SMSTS and SSSTS exams: pass marks and re-sits
A plain-English guide to the current published exam format and what happens if you do not pass first time.
Important: This guide summarises current published CITB scheme information. It does not reproduce official exam questions. Always check the latest scheme rules and follow your training provider's instructions.
What does the SMSTS exam involve?
The current SMSTS end-of-course examination has 25 questions worth 32 marks and lasts 35 minutes. It contains 18 multiple-choice questions worth one mark each and 7 multi-response or short written-answer questions worth two marks each. The seven two-mark questions focus on working at height, vehicles and pedestrians, manual handling, asbestos, dust, noise and vibration. The pass mark is 26 out of 32 (81%). The final 15 minutes are open book using the current required SMSTS course publications, including GE700 and the XA6 delegate workbook.
What happens if I fail my SMSTS?
If you do not achieve the required 81% pass mark (26 out of 32), you may be eligible for one re-sit if you have completed the four core exercises, passed the trainer review and scored 23, 24 or 25 out of 32. The re-sit may be offered on the same day if you agree and have adequate preparation time. Otherwise, it can be taken during the examination period on the final day of another SMSTS course, or as a standalone examination, within 30 days. You do not need to repeat the full five-day course before that first eligible re-sit. If you do not achieve at least 26 out of 32 on the re-sit, you must complete the full SMSTS course again. The training provider arranges the re-sit and may charge an additional fee.
What does the SSSTS exam involve?
The current SSSTS examination lasts 30 minutes and contains 25 questions worth 30 marks: a mix of question formats. The pass mark is 24 out of 30 (80%). Delegates may use the current SSSTS or SSSTS Refresher workbook, as appropriate for the final 10 minutes. Questions cover the course learning outcomes, including areas such as risk assessment, work at height, legal duties, communication, toolbox talks, occupational health and general site safety.
What happens if I fail my SSSTS?
The current SSSTS pass mark is 24 out of 30 (80%). A delegate who completes the mandatory exercises, passes the trainer review and scores at least 21 out of 30 may take one re-sit. The re-sit may be offered on the same day if the delegate agrees and has adequate preparation time, or it can be taken during the examination period on the final day of another SSSTS course, or as a standalone examination, within 30 days. The full course does not normally need to be repeated before that first eligible re-sit. If the re-sit is failed, the full SSSTS course must be taken again. The provider may charge for the re-sit. An initial score of 20 out of 30 or below is outside the current re-sit range and requires the full course to be taken again.
Refresher revision
We also provide independent practice papers for SMSTS Refresher and SSSTS Refresher. These are revision aids only and are not official CITB examination papers.
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Official source: CITB Site Safety Plus scheme rules.
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