algebraic equations, word problems, calculation of areas and perimeters, etc.)
- Reading - assesses your ability to interpret texts and come to correct conclusions.
The scoring method of this test is also based on a "higher score first policy", where higher-scoring candidates will get priority in being assigned to open apprenticeships.
The Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice covers the Sheet Metal Worker Aptitude Test for all Sheet Metal Union locals and JATC programs, including the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC Aptitude Test!
These are just three common examples. As the actual content and type of questions may vary depending on the SMART local or JATC, the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Aptitude Test Preparation is designed to get you covered for any test for any local!
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test Questions and Answers
Below you will see one sample question of each topic appearing on the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Aptitude Test.
Note that this is but a sample - the variety of questions in this test is high and depends on the specific local you apply for. The Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice covers all question types on the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test, regardless of the local!
Sheet Metal Apprentice Test Sample Question - Math
Convert 3/13 into decimal.
The Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice combines hundreds of questions with basic math study guides to make you as proficient in calculations as you can possibly be! The following IBEW Practice page includes a variety of math questions you can practice.
Sheet Metal Apprentice Test Sample Question - Problem-Solving
0 , 3/4 , 8/9 , 15/16 , 24/25 , ?
The problem-solving section of the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test combines a large variety of questions. Become familiar with all of them with the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice!
Sheet Metal Apprentice Test Sample Question - Mechanical Aptitude/Comprehension
In which way is the wagon accelerating? (If neither, mark C.)
The pendulum is moving backward; therefore, the car is accelerating in the opposite direction.
What happens when an object is in an accelerating system, in the same way, you feel pulled back when the car is speeding up or forwards when it is braking.
Remember the physical principle: When an object is within an accelerating system (another object that accelerates or decelerates), the inner object's force will be in the direction opposite to the acceleration.
The Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice focuses on the most common mechanical topics appearing on the actual exam!
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Test Sample Question - Reading
The exponential growth and development in the services and activities of search engines during the past decade has brought about a number of challenging legal issues in the area of copyright law. While search engines are continuously expanding their reach, copyright law has largely failed to adequately respond to these technological advancements. Rather, the current situation is one of rigid, outdated copyright laws being applied to online activities, which were never contemplated when the original legislation was drafted – causing great ambiguity. Search engines have the crucial role of ensuring the free flow of the internet’s core purpose – access to information. However, by their very nature, copyright laws fundamentally challenge this concept of a freely flowing and accessible internet.
Which of the following statements regarding copyright law is correct?
Reading is often overlooked by test-takers, as there is a common misconception that you cannot improve this ability quickly. But with understanding what the reading questions on the actual test are looking for, the Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice gets you covered for this section as well!
Sheet Metal Apprentice Test Sample Question - Abstract Reasoning/Mental Ability
Of all test sections, abstract reasoning is prehaps the one which requires most practice. The Sheet Metal Aptitude Test Practice contains hundreds of questions covering all types of this challenging section!
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