The Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test is a critical pre-employment assessment used to evaluate candidates applying for electrical, technician, craft, and maintenance roles within Southern Company and its subsidiaries.
This test helps ensure that applicants possess the foundational electrical knowledge, math skills, and mechanical reasoning required to work safely and effectively in high-risk utility environments.
If you’re preparing for a Southern Company electrical role, understanding what the SKAT test covers and how to pass it can significantly improve your chances of getting hired.
What Is the Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test?
The SKAT (Skilled Knowledge Assessment Test) is a standardized aptitude and technical exam designed to measure whether a candidate has the core skills required for electrical and industrial work.
Southern Company uses this test to:
- Screen candidates before interviews
- Reduce safety risks on the job
- Ensure consistency and fairness in hiring
- Identify applicants who can handle real-world electrical tasks.
The test is not role-play based—it focuses on knowledge and problem-solving ability, not personality.
Jobs That Commonly Require the SKAT Electrical Test
You may be required to take this test if you apply for roles such as:
- Electrical Technician
- Apprentice Electrician
- Electrical Maintenance Worker
- Substation Technician
- Power Plant Operator
- Industrial Electrician
- Craft or Utility Technician.
What Does the Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test Cover?
The test typically includes multiple-choice questions across several skill areas:
- Electrical Fundamentals
This section evaluates your understanding of basic electrical concepts, including:
- Voltage, current, and resistance
- Ohm’s Law
- Series and parallel circuits
- AC vs. DC electricity
- Electrical symbols and diagrams
- Circuit breakers and fuses.
Expect practical questions, not advanced theory.
2. Electrical Math
You’ll need to perform calculations accurately under time pressure, such as:
- Voltage drop calculations
- Power (watts), current (amps), resistance (ohms)
- Basic algebra and arithmetic
- Fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Unit conversions.
A calculator may or may not be allowed, so mental math skills matter.
3. Mechanical & Technical Reasoning
This section tests how well you understand:
- Tools and equipment
- Gears, pulleys, and levers
- Force, motion, and load
- Basic mechanical systems used in industrial environments.
4. Reading & Interpreting Diagrams
You may be asked to:
- Read wiring diagrams
- Identify components from schematics
- Understand flow of electricity through a system.
This reflects real-world tasks electricians perform on the job.
5. Safety Awareness
Safety is extremely important to Southern Company. Questions may cover:
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Electrical hazards
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Safe work practices.
Test Format & Difficulty Level
- Format: Multiple-choice
- Time-limited: Yes
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Passing score: Not publicly disclosed (varies by role).
Many candidates fail not because they lack knowledge, but because they are:
- Unfamiliar with the test format
- Too slow with calculations
- Out of practice with diagrams
- Underestimating the time pressure.
How to Pass the Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test
- Refresh Electrical Basics
Before the test, review:
- Ohm’s Law (V = IR)
- Power formulas (P = VI, P = I²R)
- Series vs. parallel circuits
- Electrical symbols and components.
You don’t need advanced engineering knowledge—master the fundamentals.
2. Practice Electrical Math Daily
Speed matters. Practice:
- Solving equations quickly
- Working without a calculator
- Estimating answers when exact values aren’t needed.
Timed practice tests are especially effective.
3. Study Diagrams and Schematics
Many candidates struggle here. Improve by:
- Reviewing basic wiring diagrams
- Practicing identifying components
- Understanding current flow direction.
4. Take Practice Tests
Practice tests help you:
- Get familiar with question styles
- Improve speed and confidence
- Identify weak areas before test day.
Candidates who take multiple practice tests often score significantly higher than those who don’t.
Take our free Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test – Mock Exam and get prepared for a great score.
5. Manage Your Time During the Test
- Don’t spend too long on one question
- Skip difficult questions and return later
- Answer easier questions first to build confidence.
Remember: An unanswered question is always wrong—make educated guesses.
6. Prepare Mentally and Physically
- Get enough rest the night before
- Eat a light meal
- Arrive early and calm
- Read each question carefully.
Confidence plays a big role in performance.
Common Reasons Candidates Fail
- Lack of practice with electrical math
- Poor time management
- Weak diagram interpretation skills
- Overthinking simple questions
- Test anxiety
All of these can be fixed with proper preparation.
Conclusion
The Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test is a serious assessment, but it is absolutely passable with the right preparation.
It doesn’t test tricks or obscure knowledge — it tests whether you are job-ready, safety-aware, and technically capable.
If you’re serious about working for Southern Company, taking time to prepare with realistic practice questions and mock exams can be the difference between rejection and getting hired.
The best next step is to take a full SKAT Electrical Practice Test and review your results before test day. Use our free Southern Company SKAT Electrical Test – Mock Exam for a great preparation.
