There’s a tendency with professional qualifications to assume that reading through the course materials once is enough preparation. Sometimes it is. But when it comes to the APLH exam, going in without testing yourself first is an unnecessary risk. A Mock Test Personal Licence through Licensing Solutions costs nothing extra and takes less than an hour. The confidence it gives you going into the real exam is worth considerably more than that.
Let’s talk through what the mock test actually involves, how to use it properly, and why combining it with your course materials is the most reliable way to pass first time.
What Is the Mock Test and Why Does It Exist
The mock test is a practice version of the real APLH exam. It’s structured in exactly the same format, covers the same topic areas, and is set at the same level of difficulty as the actual exam you’ll be sitting. Forty multiple-choice questions, the same subjects, the same style of questioning.
The reason it exists is simple. Knowing the content and being able to apply it under exam conditions are two different things. Working through a Personal Licence Exam Mock before your real sitting bridges that gap. It shows you where your knowledge is solid and where it needs more attention, while there’s still time to do something about it.
It’s not a shortcut and it’s not a replacement for the course materials. It’s a preparation tool, and when used properly alongside the full syllabus it gives you a much clearer picture of where you actually stand before exam day arrives.
How to Take the Mock Test
Through Licensing Solutions you have two options for how you take the mock. The first is the online version, which gives you instant feedback as you go through each question. You can see straight away which answers were correct and which weren’t, and work out where the gaps in your knowledge are. This is the faster, more responsive option and suits people who like to review and move on quickly.
The second option is a downloadable PDF version of the mock test. This is for anyone who prefers to work away from a screen, sit down with a pen and paper, and go through the questions in a more traditional way. Some people genuinely find this easier to concentrate on, and the end result is the same. You identify your stronger and weaker areas and use that information to focus your final revision.
Both options are included as part of your booking with Licensing Solutions. There’s no extra cost and no separate sign-up required.
What to Do With Your Results
Once you’ve completed the mock test, the score you get tells you something useful. If you’re consistently scoring 28 or above out of 40, you’re at or above the pass mark and you’re likely ready to book your real exam slot. If you’re scoring in the low to mid twenties, there are clearly a few topic areas that need more work before you commit to a date.
The most common areas where people drop marks are around the specific duties of a Designated Premises Supervisor, the detail of the four licensing objectives, and the legal specifics around alcohol offences and police powers. Going back through the relevant sections of the BIIAB handbook and the course workbook with those areas in mind usually makes a significant difference to performance on a second run through the mock.
The Real Exam When You Are Ready
Once you feel confident in your mock test scores, booking the real exam through Licensing Solutions is straightforward. The APLH exam is taken online via a live one-to-one Zoom session with a trained examiner, available from 5am to 8pm seven days a week including weekends. You choose your slot, join the call from home or work, and sit the exam with your examiner present throughout.
The exam is 40 questions, 60 minutes, and 70% to pass. Results come through instantly once you’ve finished. If you don’t pass, unlimited re-sits are included at no extra cost, so you can go again as many times as you need without paying anything more.
Your digital certificate is issued within 24 to 48 hours of passing and is accepted by local councils across England and Wales for your personal licence application. The whole package including course materials, mock test, exam entry, unlimited re-sits, and certification is covered for £75 + VAT.
The Bottom Line
Using the mock test properly is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your chances of passing the APLH first time. It takes less than an hour, costs nothing extra, and removes a lot of the uncertainty that comes with sitting any kind of exam without knowing where you actually stand.
Work through your course materials, run through the mock test, check your scores, fill in any gaps, and then book your exam with confidence. That’s the straightforward approach that gives you the best possible shot at getting your personal licence qualification sorted first time.
