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Exam Review

Key Facts: City & Guilds 2391-51 Exam

40

Multiple-Choice Questions

City & Guilds

90 min

Theory Paper Time

City & Guilds

Open book

BS 7671 & GN3 Permitted

City & Guilds

C1/C2/C3/FI

EICR Codes (GN3)

IET GN3

1 MΩ

Minimum Insulation Resistance

BS 7671

100

Free Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

The City & Guilds 2391-51 assesses four outcomes: requirements (5 questions), safety management (2), periodic inspection (7), and periodic testing (26). Candidates complete a 40-question, 90-minute open-book online test and one mandatory assignment containing visual-inspection, practical-application and short-answer tasks. Periodic testing does not have a recommended universal sequence; the inspector selects and adapts tests for the condition, risks and characteristics of the existing installation. This free prep includes 100 practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample City & Guilds 2391-51 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the City & Guilds 2391-51 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 233+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary purpose of carrying out a periodic inspection of an existing electrical installation?
A.To certify a brand-new installation before it is energised for the first time
B.To determine, so far as is reasonably practicable, whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service
C.To replace the need for any future testing of the installation
D.To provide the client with a quotation for rewiring the property
Explanation: Periodic inspection and testing assesses whether an existing installation remains in a satisfactory condition for continued use. BS 7671 Regulation 651.2 lists its purposes, including detecting deterioration, damage and non-compliances that could give rise to danger. The result is recorded on an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
2Which document is produced as the result of a periodic inspection and test?
A.Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
B.Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC)
C.Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
D.Building Regulations compliance certificate
Explanation: Periodic inspection and testing is reported on an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The EIC and MEIWC are certificates issued for new work, whereas the EICR reports on the condition of an existing installation.
3An observation reveals bare live conductors accessible to touch at a damaged socket-outlet. Which classification code should be applied on the EICR?
A.C1
B.C2
C.C3
D.FI
Explanation: Code C1 means 'Danger present' — risk of injury exists and immediate remedial action is required. Accessible bare live parts present an immediate risk of electric shock, so a C1 is the correct code and the inspector should make the situation safe before leaving site.
4On an EICR, what does classification code C2 indicate?
A.Danger present, requiring immediate remedial action
B.Potentially dangerous — urgent remedial action required
C.Improvement recommended
D.Further investigation required without delay
Explanation: Code C2 means 'Potentially dangerous'. The installation is not immediately dangerous under normal conditions, but a defect could lead to danger under fault or abnormal conditions, so urgent remedial action is required. The presence of any C1 or C2 makes the overall report Unsatisfactory.
5A circuit complies with an earlier edition of BS 7671 but not the current edition, and presents no danger. Which code is appropriate?
A.C1
B.C2
C.C3
D.No code — it is fully compliant
Explanation: Code C3 'Improvement recommended' is applied where an installation is non-compliant with the current edition but is not unsafe — typically because it complied with the standards in force when installed. A report containing only C3 observations is classified Satisfactory.
6When is the code FI ('Further investigation required') appropriate on an EICR?
A.When the inspector simply runs out of time on site
B.Where a deficiency is identified that could not be fully assessed within the agreed extent and may require further investigation to establish its true classification
C.For any observation the client disputes
D.Whenever a circuit is older than 25 years
Explanation: FI is recorded where the inspection reveals an apparent deficiency that, owing to the agreed extent and limitations, could not be fully investigated and may prove to be C1 or C2. The presence of an FI makes the overall report Unsatisfactory because the safety implication is not yet resolved.
7An EICR records two C3 observations and no C1, C2 or FI items. What is the overall assessment of the installation?
A.Unsatisfactory
B.Satisfactory
C.Conditional
D.Requires immediate disconnection
Explanation: C3 observations are 'Improvement recommended' and do not indicate danger. An installation with only C3 codes (and no C1, C2 or FI) is classified Satisfactory. Only C1, C2 or FI items render the overall outcome Unsatisfactory.
8How should the extent of sampling be selected for a periodic inspection?
A.Use a fixed 10% sample for every installation
B.Use a fixed 25% sample for every installation
C.Agree a representative extent with the client and record it
D.Inspect only the newest circuits and accessories
Explanation: City & Guilds Outcome 1 requires appropriate sampling to be agreed with the client. The extent must be representative of the installation and recorded on the EICR; a fixed percentage is not universally suitable.
9Which standard limitation is pre-printed on the EICR as applying unless specifically agreed otherwise with the client?
A.Testing of accessible socket-outlets
B.Inspection of the consumer unit
C.Cables concealed within trunking, conduit, under floors, in roof spaces or within the fabric of the building
D.Verification of the main earthing conductor at the origin
Explanation: The EICR's standard limitations note that concealed cables — within trunking and conduit, under floors, in roof spaces and generally within the building fabric — are not inspected unless specifically agreed with the client. Recording such limitations defines what was and was not covered.
10Before commencing a periodic inspection, what should the inspector agree and record with the person ordering the work?
A.The colour of the new wiring to be installed
B.The extent of the installation covered and any limitations of the inspection and testing
C.The names of all previous electricians who worked on the property
D.A guarantee that no faults will be found
Explanation: BS 7671 requires the extent of the installation covered by the report and any limitations to be agreed with the person ordering the work and recorded on the EICR before work begins. This defines the scope and protects both parties.

About the City & Guilds 2391-51 Exam

The City & Guilds 2391-51 Level 3 Award in Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations prepares experienced electrotechnical candidates to assess existing installations and complete Electrical Installation Condition Reports. Assessment requires the 40-question, 90-minute 2391-051 online test and the mandatory 2391-501 assignment. It is distinct from 2391-50 (initial verification) and is combined with that pathway in 2391-52.

Exam sponsor: City & Guilds. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Two required components: the 2391-051 online test (40 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes) and one mandatory 2391-501 assignment. The assignment comprises a visual-inspection task (30 minutes), practical-application task (150 minutes) and short-answer task (60 minutes). This free practice bank contains 100 selected-response study questions.

Time Limit

90 minutes for 2391-051; the 2391-501 assignment tasks are 30, 150 and 60 minutes

Passing Score

The 2391-051 pass mark is approximately 75% and may be adjusted for paper difficulty; candidates must also pass the 2391-501 assignment

Exam / Certification Fees

Varies by approved centre; City & Guilds does not publish one uniform learner course-and-assessment fee

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.

5 of 40 questions (13%)

Outcome 1 — Requirements for Periodic Inspection and Testing

Requirements, reasons and supporting information for periodic inspection and testing, including legislation, BS 7671, records, extent and frequency

2 of 40 questions (5%)

Outcome 2 — Safety Management Procedures

Safe systems of work, risk management, isolation, test instruments and precautions for work on existing installations

7 of 40 questions (17%)

Outcome 3 — Requirements for Periodic Inspection

Planning and carrying out periodic inspection, agreeing and recording extent and limitations, evaluating observations and completing condition-reporting documentation

26 of 40 questions (65%)

Outcome 4 — Testing During Periodic Inspection and Test

Selecting, adapting, performing and interpreting tests appropriate to the installation; there is no recommended fixed periodic-test sequence

Preparing for the City & Guilds 2391-51 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: The 2391-051 pass mark is approximately 75% and may be adjusted for paper difficulty; candidates must also pass the 2391-501 assignment
  • Assessment: Two required components: the 2391-051 online test (40 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes) and one mandatory 2391-501 assignment. The assignment comprises a visual-inspection task (30 minutes), practical-application task (150 minutes) and short-answer task (60 minutes). This free practice bank contains 100 selected-response study questions.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes for 2391-051; the 2391-501 assignment tasks are 30, 150 and 60 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Varies by approved centre; City & Guilds does not publish one uniform learner course-and-assessment fee Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 233 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

City & Guilds 2391-51: Suggested Study Strategy

1Focus heavily on classification coding (C1/C2/C3/FI) — practise scenarios until you can justify each code by the actual risk, not just memorise examples
2Know which tests require isolation and which measurements require energisation, but do not memorise one universal order: the official unit requires you to explain why periodic inspection and testing has no recommended fixed sequence
3Use the current RCD verification requirements: for a general non-delay RCD, the minimum AC test at IΔn has a 300 ms maximum; time-delayed devices have different limits, and any additional checks depend on the device and current instructions
4For 2026 work and assessment, check the specified edition: BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 was published on 15 April, while A3:2024 remains valid until 15 October 2026; use only the edition and references permitted for the live assessment
5Practise navigating the permitted paper copies of BS 7671, the On-Site Guide and Guidance Note 3 quickly for the 2391-051 online test
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before your assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the City & Guilds 2391-51 exam and how long is it?

The required 2391-051 online test has exactly 40 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute duration. Candidates must also pass one 2391-501 assignment containing a 30-minute visual-inspection task, a 150-minute practical-application task and a 60-minute short-answer task.

What is the difference between 2391-51, 2391-50 and 2391-52?

2391-51 covers periodic inspection, testing and certification of existing installations (the EICR). 2391-50 covers initial verification of new installations (the EIC). 2391-52 is the combined award covering both initial verification and periodic inspection.

Is the 2391-51 exam open book?

The 2391-051 online test permits paper copies of BS 7671, the IET On-Site Guide and IET Guidance Note 3 under the current permitted-materials guide. Assignment permissions differ by task: no references in the visual-inspection task, restricted checking after the practical task, and the listed paper references in the short-answer task. Always follow the version and materials named for your live assessment.

What are the EICR classification codes C1, C2, C3 and FI?

C1 means danger present (immediate risk), C2 means potentially dangerous, C3 means improvement recommended, and FI means further investigation required. Any C1, C2 or FI makes the overall EICR Unsatisfactory; a report with only C3 items is Satisfactory.

What should I already know before taking 2391-51?

City & Guilds expects a relevant Level 3 electrotechnical qualification or similar prior knowledge and experience. The award is not intended for industry newcomers. You also need practical inspection-and-testing competence and working knowledge of the BS 7671 and Guidance Note 3 editions permitted for your assessment.

Is this free 2391-51 practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the four official online-test outcomes: requirements, safety management, periodic inspection and periodic testing. The official blueprint places 26 of 40 questions on testing. Practise selecting and adapting tests to the installation rather than memorising a universal periodic-test sequence.