If you are an aspiring electrician in the UK, the AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2) is the single most important milestone in your career. It isn’t just another exam; it is the industry-recognised benchmark that proves you have the occupational competence to work safely and effectively.
Successfully completing your AM2 is the final step required to gain your ECS Gold Card, which is essential for working on most commercial and industrial sites and securing higher pay grades.
What is the AM2 Assessment?
The AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2) is the final, practical assessment for all aspiring electricians in the UK. It is a compulsory and industry-recognised benchmark that proves you have the occupational competence to work safely and effectively.
Successful completion is essential for gaining your ECS Gold Card, a key requirement for most employers in the electrotechnical industry.
What Does the AM2 Test?
The assessment is a rigorous test that covers the essential skills of an electrician.
It is broken down into timed, practical and knowledge-based sections:
- Safe Isolation & Risk Assessment: Demonstrating proper safety procedures.
- Composite Installation: Installing a variety of circuits (lighting, power, 3-phase, heating, data, etc.) to industry standards.
- Inspection & Testing: Visually inspecting and testing your installation to ensure it complies with BS 7671.
- Safe Isolation of Circuits: A second test that covers three specific situations: changing out single-phase stuff, three-phase stuff, and isolating the distribution board.
- Fault Diagnosis: Identifying and rectifying common faults in a circuit.
- Applied Knowledge: A short online exam to test your understanding of key regulations and theory.
Which AM2 is for me?
The assessment comes in a few versions, tailored to different career routes. It’s crucial to take the correct one!
- AM2: For those who following the Level 3 NVQ (C&G 2357 or EAL 1605).
- AM2S: The End-Point Assessment for apprentices on the Installation & Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship Standard.
- AM2E: For experienced workers who are undertaking the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA).
- Key Difference: The AM2S and AM2E assessments include additional installation tasks, such as containment (conduit), which the standard AM2 does not.
The Different Versions
The AM2 assessment was updated on 4th September 2023. It’s crucial to know which version applies to you based on your registration date:
- AM2S: For apprentices who were enrolled on their programme before 4th September 2023.
- AM2S V1: For apprentices who were enrolled from 4th September 2023 onwards.
- AM2E: For Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) candidates who were registered before 4th September 2023
- AM2E V1: For EWA candidates who were registered from 4th September 2023 onwards.
Key Difference: The V1 versions introduce a new Safe Isolation procedure and a new Initial Verification and Certification section. Make sure you are prepared for the correct version!
The Path to Success
The AM2 is challenging, and many candidates fail one or more sections. Common reasons for failure include:
- Lack of Preparation: Not being fully ready for the practical and theoretical challenges.
- Time Management: Struggling to complete tasks within the strict time limits.
- Lack of Specificity: Not being precise enough in fault-finding and documentation.
The key is not just knowing how to do a task, but demonstrating that you can do it safely, to regulation, and within a set timeframe. Practice is everything!
We Are Here to Help!
The AM2 assessment is a big step, but you don’t have to take it alone. Whether you’re preparing for your first attempt or need to resit a section, SkillSearcher is your dedicated partner.
We offer comprehensive training, mock assessments, and expert guidance to help you pass with confidence.
Visit our AM2 assessment pages to book your assessment prep and take the next step in your career!