NITA Auto Electrician Trade Test study plan

Calculate series, parallel and series-parallel resistance, current and voltage drop for at least 10 vehicle-style circuits without reference notes

Apply Ohm's law and power formula to size a conductor and predict fuse rating for a 12 V and a 24 V load

Explain the difference between conventional current flow and electron flow, and state which direction a diode blocks in a charging circuit

Describe lead-acid and AGM battery construction, and state how state of charge relates to open-circuit voltage and specific gravity

Perform a battery capacity and reserve calculation from cold-cranking ampere and amp-hour ratings

Trace a complete charging circuit from alternator to battery to earth and label every component and connection

Explain how a voltage regulator controls field current and what happens when the sense wire is open or high-resistance

Diagnose a no-charge fault on paper using a step sequence: battery, belt, wiring, regulator, rectifier, stator

Compare ripple voltage readings for a good rectifier against a failed diode and state expected values at idle and at 2000 rpm

Describe a key-off parasitic drain test using a clamp meter and state an acceptable drain figure

Explain the operation of a starter motor, solenoid and one-way clutch, and list the causes of a slow crank versus a no-crank condition

Perform voltage-drop calculations for starter circuit cables and state acceptable limits for each leg

Describe the construction and operation of a coil-on-plug ignition system and explain dwell time and its effect on coil saturation

Explain how the ignition module or ECU triggers a coil and how a misfire is detected through crankshaft speed variation

Describe the operating principle of a distributorless waste-spark system and why one plug fires with reverse polarity

Explain the three-way catalytic converter control loop and how the upstream oxygen sensor signal drives fuel trim

Distinguish narrowband from wideband oxygen sensor operation and describe a test that separates a lazy sensor from a contaminated one

Describe how a MAP, MAF, throttle position and coolant temperature sensor each influence injection quantity

Explain how an ECU stores and reports a diagnostic trouble code, including pending, confirmed and permanent states

Describe the operation of a stepper motor idle control valve and a solenoid boost or EGR valve and how each is tested

Select correct cable cross-sectional area, insulation type and colour code for a given load and routing environment

Explain the purpose of fuses, fusible links, circuit breakers and relays, and size a fuse and relay for a stated load

Describe crimping, soldering and heat-shrink procedures, and state why a poor crimp creates a resistance fault

Trace a lighting circuit including switch, relay, fuse and earth, and distinguish a supply-side fault from an earth-side fault from symptoms alone

Describe the operation of indicator, hazard, brake and reverse lamp circuits, and explain how a flasher unit or body control module drives them

Set up and use a multimeter for voltage, resistance, current and continuity measurements, and state when each is inappropriate

Perform and interpret a voltage-drop test on a loaded circuit and state the maximum acceptable drop for earth and supply legs

Use an oscilloscope to capture and interpret a crankshaft sensor, injector and alternator ripple waveform

Apply a logical fault-finding sequence from symptom to circuit to component to root cause, and record findings on a job card

Describe how to use a current clamp and a test lamp safely, and explain why a test lamp can damage sensitive electronics

Explain the operation of a DC series, shunt and permanent-magnet motor, and state which type suits wipers, blowers and window lifters

Describe how a relay, PWM controller and H-bridge control motor direction and speed, and explain stall current and its risk

Identify the hazards of high-voltage traction systems and state the personal protective equipment and isolation procedure required

Describe safe handling, storage and disposal of lead-acid batteries, electrolyte, solvents and refrigerant

List the correct use and inspection of torque wrenches, insulation testers, pullers and lifting equipment in an automotive electrical workshop

Read and interpret a vehicle wiring schematic, identifying connector codes, wire colours, splice points and ground locations

Draw a schematic from a described circuit and convert it into a physical layout drawing

Calculate cable size, fuse rating, voltage drop and load current for a new accessory circuit from a given specification

Complete a timed mixed-topic revision set covering all ten domains and review every wrong answer to its root cause

Produce a personal list of the ten weakest facts and confirm each one is corrected and recallable