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Key Facts: Fitter Trade Test Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

QCTO / NAMB

Governing Bodies

QCTO

~R500

INDLELA Trade-Test Fee

INDLELA

N2 + 3 yrs

Typical Entry Requirement

QCTO

Competency-based

Assessment Type

NAMB

Fitter & Turner

Designated Trade

QCTO

The Fitter (and Turner) trade test is South Africa's national artisan assessment for the fitting and machining trade, administered through accredited QCTO trade test centres and moderated by the NAMB. It is a competency-based practical and theory assessment conducted over several days, not a fixed-question written paper, so each task must be judged competent. Entry requires an N2 Certificate with relevant trade theory (Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) and around three years of workplace experience, and the trade-test fee at INDLELA is approximately R500 (private centre preparation fees vary). The underpinning theory spans engineering drawing, metrology, machining on the lathe/mill/drill, fits and tolerances, assembly and fault-finding, materials and heat treatment, bearings and seals, and workshop safety. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample Fitter Trade Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Fitter Trade Test exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a South African engineering drawing, third-angle orthographic projection is indicated by a symbol showing the end view of a truncated cone. Where is the top view placed relative to the front view in third-angle projection?
A.Below the front view
B.Above the front view
C.To the left of the front view
D.Behind the front view
Explanation: In third-angle projection (the method commonly taught in SA fitting and machining N2), each view is placed on the same side as the surface being viewed, so the top view sits directly above the front view. SANS 10111/ISO drawings use a defined projection symbol to declare the method.
2A drawing dimension is shown as 50 H7. In the ISO system of limits and fits used on SA engineering drawings, what does the capital letter H tell the fitter?
A.It is a shaft with the upper deviation at zero
B.It is a hole with the lower deviation at zero (basic size as the minimum)
C.It is the tolerance grade number
D.It indicates a transition fit
Explanation: In ISO 286, a capital letter denotes a hole and the H position places the lower deviation at zero, so the hole's minimum size equals the basic size (50 mm) and tolerance is added above. The number 7 is the IT tolerance grade. H is the standard basis for the hole-basis system.
3What is the standard accuracy (smallest division) of a metric external micrometer with a 0.5 mm pitch spindle and a 50-division thimble?
A.0.1 mm
B.0.01 mm
C.0.001 mm
D.0.02 mm
Explanation: One full turn of the thimble advances the spindle 0.5 mm (the pitch). With 50 equal divisions on the thimble, each division equals 0.5 ÷ 50 = 0.01 mm, so a standard metric micrometer reads to 0.01 mm. A vernier micrometer adds a scale to read to 0.001 mm.
4A metric vernier caliper has a least count of 0.02 mm. The main scale reads 24 mm and the 7th vernier division coincides with a main-scale line. What is the measured dimension?
A.24.07 mm
B.24.14 mm
C.24.70 mm
D.24.35 mm
Explanation: The reading is the main-scale value plus (coinciding vernier division x least count): 24 + (7 x 0.02) = 24 + 0.14 = 24.14 mm. The vernier division that lines up with a main-scale graduation gives the fractional part.
5In the fit designation 40 H7/s6, what class of fit is produced?
A.Clearance fit
B.Interference (force/press) fit
C.Transition fit
D.Running fit
Explanation: With the hole H7 and a shaft in the s range, the shaft is always larger than the hole, giving an interference (press or force) fit. Shaft letters from p upward (p, r, s, t, u) on a hole-basis system produce interference, requiring pressing or shrink-fitting to assemble.
6On a sectioned assembly drawing, two adjacent parts are cross-hatched. What is the correct convention for distinguishing them?
A.Hatch both parts with lines at the same angle and spacing
B.Hatch the parts with section lines at different angles or spacings
C.Leave one part un-hatched
D.Hatch only the larger part
Explanation: Per SANS/ISO sectioning conventions, adjacent components in a section are differentiated by drawing the hatching at different angles (commonly 45 degrees one way and 45 degrees the other) or at different spacings, so the fitter can read where one part ends and the next begins.
7When turning mild steel at a recommended cutting speed of 30 m/min on a workpiece of 50 mm diameter, what is the approximate spindle speed?
A.95 r/min
B.191 r/min
C.382 r/min
D.600 r/min
Explanation: Spindle speed N = (1000 x V) / (pi x D) = (1000 x 30) / (3.142 x 50) = 30000 / 157.1 = 191 r/min. Cutting speed (m/min) is fixed by the material; the RPM is calculated from the diameter being machined.
8Which lathe operation produces a conical (tapered) surface by setting the compound rest (top slide) to half the included angle of the taper?
A.Knurling
B.Taper turning with the compound slide
C.Parting off
D.Facing
Explanation: Short, steep tapers are cut by swivelling the compound (top) slide to half the included angle and feeding by hand along the slide. The half-angle setting is used because the angle is measured from the centre line of the workpiece.
9What is the correct tapping drill size for an M10 x 1.5 ISO metric coarse thread?
A.10.0 mm
B.8.5 mm
C.9.0 mm
D.8.0 mm
Explanation: The tapping drill for a metric thread is approximately the nominal diameter minus the pitch: 10 - 1.5 = 8.5 mm. This leaves the correct minor diameter so the tap can cut full threads without excessive torque or breakage.
10A drilling machine is fitted with a drill that must run at 30 m/min cutting speed in a 10 mm diameter hole. What spindle speed is required (to the nearest r/min)?
A.480 r/min
B.955 r/min
C.1910 r/min
D.300 r/min
Explanation: N = (1000 x V) / (pi x D) = (1000 x 30) / (3.142 x 10) = 30000 / 31.42 = 955 r/min. The same formula applies to drilling as to turning, using the drill diameter.

About the Fitter Trade Test Exam

The Fitter (and Turner) artisan trade test is South Africa's national competency assessment for the fitting and machining trade, overseen by the QCTO and the NAMB. Candidates must hold an N2 Certificate with the relevant trade theory plus around three years of workplace experience, and are assessed practically (with underpinning theory) at an accredited trade test centre such as INDLELA. It is competency-based rather than a fixed-question written exam.

Exam sponsor: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) / National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Competency-based practical trade test plus underpinning trade theory, conducted over several days at an accredited QCTO/NAMB trade test centre; each task must be judged competent. This practice bank is 100 selected-response trade-theory items.

Time Limit

Typically several days at the trade test centre

Passing Score

Competency-based — each module/task must be assessed competent

Exam / Certification Fees

Approximately R500 trade-test fee at INDLELA; preparation and Section 26D fees at private centres vary

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.

12%

Engineering Drawing & Interpretation

Third-angle projection, sectioning, machining and geometric-tolerance symbols, datums, surface finish and reading working drawings to SANS/ISO conventions

15%

Metrology & Measurement

Micrometers, verniers, height gauges, dial indicators, bevel protractors, slip gauges, feeler and limit gauges, marking out and zero-error checks

25%

Machining (Lathe, Mill & Drill)

Cutting-speed/RPM calculations, turning, taper turning, parting off, screw-cutting, drilling, reaming, tapping, milling, indexing, tool geometry and grinding

10%

Fits & Tolerances

ISO 286 limits and fits, hole-basis system, clearance/transition/interference fits, deviation calculations and general tolerances

20%

Assembly & Fault-Finding

Shaft alignment, couplings, belt and gear drives, keys, locking devices, bolt torque, hand scraping, shrink fits and systematic fault diagnosis

10%

Engineering Materials

Ferrous and non-ferrous metals, carbon-steel grades, heat treatment, tool steels and carbide, hardness and NDT testing and thermal expansion

8%

Bearings & Seals

Bearing types, fits and pre-load, correct fitting and removal, oil seals and lip orientation, and lubrication practice

Preparing for the Fitter Trade Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Competency-based — each module/task must be assessed competent
  • Assessment: Competency-based practical trade test plus underpinning trade theory, conducted over several days at an accredited QCTO/NAMB trade test centre; each task must be judged competent. This practice bank is 100 selected-response trade-theory items.
  • Time limit: Typically several days at the trade test centre
  • Exam / certification fees: Approximately R500 trade-test fee at INDLELA; preparation and Section 26D fees at private centres vary 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

Fitter Trade Test: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill the cutting-speed and RPM formula N = 1000V / (pi x D) and the tapping-drill rule (diameter minus pitch) until they are automatic
2Practise limit and fit calculations: work out maximum and minimum clearance and identify clearance, transition and interference fits from H7/g6-style designations
3Be fluent with measuring instruments — micrometer (0.01 mm), vernier (0.02 mm), dial indicator and slip gauges — and always check for zero error
4Revise heat treatment thoroughly: know the purpose of annealing, hardening, tempering and case-hardening and the materials each suits
5Know your safety law — the OHS Act employer duties, lock-out/tag-out, no gloves on the lathe, correct fire extinguisher classes and safe manual handling
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before your trade test

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the South Africa Fitter (and Turner) trade test?

The Fitter trade test is a competency-based practical and theory assessment conducted over several days at an accredited QCTO trade test centre, so there is no fixed published number of multiple-choice questions. Each practical task and the underpinning theory must be judged competent. This free bank of 100 questions builds the N2 trade theory you need.

What score do I need to pass the Fitter trade test?

The trade test is competency-based rather than scored as a percentage on a single paper. You must be assessed as competent on every required practical task and its underpinning theory. Centres such as INDLELA report very high pass rates among well-prepared candidates who have completed structured preparation.

What are the entry requirements for the Fitter trade test?

You typically need an N2 Certificate including the relevant trade-theory subjects (Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) or a recognised NQF Level 3 programme, plus a minimum of three years of relevant workplace experience or a completed apprenticeship or learnership. You then apply through an accredited QCTO trade test centre.

How much does the Fitter trade test cost?

The trade-test fee at INDLELA (the public centre in Olifantsfontein) is approximately R500 for a full trade test. Private trade test centres charge additional Section 26D and preparation-course fees that vary, often running into several thousand rand depending on the centre and preparation offered.

What topics does the Fitter trade test cover?

The underpinning theory covers engineering drawing, metrology and measurement, machining on the lathe, mill and drill, ISO fits and tolerances, assembly and fault-finding, engineering materials and heat treatment, bearings and seals, and workshop safety under the OHS Act.

Is this free Fitter trade test practice useful for the practical assessment?

Yes. While the trade test itself is practical, success depends on solid underpinning theory — cutting-speed calculations, fits and tolerances, measurement, materials and fault-finding. Our 100 questions cover that theory with a teaching explanation for every answer plus a free AI tutor, all free forever and updated for 2026.