HMI Programming Practice Test

The HMI Programming Practice Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. Exam-style practice for HMI (human-machine interface) programming in industrial automation and SCADA — fundamentals (HMI, PLC and SCADA roles), screen development (screens, tags, objects and navigation), data and communication (PLC tags, Modbus and OPC UA, data types), and alarms, security and best practice (alarm management, high-performance HMI and usability). Written to ISA-101, ISA-18.2 and industrial protocol references for 2026. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable HMI Programming Exam Preparation certificate (SOA-HMIP). Every question is based on published standards and research — including ISA-101 Human-Machine Interfaces for Process Automation Systems (International Society of Automation), IEC 61131-3 programming languages (PLCopen), ISA-18 series: management of alarm systems for the process industries (ANSI/ISA-18.2) (International Society of Automation) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Yes. Science of Apps has a free HMI Programming Practice Test built on the current Science of Apps exam outline for 2026 and 2027. It covers fundamentals, screen development, data and communication and alarms, security and best practice, scores you instantly and issues a verifiable certificate.

Read the four skill areas on this page, then take the 20-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a HMI Programming Exam Preparation certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: ISA-101 Human-Machine Interfaces for Process Automation Systems (International Society of Automation); IEC 61131-3 programming languages (PLCopen); ISA-18 series: management of alarm systems for the process industries (ANSI/ISA-18.2) (International Society of Automation); OPC Unified Architecture (OPC Foundation); Modbus application protocol and Modbus TCP specifications (Modbus Organization). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Fundamentals (HMI, PLC and SCADA); Screen Development (Screens, Tags and Objects); Data and Communication (Tags, Protocols and DataTypes); Alarms, Security and Best Practice (Alarms, Security and HPHMI). Every question is an original scenario written to the 2026–2027 standard, with the published source named under it.

Automation or controls engineer, HMI/SCADA developer, PLC programmer, Instrumentation technician and Manufacturing systems engineer. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show HMI Programming knowledge in 2026 and 2027, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

A human-machine interface (HMI) is the operator-facing screen and controls that let people monitor and interact with an industrial process or machine. It typically connects to PLCs or a SCADA system, showing live values, trends and alarms, and allowing operators to issue commands.

A PLC (programmable logic controller) runs the control logic and reads/writes field devices. The HMI reads PLC data (tags) to display the process and writes operator inputs back to the PLC. The HMI visualises and controls; the PLC executes the logic.

No. It is an independent practice test written to the publicly available HMI Programming content outline for 2026 and 2027, for checking your readiness before you book the real exam. Passing earns a Science of Apps certificate rather than the official credential.

Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

20 questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — with a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — and a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.