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Exam Review

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 review concepts for the SOLAS Carpentry exam. 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 Exam

The Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship is a four-year, SOLAS-coordinated craft programme of seven alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases, leading to a QQI Advanced Certificate - Craft at NFQ Level 6. Off-the-job theory and practical work are assessed at Phases 2, 4 and 6, covering first and second fixing, roof construction, bench joinery, setting out, timber technology, drawings and building construction.

Exam sponsor: SOLAS, with phases delivered by Education and Training Boards and higher-education institutes; award by QQI. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Modular off-the-job theory and practical assessments at Phases 2, 4 and 6, combined with on-the-job competence assessment at Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7, leading to a QQI Advanced Certificate - Craft (NFQ Level 6); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items

Time Limit

Set per phase module assessment

Passing Score

Typically 50% per module (varies by phase assessment)

Exam / Certification Fees

No separate exam fee for registered apprentices; the annual student contribution applies at the higher-education phases

Exam sponsor website

Fees, 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.

18%

First & Second Fixing

Studwork, floor joists, trimming and strutting, door linings and frames, hanging doors, architrave, skirting and scribing, and second-fix finishings

20%

Roof Construction

Cut and trussed roofs, common/hip/valley/jack rafters, birdsmouth and plumb cuts, ridge, purlin and wall plate, pitch and rafter calculations, eaves, verge and ventilation

16%

Bench Joinery

Mortise and tenon, dovetail and haunched joints, panelled doors, stiles/rails/muntins, marking out, face side and edge, adhesives, and assembly and squaring

10%

Setting Out

Site setting out, the 3-4-5 method, profile boards, datum and levels, squaring by diagonals, and setting out and proportioning stairs to TGD K

11%

Timber Technology & Materials

Hardwoods and softwoods, moisture content and seasoning, fibre saturation, strength grading (C16/C24), defects, decay and preservation, and manufactured boards

8%

Drawings & Measurement

Reading drawings, scales, plans/sections/elevations, drawing conventions and abbreviations, and area, estimating and cost calculations

12%

Building Construction

Cavity and timber-frame walls, wall ties, DPC, lintels, formwork, warm and cold roofs, fire doors, and Irish Building Regulations (Parts F, K and L)

5%

Safety

Construction safety law, working at height, Safe Pass, power-tool safety and PPE, manual handling, and wood-dust health hazards

Preparing for the SOLAS Carpentry Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Typically 50% per module (varies by phase assessment)
  • Assessment: Modular off-the-job theory and practical assessments at Phases 2, 4 and 6, combined with on-the-job competence assessment at Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7, leading to a QQI Advanced Certificate - Craft (NFQ Level 6); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
  • Time limit: Set per phase module assessment
  • Exam / certification fees: No separate exam fee for registered apprentices; the annual student contribution applies at the higher-education phases 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 Carpentry: Suggested Study Strategy

1Weight your revision toward roof construction and first/second fixing - together they are the largest share of the craft content
2Practise rafter calculations: true length = sqrt(run squared + rise squared) and pitch = arctan(rise/run), and know the 3-4-5 setting-out rule
3Learn the Irish stair rules from TGD K: max rise 220 mm, min going 220 mm, max pitch 42 degrees, 2R+G between 550-700 mm, and 2000 mm headroom
4Know your timber technology: hardwood vs softwood, fibre saturation around 28-30%, joinery moisture content 8-12%, and C16/C24 strength grades
5Understand the relevant Building Regulations parts (F ventilation, K stairs, L energy) and how careful carpentry maintains airtightness and insulation
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting each phase exam

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the SOLAS Carpentry & Joinery apprenticeship assessed?

It is a four-year programme of seven alternating phases. Off-the-job theory and practical work are assessed by modular phase exams at Phases 2, 4 and 6, while Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 are assessed on-the-job with an approved employer.

What qualification do you get and at what level?

On successful completion of all seven phases you are awarded a QQI Advanced Certificate - Craft in Carpentry and Joinery at NFQ Level 6, an internationally recognised qualification as a fully qualified carpenter and joiner.

How many questions are on the SOLAS carpentry phase exams?

SOLAS does not publish a single fixed national question count. The off-the-job theory is assessed by modular exams set by the host training centre or institute at Phases 2, 4 and 6, so the number varies by phase.

What topics does the carpentry apprenticeship cover?

It covers first and second fixing, roof construction (cut and trussed), bench joinery, setting out, timber technology and materials, construction drawings and measurement, building construction and Irish Building Regulations, and site safety.

Do I need a Safe Pass to work on site during the apprenticeship?

Yes. A current SOLAS Safe Pass safety awareness card is a legal requirement for most workers on Irish construction sites. The card is valid for four years and must then be renewed.

Is this free SOLAS carpentry practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same craft content as the apprenticeship phases, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.