NERC TEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
What percentage of load gives a 1 Hz change in an island condition? - ANS 6-10% (Think 6-10
day island vacation)
If ACE is Zero but system Hz is off, what should a system operator do? - ANS Nothing! ACE
bias and interchange schedule will improve frequency
If ACE is Zero, why not adjust generation to help frequency? - ANS Could overload
equipment, this is a NERC violation
When restoring from blackout condition, what should be done with load? - ANS All load
breakers should be opened, load should be restored in a controlled manner not to exceed 5% of
current available gen
What's the point of COM-001? - ANS Each TO, BA, RC and NERCNet Use Orgs need to have
good comms
Where do they need to have comms? - ANS Internal, Between RC, TO and BA, Other RC, TO,
BA and authorities
Where applicable comms should be ______ and _______ routed. - ANS Redundant and
Diversely routed, just in case something fails
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 23
,How do we know comms will be good? - ANS They will manage, alarm, test and/or actively
monitor, especially emergency comm facilities and equipment (non-routine equipment)
When can languages other than English be used? - ANS Only for internal operation,
Operation of the BES requires comms in English
What is required so operation during a loss of comms will be ensured? - ANS Written
operating instructions and procedures
What is the point of COM-002? - ANS Ensure BA, TO, GO, and RC have comms and capability
to use them for addressing emergency and that operators are trained to use them
Who should a BA or TO notify if they are aware of any condition that could threaten area
reliability or when shedding load? - ANS Notify their RC and any other potentially affected BA
or TO
How should directives be issued by an RC, TO or BA? - ANS In a clear, concise and definitive
manner, using 3 part(way) communications
Who is required to create a blackstart restoration plan? Who approves it? - ANS Transmission
Operators; Its RC
When is the blackstart condition finished? - ANS When the choice of the next load to be
restored is not driven by frequency and voltage control
Who directs the procedure for restoring interconnection between Tos? - ANS RC
What must be done prior to implementing changes in a restoration plan? - ANS The parties
invloved must be told of changes to their role and specific tasks prior to implementation.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 23
, How often must the plan be confirmed given no changes were made? - ANS TO annually
review the plan and report to RC
After a system modification is made, how long does the TO have to update restoration plans? -
ANS 90 days
Where is a copy of the restoration plan required to be kept? - ANS Main and backup control
rooms
What must be done on the restoration plan every five years? - ANS Analyze the plan through
actual events, steady state and dynamic simulations or testing that the plan can work as
intended.
How often must a Blackstart Resource verify it can meet real and reactive power requirements
of its cranking path and intial load? - ANS Every 5 years
How often must the location of loads required to control voltage and Hz in a blackstart be
verified within operating limits? - ANS Every 5 years
How often is the capability of generating resources required to control voltage and Hz in a
blackstart condition verified? - ANS Every 5 years
What should a TO use if the restoration plan cannot be executed? - ANS Use its restoration
strategies
Under what conditions can a TO resynchronize with its neighboring TO? - ANS Only with RC
approval or with the established procedures of the RC
What is the point of Blackstart Resource testing? - ANS To ensure the resource is capable of
me4eting the requirements of the restoration plan
How often must a Blackstart Resource be verified at a minimum? - ANS Once every 3 years
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 23
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
What percentage of load gives a 1 Hz change in an island condition? - ANS 6-10% (Think 6-10
day island vacation)
If ACE is Zero but system Hz is off, what should a system operator do? - ANS Nothing! ACE
bias and interchange schedule will improve frequency
If ACE is Zero, why not adjust generation to help frequency? - ANS Could overload
equipment, this is a NERC violation
When restoring from blackout condition, what should be done with load? - ANS All load
breakers should be opened, load should be restored in a controlled manner not to exceed 5% of
current available gen
What's the point of COM-001? - ANS Each TO, BA, RC and NERCNet Use Orgs need to have
good comms
Where do they need to have comms? - ANS Internal, Between RC, TO and BA, Other RC, TO,
BA and authorities
Where applicable comms should be ______ and _______ routed. - ANS Redundant and
Diversely routed, just in case something fails
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 23
,How do we know comms will be good? - ANS They will manage, alarm, test and/or actively
monitor, especially emergency comm facilities and equipment (non-routine equipment)
When can languages other than English be used? - ANS Only for internal operation,
Operation of the BES requires comms in English
What is required so operation during a loss of comms will be ensured? - ANS Written
operating instructions and procedures
What is the point of COM-002? - ANS Ensure BA, TO, GO, and RC have comms and capability
to use them for addressing emergency and that operators are trained to use them
Who should a BA or TO notify if they are aware of any condition that could threaten area
reliability or when shedding load? - ANS Notify their RC and any other potentially affected BA
or TO
How should directives be issued by an RC, TO or BA? - ANS In a clear, concise and definitive
manner, using 3 part(way) communications
Who is required to create a blackstart restoration plan? Who approves it? - ANS Transmission
Operators; Its RC
When is the blackstart condition finished? - ANS When the choice of the next load to be
restored is not driven by frequency and voltage control
Who directs the procedure for restoring interconnection between Tos? - ANS RC
What must be done prior to implementing changes in a restoration plan? - ANS The parties
invloved must be told of changes to their role and specific tasks prior to implementation.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 23
, How often must the plan be confirmed given no changes were made? - ANS TO annually
review the plan and report to RC
After a system modification is made, how long does the TO have to update restoration plans? -
ANS 90 days
Where is a copy of the restoration plan required to be kept? - ANS Main and backup control
rooms
What must be done on the restoration plan every five years? - ANS Analyze the plan through
actual events, steady state and dynamic simulations or testing that the plan can work as
intended.
How often must a Blackstart Resource verify it can meet real and reactive power requirements
of its cranking path and intial load? - ANS Every 5 years
How often must the location of loads required to control voltage and Hz in a blackstart be
verified within operating limits? - ANS Every 5 years
How often is the capability of generating resources required to control voltage and Hz in a
blackstart condition verified? - ANS Every 5 years
What should a TO use if the restoration plan cannot be executed? - ANS Use its restoration
strategies
Under what conditions can a TO resynchronize with its neighboring TO? - ANS Only with RC
approval or with the established procedures of the RC
What is the point of Blackstart Resource testing? - ANS To ensure the resource is capable of
me4eting the requirements of the restoration plan
How often must a Blackstart Resource be verified at a minimum? - ANS Once every 3 years
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 23
