Free independent study resources
Free union apprenticeship test prep
Prepare for your next step with clear lessons and practice you can return to. The Union Project’s current exam-focused study path is for IUOE Local 12; check your own program before choosing what to study.
Browse free study lessonsBegin with your program’s requirements
Find the current applicant notice or official study guide from your training program. Write down the subjects, timing, allowed materials and application steps. Do not assume that one union’s test format applies to another.
Build the foundations
Review written instructions, basic calculations and interpreting diagrams. The lesson directory makes it easy to choose a small topic, read a worked example, and continue into practice.
A repeatable study session
Use this sequence with any skill that appears in your program’s study requirements.
- Choose one topic and read its main rule.
- Work through an example, writing each step yourself.
- Answer fresh practice questions and review the explanation.
- Return to the topic in a later session to check what you remember.
Keep preparation and application separate
Studying here does not submit an application or register you for an entrance exam. Use the training program’s own channels for deadlines, eligibility questions and appointment details.
Lessons to start with
- Word Meaning — Use the sentence to work out a word
- Basic Math & Order of Operations — Know which calculation to do first
- Forces & Moving in a Circle — Pushes, pulls, and what happens when you let go
Common questions
Does this site cover every union’s entrance exam?
No. The current exam-focused materials center on IUOE Local 12. Some foundational skills may be useful elsewhere, but you should compare them with your program’s official requirements.
Do I need to pay to study?
No. The lessons, labs and practice tools on The Union Project are free. Optional support is not required to use them.
Official applicant resources
For the exam rules and your appointment, use OETT’s own guidance. The exam information linked here was checked October 1, 2026.