If you are preparing for a SOPEEC power engineering exam, one of the first things you need to know is exactly what is on it. How many questions cover each topic? Which subjects carry the most weight? What does the exam actually look like? This page answers all of that. Below you will find the full Power Engineering exam breakdowns from 5th class to 1st class, showing exactly how many questions are allocated to each subject area.
The breakdowns follow the SOPEEC syllabus and apply to all provinces across Canada, whether you are writing through ABSA in Alberta, TSSA in Ontario, TSBC in British Columbia, or any other provincial authority.
What has changed with the SOPEEC exams?
Before getting into Power Engineering exam breakdowns, it is worth understanding the current exam format, because it has changed significantly in recent years.
The 5th, 4th, and 3rd class exams previously consisted of 150 questions with a 3.5-hour time limit. These have now been standardized to 100 questions in 3 hours, bringing them in line with the 2nd class format.
The 2nd class transition to multiple choice happened in two stages, as confirmed by ABSA. Papers 2A2, 2A3, 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3 transitioned to multiple choice effective January 1, 2024. Paper 2A1 followed, transitioning to multiple choice effective January 1, 2025.
All six 2nd-class papers are now in multiple-choice format. The 1st class transition began with paper 1B4 in January 2026. The remaining 1st class papers are still in written essay format.
The pass mark for all SOPEEC exams is 65%, regardless of class or province. Because exam formats can be updated by individual jurisdictions, always confirm the current format for your specific exam with your provincial authority (ABSA, TSSA, TSBC, TSASK, etc.) before you register.
Overview: all exams at a glance
Here is an overview of the Power Engineering exam breakdowns:
| Exam | Questions | Time | Pass Mark | Format |
| 5th class | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 4A | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 4B | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 3A1 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 3A2 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 3B1 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 3B2 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 2A1 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 2A2 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 2A3 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 2B1 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 2B2 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 2B3 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
| 1B4 | 100 | 3 hours | 65% | Multiple choice |
5th class power engineering exam breakdown
The 5th class exam is the lower-level entry point for power engineering certification in Canada. It covers the fundamentals of boiler operation, plant safety, basic systems, and general science. There is one paper, consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions.
Boilers and related systems make up a significant portion of the exam. Fuels and combustion, controls, operations, and maintenance are also heavily weighted at 10 questions each. Together, these four areas account for 40 of the 100 questions.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Science | 5 |
| Safety | 8 |
| Welding & Plumbing | 5 |
| Pipe | 5 |
| Boilers | 10 |
| Low-Pressure Boilers | 10 |
| Fuels & Combustion | 10 |
| Controls | 10 |
| Operations & Maintenance | 10 |
| Heating Systems | 5 |
| Refrigeration and AC Systems | 8 |
| Refrigeration and AC Controls | 8 |
| Air Compressors | 3 |
| Electrical | 3 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 5th class practice exam Course: 5th class tutorial course
If you want guidance on how to approach your studies once you know what is on the exam, read our guide on how to study for SOPEEC exams.
4th class power engineering exam breakdowns
The 4th class exam is the higher level entry point into power engineering certification in Canada. The 4th class certification requires passing two separate exams: 4A and 4B. Both must be completed to earn the certificate. The 4A paper covers the theoretical and scientific foundations of power engineering, while the 4B paper focuses on the operational and maintenance side of plant work.
For students in Alberta, PE101 offers ABSA-accepted 4th class courses that meet the eligibility requirements set out by ABSA for the provincial exam.
4A exam breakdown
The 4A exam is heavily weighted toward boilers and boiler systems, which together account for 30 of the 100 questions. Chemistry and thermodynamics, power and heating plant safety, and instrumentation and controls each carry 10 questions.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Mechanics & Dynamics | 7 |
| Chemistry & Thermodynamics | 10 |
| Codes & Standards | 4 |
| Power & Heating Plant Safety | 10 |
| Environment | 6 |
| Materials & Welding | 7 |
| Piping & Valves | 7 |
| Electricity | 7 |
| Instrumentation & Controls | 10 |
| Plant Communication | 2 |
| Boilers | 15 |
| Boiler Systems | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
Also Read: Where to find practice tests for SOPEEC 4th class exams?
Find Full Course: 4A tutorial course
4B exam breakdown
The 4B exam shifts focus to plant operations and maintenance. Boiler plant operations and refrigeration each carry 14 questions. Pumps and compressors, boiler safety, plant maintenance, and water treatment all carry 10 questions each.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Lubrication | 6 |
| Pumps & Compressors | 10 |
| Boiler Safety | 10 |
| Boiler Plant Ops | 14 |
| Plant Maintenance | 10 |
| Water Treatment | 10 |
| Prime Movers | 7 |
| Aux Building | 3 |
| Refrigeration | 14 |
| HVAC | 7 |
| Heat & Cool Systems | 7 |
| Plant Types | 2 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 4B practice exam Course: 4B tutorial course
For a full overview of what the 4th class certification involves, visit our 4th class power engineer guide.
3rd class power engineering exam breakdowns
The 3rd class certification requires passing four papers: 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, and 3B2. The A papers deal with engineering theory and science, while the B papers cover applied plant systems and equipment.
3A1 exam breakdown
The 3A1 exam is dominated by thermodynamics. Thermodynamic basics alone account for 33 questions, and advanced thermodynamics adds another 21, meaning thermodynamics makes up 54 of the 100 questions on this paper.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Mechanics Fundamentals | 7 |
| Work & Energy | 10 |
| Stress & Strain | 10 |
| Thermodynamic Basics | 33 |
| Advanced Thermodynamics | 21 |
| Basic Chemistry | 7 |
| Metallurgy Principles | 7 |
| Industrial Drawings | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 3A1 practice exam Course: 3A1 tutorial course
3A2 exam breakdown
The 3A2 paper covers electrical systems, combustion, and plant controls. Instrumentation and controls, and DCS each carry 13 questions, making them the heaviest areas. Combustion and flue gas follows with 10.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Codes & Legislation | 8 |
| Fuel & Combustion | 9 |
| Combustion & Flue Gas | 10 |
| Piping | 7 |
| Valves & Insulation | 7 |
| DC Theory | 7 |
| AC Theory | 7 |
| AC Systems | 7 |
| Electrical Calculations 1 | 3 |
| Electrical Calculations 2 | 3 |
| Instrumentation & Controls | 13 |
| DCS | 13 |
| Safety Programs | 5 |
| Fire Systems | 1 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 3A2 practice exam Course: 3A2 tutorial course
3B1 exam breakdown
The 3B1 paper focuses on boilers, water treatment, and pressure equipment. HP fittings, internal water treatment, welding, and pressure vessels each carry 10 questions, making up 40 of the 100 questions.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Watertube Boiler | 7 |
| Special Boiler | 3 |
| Boiler Construction | 3 |
| Heat Transfer | 7 |
| Burner | 3 |
| Draft | 7 |
| Procedure | 3 |
| HP Fittings | 10 |
| Control Systems | 7 |
| Internal Water Treatment | 10 |
| Water Pretreatment | 7 |
| Pump Design | 7 |
| Pump Calculation | 6 |
| Welding | 10 |
| Pressure Vessel | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 3B1 practice exam Course: 3B1 tutorial course
3B2 exam breakdown
The 3B2 paper covers prime movers, refrigeration, and auxiliary systems. Refrigeration systems are the heaviest topic at 25 questions, followed by compressor types and functions at 21. Together, they account for nearly half the exam.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Steam Turbine Fundamentals | 7 |
| Steam Turbines Applications | 7 |
| Gas Turbine Basics | 7 |
| Advanced Gas Turbine Systems | 7 |
| Internal Combustion Engines | 3 |
| Cogeneration Systems | 7 |
| Compressor Types & Functions | 21 |
| Refrigeration Systems | 25 |
| Special Industrial Equipment | 6 |
| Wastewater Treatment | 3 |
| Maintenance & Administration | 7 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 3B2 practice exam Course: 3B2 tutorial course
2nd class power engineering exam breakdowns
The 2nd class certification requires passing six papers: 2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3. All six papers are now in multiple-choice format. The transition happened in two stages: papers 2A2, 2A3, 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3 moved to multiple choice on January 1, 2024, and paper 2A1 followed on January 1, 2025. This applies across all provinces, including through TSSA in Ontario and ABSA in Alberta.
2A1 exam breakdown
The 2A1 paper stands out because industrial administration and plant management carry 36 of the 100 questions, the largest single topic weighting of any exam at any class level. The remaining 64 questions are spread evenly across mechanics, code compliance, and applied physics topics, each carrying 8 questions.
| Category/material | Questions |
| ASME Code: Boiler & Pressure Vessel Calculations | 8 |
| ASME Code Compliance: Sections I & VIII | 8 |
| Industrial Administration and Plant Management | 36 |
| Kinematics & Basic Mechanics | 8 |
| Energy, Work & Torque | 8 |
| Friction & Circular Motion | 8 |
| Stress, Strain, and Moments | 8 |
| Fluid Pressure & Dynamics | 8 |
| Shearing Forces & Torsion | 8 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 2A1 practice exam Course: 2A1 tutorial course
2A2 exam breakdown
The 2A2 paper focuses on thermodynamics and materials. Entropy and practical thermodynamic cycles, weldment defects, and non-destructive testing each carry 20 questions, making them the two most heavily tested areas.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Heat Transfer & Basic Thermodynamics | 7 |
| Gas Laws & Steam Properties | 9 |
| Entropy & Practical Thermodynamic Cycles | 20 |
| Non-Ferrous Metals & Structures of Metals | 11 |
| Alloying Elements & Heat Treatment | 11 |
| Welding, Corrosion, & Power Piping Applications | 11 |
| Testing Procedures & Properties | 11 |
| Weldment Defects and Non-Destructive Testing | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 2A2 practice exam Course: 2A2 tutorial course
2A3 exam breakdown
The 2A3 paper is heavily focused on boilers and water treatment. Feedwater treatment carries 25 questions, boiler operation and maintenance carries 20, and boiler fundamentals carries 15. These three areas make up 60 of the 100 questions.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Boiler Fundamentals | 15 |
| Advanced Boiler Systems | 10 |
| Boiler Operation & Maintenance | 20 |
| Pump Basics | 10 |
| Advanced Pump Operations | 10 |
| Feedwater Treatment | 25 |
| Advanced Water Treatment & Wastewater Management | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 2A3 practice exam Course: 2A3 tutorial course
2B1 exam breakdown
The 2B1 paper covers prime movers and plant systems. Lubrication systems carry the most questions at 20, followed by steam turbine operations at 18. Steam turbine design and gas turbine principles each carry 12.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Steam Turbine Design | 12 |
| Steam Turbine Operations | 18 |
| Internal Combustion Engine Design | 8 |
| Internal Combustion Engines Operations | 7 |
| Gas Turbine Principles | 12 |
| Advanced Gas Turbine Operation | 8 |
| Lubrication Systems | 20 |
| Industrial Piping Systems | 10 |
| Mechanical Drawing Fundamentals | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 2B1 practice exam Course: 2B1 tutorial course
2B2 exam breakdown
The 2B2 paper focuses on instrumentation, controls, and combustion systems. Instrumentation basics is the most heavily weighted topic at 15 questions. Eight of the ten topic areas carry 10 questions each, so this paper rewards broad preparation across all areas.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Feedwater & Steam Systems | 10 |
| Cooling & Condensate Systems | 10 |
| Fuel & Waste Handling | 10 |
| Instrumentation Basics | 15 |
| Control Devices & Systems | 10 |
| Advanced Control Systems (DCS/PLC) | 10 |
| Combustion Principles | 10 |
| Combustion Optimization | 10 |
| Emission Controls | 10 |
| Environmental Compliance | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 2B2 practice exam Course: 2B2 tutorial course
2B3 exam breakdown
The 2B3 paper covers electrical systems, compressors, and refrigeration. AC basics and compressor operations each carry 15 questions. Four other topics carry 10 questions each, making this another paper that rewards a well-rounded approach to studying.
| Category/material | Questions |
| AC Basics | 15 |
| Advanced AC Theory | 10 |
| DC Machines | 5 |
| AC Machines | 10 |
| Advanced AC Machines | 10 |
| Comprehensive AC Machines | 10 |
| Compressor Operations | 15 |
| Refrigeration Basics | 10 |
| Advanced Refrigeration | 10 |
| Specialized Refrigeration Systems | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 2B3 practice exam Course: 2B3 tutorial course
1st class power engineering exam breakdowns
The 1st class certification requires passing eight papers in total: 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1A4, 1B1, 1B2, 1B3, and 1B4. The transition to multiple-choice format began with paper 1B4 in January 2026. The remaining seven papers are still in written essay format.
If you are preparing for one of the written 1st class papers, visit the SOPEEC website or contact your provincial authority directly for the current syllabus and exam information.
1B4 exam breakdown (multiple choice)
The 1B4 paper focuses on management, leadership, and plant administration rather than technical systems. This reflects the senior operational responsibility that comes with a 1st class certificate. Problem-solving and leadership are the most heavily tested areas at 27 questions, followed by financial management at 24 and human resources at 18.
| Category/material | Questions |
| Financial Management | 24 |
| Cost & Inventory Control | 5 |
| Contracts & Ethics | 8 |
| Problem Solving & Leadership | 27 |
| Labour Relations & Benchmarking | 13 |
| Human Resources | 18 |
| Change & Plant Management | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Practice: 1B4 practice exam Course: 1B4 tutorial course
For a full overview of the 1st class certification, visit our 1st class power engineer guide.
My break down was a bit different for 3A1
Thermal 2 was 5 not 4
Thermal 3 was 7 not 8
Will you be updating 2A2 exam breakdown come January 2024?