About the AM2.
AM2 is a three-day industry recognised trade test, controlled by the National Electrotechnical Training (NET) Organisation in conjunction with the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and Summitskills.
AM2 is a practical assessment with a short online component, taken over 16 hours in total. During this time you will undertake a series of timed tasks in specially equipped booths containing typical electrical installation wiring systems. The exercises include an online assessment of applied knowledge, risk assessment and safe isolation, composite installation, inspection and testing of the composite installation and safe isolation of test unit plus fault location.
The ETT AM2 test centre is the only NET approved centre in NI and is based at our premises in Ballymena.
The Achievement Measurement 2 (AM2) is for electrical apprentices approaching the end of their training for the Apprenticeships NI Level 3 Programme in Electrical Installation. It may also be taken by others wishing to accredit their practical experience.
What is the AM2?
The AM2 has changed to meet the demands now placed on electricians.
For the last 25 years, the AM2 has been renowned within the electrotechnical industry as the benchmark of an individual’s occupational competence, providing verification of competence for tens of thousands of electricians. The AM2 was subject to an extensive review and has been altered to reflect the changing real-life demands on electricians. NET carried out a thorough consultation process over the last two years, encouraging all areas of the industry; apprentices, employers, practicing electricians and examiners to give their opinion on the assessment.
The consultation highlighted the need to make the assessment reflect current working practices, including the use of modern connection and wiring systems. The revised AM2 is now entirely competence based instead of systems based. It encompasses methods of installation and termination, safe isolation, risk assessment, inspection and testing and fault finding.
ETT run an AM2 Prep Course to help you prepare your skills and knowledge; gaining a better understanding of what is expected of you during your online examination and practical assessment. The preparation course looks at the most difficult areas of the exam and covers fault diagnosis, practical training, inspection and testing and also provides you with some sample questions so you are more familiar with the structure of the online exam.
The AM2 is divided into four sections; A, B, C and D.
- A – Composite Installation
- B – Inspection and Testing of the Composite Installation
- C – Fault Diagnosis
- D – Assessment of Applied Knowledge (1 Hour Online Multiple Choice Exam)
You will sit Section D, the online exam, first.
The online exam contains 30 questions across a range of topics, you must achieve a minimum pass mark of 70% (21 questions must be answered correctly).
In the past some candidates undertook the assessment before they were fully prepared. While the new AM2 is challenging, candidates now have improved guidance so they can better measure their state of readiness before putting themselves forward to do the assessment. This guidance comes in the form of a recommended pre-requisite checklist, which will allow candidates to check their competence against individual elements of the AM2. When they feel comfortable with each component, they are then ready to undertake the assessment.
Download a copy of the Candidate Self-Assessment Checklist
The AM2 exam is not “easy” and it is not based solely on your practical work and experience.
The Online Multiple Choice Exam will require you to spend time reading through the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations, Installers Guide to the Regulations, Guidance Note 3 and the Onsite Guide Textbook so you can confidently answer questions on:
- Hand tool use and care
- Health and Safety
- BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations
- Building Regulations
- Installation Techniques
- Single and Three-phase motors – control and overload protection
- Control Systems – sustainable energy system
- Overload and Short – Circuit protection
- Inspection, testing and fault finding
For more information on the AM2 and ett's Top Tips read The Truth About The AM2.
Like this post? Share it on