Next NATE Air Distribution Service Practice Test 2

NATE_AIRDIST_SERVICE NEC 2023

NATE Air Distribution Service Practice Test 1

This practice test focuses on static pressure basics: what static pressure is, how to measure total external static pressure (TESP) with a manometer, and how to compare a reading to the equipment's rated static pressure. You will also see a few CFM and common restriction questions mixed in.

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NATE Air Distribution Service

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — completely free with no signup required. Every question includes a full explanation of the correct answer.

Two: the NATE Core exam plus at least one specialty exam (for example AC Service, Heat Pump Service, or Air Distribution Service). You can take them on the same day or separately.

The Core exam has 50 questions and each installation or service specialty exam has 100 questions. You need 70% on each to pass — 35 of 50 on Core and 70 of 100 on a specialty. Check natex.org for the current format before you book.

NATE certification lasts two years. To renew, you submit 16 hours of continuing education or retake the specialty exam before your certification expires.

No. These are independent practice tests written to match the published NATE exam topics. They are not official NATE exam questions.

Exam Tip: Always compare a measured static pressure reading to the equipment's own rated/nameplate static pressure before deciding if there is a problem. A number by itself does not tell you much.

30

Questions

30 min

Time

70%

Pass

Timer starts immediately. Progress is auto-saved.

NATE Air Distribution Service Practice Test 1 — Question List

Question 1: What is static pressure in an air distribution system?

The resistance to airflow in a duct system, measured in inches of water column (in. w.c.)
The volume of air moved per minute, measured in CFM
The pressure of refrigerant in the suction line
The voltage drop across the blower motor windings

Question 2: Which tool is used to measure static pressure?

Anemometer
Manometer
Flow hood
Clamp meter

Question 3: Total external static pressure (TESP) is measured across which part of the system?

The supply duct only
The return duct only
Both the supply side and the return side combined
The blower housing only

Question 4: If the measured TESP on a system is higher than the equipment's rated static pressure, what does this tell the technician?

The blower is running too fast
The refrigerant charge is too high
The thermostat needs replacement
The system has more resistance to airflow than it was designed for

Question 5: A technician measures TESP at 0.95 in. w.c. on a furnace rated for 0.50 in. w.c. of external static pressure. What is the most likely result?

Airflow (CFM) will likely be lower than design
Airflow (CFM) will likely be higher than design
Static pressure has no effect on airflow
The nameplate rating must be wrong

Question 6: Static pressure is measured in which unit?

Cubic feet per minute
Inches of water column
Degrees Fahrenheit
Amps

Question 7: Where should a technician take manometer readings to find TESP?

Only at the thermostat
Only inside the blower compartment
On the supply plenum and return plenum, close to the equipment
At the outdoor condenser fan

Question 8: True or False: Rated static pressure is the same value for every furnace or air handler model.

True, all units are rated at 0.50 in. w.c.
True, all units are rated at 1.0 in. w.c.
False, rated static pressure applies only to cooling mode
False, each model has its own nameplate rated static pressure

Question 9: A technician notices static pressure has risen compared to last year's reading, with no changes made to the duct system. What is the most likely explanation?

A blocked or restricted point in the airflow path, such as a dirty filter
A refrigerant leak
A thermostat calibration error
Normal operation with no cause for concern

Question 10: When evaluating a static pressure reading, what should a technician always compare it to?

The outdoor temperature
The equipment's rated/nameplate static pressure
The refrigerant pressure chart
Last year's utility bill

Question 11: A manometer typically reads static pressure at test ports located where?

Only on the outdoor unit
Only at the thermostat wire connections
On duct walls, plenums, or across components such as filters and coils
Only at the condensate drain

Question 12: High static pressure caused by a dirty filter will generally cause CFM to do what?

Increase
Stay exactly the same
Become negative
Decrease

Question 13: CFM stands for what?

Cubic feet per minute
Current flow measurement
Coil fan motor
Condenser fan mode

Question 14: A flow hood is used to directly measure what?

Static pressure at the plenum
Actual airflow (CFM) at a supply register
Refrigerant subcooling
Duct material thickness

Question 15: A furnace's rated static pressure is 0.50 in. w.c. A technician measures 0.30 in. w.c. on the supply plenum and 0.15 in. w.c. (absolute value) on the return plenum. What is the TESP, and how does it compare to rated?

TESP = 0.65 in. w.c., above rated static
TESP = 0.15 in. w.c., above rated static
TESP = 0.45 in. w.c., below rated static
TESP = 0.30 in. w.c., equal to rated static

Question 16: If TESP is below the equipment's rated static pressure, what does this generally mean?

The system will always overheat
The compressor will fail immediately
The static pressure reading must be an error
The system has less resistance than the equipment was designed to handle, so airflow may be at or above design

Question 17: Which of the following is NOT a common cause of high static pressure?

A clean, correctly sized filter with no other restrictions
A dirty air filter
An undersized duct system
A dirty evaporator coil

Question 18: A closed or stuck damper in the ductwork will typically do what?

Lower static pressure and increase airflow
Raise static pressure and reduce airflow past that point
Have no effect on airflow or pressure
Only affect refrigerant charge

Question 19: Two identical furnaces have identical duct systems. Furnace A has a dirty evaporator coil and Furnace B has a clean coil. Compared to Furnace B, what will Furnace A most likely show?

Lower static pressure and higher CFM
Higher static pressure but higher CFM
Higher static pressure and lower CFM
The same static pressure and same CFM

Question 20: An anemometer measures what?

Static pressure
Refrigerant pressure
Air temperature only
Air velocity, often at a register or grille

Question 21: Which statement about CFM and static pressure is correct?

CFM measures the actual volume of air moved, while static pressure measures resistance to that flow
CFM measures resistance, static pressure measures flow volume
CFM and static pressure are the exact same measurement
Static pressure only matters in heating mode

Question 22: True or False: A dirty filter can increase static pressure no matter what its MERV rating is.

False, only high-MERV filters get dirty
True, any dirty filter increases resistance to airflow
False, static pressure is unrelated to filters
True, but only in cooling mode

Question 23: A homeowner says one bedroom feels too warm in summer. The supply register has good airflow, but the door is kept closed and there is no return grille or transfer path from that room. What is the most likely contributor?

The refrigerant charge is low
The static pressure is too low
The room becomes pressurized, pushing conditioned air back out through cracks because there is no path for air to return
The blower motor is oversized

Question 24: What is the purpose of a "jump duct" or transfer grille?

Increase static pressure intentionally
Filter incoming outdoor air
Measure airflow velocity
Give air a path to return from a closed-off room, relieving pressure buildup

Question 25: Where is the rated static pressure for a piece of equipment usually found?

On the equipment's nameplate/data plate
In the local building code only
On the thermostat display
It cannot be determined and must be estimated

Question 26: A technician measures static pressure but never checks the equipment's rated static pressure. Why is this a problem?

It isn't a problem; static pressure readings are meaningless without airflow readings
Without knowing the rated value, the technician cannot judge whether the measured static pressure indicates a problem
Static pressure cannot be measured unless the rated value is entered into a manometer
It is only a problem in cooling mode

Question 27: A furnace is rated for 0.50 in. w.c. TESP. A technician measures 0.20 in. w.c. on the supply side and 0.35 in. w.c. (absolute value) on the return side. What is the TESP, and is it within the rated value?

TESP = 0.15 in. w.c., below the rated static pressure
TESP = 0.35 in. w.c., equal to the rated static pressure
TESP = 0.55 in. w.c., above the rated static pressure
TESP = 0.20 in. w.c., below the rated static pressure

Question 28: A restriction anywhere in the duct system, filter, or coil will generally do what, all else being equal?

Decrease static pressure and increase airflow
Have no measurable effect
Only affect the thermostat's calibration
Increase static pressure and decrease airflow

Question 29: Which of the following tool-and-purpose pairs is correctly matched?

Flow hood — measures CFM at a register
Manometer — measures air velocity
Anemometer — measures static pressure
Smoke pencil — measures refrigerant charge

Question 30: Overall, why does measuring static pressure matter to a technician?

It has no practical use in the field
It helps a technician judge whether the duct system and other components are restricting airflow compared to what the equipment was designed to handle
It replaces the need to measure CFM
It only matters for gas furnaces, not heat pumps

EXAM CARD NATE_AIRDIST_SERVICE

Questions30

Time limit30 min

Pass score70%

Code editionNEC 2023

DifficultyIntermediate

Last reviewedJun 2026

Timer starts immediately. Progress is auto-saved.

Source: NEC 2026 (NFPA 70)