Guides/Theory test
Mock Theory Test Score: How to Know You Are Ready to Book
Updated 22 September 2026 · 4 min read
A mock theory test is a full, timed practice exam in the official format: same question count, same time limit, same pass mark as the real thing. It is not the same as browsing flashcards. If you have never sat one under exam conditions, your confidence level is a guess.
What makes a mock test realistic
- The right question count for your category: 40 for car or motorcycle, 100 for truck or bus, 140 for the combined CD test.
- A real time limit that counts down, not an untimed quiz.
- The real pass mark: 35/40 (87.5%) for car and motorcycle, 74/100 for truck and bus.
- Questions drawn at random from the full bank, not a fixed "top 40" list you can memorise.
- A topic breakdown afterwards, so a pass or fail tells you something you can act on.
Mock test by category
| Category | Questions | Time | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car (B) | 40 | 45 min | 35 |
| Motorcycle (A) | 40 | 45 min | 35 |
| Truck (C) | 100 | 120 min | 74 |
| Bus (D) | 100 | 120 min | 74 |
| Truck & bus combined (CD) | 140 | 180 min | 104 |
How to use your mock score
One mock test tells you almost nothing on its own; the trend across several does. If you score 38+ out of 40 on three mocks in a row, with no single topic where you fail more than you pass, you are genuinely ready. A score of 35 or 36 means you would scrape a pass today, but one unlucky question draw could tip you under.
A failed mock is more useful than a passed one, provided it comes with a topic breakdown. Read the explanation for every wrong answer before you move on. Retaking the same mock without reviewing mistakes just tests your memory of that one attempt, not your knowledge of the material.
Sit a free mock theory test now
Official question count, timer and pass mark for every category: car, motorcycle, truck and bus. No signup, no card details.
Free mock theory test Ireland: pick your categoryFrequently asked questions
+Where can I find a mock driving theory test in Ireland?
On theorytestpractice.ie you can sit a free mock exam in the official format for car, motorcycle, truck, bus and the combined CD test, with the real question count, timer and pass mark for each category.
+Where can I find a mock truck theory test in Ireland?
The truck (category C) mock test should have 100 questions, a 120-minute timer and a 74 pass mark, drawn across the official section quotas rather than a fixed shortlist.
+Can you do a mock theory test for free?
Yes. A free mock exam in the correct format is enough to gauge readiness; you do not need a paid app to get a realistic practice test.
+How many mock tests should I do before the real theory test?
Enough to score 38+ out of 40 (for car or motorcycle) on at least three in a row, with no weak topic. For most people that is five to ten full mocks over two to three weeks.