Free Practice Questions for SOLAS Bricklaying
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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 review concepts for the SOLAS Bricklaying exam. 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?
2Which bond consists of alternate courses made up entirely of headers and entirely of stretchers?
3In Flemish bond, how are headers and stretchers arranged within each course?
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:
5The vertical mortar joint between the ends of two bricks in the same course is correctly called the:
6What is the standard work (actual) size of a metric brick used in Ireland and the UK?
7Using the standard gauge, how many courses of brickwork rise to a height of 300 mm?
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?
9When laying a half-brick stretcher wall, where should the perpend joints of one course sit relative to the course below?
10What is the main purpose of bonding bricks rather than building them as stacked columns?
About the SOLAS Bricklaying Exam
The SOLAS Brick & Stonelaying apprenticeship is Ireland's four-year, NFQ/QQI Level 6 craft programme that trains bricklayers in brick and block bonding, cavity walls, arches, stonework and setting out. It runs over seven phases of on-the-job and off-the-job training, with theory papers and practical assessments at each off-the-job phase rather than one single national exam.
Exam sponsor: SOLAS (Further Education and Training Authority), delivered with Education & Training Boards and Technological Universities. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Modular phase assessments across 7 phases (on-the-job and off-the-job), combining written theory papers with practical skills demonstrations; this practice bank is 100 multiple-choice items covering the knowledge content
Time Limit
Varies by phase paper (commonly 1.5-2 hours per theory paper)
Passing Score
Typically 50% per module/subject, with theory and practical assessed separately
Exam / Certification Fees
No fee for the SOLAS-funded craft apprenticeship; QQI/award fees may apply
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Brick & Block Bonding
Stretcher, English, Flemish and garden wall bonds, cut bricks, blockwork half-bond, brick and block dimensions, gauge, joints, perpends and decorative brickwork
Cavity Walls
Cavity function, wall ties and spacing, DPCs and cavity trays, weep holes, partial-fill insulation and residual cavity, chimney breasts and avoiding cavity bridging
Setting Out
Building lines, the 3-4-5 method and diagonals, profiles, datum and levels, gauge rods, line and pins, dry bonding, and checking plumb and level
Mortars & Materials
Cement, lime and sand, mortar designations and ratios, workability, joint thickness, cold-weather working, efflorescence, and protection and curing
Arches & Openings
Arch terminology and types, rough, axed and gauged arches, segmental and flat arches, centering, lintels and bearings, jambs, reveals and sills
Stonework
Rubble and ashlar masonry, snecked and random rubble, quoins, throughstones, natural bedding, stone cladding and copings
Drawings
Reading plans, sections and elevations, scales, dimensions, datum and floor levels, and standard material symbols
Building Science
U-values, cold bridging and condensation, frost and sulfate durability, movement joints, block types and material calculations
Safety
Safe Pass, manual handling, working at height and scaffolds, PPE and silica dust, cement hazards and scaffold inspection
Preparing for the SOLAS Bricklaying Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Typically 50% per module/subject, with theory and practical assessed separately
- Assessment: Modular phase assessments across 7 phases (on-the-job and off-the-job), combining written theory papers with practical skills demonstrations; this practice bank is 100 multiple-choice items covering the knowledge content
- Time limit: Varies by phase paper (commonly 1.5-2 hours per theory paper)
- Exam / certification fees: No fee for the SOLAS-funded craft apprenticeship; QQI/award fees may apply Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
SOLAS Bricklaying: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
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.