How Hard is the Ham Radio Test?

Many passionate individuals choose to obtain their Ham Radio License. As there are three levels to the Ham Radio License, each unlocks specific benefits and privileges. People aim to get the license merely to learn, communicate, and connect with people worldwide.

Moreover, people cannot simply communicate over the radio without a license. Amateur radio is regulated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Hence, passing this exam is a vitality to operating an amateur radio.

To obtain your license, you must pass the Ham Radio Test. But how difficult is the exam? How much time does one need to prepare for it?

What is on the Ham Radio Test?

First of all, remember that there are three different levels in the Ham Radio Test. You must first pass the initial two to reach the highest level. Each unlocked unique benefits, and becoming a professional requires obtaining the highest-level license.

That being said, knowing what is on the Ham Radio Test is vital. It allows you to understand what you’re in for, the skills you will obtain, and what material to focus on while studying. Now, what does Ham Radio even mean? It is synonymous with amateur radio and is more of a hobby for anyone fascinated by broadcasting and communication.

Now, let’s break down the Ham Radio License Levels and what each examination contains.

Level 1: Technician Class License

The Technician License Ham Radio exam covers the basics. It focuses mainly on VHF and UHF applications. While Morse code was required to pass the examination a few years ago, it is no longer part of the exam.

• Exam Structure: 35 questions in a written exam
• Privileges: access to all VHF/UHF Amateur bands of frequencies above 30 MHz
• Access: ability to operate FM voice, computers, television, and single-sideband voice. Also, the ability to communicate over the 15, 40, and 80-meter bands using CW.

The Technician Class License syllabus contains the following:

1. FCC Rules: descriptions for operating radio, and license responsibilities
2. Operating procedures: how to work in a station, using VHF/UHF, and public service operations
3. Radio wave elements: characteristics of radio wave, electromagnetic properties, and propagation
4. Amateur radio practices: how to set up a station and operate controls
5. Electrical principles: understanding electrical components, basic electronics mathematics, Ohm’s law, and other principles
6. Electricity components: understanding semiconductors, circuits, and functions
7. Station equipment: radios, transmission, antennas, and repair
8. Modulation modes: satellite operations, activities, and image data
9. Antennas: understanding feedline and antennas
10. Power circuits: AC circuits, antenna installation, and RF hazards

For the complete Technician License syllabus provided by Jack Tiley, check out the file offered by ARRL.

Level 2: General Class License

To obtain your General Ham Radio License, you must first pass level 1. Unlocking this achievement gives you access to innumerable HF privileges.

• Exam Structure: 35 questions in a written exam
• Privileges: access to all VHF/UHF Amateur bands and most of the HF privileges, mainly in the 1-160 meters range
• Access: most of the amateur bands below 30 MHz will open up to you

The General Class License syllabus contains the following:

1. Commission rules: matching the band with maximum symbol rate and FCC rules
2. Operating procedures: how to manage within the station
3. Radio wave propagation
4. Amateur radio practices
5. Electrical principles
6. Circuit components
7. Practical circuits
8. Signals and emissions
9. Antennas and feed lines
10. Electrical and RF safety

Level 3: Extra Class License

You’re eligible for the Extra Radio Ham License if you already own a general or advanced license. However, you first must pass the related examination. This is often regarded as the most challenging level, including specialized operating practices, extensive electrical theories, and designs.

• Exam Structure: 50 questions in a written exam
• Privileges: All Amateur band privileges are unlocked
• Access: instead of having to scram for some room on the HF bands, you will now be able to more freely connect with others

The Extra Class License syllabus contains the following:

1. Commission’s rules: operating standards, restrictions, and more
2. Operating procedures: amateur satellites, orbital mechanics, television practices, DX using and all digital modes
3. Radio wave propagation: electromagnetic waves, propagation f waves, mechanisms, and radio-path horizon
4. Amateur methods: test equipment, measurements, receiver performance, and characteristics
5. Electrical principles
6. Circuit components: semiconductors, diodes, and digital ICS
7. Practical circuits: digital circuits, amplifiers, filters, and power supplies
8. Signals and emissions
9. Antennas and transmission lines
10. Safety measures

Gain access to an extensive syllabus for the examination, including examples, objectives, and explanations.

Is the Ham Radio Test Hard?

How hard is the Ham Radio Test? The good news is that it’s one of the most accessible examinations. However, there is no point in sitting for it if you’re not an amateur radio fanatic, as you won’t make much use of the license. However, since the exam does not require ample preparation, most test-takers pass it on their first attempt.

Most individuals require an average of 20 hours to study for any of the Radio Ham Tests. However, the general breakdown, according to students who have utilized the use of HamStudy.org, is as follows:

• Technician exam: 10 hours
• Available exam: 20 hours
• Extra exam: 30 hours

Hence, you can study and take the exams at your liberty. For example, you can look for all three levels and obtain them in one sitting. That will require approximately a month of dedication. However, one exam will take one week to study for.

There aren’t exact statistics on how many individuals pass the Radio Ham test in the United States. However, these guidelines, generated by a report from the Radio Society of Great Britain, offer a general idea for comparison:

License Level	Pass Rate
Technician Exam	81%
General Exam	61%
Extra Exam	58%

However, it is believed that the exact percentages for the General and Extra Ham Radio Tests should be higher in reality. That is because many candidates choose to sit for the level 2 and 3 examinations without proper preparation, sometimes resulting in failure.

What’s the Minimum Passing Score for the Ham Radio Test?

To pass any of the three levels of the Ham Radio Test, you must answer 74% of the questions correctly. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for the license or the other examinations. Below is a table illustrating the percentages, number of questions, and how many should be answered correctly.

License Level	Number of Questions	Question to Answer Correctly	Passing Percentage
Technician Class	35	26	74%
General Class	35	26	74%
Extra Class	50	37	74%

 

So, how hard is the Ham Radio Extra Exam? Considering the statistics from the tables above, we can have a general idea. Since you must score 74% on the examination, and the statistics state that only 58% of candidates pass, it is quite a complex examination. A little over half of test-takers pass. Hence, it’s clear that an ample amount of preparation is required to prepare for the highest-level Ham Radio Exam.

How Long is the Ham Radio Test?

The duration of the Ham Radio Test is variable. Depending on the session size, you will realize that the time will vary. For example, if you take the exam as part of a small session, you might start immediately. However, you often have to anticipate your turn in a larger group.

But the general duration average for the Ham Radio Tests is approximately 15-45 minutes per exam. As it is a multiple-choice examination, you will receive a pamphlet on which to write down your answers.

Now, you must wonder how long it takes to study for Ham Radio Test. First, the answer will vary depending on your pre-existing knowledge about radio and electrical components. For example, a week is enough time to revise and study for the exam if you are already proficient.

Hence, use the below plan as a general guideline when studying:

• Dedicate 15 minutes every day for 2 weeks, or 30 minutes for a week (this is often the guideline for the level 1 exam – for level two, we do recommend you double the amount of preparation)
• Make sure you revise sample questions and answers whenever you have the opportunity to do so
• Do not overexert yourself, as the exam itself is not that difficult. Instead, you need to refresh your memory and ensure you’re retaining all the information you’re studying.

How Many Times Can You Take the Ham Radio Exam?

The VEs supervising the examinations are often quite lenient. For example, if you fail the Technician Exam, many VEs are understanding and allow you to retake the exam, but a different version of it, on the same day. However, if there aren’t any other versions available, you won’t be able to retake the exam.

So, how hard is the Ham Radio Test? The initial part is not difficult, so not many people retake it. However, it progressively gets more challenging. Hence, if you haven’t prepared for level 2 and level 3 beforehand, we would not recommend you give it a go immediately after passing the level 1 exam.

3 Ham Radio Exam Study Tips

The most important part of preparing for the Ham Radio Exam is finding adequate resources and studying techniques. Hence, use the following tips to prepare for your examination date.

Find Online Study Resources

Online study resources are the most straightforward and accessible means of learning. The most recommended websites are the Ham Radio Prep and Ham Study Organization.

Find a Study Guide

Finding the best Ham Radio License Test study guide is quite tricky. It depends on whether you want to sit for all three levels or if you plan to pass the Technician level. Hence, we recommend two primary resources, depending on your purpose:

• Technician License Exam study guide: offered by Ham Radio Prep on Amazon
• Ham Radio Study Guide for all three levels: offered by Ham Radio Study Guide Team on Amazon

Practice Using Lots of Practice Tests & Questions

Try sitting for one complete examination daily. It will only take an average of 30 minutes to complete. You aim to score at least 85% of questions correctly to be more confident about your exam. Some Ham Radio Test questions offered for free are available through Ham Radio Prep and Ham Exam Organization.

Wrapping Things Up: How Hard is the Ham Radio Test?

In a nutshell, the Ham Radio Test is not a difficult one. It has been designed for amateur radio fanatics. Hence, it was not meant for everyone. Regardless, studying for the exam is not like looking for the SAT. It is much more straightforward and takes only 10-30 hours to prepare, which varies according to the level.

However, you cannot skimp through the study material either. The general recommendation is to focus on the material you’re not so proficient in. That enables you to target the issues you’re not so confident about. Moreover, aim to solve at least one exam daily to keep practicing.