VP exam practice
The VP exam for a skilled person (vakbekwaam persoon, VP) tests whether you can work safely and independently on electrical installations: from the 5 safety rules and earthing systems to switching procedures and measuring instruments. On SwitchSkills you practise per module, with an explanation and an exam tip for every answer, and you can see before exam day whether you will reach 70%. The official exam is in Dutch, so it helps to know the Dutch terms.
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VP exam levels
As a skilled person you carry out work on electrical installations yourself. Choose the level that fits your work; for each level you only practise the modules that appear on your exam.
- VP*: Low voltage, basic. Simple operating, measuring and inspecting (25 exam questions)
- VP**: Low voltage, advanced. Work behind barriers and dead working (30 exam questions)
- VP***: Low voltage and high-voltage end groups. Switching and working on high-voltage end groups (35 exam questions)
- VP****: High and low voltage. Work on high-voltage and low-voltage installations (40 exam questions)
What the VP exam tests
| Topic | Where the marks are |
|---|---|
| The 5 safety rules | Order, how to carry them out and exceptions |
| Earthing systems | Recognising and applying TN-C, TN-S, TT and IT |
| Protective devices | Fuses, residual current devices (RCD) and selectivity |
| Switching | Switching-off and switching-on procedures and when to measure |
| Reading diagrams | Interpreting single-line diagrams and wiring diagrams |
| Measuring and testing | Insulation, continuity and voltage measurements |
The theory exam consists of multiple-choice questions; the pass mark is 70%. From VP** onwards there is also a practical exam, in which you safely make an installation dead and switch it back on.
Where do most candidates fail?
- Checking on both sides of the isolation point and the order of measurements: this step is often skipped or done at the wrong moment
- Earthing systems: the difference between TN-C and TN-S and what it means for protection
- Insulation measurements: which measurement belongs at which point in the procedure
- Authority: what a VP may do independently, and when a switching programme (schakelbrief) or work permit is needed
Exam tip: Practise the diagram questions separately. If you can read a single-line diagram quickly, you have time left for the questions you are unsure about. On the VP exam, running out of time often costs more marks than gaps in knowledge.
How to approach your preparation
Start with a baseline test using the free mock exam, then work through the theory module by module, and finish with at least three full exam simulations under time pressure. Exam readiness per module shows when you are ready.
How practising on SwitchSkills works
- More than 900 practice questions across the 12 exam objectives (eindtermen), with an explanation and an exam tip for every answer
- Timed exam simulations with the 70% pass mark, followed by your score per module
- Exam readiness per module: see where you are losing marks and what to practise first
- Questions you got wrong come back automatically through spaced repetition
- An AI tutor that asks follow-up questions on key terms and explains why an answer is right or wrong
- A free 10-question mock exam, no credit card needed
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does the VP exam have?
VP* has 25 questions, VP** 30, VP*** 35 and VP**** 40. The pass mark is always 70%.
Does the VP exam have a practical part?
Yes, from VP** onwards: besides the theory exam, you take a practical exam in which you make an installation dead and switch it back on following the 5 safety rules.
Can I practise VP questions for free?
Yes. With a free account you can take a 10-question mock exam with an explanation for every answer, no credit card needed.
What is the hardest part of the VP exam?
Most candidates lose marks on checking both sides of the isolation point, earthing systems and insulation measurements. Give those modules extra practice.
Do I get a VP certificate from SwitchSkills?
No. SwitchSkills is a practice platform. You get the certificate by passing an exam with an exam body; it is usually valid for 3 years.
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