ASNT MT Level 2 exam guide: format, topics and fees
The ASNT Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) Level II program has a General exam and a Specific exam, and this guide is about the General exam, where most of the theory and technique sits. Here is what the exam looks like on the day, which topic list applies to your date, what it costs and what to drill first, so your study matches the test.
- Questions
- 50
- Time
- 120 minutes
- Exam fee
- $740 member / $820 non-member, per method
- Where
- Computer-based, in person at Pearson VUE or an ASNT Authorized Exam Center
Echo AI Answer, then ask me why, in the free 10-question check. Start the check
The exam at a glance
- General exam: 50 multiple-choice items in 2 hours.
- Specific exam: 40 multiple-choice items in 2 hours, taken for a sector. The sectors are General Industry and Pressure Equipment.
- Where: computer-based, in person at Pearson VUE or an ASNT Authorized Exam Center. There are no walk-ins.
- Cut score: ASNT doesn't publish the exact number. It says its exams typically fall in the 70 to 80% range.
- Open or closed book: not stated on ASNT's exam page, so confirm it when you book.
- Employer parts: the visual acuity, practical and job-specific exams are given by your employer, not by ASNT.
Try one question
Question 1 of the free 10-question check on MT L2. No signup.
Equipment
Ultraviolet (UV-A) lamps used for fluorescent magnetic particle inspection emit mainly near which wavelength?
Choose an answer to begin
Which topic list applies
ASNT publishes two MT General outlines, and your exam date decides which one you study.
- Before 15 December 2026: ten topics. Principles, Flux Fields, Effects of Discontinuities on Materials, Magnetization by Means of Electric Current, Selecting the Proper Method of Magnetization, Demagnetization Procedures, Equipment, Types of Discontinuities, Evaluation Techniques and Quality Control of Equipment Processes.
- After 15 December 2026: five domains. MT Principles and Theory, Use and Care of MT Equipment and Accessories, MT Techniques, Interpret, Evaluate, and Document Results, and Codes, Standards, Specifications, and Procedures.
ASNT gives no topic weights, so you want every topic covered. The MT outline change guide shows how the old headings line up with the new domains.
The MT L2 course
Available now · instant accessLearn every General exam topic, work the current calculations step by step, then prove it on timed exams.
- 6modules of lessonsEvery task on the outline
- 2full-length timed exams50 questions in 120 minutes each
- 250practice questionsEach one explained
- 7worked calculationsStep by step
- 1week-by-week study planSet to your exam date
Turn a practice answer into a study step. In untimed practice, ask Echo AI about any question you answer, follow up, then see your weakest topics and what to drill next.
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- NDT MT + PT Level II General bundle$199$59 less than buying both courses separately
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- All three courses bundle$299$108 less than buying the 3 courses separately
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Every answer comes with a full explanation.
Fees, retakes and eligibility
- Fee: $740 for ASNT members and $820 for non-members covers the General and Specific exams in one method. An extra industry sector costs $370 and $410.
- Retake: a failed exam costs $370 for members and $410 for non-members, after a 30-day wait.
- Eligibility for MT: 40 days of method experience, 76 days of total NDT experience and 3 training days, where a training day is at least 7 hours.
Fees change, so confirm them on ASNT's Level II page before you register. For the requirements across methods, see NDT Level II requirements by method.
How to prepare
- Take the free check and note which topics cost you the most points.
- Work the technique logic, not just the vocabulary: which magnetization method suits which discontinuity direction. The field direction and technique guide walks through it.
- Follow a review routine from your check results in MT Level II practice.
- Studying more than one method? The ASNT Level 2 study guide lays out UT, MT and PT in study order.
Find your weak topics free
The free 10-question check is spread across the MT topics, needs no signup and explains every answer as you go. You finish knowing which topic to open first.
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Start the free 10-question checkExam facts
| Questions | General exam 50 multiple-choice items; Specific (sector) exam 40 multiple-choice items |
| Time | 120 per exam (General 2 h, Specific 2 h) |
| Book | not stated on ASNT's exam page |
| Passing | Exact cut score not published; ASNT says its exams are typically in the 70-80% range, set by Angoff or IRT |
| Where you test | Computer-based, in person at Pearson VUE or an ASNT Authorized Exam Center |
| Exam fee | $740 member / $820 non-member, per method |
| Retakes | Retaking a failed exam costs $370 member / $410 nonmember, after a 30-day waiting period |
| Eligibility | mt: MT: 40 days method experience, 76 days total NDT experience, 3 days training (1 training day = at least 7 h) |
Fee details
initial general plus specific per method: member $740, nonmember $820; industry sector add on: member $370, nonmember $410; retake failed exam: member $370, nonmember $410
What the exam covers
| Principles | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Flux Fields | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Effects of Discontinuities on Materials | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Magnetization by Means of Electric Current | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Selecting the Proper Method of Magnetization | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Demagnetization Procedures | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Equipment | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Types of Discontinuities | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Evaluation Techniques | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
| Quality Control of Equipment Processes | not published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing |
American Society for Nondestructive Testing lists these sections but publishes no weights, so treat them as equally important until you know otherwise.
Sources
Show the 4 sources
- certification.asnt.org/certification/asnt-ndt-level-ii (checked 2026-10-19)
- certification.asnt.org/certification/examinations/asnt-ndt-level-ii (checked 2026-10-19)
- certification.asnt.org/certification/resources/psychometrics-information (checked 2026-10-19)
- source.asnt.org/level-ii-mt/ (checked 2026-10-19)
Facts checked 24 October 2026 against American Society for Nondestructive Testing's own documents (sources above). If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.
Your next step
- 01Free MT L2 check10 questions, untimed, about 24 minutes. Answers explained as you go.Start free
- 02NDT MT Level II General course$129. Lessons, timed practice exams and a plan around your exam date.See the plans