CAST Test: Guide and Free CAST Practice Tests with Explanations (2024)
The CAST test is a highly challenging assessment of technical knowledge pertaining to construction & skilled trade industries. Prospective employees must demonstrate the appropriate level of expertise in the assessed fields to ensure that they can carry out the responsibilities of a given job position.
- Length: 90 minutes
- Number of questions: 110 questions
The CAST covers a wide range of topics, and applicants are frequently blindsided by subject areas they are either unfamiliar with or have not practiced in a long time. You need to be 100% sure that you’re ready for every section of this exam, or you won’t get the job.
Prepterminal’s CAST Prep Course is the best option for job applicants of all levels of experience to prepare for this highly difficult exam. Once you have completed every guide and practice test in this course you will be 100% prepared to ace your CAST exam with ease.
Don’t leave any room for error. Begin your CAST prep by clicking on Get Started for immediate online access from any device, and take this vital step towards CAST success!
CAST Graphic Arithmetic Practice Test Questions
CAST Mathematical Usage Practice Test Questions
CAST Mechanical Concepts Practice Test Questions
CAST Reading Comprehension Practice Test Questions
Rapid CAST Mastery Course
About the CAST Test
The Construction and Skilled Trade Selection System examination (CAST) is a standardized test and is maintained by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). The test was created to assess an individual’s aptitude for construction and skilled trade jobs. Employers use this test to check out if prospective employees have the relevant skills and aptitudes needed for a job in transmission and distribution, machining and vehicle repair, meter service and repair, facilities and equipment, and electric repair.
The Edison Electric Institute CAST test is four tests in one. All of these tests are multiple-choice. The test takes approximately two hours to complete. As this test is designed to assess skills in the area of construction, potential employers want to discover the probability of a candidate’s successful on-the-job performance.
The four sections are as follows:
- The first test measures graphic arithmetic.
- The second test assesses your knowledge and understanding of mechanical concepts.
- The third test assesses your reading comprehension.
- The fourth test assesses your mathematical skills.
CAST Graphic Arithmetic Test
The graphic arithmetic test is one of the four exams that make up the CAST test. The graphic arithmetic test measures your ability to interpret visual data and undertake basic arithmetic calculations.
In the graphic arithmetic test, you will be presented with many floor plans, blueprints, and other sorts of drawings and prints that relate to the construction and skilled trades area. This section of the CAST test features 16 questions.
When completing the graphic arithmetic test you will need to apply the following skills:
- Basic arithmetic (multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and the like)
- Understanding and interpreting visual information
- Elementary algebra (in keeping with the high school level algebra curriculum)
The test consists of two distinct drawings and a series of questions, which are based on each drawing. You will have 30 minutes to study the drawings and answer the questions.
CAST Mathematical Usage Test
The mathematical usage test covers core mathematical concepts, particularly those that are relevant to construction and skilled trade job roles. All of the questions in this test focus on the math that you will probably use on a daily basis if you successfully land such a job.
The mathematical usage test assesses your ability to solve basic math problems with the information presented to you at the start of the test.
The exam will test your knowledge of the following areas:
- Basic arithmetic (such as multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction)
- Algebra (at a high school level)
- Measurements (such as the ability to convert between various types of measurements)
This section of the test is made up of 18 questions and you only have 7 minutes to complete the test.
CAST Mechanical Concepts Test
The mechanical concepts test focuses on the mechanical concepts that most regularly appear on a day-to-day basis in construction and skilled trade jobs.
This test examines your ability to work with fundamental mechanical concepts. It is made up of 44 multiple choice questions, covering mechanical principles such as:
- Levers
- Pulleys
- Gravity
- Shapes
- Gears
- Centrifugal force
All questions feature a visual representation of a mechanical situation. For each question, you will be presented with three possible answers. You are given 20 minutes to complete the mechanical concepts section of the EEI CAST test.
CAST Reading Comprehension Test
The CAST reading for comprehension test is created to assess your core reading ability. The capacity to read and interpret information in any given text is a key part of any skilled trade job, even if you plan on primarily working with your hands.
The reading for comprehension test assesses, as the name implies, your skills in reading and understanding. The CAST Reading test consists of four distinct reading passages which are followed by several questions, which relate to the passage of the text.
The test is made up of 32 questions in total, all of which assess how well you can understand and retain the information presented in the text. The reading comprehension test must be completed within 30 minutes.
CAST Test Scoring
You will receive one total score for your entire CAST test. The score will be between 1 – 10 (with 10 being the highest score). This score is reflective of your relative potential to perform and succeed in the job for which you are applying.
As there is no universally agreed-upon cutoff score every potential employer will develop their own minimum cutoff mark. It is recommended that you ask your potential employer what their cutoff score is, so you know what score to aim for. You can then mark your practice exam to see how well you are progressing.
Who Takes the CAST Test?
The EEI CAST test is a standard component of the employment application process for individuals looking for jobs in industries, including facility maintenance and repair, vehicle maintenance and repair, transmission and distribution, electrical repair, machine maintenance and repair, and meter service and repair.
You can take the CAST test if you are starting your career in the skilled trades and construction industry field to show that you have the right skills and abilities for the job. You can also complete the test if you have a job in the skilled trades and construction area and wish to advance your career and take on a leadership or management role.
Top Tips for Doing Well on the EEI CAST Test
The most effective way to prepare for the test is to gain a good understanding of its structure and content. Let’s take a look at the 5 top tips for doing well on the CAST test.
#1. Understand the question
It is easy to get caught out by not reading the question thoroughly. Make sure you read each question properly, without making assumptions about its suggested meaning.
#2. Understand when to move on
At times you will start on a question without being sure how long it will take you. If you have done several practice tests you should be able to judge if a question is going to be tricky. Nevertheless, if you discover that you are spending more than a minute on one question and are still not sure if you are approaching it in the right way, leave it and go on to the next question.
#3. Practice, and more practice
Practice as many questions as you can before test day. The more practice test you take the more familiar you will become with the sort of questions you’re likely to be asked in the real exam
#4. Work on questions you have difficulty with
Focus on your areas of weakness. If you discover that numerical reasoning is the hardest subject for you then this is where you should put all your efforts into it. Generally, we like to do things we are good at, but it is important to be disciplined and to pay attention to your weak areas too.
#5. Take a range of different mock tests
Practice on as many different types of mock tests as you can so you get used to different question types. It is never too late to practice. Any practice you can do prior to your test will help you maximize your test score.
Be Fully Prepared with Prepterminal’s CAST Prep Course
Have you found out that your CAST test score is not quite up to scratch? Don’t stress. When you enroll in our CAST test prep course you will gain access to a vast array of resources including, in-depth video presentations and instructions, module-based study guide PDFs, and additional full-length practice tests with questions, answers, and explanations. With PrepTerminal’s CAST test prep course you can learn at your own pace, take as many CAST practice tests as you like, and also practice on specific test sections.
PrepTerminal’s CAST prep test course is developed from true industry-wide question categories that are centered on official CAST tests used by various esteemed companies. By completing this exam, you will gain a clear idea of how prepared you are for the test day.
PrepTerminal’s CAST test prep is expertly formulated to show and simulate what appears on the real CAST tests so that you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from the real exam. Our tests are created by industry professionals who review the actual CAST test regularly as well as interview former test-takers, so the information in the course stays up-to-date and relevant.
