California Wastewater Grade II Practice Test

Original Grade II questions in the State Water Board’s points format, every option explained.

Free sample · Question 1 of 5Management

Why do operators keep track of chemical inventory?

Choose the best answer

307 original California Wastewater Grade II questions with explanations · 90-question practice exam · 3 parts

California Wastewater Grade II exam format

The State Water Board's Office of Operator Certification certifies wastewater treatment plant operators at Grades I to V. The Grade II exam mixes true/false, multiple choice and math, worth 150 points in 2½ hours, and you must pass both the overall score and the math score.

Format
50 true/false (1 point each), 30 multiple choice (2 points each), 10 math problems (4 points each): 150 points
Time limit
2½ hours
Passing score
At least 105 points (70%) AND at least 20 of the 40 math points (50%)
Content
Everything on Grade I plus secondary processes (trickling filters, activated sludge), sludge handling, evaluating unit processes and plant performance, and basic supervision
Where
Computer-based at Prometric centers; the earliest exam date is 60 days after the Board receives your application
Exam fee
$382; re-exam $270 (application form)
Results
Emailed within one business day after the exam
Recent pass rate
45% of 201 examinees, January to June 2026 (State Water Board)
Line drawing of a wastewater treatment plant with a bar screen channel, round clarifiers, a rectangular aeration basin and an egg-shaped digester

What’s on the California Wastewater Grade II exam

The parts below are the exam owner’s. Our practice exam uses the same counts; each row links to the free topic drills that practice it.

Content areaWhat it coversQuestionsDrill
True/false questions (1 point each)Statements on safety, processes, sampling, regulations and operation50Primary treatment drillActivated sludge drillFilters and ponds drill
Multiple choice questions (2 points each)Four-option questions across the grade’s subjects30Primary treatment drillActivated sludge drillFilters and ponds drill
Math problems (4 points each)Hydraulic and organic loading, SVI, % removal, F/M, MCRT, pumping, detention time, chlorine, velocity, overflow rate10Wastewater math drill

How to take the California Wastewater Grade II exam

  1. Meet the Grade II education requirement and send the exam application with the fee ($382) to the Office of Operator Certification.
  2. Wait out the 60-day filing period; once approved, schedule with Prometric.
  3. Sit the 2½-hour exam: 50 true/false, 30 multiple choice and 10 math problems.
  4. Pass with 105 points or more and at least 20 math points; results arrive by email within one business day.

Common questions

What is on the California Grade II wastewater exam?

Everything on Grade I plus secondary processes (trickling filters, activated sludge), sludge handling, evaluating unit processes and plant performance, and basic supervision. The Board's Grade II sheet also lists the math problems you may be asked.

How is the Grade II exam scored?

True/false questions are worth 1 point, multiple choice 2 points and math problems 4 points, 150 points in all. You pass with at least 105 points (70%) and at least 20 of the 40 math points (50%).

How long is the exam?

2½ hours, on computer at a Prometric test center.

What is the Grade II pass rate?

45% of 201 examinees passed from January to June 2026, according to the Board's published results.

Are these the real exam questions?

No. These are original questions written to the Board’s published Grade sheets, in the same point format, with an explanation for every option.

Ready for exam day?

50 true/false, 30 multiple choice and 10 math problems on the 150-minute clock, scored on points like the real exam, with an explanation for every option.

Or start with a free ten-question drill

More California exam practice

One water operator pass covers every practice exam on the site.

Exam format, content counts, fees and pass rates checked November 2026 on waterboards.ca.gov: State Water Board: Wastewater Operator Certification Program examinations · Grade II WWTP Operator Examination Information (PDF) · Wastewater examination application and fees (PDF) · Wastewater Treatment exam results (PDF) · Operator Certification Computer-Based Testing FAQs (rev. 2/2023, PDF).

Game Assessment Prep is an independent practice site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Water Professionals International (WPI, formerly ABC), the California State Water Resources Control Board or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Every question is original; none is taken from a certification exam, an official study guide or another prep provider.