Ham Radio General Class (Element 3) Practice Test 2026
Practice with all 423 questions in the current NCVEC exam pool, plus worked derivations and 47 CFR regulatory citations on every answer.
Last verified October 2026 · Regulatory Source: NCVEC 2023-2027
About the exam
- 35
- Questions on the test
- 1.5 hrs
- Time allowed
- 74%
- Passing score (26 of 35)
- 432
- Questions in the pool
Biggest topics
- Operating Procedures60
- Amateur Radio Practices60
- Commission's Rules57
- Antennas and Feed Lines48
Study by category
10 syllabus topics from the official General pool. Master each topic before test day.
Pro study tools
The free runs cover the basics. These tools answer one question: would you pass the General exam today?
Try It Yourself
Get a taste of the authentic test experience. Answer a real question from the pool, or preview the blueprint exam simulator.
What is one way that RF energy can affect human body tissue?
Understanding the General Class (Element 3)
Examination Structure
Intermediate amateur radio license: worldwide HF voice/digital privileges, antenna theory, and intermediate circuit schematics. The official test consists of 35 multiple-choice questions drawn randomly across all syllabus subelements according to strict blueprint quotas. You need a score of 74% or higher to pass.
What to Bring to Test Day
Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport), your FCC Registration Number (FRN), and a non-programmable calculator if desired (all memory must be cleared before the session starts).
Helpful General tools
General Class (Element 3) FAQ
How many questions are on the official General examination?+
The General Class (Element 3) examination consists of 35 questions randomly drawn from the official question pool. To pass, you must score at least 74%, which corresponds to answering 26 or more questions correctly. Our practice bank contains all 432 active questions in the official pool across every syllabus topic.
Where do the General practice questions come from?+
Every question in our bank is taken verbatim from the official NCVEC 2023-2027 question pool published by the NCVEC (for amateur radio) or the FCC / COLEM managers (for commercial licenses). Airwaves IQ never invents questions, alters choice keys, or paraphrases official text.
How does Airwaves IQ verify explanations and citations?+
Every single answer explanation is grounded in the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 47 CFR Part 97, Part 13, Part 80, or Part 87) or verified through an automated, reproducible Python derivation for RF circuit math. If an official pool question contains an error or known errata, it is logged and cited directly.
Does Airwaves IQ issue an official FCC license or testing credit?+
No. Airwaves IQ is an independent test preparation and study system. Official FCC licenses are issued solely by the Federal Communications Commission following examination administration by an accredited Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) team or Commercial Operator License Examination Manager (COLEM).
Is Airwaves IQ Pro a recurring subscription?+
No. Pro is $29 paid once with lifetime access to this exam pool. There are no monthly charges, automatic renewals, or hidden fees. It unlocks all subelements, full-length timed blueprint simulations, worked mathematical derivations, and your readiness score.