NCCCO CORE EXAM • FREE PRACTICE TEST
NCCCO Core Exam
Free Practice Test
The Core exam is the one every mobile crane operator takes: 95 questions, 90 minutes, no calculator. Practice it here free, 20 questions at a time.
Reviewed November 2026 against the CCO Mobile Crane Operator Candidate Handbook.
The NCCCO Core exam has 95 multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute limit, and no calculator. It covers four domains: Site 22%, Operations 28%, Technical Knowledge 23%, and Load Charts 27%. The practice test below draws from all four.
NCCCO Core
Definitions
Question 1 of 20
What is the rated load of a crane?
- AThe maximum static vertical load for which the crane or hoist is designed
- BThe average load handled per shift
- CThe load at which the limit switch trips
- D125% of the test load
What the Core Exam Covers
| Domain | Share of exam | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1: Site | 22% | Ground conditions, setup, power line clearances, site hazards |
| Domain 2: Operations | 28% | Signals, controls, safe operating practice, rigging |
| Domain 3: Technical Knowledge | 23% | Crane components, wire rope, inspections, standards |
| Domain 4: Load Charts | 27% | Reading charts, deductions, radius, capacity |
Approximate weights from the CCO candidate handbook.
How to Use Your 90 Minutes
- Answer what you know first. 95 questions in 90 minutes leaves under a minute each. Flag anything that needs arithmetic and come back to it.
- Do load chart math by hand. No calculator on Core. Practice deductions and percent-of-chart with pencil and paper until it's quick.
- Read every word of the question. Questions turn on words like "except," "first," and "most likely."
Study the Whole Exam, Not 20 Questions
5,000+ practice questions across Core and every specialty, load chart trainers with the rating table on screen, timed exam simulations, and the pass guarantee.
Core Exam Questions & Answers
How many questions are on the NCCCO Core exam?
The mobile crane Core written exam has 95 questions with a 90-minute time limit, just under a minute per question.
Can I use a calculator on the Core exam?
No. Calculators are not permitted on the Core exam. They are allowed on the 28-question specialty exams, where most of the load chart arithmetic sits.
What topics are on the Core exam?
Four domains: Site (about 22%), Operations (about 28%), Technical Knowledge (about 23%), and Load Charts (about 27%).
Do I have to pass Core before the specialty exam?
You can take them in the same sitting. To earn a designation you must pass Core, a specialty exam, and the matching practical within 12 months of passing your first exam.
What score do I need to pass?
CCO does not publish a percentage cut score for its written exams. Aim for 80% or better across every topic on practice tests before you book.
Are these real NCCCO exam questions?
No. CCO does not release its exam questions. These are original questions written to the topics in the official Core exam outline.