Prepare for the HS&E test

There is a range of revision materials to help you prepare for the Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test from printed booklets that you can purchase in a bookshop, to smartphone apps that help you revise on the go.

To increase your chances of passing the test, we recommend that you take a relevant training course, and work through all the sample questions in the revision materials. Make sure that you are confident with the topics and questions before you book your test.

Before you take your Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test, we recommend you watch this video below, which is available in two formats.

All versions of the HS&E test include 12 behavioural case study questions. These questions are based on 10 principles and are designed to test how you respond to health and safety situations on a construction site.

These 10 principles are covered in the Setting Out video, which explains the safety measures that you can expect employers to take on your behalf. The video also offers tips on how you can promote a safer working environnment.

Setting out (with subtitles)

Setting out (in British Sign Language)

Where to get test revision materials

You can buy HS&E test revision materials from:

CITB's online shop
by phoning 0344 994 4488; lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturdays 8am to 12pm, except during Bank Holidays
high street or online book shops
the Apple App or Android Google Play stores - see the relevant version of the test revision material for links to the respective app.

Operative test revision materials

Revision materials for the operative version of the HS&E test are available to buy in the following formats:

Question and answer books:
- Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists, GT100 (sections A – E only)
DVDs:
- Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists, GT100 DVD
Document download:
- Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists, GT100 DL
Smartphone/tablet apps:
- The HS&E test mobile app for operatives and specialists (available in both Android Google Play and iOS App stores)
Short courses:
- Site Safety Plus (SSP) Health and safety awareness course

Specialist test revision materials

Revision materials for the specialist version of the HS&E test are available to buy in the following formats:

Question and answer books:
- Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists, GT100 (sections A – E, plus the relevant chapter in section F)
DVDs:
- Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists, GT100 DVD
Document downloads:
- Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists, GT100 DL
Smartphone/tablet apps:
- HS&E test mobile app for operatives and specialist (available in both Android Google Play and iOS App stores)
Training courses:
- Contact your specialist trade association or industry body for guidance on which course to take
Additional publications:
- Safe Start GE707

Managers and professionals test revision materials

Revision materials for the managers' and professionals' version of the HS&E test are available to buy in the following formats:

Question and answer books:
- Health, safety and environment test for managers and professionals, GT200 (note: all sections need to be studied)
DVDs:
- Health, safety and environment test for managers and professionals, GT200 DVD
Document download:
- Health, safety and environment test for managers and professionals – GT200 DL
Smartphone/tablet apps:
- HS&E test mobile app for managers and professionals (available in both Android Google Play and iOS App stores)
Training courses:
- Site Safety Plus (SSP) Site Managers Safety Training Scheme
Additional publications:
- Construction Site Safety GE700

Additional information to note

Labourer test (L1 award) no longer offered

Since 7 February 2018, the Labourer test (including L1 award) is no longer offered by CITB.

You can still take this test if you are registered with a NOCN Cskills Awards approved centre for the Cskills Awards Qualification AWD057, Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment. Please contact your centre for details of this test.

Up to date revision materials

Health, safety and environment legislation, regulations and best practice will change from time to time, but we make every effort to keep the test and the revision material up to date.

You will not be tested on questions that are no longer deemed appropriate.
You will be tested on knowledge presented in the most up-to-date edition of the revision materials - the current editions are dated 15 May 2019.
HS&E test revision DVDs and downloads can be updated by downloading the latest patch.
- To check your DVD or download is up-to-date, click the web update option from the main menu of your DVD or downloaded document.