NCSBA Journeyman Beekeeping Exam
Questions and Answers| Latest Update| Pass
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NCSBA Journeyman Beekeeping Exam Practice Test
Verified Questions & Answers (2026/2027 Update)
SECTION 1: BEE BIOLOGY & ANATOMY
1. What is the primary role of the worker bee in a honey bee colony?
A) To lay eggs and maintain colony reproduction
B) To guard the hive entrance and protect the colony
C) To perform foraging, nursing, building, and maintenance tasks
D) To mate with the queen and father offspring
Correct Answer: C. To perform foraging, nursing, building, and maintenance
tasks. Rationale: Worker bees are female bees that perform all essential colony
functions including foraging for nectar and pollen, nursing larvae, building and
maintaining comb, producing honey and propolis, and performing general hive
maintenance .
2. How long is the typical lifespan of a worker bee during the active season?
A) 3 to 6 weeks
B) 8 to 12 weeks
C) 4 to 6 months
D) 6 to 8 months
,Correct Answer: A. 3 to 6 weeks. Rationale: During the active foraging season
(spring and summer), worker bees typically live for 3 to 6 weeks. This relatively
short lifespan is offset by the queen laying thousands of eggs during peak season .
3. What is the primary function of drone bees in a honey bee colony?
A) To forage for nectar and pollen
B) To build and maintain honeycomb
C) To mate with the queen
D) To feed and care for larvae
Correct Answer: C. To mate with the queen. Rationale: Drones are male bees
whose sole biological purpose is to mate with a queen. Drones do not collect food,
build comb, or care for brood. They are typically expelled from the hive in fall when
resources become scarce .
4. What is the average lifespan of a queen bee in an established colony?
A) 1 to 2 years
B) 2 to 3 years
C) 3 to 5 years
D) 5 to 7 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 to 3 years. Rationale: A healthy, well-cared-for queen bee
typically lives 2 to 3 years in an established colony. However, many beekeepers
replace queens annually or every 2 years to maintain colony vigor .
5. How many eggs can a laying queen bee produce per day during peak season?
A) 500 to 800
B) 1,000 to 1,200
C) 1,500 to 2,000
D) 3,000 to 4,000
,Correct Answer: C. 1,500 to 2,000. Rationale: A queen bee lays eggs continuously
throughout the day during the active season, potentially laying 1,500 to 2,000
eggs per day during peak laying periods .
6. The Johnston's organ is located in which part of a honey bee's body?
A) Antennae
B) Legs
C) Abdomen
D) Thorax
Correct Answer: A. Antennae. Rationale: The Johnston's organ is a specialized
sensory structure located in the pedicel (second segment) of a honey bee's
antennae. It detects vibrations and air movements, playing a crucial role in
hearing and communication .
7. Which gland produces the alarm pheromone primarily associated with
stinging?
A) Nasanov gland
B) Mandibular gland
C) Tergal gland
D) Koschevnikov gland
Correct Answer: D. Koschevnikov gland. Rationale: The Koschevnikov gland,
located near the sting shaft, produces the alarm pheromone that alerts other bees
to danger and triggers defensive behavior .
8. What is the structure that connects the two segments of a bee's antenna
called?
A) Scape
B) Pedicel
, C) Flagellum
D) Hamuli
Correct Answer: B. Pedicel. Rationale: The antenna of a honey bee consists of
three main segments: the scape (base), the pedicel (the second segment that
connects the scape to the flagellum), and the flagellum. The pedicel contains the
Johnston's organ .
9. What are the hooks at the edge of the hind wing that hook into forewings to
form a bigger wing when in flight?
A) Corbicula
B) Hamuli
C) Spiracles
D) Sensilla
Correct Answer: B. Hamuli. Rationale: Hamuli are hooks at the edge of the hind
wing that hook into forewings to form a bigger wing when in flight .
10. How many wax glands does a honey bee have?
A) 4
B) 6
C) 8
D) 10
Correct Answer: C. 8. Rationale: A honey bee has 8 wax glands .
11. What are the "breathing" openings of the bee called?
A) Hamuli
B) Spiracles
C) Sensilla
D) Tergites
Questions and Answers| Latest Update| Pass
Guaranteed
NCSBA Journeyman Beekeeping Exam Practice Test
Verified Questions & Answers (2026/2027 Update)
SECTION 1: BEE BIOLOGY & ANATOMY
1. What is the primary role of the worker bee in a honey bee colony?
A) To lay eggs and maintain colony reproduction
B) To guard the hive entrance and protect the colony
C) To perform foraging, nursing, building, and maintenance tasks
D) To mate with the queen and father offspring
Correct Answer: C. To perform foraging, nursing, building, and maintenance
tasks. Rationale: Worker bees are female bees that perform all essential colony
functions including foraging for nectar and pollen, nursing larvae, building and
maintaining comb, producing honey and propolis, and performing general hive
maintenance .
2. How long is the typical lifespan of a worker bee during the active season?
A) 3 to 6 weeks
B) 8 to 12 weeks
C) 4 to 6 months
D) 6 to 8 months
,Correct Answer: A. 3 to 6 weeks. Rationale: During the active foraging season
(spring and summer), worker bees typically live for 3 to 6 weeks. This relatively
short lifespan is offset by the queen laying thousands of eggs during peak season .
3. What is the primary function of drone bees in a honey bee colony?
A) To forage for nectar and pollen
B) To build and maintain honeycomb
C) To mate with the queen
D) To feed and care for larvae
Correct Answer: C. To mate with the queen. Rationale: Drones are male bees
whose sole biological purpose is to mate with a queen. Drones do not collect food,
build comb, or care for brood. They are typically expelled from the hive in fall when
resources become scarce .
4. What is the average lifespan of a queen bee in an established colony?
A) 1 to 2 years
B) 2 to 3 years
C) 3 to 5 years
D) 5 to 7 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 to 3 years. Rationale: A healthy, well-cared-for queen bee
typically lives 2 to 3 years in an established colony. However, many beekeepers
replace queens annually or every 2 years to maintain colony vigor .
5. How many eggs can a laying queen bee produce per day during peak season?
A) 500 to 800
B) 1,000 to 1,200
C) 1,500 to 2,000
D) 3,000 to 4,000
,Correct Answer: C. 1,500 to 2,000. Rationale: A queen bee lays eggs continuously
throughout the day during the active season, potentially laying 1,500 to 2,000
eggs per day during peak laying periods .
6. The Johnston's organ is located in which part of a honey bee's body?
A) Antennae
B) Legs
C) Abdomen
D) Thorax
Correct Answer: A. Antennae. Rationale: The Johnston's organ is a specialized
sensory structure located in the pedicel (second segment) of a honey bee's
antennae. It detects vibrations and air movements, playing a crucial role in
hearing and communication .
7. Which gland produces the alarm pheromone primarily associated with
stinging?
A) Nasanov gland
B) Mandibular gland
C) Tergal gland
D) Koschevnikov gland
Correct Answer: D. Koschevnikov gland. Rationale: The Koschevnikov gland,
located near the sting shaft, produces the alarm pheromone that alerts other bees
to danger and triggers defensive behavior .
8. What is the structure that connects the two segments of a bee's antenna
called?
A) Scape
B) Pedicel
, C) Flagellum
D) Hamuli
Correct Answer: B. Pedicel. Rationale: The antenna of a honey bee consists of
three main segments: the scape (base), the pedicel (the second segment that
connects the scape to the flagellum), and the flagellum. The pedicel contains the
Johnston's organ .
9. What are the hooks at the edge of the hind wing that hook into forewings to
form a bigger wing when in flight?
A) Corbicula
B) Hamuli
C) Spiracles
D) Sensilla
Correct Answer: B. Hamuli. Rationale: Hamuli are hooks at the edge of the hind
wing that hook into forewings to form a bigger wing when in flight .
10. How many wax glands does a honey bee have?
A) 4
B) 6
C) 8
D) 10
Correct Answer: C. 8. Rationale: A honey bee has 8 wax glands .
11. What are the "breathing" openings of the bee called?
A) Hamuli
B) Spiracles
C) Sensilla
D) Tergites
