Intermediate Licence Exam Practice

Take your radio knowledge to the next level. More power, more privileges, more possibilities.

Start practising · Topic Study · Sample questions

What's on the Paper

  1. Licensing conditions and station identification (6 questions): Supervising others, passing messages, avoiding interference, log keeping, remote control of your station, EMF thresholds, and the Intermediate Schedule 1.
  2. Technical aspects (14 questions): The largest section: potential dividers, capacitors and inductors, RMS values, reactance, tuned circuits, filters, transistors and power supplies, with calculations throughout.
  3. Transmitters and receivers (7 questions): Modulation depth, SSB, oscillator stability and DDS, harmonics, key clicks and chirp, superhet receivers, AGC and SDR, with amplifier efficiency sums.
  4. Feeders and antennas (4 questions): Balanced feeder and characteristic impedance, choke baluns, Yagis and traps, front-to-back ratio and EIRP, standing waves, matching units and feeder loss.
  5. Propagation (3 questions): Ground, space and sky waves, the D, E, F1 and F2 layers, sunspots, MUF and LUF, fading, sporadic E and multipath.
  6. Electromagnetic compatibility (4 questions): Interference effects and non-radio sources, direct pickup, common and differential mode, filters and ferrite rings, RF earths and vehicle installations.
  7. Good operating practices and procedures (2 questions): Call sign prefixes, contests and awards, band plans, Q codes, computer-based modes, satellites and Doppler shift, and operating abroad.
  8. Safety (3 questions): Charged capacitors, fuse ratings, live working, battery hazards, tools, EMF compliance distances at 100 W, and static.
  9. Measurements and construction (3 questions): Using multimeters, analogue and digital displays, decibels (dBW, dBi and dBd), the resistor colour code, screening and soldering.

How the Exam Works

Format
46 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes. You pass with 28 correct (61%).
Where
On a computer, at home with a remote invigilator or at a club with an invigilator in the room.
Results
A provisional result as soon as you finish, confirmed after about six working days. You then apply to Ofcom for your licence online.
Formulae
Given in the reference booklet, but you may have to rearrange them.
Reference booklet
The RSGB reference booklet (EX308) is provided, with Schedule 1 of the licence, the band plan and the formulae. Our quizzes show the same booklet.
Before you sit it
You need a pass at Foundation. The exams must be taken in order.

How Many People Pass

Source: RSGB. Pass rates for every level since 2022

Where People Lose Marks

On this site, people score lowest in electromagnetic compatibility (52% of answers right) and propagation (58%). Technical aspects is the biggest section, with 14 of the 46 questions, so it decides more of your score than any other.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Intermediate Amateur Radio Licence?

The Intermediate Licence is the second tier of UK amateur radio licensing. It allows up to 100 watts of transmit power on most bands and provides more operating flexibility. It builds on Foundation knowledge with deeper technical understanding.

How many questions are on the Intermediate exam?

The Intermediate exam consists of 46 multiple-choice questions. You have 90 minutes to complete it and need 61% (28 correct answers) to pass.

What is the pass rate for the Intermediate exam?

According to the RSGB, 90.3% of Intermediate candidates passed in 2025 (363 of 402), and 87.4% in 2024.

Is there a formula sheet in the Intermediate exam?

Yes. The formulae are in the RSGB reference booklet (EX308), but you may have to rearrange them.

Do I need Foundation to take Intermediate?

Yes, you must hold a valid Foundation Licence before you can take the Intermediate exam. There's no minimum waiting period - you can take it as soon as you're ready.

After Intermediate: What's Next?

The Full Licence unlocks maximum power (1000W on bands where amateur radio has a primary allocation) and the complete range of amateur radio privileges. Learn about Full Licence