How long is the SOLAS Brick & Stonelaying apprenticeship and what level is it?

It is a minimum four-year, NFQ/QQI Level 6 craft apprenticeship in Ireland, delivered over seven phases that alternate paid on-the-job training with off-the-job training in centres and colleges.

Is there one big written exam, or assessments at each phase?

There is no single national exam. Apprentices are assessed at each off-the-job phase through written theory papers and practical skills demonstrations, so the knowledge is tested in stages across the programme.

What score do I need to pass the phase assessments?

A pass is typically around 50% in each module or subject, with theory and practical assessed separately. Exact marks and grading can vary by phase and subject, so balanced preparation across all topics is important.

What topics does the SOLAS Brick & Stonelaying programme cover?

It covers brick and block bonding, cavity wall construction, setting out, mortars and materials, arches and openings, stonework, reading drawings, building science and site safety. The trade is officially Brick & Stonelaying, so stone masonry is included alongside brickwork.

Do I need a Safe Pass to start as a bricklaying apprentice?

Yes. Like all construction workers in Ireland, an apprentice must hold a valid SOLAS Safe Pass safety awareness card before working on site. The card is valid for four years.

Is this free bricklaying practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same knowledge content as the Brick & Stonelaying curriculum, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SOLAS Bricklaying Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

Level 6

NFQ / QQI Award

SOLAS

4 years

Minimum Duration

SOLAS

7 phases

On- and Off-the-Job

SOLAS

~50%

Typical Pass Mark

SOLAS

Ireland

Brick & Stonelaying

apprenticeship.ie

The SOLAS Brick & Stonelaying apprenticeship is Ireland's NFQ/QQI Level 6 craft route to becoming a qualified bricklayer, run by SOLAS with the Education & Training Boards and Technological Universities. It lasts a minimum of four years across seven alternating phases of paid on-the-job and off-the-job training, and apprentices are assessed at each off-the-job phase through written theory papers (typically around 50% to pass) and practical skills demonstrations rather than one national exam. The curriculum covers brick and block bonding, cavity walls, setting out, mortars and materials, arches and openings, stonework, drawings, building science and site safety. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample SOLAS Bricklaying Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SOLAS Bricklaying exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a half-brick thick wall built in stretcher bond, what is the typical overlap of one brick over the course below?

A.Quarter brick (about 56 mm)

B.Half brick (about 112.5 mm)

C.Three-quarter brick

D.One full brick

Explanation: In stretcher bond each brick laps the one below by half its length (about 112.5 mm of the 225 mm coordinating length), so perpends fall centrally over the brick beneath. This half-lap distributes loads and gives the wall its bonding strength.

2Which bond consists of alternate courses made up entirely of headers and entirely of stretchers?

A.Flemish bond

B.English bond

C.Stretcher bond

D.Garden wall bond

Explanation: English bond has one complete course of headers followed by one complete course of stretchers, alternating up the wall. It is one of the strongest brick bonds and is used where strength matters, such as in one-brick solid walls and engineering structures.

3In Flemish bond, how are headers and stretchers arranged within each course?

A.A whole course of headers then a whole course of stretchers

B.Alternating header and stretcher in every course

C.Stretchers only on every face course

D.Three stretchers to one header in every course

Explanation: Flemish bond places a header next to a stretcher alternately along every course, with headers centred over stretchers in the course below. It gives a decorative face and is common in facing brickwork on solid walls.

4A brick cut across its width to about three-quarters of its length, used to start a course and maintain the lap, is called a:

A.Queen closer

B.King closer

C.Three-quarter bat

D.Bevelled closer

Explanation: A three-quarter bat is a brick cut to roughly 165 mm (three-quarters of the 215 mm length). Pairs of three-quarter bats are used at the quoin of English bond stretcher courses to set the bond and keep the quarter-bond lap correct.

5The vertical mortar joint between the ends of two bricks in the same course is correctly called the:

A.Bed joint

B.Perpend joint

C.Collar joint

D.Cross joint capping

Explanation: The perpend (perp) is the vertical cross joint between bricks in a course; perpends should be kept plumb and in line up the wall, course to alternate course. The horizontal joint under a brick is the bed joint.

6What is the standard work (actual) size of a metric brick used in Ireland and the UK?

A.225 x 112.5 x 75 mm

B.215 x 102.5 x 65 mm

C.200 x 100 x 75 mm

D.190 x 90 x 57 mm

Explanation: The standard metric brick work size is 215 mm long x 102.5 mm wide x 65 mm high. Adding a 10 mm mortar joint gives the coordinating size of 225 x 112.5 x 75 mm, which is the unit used when setting out brickwork.

7Using the standard gauge, how many courses of brickwork rise to a height of 300 mm?

A.3 courses

B.4 courses

C.5 courses

D.6 courses

Explanation: Each course rises 75 mm (65 mm brick + 10 mm bed joint), so four courses equal 300 mm. This is why a gauge rod is marked at 75 mm intervals and four courses to 300 mm is a quick site check.

8Which closer is cut diagonally so that one end shows a half-header, and is used to maintain bond at a square reveal or jamb?

A.Queen closer

B.King closer

C.Bevelled closer

D.Mitred closer

Explanation: A king closer is cut diagonally from the centre of one end to the centre of one side, leaving a half-header face. It keeps the bond and gives a neat face at jambs and reveals of openings in bonded brickwork.

9When laying a half-brick stretcher wall, where should the perpend joints of one course sit relative to the course below?

A.Directly above the perpends below

B.Centred over the brick below

C.Offset by a quarter brick

D.Offset by three-quarters of a brick

Explanation: In stretcher bond the perpends of each course are centred over the middle of the brick below (a half-lap), so no two perpends line up in consecutive courses. This avoids continuous straight joints, which would weaken the wall.

10What is the main purpose of bonding bricks rather than building them as stacked columns?

A.To use fewer bricks

B.To spread loads across the wall and tie it together

C.To speed up laying

D.To reduce the amount of mortar needed

Explanation: Bonding overlaps bricks so that a point load is distributed sideways and downwards across many units, and the wall acts as one connected element. Stacked, unbonded columns would have continuous vertical joints and could fail independently.

About the SOLAS Bricklaying Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for SOLAS Brick & Stonelaying Apprenticeship (Ireland) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.

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