Online Test

[SCPD]

Hello all.
I have decided it's time to step into the ham world and get my license. Question for all of you is, is there an online test I could take or do I have to go somewhere and take it? I know there's a place in my area but it isn't for another month or so.

Thank you!

 

[nd5y]

You can only take practice tests online.
The real test must be given in person by a volunteer examiner team.

 

[SCPD]

Damn! Thank you for the response

 

[ButlerAlerts]

Yeah, it has to be infront of 3 VE instructors (Which I heard it is changing to 1 soon). The fee is $15.00 (Unless it is like Laurel VEC). The Technician Class is the easiest to do (I passed with 100% and only studied for 2 days). That class is really good for 2 M, 70 CM, and local communications. general is more the HF, which im not into.

My Sites I Used:
Practice Amateur Radio Exams by QRZ.COM
AA9PW FCC Exam Practice » Amateur Radio Exam Practice

I suggest you start with the QRZ.com one until you are about 85% Correct and up. (I waited til I got 396/396 Correct) I like this one because it tracks your scores.

The second URL is more like the test. My ARRL Tech. Test was almost exactly like the AA9PW.com site test.

Hope to hear you soon!

 

[AK9R]

Yeah, it has to be infront of 3 VE instructors (Which I heard it is changing to 1 soon).

You take the test in front of three Volunteer Examiners. They are not instructors. They may serve as instructors in a different setting, but during test time, they are Volunteer Examiners.

There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum which lists the web sites or email addresses for most of the Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. The VECs should be able to provide information about upcoming test sessions in any given area.

 

[ButlerAlerts]

Sorry, I confused my Fire Training with HAM.

 

[N4CA]

An important thing to note is that if you pass the technician exam, you can then take the general exam for free. If you pass that one too, you can take the extra class exam for free. So, my advice is to figure out how high you want to go and be prepared for all of them.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 4

 

[KC0KM]

There are several other places to also take practice Exams -- I personally liked eHam.net (eHam.net Home - Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Community Site) for my practice tests. While QRZ and the ARRL test are fine, they tell you immediately if you have a wrong answer. Which if good for practice tests. However, with eHam, it is more like the test you will take when you go to take the test. In other words, you do not know if you have pass or failed, until you have taken the entire test. I would recommend, you take at least both. Start out with QRZ/ARRL, then when you start getting better switch to eHam, and get used to an actual test.

Yes, there has to be at least three VE's at a test, however, when we test there are often at least six to eight of us, for only two or three testers. It works out well, two do the administration work, two handle the tests, and four of us grade. I have only been a VE since December, but it can be fun.

 

[milkman21218]

The fee is $15.00 (Unless it is like Laurel VEC).

ZDF22, The Laurel VEC is the only VEC in the Conus that is free. The only other in the USA is in Alaska.

You can find a Test session in your area here:

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

 

[ButlerAlerts]

Thanks milkman21218 for clarifying that, We never have them come close to our area, (Besides 3 Hours away) so I wouldn't know anything about them.

 

[W8RMH]

Sorry, I confused my Fire Training with HAM.

You must be some firefighter

 

[milkman21218]

Laurel VEC Locations. Where all VE sessions are always "FREE".

Laurel VEC

 

[N4CA]

Also, I used the Android app, "Amateur Radio Exams". I tried other apps, but found this one to be the best. The free version gives you the technician exam, but you have to get the paid one for the general and extra exams. The apps work better on an airplane where you don't have access to the internet.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 4

 

[KD8DVR]

Laurel VEC Locations. Where all VE sessions are always "FREE".

Laurel VEC

Plus, they submit directly to the FCC electronically. In some cases, you know your call sign before you leave the test site!

 

[milkman21218]

Plus, they submit directly to the FCC electronically. In some cases, you know your call sign before you leave the test site!

Very, very true. That's one of the best things about our team. No waiting! Oh yea, and it,s FREE!

 

[KC8ESL]

That was the longest 9 days of my life as a 13 year old kid... now you know right at the test site? IPod generation... Waiting has become a lost art.

 

[KD8DVR]

Very, very true. That's one of the best things about our team. No waiting! Oh yea, and it,s FREE!

We had one Laurel team here.... Then, an ARRL team who thought it was all a competition started using intimidation and vandalism against the laurel team who dared "compete" with them, and the LVEC team disbanded. Too bad.... very good guys.

 

[milkman21218]

That's very sad to hear. If the ARRL team cared about helping people get their tickets they would've welcomed the LVEC with open arms. I am also a VE with ARRL just don't do sessions. Here we have 5 LVEC teams and 1 ARRL team within 30 miles of each other.

 

[AK9R]

Folks, the topic of this thread is online or in-person test opportunities. Let's get back on topic.