coteca.co.uk > Blog > CITB Operatives vs Specialists vs Managers Test: Book the Right One First Time
There isn’t one CITB test. There are three levels, and the CITB Operatives vs Specialists vs Managers test choice decides whether CSCS will accept your pass. Book the wrong level and your card application is refused, even with a perfect score. You then pay and sit again.
The good news is that the choice follows a simple rule: the test has to match the card you’re applying for. This guide explains what each test involves, who it’s for and how to check which one your card needs before you spend any money.
| Operatives | Specialists | Managers and Professionals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who takes it | Labourers and most trades | Supervisors and specialist occupations | Managers, graduates and professionals |
| Questions | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Time allowed | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Pass mark | 45 out of 50 | 45 out of 50 | 46 out of 50 |
| Typical cards | Green, Blue, Gold Skilled Worker, most red cards | Gold Supervisor and specialist trade cards | Black Manager, AQP, PQP |
The CITB Operatives test is the standard level and the one the large majority of site workers sit. If you’re applying for a Green Labourer card, a Blue Skilled Worker card or a Gold Skilled Worker card in a mainstream trade, this is almost certainly your test.
It checks the basics that keep people safe on any site: legal duties, accident reporting, manual handling, working at height, fire, dust and fumes, electrical safety, signs and site transport. The questions are multiple choice on a touch screen, and the wording is kept plain. You can take it with voiceover in English or Welsh, and help is available in other languages for operatives.
The CITB Specialists test covers the same core knowledge as the Operatives test and then adds questions on one specialist area. You choose the version when you book. The options include Supervisory, Demolition, Plumbing, Highway Works, Working at Height, Lifting Operations, Tunnelling and several heating, ventilation and refrigeration versions.
The Supervisory version is the common one. It’s the test for the Gold Supervisor card, and it asks about your duties when you’re looking after other people’s safety. If your occupation appears on the specialist list, CSCS will only accept the matching version, so check the exact name before you book.
The CITB Managers and Professionals test, often shortened to MAP, is for people who manage the work or advise on it. That means site and contracts managers applying for the Black card, and degree holders and members of professional bodies applying for the Academically or Professionally Qualified Person cards.
You get 90 minutes instead of 45 and need 46 correct answers to pass. The questions go deeper into the law, the CDM Regulations, planning, and how you’d manage risk across a whole project. People who walk through the Operatives test often find this one needs proper revision.
Work backwards from the card.
A higher test doesn’t always cover a lower card, so don’t book the Managers test just to be safe. Book the one named for your card.
Whichever level you sit, the pass counts towards a CSCS card for two years, so there’s no need to wait until your qualification arrives. All three tests are taken at the same centres. You can choose a CITB test centre near you and pick a date that suits.
Tell us the card you’re going for and we’ll confirm the level, book the slot and send you the revision material for that test. If you haven’t settled on a card yet, start there and the right test follows.
TC
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AT
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Good service, always at the end of the phone, more than willing to help and friendly. Dexter wills was a great help.
MC
Called up for a new CSCS card application. Dexter helped me fantastically and professionally.
After a mix up with my email address on my part, Dexter spent several hours sorting this out for me, even calling me to nice he had gone home to continue helping sort the issue that honestly I had caused.
Thank you and I would recommend them.
SC
Amazing company Coteca are!!!
Ram and Dexter was Brilliant through the whole process helped me through it
When I needed help they rang me within minutes.
If you need to do your CITB test please book through these guys.
Thanks guys!!!
BC
I had a brilliant experience with Coteca and there employee ram was help full and brilliant with assistance through the company
I sincerely appreciate the help and support given to me by Mr. Ram he encouraged me to go for the ultimate one which I really give him the credit.
BD
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