SSSTS Exam Questions and What to Expect: Guide 2026

When You Book Multiple Courses.

Most people spend two days on the SSSTS course and very little time thinking about the exam at the end. That is usually fine , but there are rules in the SSSTS exam that catch people off guard. Not knowing them before you sit down is an unnecessary risk. This guide covers exactly what the SSSTS exam involves, what questions come up, how the marking works, and what you must do to pass.

What is the SSSTS exam?

The SSSTS exam is the written assessment taken at the end of the two-day Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme course. It is set and administered by CITB and taken under exam conditions at the close of day two. You cannot sit the exam without completing the full two-day course, and you cannot receive your SSSTS certificate without passing it.

The exam exists to confirm that you have understood the course material well enough to apply it in a real supervisory role on a live construction site. It is not a trick paper, but it does require genuine engagement with the two days of training rather than passive attendance.

Exam format and structure

The SSSTS exam paper contains 30 questions in total, made up of two types:

22 multiple choice questions: each presents a question with a set of answer options to choose from. These test knowledge across the full range of course topics.
3 short written questions: require a brief written answer rather than selecting from options. These test your ability to apply knowledge to a realistic scenario, not just recall a definition.

Within those 30 questions, 4 are designated as safety critical questions. These carry a special rule separate from the overall pass mark , explained in the next section.

The exam is taken on paper under formal exam conditions at the end of day two. It is a closed book exam. You cannot refer to any notes or course materials during the paper.

The safety critical questions rule

This is the rule that surprises the most candidates, and it is important to understand before you sit down.

The SSSTS exam contains four designated safety critical questions. You must answer all four correctly to pass, regardless of your overall score.

This means it is possible to score above the 80% pass mark overall and still fail the exam, if you have answered one or more safety critical questions incorrectly. Getting 25 or 26 out of 30 means nothing if one of your incorrect answers was a safety critical question.

Safety critical questions relate to situations where the wrong decision on site could directly result in serious injury or death. They typically cover high-risk practical scenarios such as working at height, excavations, lifting operations, fire safety and emergency procedures. The exact questions vary by paper, but the principle is consistent: if you cannot demonstrate the right response to these specific scenarios, CITB considers you not yet ready to supervise others.

When you are preparing, pay close attention to high-risk practical situations. Do not just learn the regulatory framework in the abstract. Make sure you can apply it confidently to real scenarios, because those are the areas most likely to carry safety critical status.

Pass mark and scoring

The SSSTS exam pass mark is 80%. You need to score at least 24 out of 30.

To pass, you must satisfy both conditions:

Score at least 24 out of 30 (80%), and
Answer all four safety critical questions correctly

If you score 24 or more overall but fail a safety critical question, you have not passed. If you answer all four safety critical questions correctly but score below 24 overall, you have also not passed. Both conditions must be met independently.

If you score fewer than 20 out of 30 (below 67%), CITB treats this as a significant fail. In this case, you cannot resit the exam on its own. You must attend the full two-day SSSTS course again before being allowed to resit.

What topics come up?

The exam covers the full range of material taught across both days of the course. The main subject areas are:

Health and safety legislation: the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, employer and employee duties, enforcement powers and penalties.
CDM Regulations 2015: duty holders, their responsibilities, what the regulations require and from whom, the roles of principal contractor, principal designer, contractor and worker.
Risk assessment and method statements: how to produce and use them, the hierarchy of control, what makes an assessment suitable and sufficient.
Health and safety management: developing, maintaining and monitoring a site safety system, safety leadership, worker engagement and toolbox talks.
Statutory inspections and checks: which inspections are legally required, how often, by whom, and how to record them.
Accident reporting: RIDDOR obligations, reportable incidents, timescales, investigation procedures.
Occupational health: noise, vibration, dust, manual handling, occupational disease and control measures.
Working at height: Work at Height Regulations, hierarchy of control measures, inspection of equipment and platforms.
Excavations: inspection requirements, support systems, hazards from buried services and ground conditions.
Lifting operations: LOLER requirements, planning and supervising lifts, operator competence, thorough examination schedules.
Fire safety: site fire plans, hot work permits, emergency procedures and assembly points.
Welfare facilities: minimum CDM welfare requirements on site.
Environmental responsibilities: waste management, pollution prevention, site environmental obligations.

Sample question types

CITB does not publish live exam papers. The following examples are based on the learning outcomes and subject areas in the official SSSTS scheme rules, and represent the style and level of question you should expect.

Multiple choice example:

Under the CDM Regulations 2015, which duty holder is responsible for planning, managing and monitoring the construction phase of a project?

A. The principal designer. B. The client. C. The principal contractor. D. The contractor.

(Correct answer: C)

Multiple choice example:

Under RIDDOR, when must a fatal accident on a construction site be reported to the enforcing authority?

A. Within 24 hours. B. Within 7 days. C. Without delay. D. Within 10 working days.

(Correct answer: C)

Multiple choice example:

Before work begins in an excavation deeper than 2 metres, what must be carried out by a competent person?

A. A visual check by the site manager. B. A formal inspection with a written report. C. A toolbox talk with operatives. D. A risk assessment review by the client.

(Correct answer: B)

Short written question example:

You are the site supervisor and an operative raises a concern about the edge protection on a working platform at height. Describe the steps you would take.

A good answer to this type of question references stopping work until the issue is resolved, inspecting the platform, the Work at Height Regulations, recording and reporting the concern formally, and confirming the issue is remedied before work resumes. The exam board wants to see that you understand both the immediate action and the correct process, not just a vague reference to “checking it out”.

Safety critical question example:

A worker reports smelling gas in an excavation. As site supervisor, what is your immediate priority?

Questions in this category test whether you would take the right action to prevent serious harm. There is a clearly correct answer, and you must get it right to pass regardless of how well you score overall.

How to prepare

The two days of course content covers everything you need. The most effective preparation is active engagement throughout both days: take notes, participate in exercises, and ask questions when something is unclear rather than planning to look it up later.

Beyond that, here is what makes the most difference:

Review your day one notes on the evening of day one. The exam is on day two. A single review the evening before significantly improves retention and takes the pressure off the morning.
Know the safety critical areas thoroughly. Working at height, excavations, lifting operations, fire safety and emergency procedures are the most likely areas for safety critical questions. Be able to answer practical scenarios in these areas without hesitation.
Understand CDM duty holders clearly. The CDM Regulations 2015 feature in almost every SSSTS exam. Know the difference between the client, principal designer, principal contractor, contractor and worker, and what each role is responsible for.
Know RIDDOR reporting requirements. Fatal and specified injuries must be reported without delay. Over-seven-day injuries must be reported within 15 days. Dangerous occurrences must also be reported. Know the categories and timescales.
Practise writing short answers. The three written questions require structured responses. A one-word or one-line answer will not score full marks. Practise writing clear, logical answers that demonstrate applied understanding.
Do not leave written questions blank. A partial answer scores partial marks. A blank scores nothing.

What to expect on exam day

The exam takes place under formal conditions at the end of day two. Your trainer will distribute the papers and start the exam. The exam is closed book , no notes, no course materials.

Work through the multiple choice questions first, marking any you are unsure about to return to. Then tackle the three written questions, leaving yourself enough time to write considered responses rather than rushing.

Read each question carefully. The four safety critical questions are identified on the paper. Do not rush past them.

Papers are collected and sent to CITB for marking. Results are not instant. You will typically receive your result and, if successful, your certificate within a few weeks. Target Zero Training will keep you informed of timelines when you book.

What if you do not pass?

What happens next depends on how you performed:

If you scored 20 or more out of 30 (at or above 67%) but did not reach 24 overall, or if you scored 24 or more but failed a safety critical question: you are eligible for a resit without repeating the full course.

If you scored fewer than 20 out of 30 (below 67%): CITB requires you to attend the full two-day SSSTS course again before you can resit the exam.

Failing the exam does not mean the two days were wasted. The knowledge stays with you and most candidates who resit after targeted preparation pass on their second attempt.

Resit rules and timelines

If you are eligible to resit without repeating the course, the rules are as follows:

The resit must take place within 90 days of your original course date.
You can resit on the same day as the original course if your training provider can arrange it.
Alternatively, you can attend the final day of another SSSTS course and sit the exam paper there, within the 90-day window. You do not need to sit through the full two days again.
A charge may apply for the resit, at the training provider’s discretion.
If you fail the resit, you must complete the full two-day SSSTS course again before any further attempts.

If your 90-day window expires before you sit the resit, you will need to take the full course again. Do not let this deadline pass. Speak to our team on 01245 379496 or email sales@targetzerogroup.co.uk as soon as you know you need a resit.

What you receive when you pass

Passing the SSSTS exam earns you a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate. This is a nationally recognised qualification confirming you have completed the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme.

The certificate is valid for five years. Before it expires, you must complete the one-day SSSTS Refresher course to renew it. If you let the certificate expire without completing the refresher, you will need to take the full two-day SSSTS course again rather than just the refresher.

The SSSTS certificate also supports your application for the Gold CSCS Supervisor card, alongside the relevant CITB HS&E test pass.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are in the SSSTS exam?

The SSSTS exam has 30 questions: 22 multiple choice questions and 3 short written questions. Within those 30, four are designated as safety critical questions which must all be answered correctly to pass, regardless of the overall score.

What is the pass mark for the SSSTS exam?

The pass mark is 80%, which means you need to score at least 24 out of 30. You must also answer all four safety critical questions correctly. Both conditions must be met to pass.

What are safety critical questions in the SSSTS exam?

Safety critical questions are four specific questions within the exam that relate to high-risk scenarios where the wrong decision on site could result in serious injury or death. You must answer all four correctly to pass, even if your overall score is above 80%. They typically cover areas such as working at height, excavations, lifting operations and fire safety.

Can I use my notes during the SSSTS exam?

No. The SSSTS exam is a closed book exam. You cannot refer to any notes, handouts or course materials during the paper.

How long is the SSSTS exam?

CITB does not specify a fixed time limit for the SSSTS exam in its scheme rules. The exam takes place at the end of day two and delegates are expected to complete it within the allotted session time. In practice, most candidates complete the paper comfortably within an hour.

When do I get my SSSTS results?

Papers are sent to CITB for marking after the course. Results are not instant. Certificates for successful candidates are typically issued within a few weeks. Your training provider will advise on the specific timeline.

What happens if I fail the SSSTS exam?

If you scored 20 or more out of 30, you are eligible to resit the exam without repeating the full course, within a 90-day window. If you scored fewer than 20 out of 30, you must attend the full two-day SSSTS course again before resitting. A charge may apply for resits at the training provider’s discretion.

How long is the SSSTS certificate valid?

The SSSTS certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue. It must be renewed by completing the one-day SSSTS Refresher course before it expires. If the certificate lapses, you must take the full two-day SSSTS course again.

Does passing SSSTS help with my CSCS card?

Yes. The SSSTS certificate supports your application for the Gold CSCS Supervisor card. You will also need a valid CITB HS&E test pass at the appropriate level. The CSCS Card Finder tool on the official CSCS website will confirm the exact requirements for your specific role.

What is the difference between SSSTS and SMSTS?

The SSSTS is a two-day course for site supervisors. The SMSTS is a five-day course for site managers. The SSSTS qualifies you to supervise health and safety on site. The SMSTS qualifies you to manage it. If you are moving into a management role, SMSTS is the appropriate qualification. Many site managers start with SSSTS before progressing to SMSTS.