Whichever CSCS card you’re after, they all stay fairly unattainable until a CSCS test (The Health & Safety Environment test) has been passed. Meaning you need to make sure you’re studied up on the relevant know how before you go in and sit the thing. Not to worry though, there is an abundance of revision materials out there and they’re available from a wide range of companies.
There are 50 multiple-choice questions and 45 minutes to complete them in. The questions are split into knowledge based (so get learning!) and case study questions; these are real world scenarios designed to test your reactions to health and safety problems on site.
After you’ve sat the CSCS test, you’ll get your results in the form of a score report. The report will contain information on which areas would benefit from more revision or further learning. People taking the H&SE Labourer test with L1 award will receive two reports: one for the H&SE Operative Test and one for the L1 award in health and safety in a construction environment.
If you fail the test, don’t worry; you can book a retest (some companies will offer a chance for a retest for a reduced price while you’re booking your first one). Should you fail, picking up some revision materials or taking another course to reinforce your knowledge is never a bad idea.
Once you’ve passed your CSCS test, when you’re done celebrating, you might be wondering how you can go about getting your card delivered. It’s a pretty simple process; all CSCS cards cost around thirty pounds and you usually organize and pay for your card and test at the same time. If you choose to go through a 3rd party company, they will do all of the arrangements for you; this can be doubly useful as they can answer your questions and make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
You’ll need to have a photograph taken for the visual identification element of the card and once all your details are confirmed, your company will send off your application and organize for your new CSCS card do be delivered right to your front door!