CIWM / WAMITAB Continuing Competence: practice questions and mock tests
Independent revision for the generic subjects and your chosen specialist section. Generic revision is included with every specialist pack.
For people renewing their existing waste-management competence in England and Wales. This is not an initial qualification or an official test booking.
16 specialist revision packs available. Every pass includes generic knowledge. Choose your section below.
Test
GKT/AST
Region
E&W
Renewal
2 years
Exam at a glance
CIWM / WAMITAB · England and Wales
- Questions / sections
- 18 generic + 12 per specialist
- Time allowed
- 60 minutes maximum
- Pass requirement
- 70% + section minimums
- Reference policy
- Check test instructions
What is the CIWM / WAMITAB Continuing Competence test?
The test checks that people responsible for waste activities have kept their knowledge up to date. It combines common knowledge with the specialist activities they need to maintain.
This is a renewal assessment under the Operator Competence Scheme, not a route to an initial qualification. Confirm your own requirements with CIWM, your provider or the environmental regulator.
When you take it
Continuing Competence runs on a two-year cycle. Check your current certificate and book in time to renew before it expires.
Your specialist choices must match your qualification and site activities. Our selector does not decide what you are qualified to manage.
- 01
Check
Check your certificate expiry and which activities you need to cover.
- 02
Choose
Match your specialist tests to your qualification and site activity.
- 03
Prepare
Revise the generic subjects as well as every specialist you will take.
- 04
Renew
Book through Pearson and pass the required tests before your certificate expires.
CIWM exam format and scoring
The generic and specialist parts are taken together. Check the current Pearson instructions before your appointment.
Delivery
Computer-based test at a Pearson test centre.
Question style
Multiple-choice questions: select the correct answer from four options.
Books and materials
Check the candidate instructions. Do not assume you can take revision notes into the test.
| Test part | Coverage | Questions | Section minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic knowledge | Legislation, health and safety, environmental protection | 18 total | At least 50% in each of the three subjects |
| Specialist activity | Each activity-specific test you choose | 12 each | At least 50% in each specialist taken |
One specialist means 30 questions in total; two means 42; three means 54. The official sitting has a 60-minute maximum. Pearson gives pacing guidance of 24 minutes for generic knowledge and 12 minutes per specialist. These are not separate appointment lengths.
Check CIWM’s official pass rules ↗What to revise for CIWM / WAMITAB
Cover all three generic subjects, then focus on the specialist activity you need. Every specialist pass includes generic revision.
Knowledge-area map
Your revision route
Generic + specialist
One specialist pack · generic included
- LEGLegislation
- HSHealth and safety
- EPEnvironmental protection
- ASTYour specialist activity
Legislation
01The legal knowledge in the generic syllabus. Use the current official syllabus to check the areas you need to revise.
Health and safety
02The common safety knowledge tested across waste activities. Give this its own revision time, even if safety is part of your daily job.
Environmental protection
03The environmental knowledge shared by all candidates. Treat this as a separate subject, not a small part of your specialist revision.
Your specialist activity
04The knowledge for the activity you need to maintain. Choose from the 16 sections below; one specialist pack does not unlock the other specialists.
All 16 specialist choices
Transfer and treatment
- TMNHTreatment of non-hazardous waste
- TSNHTransfer of non-hazardous waste
- TSHTransfer of hazardous waste
- TMHTreatment of hazardous waste
Recycling and specialist waste
- MRSMetal recycling sites
- ELVEnd-of-life vehicles
- WEEEWaste electrical and electronic equipment
- HWHealthcare waste
Biological treatment and land
- ACAerobic composting
- ADAnaerobic digestion
- LSNHWLandspreading non-hazardous waste
- CLRContaminated land remediation
Landfill
- LCClosed landfill
- LINInert landfill
- LNHNon-hazardous landfill
- LHHazardous landfill
These are choices, not 16 tests everyone must take. Use your qualification, permit and CIWM’s activity guidance to check your route.
How to prepare for the CIWM test
Start with the right syllabus, work through your weak areas, then practise using what you know.
- 1
Confirm your test region, certificate expiry and specialist codes before planning your revision.
- 2
Use the official syllabuses as a checklist. Mark gaps in each generic subject and your chosen specialist.
- 3
Read the relevant guidance, then practise applying it. Review explanations instead of memorising answer letters.
- 4
Practise working to a time limit and review each section score. Arrange any approved access support before booking.
Our full practice paper combines 18 generic and 12 specialist questions, with a 36-minute practice timer based on Pearson’s pacing guidance. Each paper rehearses generic knowledge with your chosen specialist. The official sitting allows up to 60 minutes and can include up to three specialists.
Revision access
Choose your specialist section
Questions, mocks and fact sheets for your chosen section, with generic revision included.
Generic revision is included with every specialist pass. Choose the code that matches your qualification and site activity. If you are unsure, check with CIWM before buying.
Your pack summary
Choose a specialist section to see your pack.
Includes legislation, health and safety, and environmental protection. Questions, explanations, fact sheets and timed practice use the same account.
£10 for 30 days
One payment. No subscription or automatic renewal.
Select your specialist section above to continue to checkout.
Need more than one specialist section? Each specialist pass is a separate purchase. Generic content stays shared in your account. The official test fee is not included.
CIWM exam questions answered
The main points about renewal, specialist choices, revision access and booking.
01Is this an initial WAMITAB qualification?
No. Continuing Competence maintains competence you already hold. It does not replace the primary qualification or other evidence required for your site.
02Do I need all 16 specialist tests?
No. Choose the activities that match your qualification and site. You can take up to three specialists in one official sitting. Ask CIWM or your provider if you are unsure which ones you need.
03Do I need to buy generic revision separately?
No. Every Trade Exams specialist pass includes generic revision. A pass covers one named specialist; extra specialists are separate purchases.
04How often do I need to renew?
The Continuing Competence cycle is two years. Check the dates on your own certificate and plan ahead.
05Does a good overall score guarantee a pass?
No. You also need at least 50% in each generic subject and each specialist taken. CIWM scores each activity alongside the generic results. Check its official scoring guidance rather than averaging different specialist scores.
06Does this page cover Northern Ireland?
No. These revision packs are for England and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate test, so check the region carefully when booking.
07Does Trade Exams book the official test?
No. Book the official test with Pearson. Our revision price does not include the test fee or issue a competence certificate. Follow your booking instructions for identification and permitted materials.
08Can I buy a CIWM revision pack now?
16 specialist revision packs available. Every pass includes generic knowledge. Choose your section below.
Official sources and currency
Check the scheme behind this page
The format and scope were checked on 7 September 2026. Confirm your final test arrangements with CIWM and Pearson.
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