A lot of people underestimate the BIIAB APLH exam. It's not massively difficult, but it does cover quite a specific set of topics and if you go in underprepared, it shows. That's exactly why doing a Personal Licence Mock Test before your actual exam is one of the smartest things you can do.

So what is it, exactly? It's a practice run. Forty multiple-choice questions, structured in the same format as the real exam, covering the same subject areas. You need 28 out of 40 to pass that's 70% — and the mock test gives you a really honest sense of where you stand before the pressure of the real thing kicks in.

What Topics Does It Actually Cover?

The APLH exam isn't random. It draws from a defined set of topics that every personal licence holder needs to understand. Things like the Licensing Act 2003, the four licensing objectives, alcohol law and offences, age verification, the responsibilities of a Designated Premises Supervisor, and what happens when a sale is refused. The mock test reflects these same areas, so working through it helps you spot straight away which topics you're solid on and which ones need a bit more revision.

Two Ways to Use It

You can either download the mock test as a PDF and work through it at your own pace with a pen and paper — which some people genuinely prefer — or take it online and get instant feedback as you go. Both options are available, and neither costs you anything. If you're the type who likes to sit down away from a screen and really focus, the PDF works well. If you want to see where you went wrong straight away and move on, the online version is quicker.

Don't Rely on It as Your Only Revision, Though

This is an important point and one worth being honest about. The mock test is a useful tool, but the real exam draws from a larger question bank. So whilst the mock will give you a solid feel for the format and the types of questions to expect, you shouldn't treat it as a shortcut to the full course materials. Working through the BIIAB Personal Licence Handbook alongside your course notes is still the most thorough way to prepare.

That said, once you've done your studying, running through the mock test is a brilliant way to check your confidence levels before you commit to a date. If you're consistently scoring above 28, you're probably ready. If you're hovering around the 20–25 mark, a bit more reading will pay dividends.

What Happens After the Mock Test?

Once you feel ready, Licensing Solutions makes the next step straightforward. The full BIIAB APLH exam is taken online through a live invigilated Zoom session, available seven days a week from 5am to 8pm. You pick your own slot, sit it from home or work, and get your results instantly. The whole course, exam entry, and unlimited retakes come in at £75 + VAT — and if you use the code LICENSING at checkout, you get 10% off on top of that.

The e-learning platform that comes with your booking also includes over 100 additional practice questions, so you'll have plenty of material to work through before you sit the real thing.

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