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100+ Free SOLAS Carpentry Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SOLAS Carpentry Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

NFQ Level 6

QQI Advanced Certificate

QQI

4 years

7-Phase Apprenticeship

SOLAS

Phases 2,4,6

Off-the-Job Assessment

SOLAS

220 mm

Max Stair Rise (TGD K)

Irish Building Regulations

Safe Pass

Required on Site

SOLAS

The Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship is a four-year craft programme coordinated by SOLAS in Ireland, made up of seven alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases and leading to a QQI Advanced Certificate - Craft at NFQ Level 6. Apprentices complete Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 with an approved employer and attend a training centre or higher-education institute for the off-the-job Phases 2, 4 and 6, where theory and practical work are assessed by modular phase exams. The programme covers first and second fixing, cut and trussed roof construction, bench joinery, site and stair setting out, timber technology and materials, construction drawings and measurement, building construction and Irish Building Regulations, and site safety. SOLAS does not publish a fixed national question count, so the question total varies by phase and institute. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample SOLAS Carpentry Practice Questions

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

1In Irish carpentry, the term 'first fixing' refers to which stage of work?
A.Hanging doors, fitting skirting and architrave after plastering
B.Structural and concealed carpentry such as studwork, joists, roof carcassing and door linings carried out before plastering
C.Applying paint and varnish finishes to completed joinery
D.Setting out the building lines and foundations on site
Explanation: First fixing covers the structural, carcassing and concealed carpentry installed before the plasterer arrives, including floor joists, stud partitions, roof timbers, door linings and grounds. Second fixing is the finishing work done after plastering.
2Which of the following is a typical SECOND fixing carpentry task?
A.Erecting a stud partition
B.Fixing wall plates to the top of blockwork
C.Hanging an internal door and fitting the architrave
D.Installing floor joists at first-floor level
Explanation: Hanging doors and fitting architrave and skirting are second fixing tasks, completed after the walls have been plastered and decoration is nearing. Studwork, wall plates and joists are all first fixing/carcassing work.
3Internal timber stud partitions in Irish domestic work are most commonly set out with studs at what spacing to suit standard 1200 mm wide plasterboard?
A.300 mm centres
B.400 mm centres
C.600 mm centres
D.450 mm centres
Explanation: Studs are usually spaced at 400 mm centres so that a 1200 mm wide plasterboard sheet is supported at 0, 400, 800 and 1200 mm, giving a fixing at each edge and at intermediate studs. 600 mm centres are sometimes used with thicker board but 400 mm is the standard domestic spacing.
4In a timber stud partition, the short horizontal members fixed between the vertical studs to stiffen them and provide fixing are called:
A.Soleplates
B.Noggings (noggins)
C.Wall plates
D.Purlins
Explanation: Noggings (noggins) are short horizontal timbers fixed between studs to prevent the studs twisting, stiffen the partition and provide fixing for board edges or fixtures. The soleplate and head plate run horizontally at the bottom and top of the partition respectively.
5When hanging an internal door, the recommended clearance gap at the bottom of the door to allow for floor coverings and free swing is approximately:
A.1 mm
B.10-12 mm
C.25 mm
D.50 mm
Explanation: A typical bottom clearance of about 10-12 mm allows the door to clear carpet or floor finishes and swing freely, while the gaps at the sides and top of the door are usually kept to about 2-3 mm (the thickness of a coin). The exact bottom gap depends on the floor finish.
6Standard internal door butt hinges are usually positioned how far down from the top of the door and up from the bottom?
A.About 150 mm from the top and 225 mm from the bottom
B.Exactly in the centre, 50 mm from each end
C.75 mm from the top and 75 mm from the bottom
D.400 mm from the top and 400 mm from the bottom
Explanation: A common convention is to set the top hinge about 150 mm down from the top of the door and the bottom hinge about 225 mm up from the bottom, with a third hinge centred between them on heavier doors. This resists the door's tendency to sag and split the timber near the ends.
7The decorative moulding fixed around the perimeter of a door opening to cover the joint between the frame/lining and the wall is the:
A.Skirting
B.Architrave
C.Dado rail
D.Picture rail
Explanation: The architrave is the moulding fixed around a door (and sometimes window) opening to mask the junction between the lining and the plaster. Skirting runs along the base of the wall, while dado and picture rails are horizontal wall mouldings.
8Architrave is traditionally mitred at the corners of a door opening at what angle?
A.30 degrees
B.45 degrees
C.60 degrees
D.90 degrees
Explanation: Architrave corners are mitred at 45 degrees so that the two pieces meet to form a neat 90-degree corner with the moulding profile running continuously around the angle. The two 45-degree cuts add up to the 90-degree corner.
9When fitting skirting board to an internal corner, the preferred joint that allows for slight movement and is less likely to open up than a mitre is the:
A.Scribed joint
B.Halving joint
C.Bridle joint
D.Finger joint
Explanation: At an internal corner skirting is scribed: one length is cut square into the corner and the second is scribed to fit over the profile of the first. A scribed joint stays tight even if the boards shrink, whereas a mitre tends to open up.
10Suspended timber ground-floor joists in domestic construction are typically supported on which member fixed along the wall?
A.A purlin
B.A wall plate bedded on the sleeper/dwarf wall
C.A ridge board
D.A binder
Explanation: In a suspended timber ground floor the joists bear on wall plates bedded on honeycomb sleeper (dwarf) walls or on the inner leaf, spreading the load and giving a level seating. Purlins and ridge boards are roof members; a binder stiffens ceiling joists.

About the SOLAS Carpentry Practice Questions

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