CSCS card mock test questions
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CSCS Card Mock Test
These are free CSCS mock test questions: a mock exam for the test you sit before applying for a card. The test itself is the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, owned and administered by CITB; the card is issued by CSCS. This site is independent of both. Answer the questions above, read the explanations, then carry on into the wider site-safety revision.
What the CITB HS&E test covers
The operative test covers the core safety knowledge expected on any site: hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, working at height, manual handling, fire and emergency procedures, health risks such as noise, dust and vibration, and environmental responsibilities.
A portion of the test uses behavioural case-study questions rather than straight recall. Those describe a situation and ask what you should do, and they are where unprepared candidates lose marks — the safe answer is usually the one that stops work and escalates.
Specialist and supervisory versions of the test add content on top of the operative core.
How to prepare
Work through questions rather than reading revision material end to end, and read the explanation on every item. The behavioural questions in particular reward understanding the reasoning rather than memorising an answer.
CITB publishes the official revision material and delivers the test. Book the test and buy official learning materials directly through CITB, not through a third-party reseller.
Once you have passed, the card application is made to CSCS, who confirm which card matches your qualifications and role.
Which card, and what the test gives you
Passing the HS&E test is one requirement for a card; the card type also depends on your qualifications and occupation. Cards are colour-coded by route, from labourer through skilled worker to supervisory and professional levels.
A test pass is valid for a limited period when supporting an application, so apply within it. CSCS publish the current card types and the requirements for each.
For plumbing and gas work specifically, the relevant card depends on the NVQ or qualification you hold — our guide on cards for plumbing work sets out the routes.
Common questions
How many questions are in the CITB HS&E test?
The operative test is a multiple-choice paper taken at a test centre, including a set of behavioural case-study questions. CITB publish the current question count, duration and pass mark.
What is the pass mark?
Set by CITB and published by them. Treat a mock score as a diagnostic of which topics need work rather than a prediction of the real result.
Is the CITB HS&E test the same as the CSCS card?
No. The test is owned and delivered by CITB; the card is issued by CSCS. You pass the test, then apply to CSCS for the card that matches your qualifications and role.
How long is a test pass valid for a card application?
There is a limited window between passing and applying. CITB and CSCS publish the current period — check it before booking, and apply promptly after passing.
Where should I book the test?
Book directly through CITB. Third-party booking sites may charge more than the official fee, and CITB publish guidance on this.
Keep going
The behavioural questions are where unprepared candidates lose marks, and they reward reasoning rather than recall. PlumbRevise carries the wider site-safety material, and the plumbing and gas banks for the trade qualifications that follow.