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Ham Radio General License Practice Test 2026

The General class license opens most of the HF bands. To earn it you hold or pass Element 2 (Technician) and pass Element 3, a 35-question written exam given by Volunteer Examiners. This independent practice covers all 10 subelements of the 2023-2027 General pool in our own words.

  • Certification exams
  • United States
  • 75 questions
  • Checked
  • Edited by A. Singh
  • Fact-checked October 23, 2026

Quick answer

The FCC General Class amateur radio license exam (Element 3) has 35 questions. Pass mark: 26 of 35 correct. It is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); exams given by teams of Volunteer Examiners (VEs) under FCC-certified Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs). Practise here for free with 75 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 22, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Ham Radio General Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.
Plan for my exam date Mistake notebook

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which 20-meter segment may a General class operator use for voice?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 14.225 to 14.350 MHz

    General operators have 14.025 to 14.150 MHz for CW and data and 14.225 to 14.350 MHz, which includes phone.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    In the United States, which 75-meter segment may a General class operator use for phone?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 3.800 to 4.000 MHz

    For ITU Region 2, Section 97.301(d) gives General operators 3.800 to 4.000 MHz on 75 meters, where phone is permitted.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    What is the widest signal any station may send on the 60-meter band?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 2.8 kHz

    Section 97.303(h) says emissions anywhere in the 60-meter band must not occupy more than 2.8 kHz, which fits one SSB voice or data signal.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What is the maximum transmitter power on the 30-meter band?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 200 watts PEP output

    Section 97.313(c) limits all stations on 10.10 to 10.15 MHz to 200 W PEP output. Phone is not authorized on 30 meters.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Before you transmit on the 630-meter or 2200-meter band, what must you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Notify the Utilities Telecom Council of your call sign, band and antenna location

    Section 97.303(g) requires notice to the UTC first. You may start after 30 days unless the UTC says you are within 1 km of a power line carrier system.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    When might an amateur antenna structure need FAA notice and FCC registration?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When it is more than 200 feet above ground level

    Section 97.15 says structures more than 60.96 meters (200 feet) above ground, or near airports, may need FAA notice and FCC registration.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    What is the minimum age to be an accredited Volunteer Examiner?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 18 years

    Section 97.509 requires each VE to be at least 18 years old, accredited by the coordinating VEC and properly licensed.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Which exam element may a VE who holds a General class license help prepare and give?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Element 2 (Technician) only

    General class VEs may only handle Element 2. Element 3 needs an Advanced or Amateur Extra VE, and Element 4 needs an Amateur Extra VE.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    How long does a CSCE give you credit for an exam element you passed?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 365 days

    Section 97.505 gives credit for elements shown on a CSCE passed within the previous 365 days.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    You passed General but your upgrade is not yet in the FCC database. How do you identify on General frequencies?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Add the indicator AG after your call sign

    Section 97.119(f) requires the AG indicator when using General privileges based on a new CSCE before the upgrade appears.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Which ITU region includes the United States mainland?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Region 2

    The Americas are in ITU Region 2. Band edges in Part 97 tables are shown for each region, so read the Region 2 column.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Which sideband is normally used for voice on the 40-meter band?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Lower sideband

    By convention, lower sideband is used for voice on 160, 75 and 40 meters, and upper sideband on 20 meters and higher.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Which sideband is normally used for voice on the 17-meter band?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Upper sideband

    On the HF bands above 10 MHz, such as 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters, voice operators normally use upper sideband.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    How do you break into an SSB contact already in progress?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Say your call sign once during a pause

    Giving your call sign once in a gap lets the stations know you are there without causing interference.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    What CW signal asks whether a frequency is in use?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. QRL?

    Sending QRL? on CW before you call asks if anyone is already using the frequency. On voice you would simply ask.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    What does the Q signal QRS ask the other station to do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Send more slowly

    QRS means send more slowly. QRQ means send faster and QSY means change frequency.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    What does full break-in CW (QSK) let you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Hear incoming signals between your own dots and dashes

    With full break-in, the receiver works between the elements you send, so the other station can interrupt you right away.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    What is the Volunteer Monitor Program?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Trained amateur volunteers who watch the bands and report rule problems

    Volunteer Monitors listen for possible rule violations, send advisory notices and help the FCC enforce the rules.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    Why must your computer clock be accurate when you operate FT8?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stations transmit and receive in timed periods that must line up

    FT8 uses fixed 15-second periods. If your clock is off by more than about a second, other stations may not decode you.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What does a station calling "CQ DX" want?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Contacts with stations in other countries or far away

    CQ DX invites distant or foreign stations to answer. Stations close by should usually let the DX callers reply.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    When may an amateur transmit outside their license privileges?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only to protect life or property in an emergency when normal systems are not available

    Section 97.403 allows any means of radio communication for the immediate safety of life and property when normal communication systems are not available.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    About how far apart should SSB voice signals be to avoid interfering with each other?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. About 3 kHz

    An SSB voice signal is about 3 kHz wide, so keep at least that much space from nearby SSB signals.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    About how long is a typical sunspot cycle?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. About 11 years

    Sunspot numbers rise and fall over a cycle of about 11 years. HF conditions, especially on the higher bands, follow the cycle.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    What does the K-index measure?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Short-term stability of the Earth's magnetic field

    The K-index shows short-term geomagnetic activity. High values mean disturbed conditions and poorer HF propagation.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the maximum usable frequency (MUF)?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The highest frequency that will reach a given place by ionospheric propagation

    Signals above the MUF pass through the ionosphere into space. Just below the MUF often gives the best signals.

What to know before the test

  • Element 3 has 35 questions. You need at least 26 correct to pass.
  • A General license needs credit for both Element 2 and Element 3.
  • The current General question pool is effective from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027.
  • The latest General pool errata, issued February 4, 2026, withdrew two rules questions from the pool.
  • Each exam is given by a team of at least 3 accredited Volunteer Examiners. Element 3 must be prepared by an Advanced or Amateur Extra class VE.
  • Until your upgrade shows in the FCC database, add the indicator AG to your call sign when you use General privileges.
  • Since a 2026 rule change, 60-meter stations may transmit in the 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz segment and on four set channels, and no signal may be wider than 2.8 kHz.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the General exam, and what is the pass mark?

Element 3 has 35 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 26 correctly to pass.

Do I need a Technician license first?

You need credit for both Element 2 and Element 3. If you hold an unexpired Technician license, you already have credit for Element 2.

Which General question pool is in use in 2026?

The 2023-2027 General pool, effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027. Check the NCVEC page for the latest errata.

Can I use my new privileges before the FCC database updates?

Yes, once you hold a CSCE for the upgrade. Add the AG indicator to your call sign when you use General privileges until the upgrade appears.

Is this the real exam?

No. This is independent practice written in our own words. The real exam questions come from the public pool and are chosen by your VE team or VEC.

Sources

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