Free NATE Core Practice Test

Original Core questions written to NATE’s KATE, every option explained, with a timed 50-question mock.

Free sample · Question 1 of 5Electrical

What is voltage?

A.The rate at which heat is produced by a wire carrying currentB.The amount of electrons stored in a wireC.The electrical pressure that pushes current through a circuitD.The opposition to current flow

282 original NATE Core questions with explanations · 50-question timed mock on the real 90-minute clock · 7 outline areas

NATE Core exam format

The Core exam is the first half of NATE’s traditional certification pathway: a 50-question, 90-minute closed-book exam on general HVACR knowledge. You pass the Core and one installation or service specialty exam to earn NATE certification.

Questions: 50 multiple-choice questions
Time limit: 1.5 hours, closed book
Passing score: 70%: 35 of 50 correct (NATE FAQ). Results are pass/fail
Content: Basic Electricity 26%, Safety 18%, Temperature and Humidity Measurements 14%, Desired Conditions 14%, Tools 10%, Basic Science 10%, Basic Construction 8%
Where: At a NATE Testing Organization or with NATE’s live online proctoring
Fee: Set by the testing organization; NATE does not publish one price
Certification: Core + one specialty exam (100 questions, 2.5 hours, 70%). A passed Core counts for two years while you pass a specialty
Renewal: Every two years: 16 continuing education hours plus a fee, or retake the specialty exam

Line drawing of an open technician tool bag with a multimeter and test leads, a clamp meter, a thermometer probe, screwdrivers and a folded wiring sheet

What’s on the NATE Core exam

The areas and shares from NATE’s Core KATE. Our timed mock draws its 50 questions in these proportions. Each area links to the free topic drill that practices it; each drill’s first attempt is free.

Area	What the KATE lists	Share of the exam	Drill
Basic Electricity	Symbols, field, pictorial and ladder diagrams, single- and three-phase motors, ECMs, actuators and digital meters	26% · 13 questions	Wiring and motors drill
Safety	Regulations, personal safety, moving machinery, electrical safety, brazing, containers and hazmat	18% · 9 questions	Safety drill Electrical safety drill
Taking Temperature and Humidity Measurements	Latent and sensible heat, heat transfer, the Btu, thermometers, humidity measurement, the psychrometric chart and enthalpy	14% · 7 questions	Temperature and humidity drill Heat transfer drill
Achieving Desired Conditions	Temperature, humidity, air quality and sound	14% · 7 questions	Comfort and air quality drill
Tools	Measuring and scales, tolerances, fabrication tools and tubing tools	10% · 5 questions	Tools drill Measurements drill
Using Basic Science	Chemistry, electrical theory, magnetism, circuits, pressure, math, mechanics, gas laws, load types and power	10% · 5 questions	Basic science drill Electrical drill
Basic Construction	Plans, piping layouts, room specs, roofing, ceilings, walls, floors, fenestration, trusses and chimneys	8% · 4 questions	Construction and blueprints drill

NATE Core timed mock exam50 questions in 90 minutes, weighted like the KATE, with a score for every area and NATE’s 70% pass mark.Free mixed drill: every areaTen untimed NATE Core questions from across the outline, with an explanation after each answer.

How to take the NATE Core exam

Pick your specialty: installation or service in air conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating, oil heating, hydronics or refrigeration. NATE recommends about two years of experience.
Find a NATE Testing Organization near you, or order live online proctoring in your myNATE account. Testing organizations set their own fees.
Sit the 50-question Core exam (1.5 hours) and your 100-question specialty exam (2.5 hours). Each needs 70%.
Pass both within two years and NATE sends your certificate, wallet card and digital badge. Renew every two years.

Working with refrigerant also needs EPA Section 608 certification, a separate federal exam: EPA 608 practice test.

Common questions

How many questions are on the NATE Core exam?

50 multiple-choice questions in 1.5 hours. The exam is closed book.

What score do you need to pass the NATE Core exam?

70%, which is 35 of the 50 questions, according to NATE’s FAQ. Results are reported as pass or fail; if you fail, your score report shows the percentage you got right in each domain.

What is on the NATE Core exam?

Seven domains from NATE’s Core KATE: Basic Electricity 26%, Safety 18%, Taking Temperature and Humidity Measurements 14%, Achieving Desired Conditions 14%, Tools 10%, Using Basic Science 10% and Basic Construction 8%.

Do I need the Core exam to be NATE certified?

On the traditional pathway, yes: you pass the Core and one specialty exam. NATE also offers the CHP-5 pathway, five 30-question exams, instead of Core plus specialty.

How much does the NATE Core exam cost?

NATE does not publish a single price. Candidates pay the testing organization, and prices vary by location and by paper, online or live online proctored delivery.

Are these official NATE questions?

No. NATE does not release its questions. These are original practice questions written to the topics in NATE’s published Core KATE, with an explanation for every option.

Ready for exam day?

Take the timed NATE Core mock exam

50 questions on the 90-minute clock, weighted like NATE’s Core outline, with a score for every area and an explanation for every option.

Or start with a free ten-question drill

More HVAC exam practice

One HVAC pass covers all three timed mocks.

Exam format and outline checked November 2026 on natex.org: NATE: Ready-to-Work and HVAC Support Technician certificates · NATE Core Exam KATE (PDF) · NATE: Frequently asked questions. NATE has not announced a change to this outline.

NATE is a mark of North American Technician Excellence, Inc. Game Assessment Prep is an independent practice site, not affiliated with or endorsed by NATE. Every question is original; none is taken from NATE exams, NATE study guides or another prep provider.