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100+ Free AL Telecommunications Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AL Telecommunications Exam

70%

Passing Score

PSI AL GC Bulletin

45 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI AL GC Bulletin

2 hours

Time Allowed

PSI AL GC Bulletin

$96

PSI Exam Fee

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Open book

Exam Format

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Alabama AL Telecommunications trade exam via PSI: 45 questions, 70% pass, 2 hours, fee $96. Open-book specialty classification under the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (bulletin 1/23/26).

Sample AL Telecommunications Practice Questions

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

1What is the nominal characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable used in MATV and cable television distribution systems?
A.50 ohms
B.75 ohms
C.100 ohms
D.300 ohms
Explanation: Television signal distribution — off-air MATV, CATV, and SMATV — is built on 75-ohm coaxial cable and 75-ohm components. Matching the cable, splitters, taps, and terminations to 75 ohms keeps reflections low so picture quality is preserved through the system.
2In a master antenna television (MATV) system, what does the headend do?
A.It receives, processes, and combines the incoming signals before they enter the distribution system
B.It terminates the last outlet on each riser
C.It supplies 120-volt power to every subscriber outlet
D.It replaces the need for any amplifiers in the building
Explanation: The headend is where off-air antenna, satellite, or cable feeds are received, filtered, converted, and combined onto a single coaxial distribution system. Everything downstream — trunk, feeder, and drops — depends on the signal quality established at the headend.
3A two-way splitter is installed in a 75-ohm distribution system. What is the approximate insertion loss seen at each output port?
A.About 0.5 dB
B.About 3.5 dB
C.About 7 dB
D.About 14 dB
Explanation: A balanced two-way splitter divides the input power in half, which is a 3 dB reduction, plus a small amount of component loss — so each port typically measures about 3.5 dB below the input. Designers add up splitter and cable losses to confirm the level remaining at the last outlet.
4A headend delivers +20 dBmV to a riser. The run to the first tap loses 6 dB in cable, a two-way splitter costs 3.5 dB, and the drop loses 4 dB. What level reaches the outlet?
A.+2.5 dBmV
B.+6.5 dBmV
C.+10.5 dBmV
D.+13.5 dBmV
Explanation: Level arithmetic in a coaxial system is simple subtraction in decibels: 20 − 6 − 3.5 − 4 = +6.5 dBmV. Working the budget this way tells the installer whether the last outlet will still fall inside the equipment's required input window.
5Why is RG-11 sometimes used instead of RG-6 for long coaxial runs in a building distribution system?
A.RG-11 has lower attenuation per 100 feet, so it preserves more signal on long runs
B.RG-11 is rated for 300-ohm systems
C.RG-11 does not require connectors
D.RG-11 carries the return path only
Explanation: RG-11 uses a larger center conductor and dielectric than RG-6, which lowers attenuation per unit length. On long trunk or riser runs, that reduced loss keeps the level at the far end high enough to avoid adding another amplifier.
6How does coaxial cable attenuation behave as the carried frequency increases?
A.Attenuation increases as frequency increases
B.Attenuation decreases as frequency increases
C.Attenuation is identical at all frequencies
D.Attenuation depends only on connector type
Explanation: Loss in coax rises with frequency, so the highest channels on a long run arrive weaker than the lowest ones. That slope is why systems use tilt or equalizers, and why level checks are made at both the low and high end of the band.
7Unused ports on a splitter or tap in a coaxial distribution system should be:
A.Left open so the system runs cooler
B.Capped with a 75-ohm terminator
C.Shorted with a jumper between center conductor and shield
D.Filled with sealant only
Explanation: An unterminated port is an impedance mismatch that reflects signal back into the system, causing ghosting and level errors, and it is an entry point for ingress. A 75-ohm terminator matches the port and closes it against interference.
8In a tapped feeder design, what does a higher tap value (for example 23 dB instead of 8 dB) mean?
A.More signal is removed from the feeder at that tap
B.Less signal is removed from the feeder at that tap
C.The tap will not pass the return path
D.The tap requires no terminator downstream
Explanation: Tap value is the loss from the feeder to the tap port, so a 23 dB tap draws off far less signal than an 8 dB tap. High-value taps are placed near the amplifier where levels are strong and low-value taps at the end of the line where levels have dropped.
9What is the main drawback of correcting a weak MATV signal by simply adding more amplifier gain?
A.Amplifiers amplify noise and distortion along with the signal, so carrier-to-noise performance does not improve
B.Amplifiers cannot be used in commercial buildings
C.Amplifier gain reduces the impedance of the cable
D.Amplifiers only work below 50 MHz
Explanation: An amplifier raises everything at its input, including noise picked up earlier in the chain, and adds distortion of its own. Cascading amplifiers to cover excessive loss degrades carrier-to-noise ratio, so the better fix is lower-loss cable, fewer splits, or a shorter path.
10Under the National Electrical Code, where must the outer conductive shield of a coaxial cable entering a building be bonded or grounded?
A.At the farthest outlet from the entrance
B.As close as practicable to the point of entrance
C.Only at the roof antenna mast
D.At any convenient panel within 100 feet
Explanation: NEC Article 820 requires the coax shield to be bonded or grounded as close as practicable to the point of entrance, normally at a listed grounding block. Keeping that connection short limits the voltage that lightning or power-line faults can impress on the cable inside the building.

About the AL Telecommunications Exam

The Alabama Telecommunications Contractor Examination is a classification trade examination administered by PSI for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The official open-book exam has 45 questions, a 70% (32 of 45 correct) passing standard, and 120 minutes allowed. PSI examination fee is $96 per attempt (bulletin updated 1/23/26). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid for the trade knowledge on the official content outline; it is not an official PSI form, does not replace the required Business & Law exam for primes, and is not a substitute for board-approved experience or the official open-book examination.

Questions

45 scored questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$96 (PSI Services LLC (for Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors))

AL Telecommunications Exam Content Outline

30%

Cabling and Pathways

Structured cabling pathways

25%

Outside Plant and Installation

OSP and installation methods

20%

Standards and Testing

Telecom standards and testing

15%

Safety

Jobsite and ladder/safety

10%

Plans and Estimating

Plans and estimating

How to Pass the AL Telecommunications Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 45 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam fee: $96

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AL Telecommunications Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study only the approved references listed for your classification in the current PSI Alabama General Contractors bulletin
2Practice open-book navigation with permanent tabs and indexes before test day
3Drill OSHA 29 CFR 1926 topics that appear across nearly every trade outline
4Work quantity takeoff and plan-reading problems under timed conditions
5Confirm Board eligibility and classification scope on genconbd.alabama.gov before scheduling with PSI

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AL Telecommunications exam?

The official PSI trade examination has 45 scored questions (plus possible experimental items). Passing is 70% (32 of 45 correct) within 120 minutes.

How much does the AL Telecommunications exam cost?

PSI lists $96 per examination registration for this Alabama general contractor classification exam (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 1/23/26). License application fees to the Board are separate.

Is the Alabama specialty contractor exam open book?

Yes. PSI administers these classification exams as open book. Only the bulletin-listed approved references are allowed; temporary tabs like Post-it notes are prohibited.

Do I still need the Business and Law exam?

Prime contractor applicants must also pass the Alabama Business & Law examination (50 questions, 70%, 120 minutes). Reciprocity may waive a trade exam in some cases but does not waive Business & Law.