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Key Facts: C&G 6189 L2 Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

Level 2

NVQ Diploma (6189)

City & Guilds

e-volve

On-Screen Knowledge Tests

City & Guilds

9

Knowledge Areas Covered

OpenExamPrep

Portfolio

Workplace NVQ Evidence

City & Guilds

Water Regs

Key UK Standard Tested

Water Fittings Regs 1999

The City & Guilds 6189 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing & Heating is the foundation qualification for the plumbing and heating trade in the UK and the core of the apprenticeship. It is not a single timed exam: learners sit on-screen e-volve multiple-choice knowledge tests for each unit, complete simulated practical assessments, and build a workplace NVQ portfolio that is internally assessed and externally verified. Knowledge content spans health and safety (HASAWA, COSHH, RIDDOR, work at height), environmental awareness and sustainability, communication, scientific principles (heat, pressure, materials), cold water systems and the Water Fittings Regulations, hot water systems including unvented (G3), central heating, above-ground drainage and sanitation, and rainwater systems. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor, grounded in UK standards such as the Water Regulations, BS EN 806 and Building Regulations Parts G and H.

Sample C&G 6189 L2 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the C&G 6189 L2 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which UK legislation places the primary general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees at work?
A.The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
B.The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
C.The Building Regulations 2010
D.The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
Explanation: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) is the primary umbrella legislation, placing a general duty on employers under Section 2 to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees 'so far as is reasonably practicable'. CDM 2015 and the Building/Water Regulations are made under or sit alongside it but are not the primary general duty.
2Under the hierarchy of control, what should always be the FIRST option considered when managing a workplace hazard?
A.Provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
B.Eliminate the hazard
C.Introduce safe systems of work
D.Provide training and supervision
Explanation: The hierarchy of control requires you to try to eliminate the hazard completely before anything else. Only if elimination is not reasonably practicable do you move down through substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and finally PPE, which is always the last resort.
3Which set of regulations specifically requires employers to assess and control the risks from hazardous substances such as flux, solvent cement and dust?
A.RIDDOR 2013
B.COSHH 2002
C.PUWER 1998
D.LOLER 1998
Explanation: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 require employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances, including plumbing materials such as soldering flux, solvent (cold) cement and respirable dust. A COSHH assessment and safety data sheets guide safe use.
4A plumber is seriously injured on site and is unable to work for more than seven consecutive days. Under which regulations must this be reported?
A.COSHH 2002
B.RIDDOR 2013
C.Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
D.The Work at Height Regulations 2005
Explanation: The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013 require certain workplace injuries to be reported to the HSE. An 'over-seven-day' injury, where someone is incapacitated for more than seven consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident), is a reportable injury.
5What is the main purpose of a Permit to Work system on a building services site?
A.To record the cost of labour for invoicing
B.To formally control high-risk activities and ensure precautions are in place before work starts
C.To order materials from the merchant
D.To certify that an apprentice has passed their assessment
Explanation: A Permit to Work is a formal documented procedure used to control high-risk activities such as hot works, work in confined spaces or on live systems. It ensures hazards have been identified, precautions are in place and the right people authorise the work before it begins.
6When carrying out hot works such as soldering or using a blowtorch, what control is most important to reduce the risk of fire?
A.Wear a high-visibility vest
B.Keep a suitable fire extinguisher to hand and monitor the area after finishing
C.Open all windows in the building
D.Use a larger gas cylinder
Explanation: Hot works require a suitable fire extinguisher kept within reach, removal of combustible materials, use of a heat-resistant mat and a fire watch (monitoring the area for at least an hour after work finishes), as smouldering can ignite long after the flame is removed. Many sites require a hot-works permit.
7Which class of fire extinguisher, identified by a blue label in the UK, is suitable for fires involving electrical equipment AND most other fire types?
A.Water (red)
B.Foam (cream)
C.Dry powder (blue)
D.Wet chemical (yellow)
Explanation: Dry powder extinguishers carry a blue label and are multi-purpose, suitable for Class A, B and C fires and for electrical fires. They are versatile but create a residue, so CO2 (black) is often preferred for sensitive electrical equipment.
8Before working from a stepladder or access tower, which regulations primarily govern the precautions you must take?
A.The Work at Height Regulations 2005
B.COSHH 2002
C.RIDDOR 2013
D.The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Explanation: The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers and workers to plan, supervise and carry out all work at height safely, including selecting suitable access equipment such as ladders, stepladders and towers, and ensuring it is inspected and used correctly.
9What does a safety data sheet (SDS) supplied with a plumbing product such as solvent cement primarily provide?
A.The retail price and stock code
B.Information on hazards, safe handling, storage, first aid and disposal
C.A guarantee of how long the product will last
D.The manufacturer's marketing brochure
Explanation: A safety data sheet provides standardised information on a substance's hazards, composition, safe handling and storage, first-aid measures, fire-fighting measures and disposal. It is a key input to a COSHH assessment so the substance can be used safely.
10When manually lifting a heavy radiator or boiler, which technique reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury?
A.Keep the load away from your body and twist as you lift
B.Bend the back and keep the legs straight
C.Keep the back straight, bend the knees and hold the load close to your body
D.Lift quickly using a jerking movement
Explanation: Safe manual handling under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 requires keeping the back straight, bending at the knees and hips, and holding the load close to the body's centre of gravity. You should avoid twisting and, where possible, use mechanical aids or team lifting.

About the C&G 6189 L2 Exam

The City & Guilds 6189 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing & Heating is the core qualification of the plumbing and heating apprenticeship in the UK. It is assessed through on-screen e-volve multiple-choice knowledge tests, simulated practical tasks and a workplace NVQ portfolio, covering health and safety, environmental awareness, scientific principles, and cold water, hot water, central heating, drainage and rainwater systems.

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

Assessment

On-screen e-volve multiple-choice knowledge tests per unit, simulated practical assessments and an internally assessed, externally verified NVQ portfolio of workplace evidence

Time Limit

Varies per unit (online knowledge tests are typically 45-90 minutes)

Passing Score

Set per unit by City & Guilds (e-volve knowledge tests are typically around 60-70%); confirm with your centre

Exam / Certification Fees

Bundled into the qualification fee charged by the training provider (often around GBP 1,000-2,500; varies)

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.

16%

Health & Safety in Building Services

HASAWA, COSHH, RIDDOR, work at height, manual handling, PPE, fire and hot works, confined spaces, and safe systems of work

8%

Environmental Awareness & Sustainability

Water and energy efficiency, condensing boilers, solar thermal, insulation, and the waste duty of care

6%

Communication

Working drawings and scales, estimates and quotations, method statements, and customer/site communication

14%

Scientific Principles (Heat, Pressure, Materials)

Heat transfer, specific and latent heat, expansion, pressure and head, corrosion, soldering, and material properties

18%

Cold Water Systems

Direct/indirect systems, the Water Fittings Regulations, fluid categories and backflow, cisterns, valves, and legionella control

13%

Hot Water Systems

Vented and unvented systems, cylinder types, Building Regs G3 safety devices, storage temperatures, and scald protection

10%

Central Heating Systems

S-plan and Y-plan controls, open-vented and sealed systems, balancing, TRVs, inhibitors, and fault finding

11%

Above-Ground Drainage & Sanitation

Traps and water seals, waste/soil pipe sizing, self-siphonage, air admittance valves, testing, and BS EN 12056

4%

Rainwater Systems

Gutters and downpipes, falls, soakaways, separation from foul drainage, and rainwater harvesting

Preparing for the C&G 6189 L2 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Set per unit by City & Guilds (e-volve knowledge tests are typically around 60-70%); confirm with your centre
  • Assessment: On-screen e-volve multiple-choice knowledge tests per unit, simulated practical assessments and an internally assessed, externally verified NVQ portfolio of workplace evidence
  • Time limit: Varies per unit (online knowledge tests are typically 45-90 minutes)
  • Exam / certification fees: Bundled into the qualification fee charged by the training provider (often around GBP 1,000-2,500; varies) 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

C&G 6189 L2: Suggested Study Strategy

1Prioritise cold water and hot water systems plus health and safety, which together make up the largest share of the knowledge content
2Learn the five fluid categories and the matching backflow devices (single check valve = Cat 2, double check valve = Cat 3, RPZ/air gap for Cat 4 and 5)
3Memorise key figures: water's specific heat capacity 4.2 kJ/kg degC, store hot water at 60 degC, limit bath delivery to 48 degC, and waste sizes 32/40/110 mm for basin/sink/WC
4Know that unvented hot water is controlled under Building Regs G3 and needs layered safety controls and a competent-person installer
5Practise applied questions such as Q = m x c x dT calculations and reading drawing scales rather than only memorising facts
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting your e-volve knowledge tests

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the City & Guilds 6189 Level 2 qualification assessed?

It is assessed by on-screen e-volve multiple-choice knowledge tests for each knowledge unit, simulated practical assessments, and a workplace NVQ portfolio that is internally assessed and externally verified. It is not a single timed examination.

What pass mark do I need for the 6189 e-volve knowledge tests?

The pass mark is set per unit by City & Guilds and is typically in the region of 60-70% for the on-screen multiple-choice tests. Your training centre will confirm the exact mark for each unit, so balanced revision across every topic is essential.

What does the 6189 Level 2 cover?

It covers health and safety, environmental awareness and sustainability, communication, scientific principles (heat, pressure and materials), cold water systems and the Water Fittings Regulations, hot water systems including unvented (G3), central heating, above-ground drainage and sanitation, and rainwater systems.

Do I need a job to do the 6189 Level 2 NVQ?

Yes. As an NVQ it requires real workplace evidence, so you must be employed or on a work placement in plumbing and heating to build your portfolio. There are no formal academic entry requirements.

How is Level 2 different from the 6189 Level 3?

Level 2 builds core competence and underpinning knowledge across cold water, hot water, heating, drainage and rainwater systems. Level 3 goes further into advanced design, commissioning, fault diagnosis and complex systems to qualify you as a plumbing and heating engineer.

Is this free 6189 practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same knowledge units as the 6189 Level 2, with a teaching explanation for every answer and a free daily AI tutor, all grounded in UK standards such as the Water Regulations, BS EN 806 and the Building Regulations. It is free forever and updated for 2026.