SVQ Level 3

Bricklaying Skills Test

Information for Employers and Apprentices
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Guidelines:

1. The Skills Test for Bricklaying must be taken by apprentices approaching the end of
their four year modern apprenticeship (MA). Adult Apprenticeships complete the
skills test after two years.

The MA is not complete until the test is passed. A re-sit of the test will be available.

2. The duration of the test will be one day (8 hours) at a Bricklaying Skills test centre.

3. The test will assess competencies from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Awards and UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) Approved
Qualification Structure derived from National Occupational Standards (NOS)

Information on the Qualification structure is available on the CITB Website.

Information on the NOS is available on the UK Standards website

4. Candidates will be assessed on five test items; an achievement is required on all test
items.

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Employer and Candidate Checklist

Preparation on the points listed below should prove beneficial when taking the
Bricklaying Skills Test.

Employer Checklist

Provide sufficient time for the candidate to prepare

Ensure the candidate is prepared

Provide refresher training as necessary

Provide candidate briefing prior to the test

Encourage the candidate to approach the skills test in a positive and confident
manner.

Candidate Checklist

Understand what competencies you are required to demonstrate

Ensure you are prepared and have undertaken refresher training if it is required

Approach the skills test in a positive and confident manner

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CITB

Skills Testing

Candidates Joining Instructions (Brickwork)

1. You have been booked for a Skills Test on the date and at the Test Centre shown on your copy
of the booking letter. You should report to the test Invigilator at the time and place shown on
the attached instructions and map. Please ensure you report on time, as trainees arriving late
may not be allowed to take the test.

2. You are reminded that candidates must conform at all times to the rules of conduct of the Test
Centre. Any candidate who fails to abide by the rules or to accept the instructions of the
Invigilator or his accredited representative may be excluded from the test.

3. Candidates will be briefed in detail by the Invigilator on the test requirements when they arrive
at the Centre. General rules on the test are listed below:

a) Candidates will be required to break for lunch at the same time where facilities for lunch
and refreshments are available candidates must pay for their own meals.
b) Candidates are not allowed to smoke, or to use a radio or audio equipment within the
test area.
c) Candidates will only be allowed to take the test if they are wearing suitable clothing and
footwear. Trainers are not allowed.

Candidates must bring some form of photographic identification, e.g driving

licence.

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Assessed Elements

Candidates are provided with instructions prior to the test they have 15 minutes to study
the information before commencing.

Candidates are expected to inspect the materials provided and report any findings to the
invigilator which will be recorded and reported to the assessor and taken into consideration
where relevant.

Candidates should bring their own tools as detailed below to the test, the candidates
completed test will be assessed using the same equipment: -

Tool list:

Candidates must bring a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener and a kit of tools containing the
following:

250mm Brick trowel

Pointing trowel
Brick hammer
2lb Club hammer
100mm Bolster chisel
3 metre tape
round jointing tool
Set of pins/line and corner blocks
Spirit level (300mm)
Scutch/comb hammer

N.B. A 1 metre plumb rule/spirit level will be provided by the Test Centre. Do not bring
one!

An independent assessor will mark the completed structure as either a pass or fail, there is no
grading system.

1. The overall test consists of the following items:

a) Build a detached pier

b) Cavity wall with window opening

(The tests can be carried out in any order)

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Cavity Wall with Window Opening to Timber Frame Structure

Build a cavity wall to the dimensions shown between the profile provided and the built corner. (The
profile is in the correct position do not adjust).

Position the broken bond under/above the window opening and bed the hatched bricks in sand.

Facework must be clean with a half round joint finish.

Standards and Tolerances

Setting Out Lintel
Length of wall to be 1007mm 10mm Bearing to be equal 6mm

Width of opening to be 1060mm 10mm In correct position and in line 3mm

Length of wall to be 1120 10mm Brick-on-edge

Level along length (front and back) 2mm
Broken Bond
Correctly positioned under/above window Regular joint thickness 3mm
opening
Projection to be 65mm 3mm
Min. size cut B and min. lap B
BOE to be in line 2mm
Horizontal DPC
Positioned on 2nd course and flush with face 3mm Cleanliness of Cavity
Droppings not to exceed 30mm in depth (checked
DPC under BOE sill place under sill and turned up at sand courses)
against inner wall
Cavity free from bridging by mortar droppings
Brickwork
Plumb at corner and end of return wall 3 positions Ties positioned at double studwork (5 positions)
3mm (225mm at opening and corners, 450mm on return
end stud)
Gauge
Overall height (from top of first course) Facework/Joint Finish
3mm Facework to be clean, with a round joint finish

Face Plane
Deviation on brickwork not more than 5mm
(between profile and corner)

Opening
Reveals plumb (brickwork) 3mm

Reveals/returns to show facings

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