Schematic symbols

Schematics use standard symbols for components. Learn the ones the exam figures use, compare look-alikes, and drill until you can name them on sight.

Symbols on the exams

Appears in figure T-1, component 1 (T6C02).

All three share the triangle and bar. The LED adds two arrows, the Zener bends the ends of the bar, and the Schottky hooks them.

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All three share the triangle and bar. The LED adds two arrows, the Zener bends the ends of the bar, and the Schottky hooks them.
Look at where each arrow sits and which way it points. The dual-gate MOSFET draws its two gates apart from the channel; a MOSFET gate is insulated from the channel (G6A09).
Each draws a coil as a row of loops, since an inductor is typically a coil of wire (T6A07). The transformer, which the General pool calls a solid core transformer (G7A12), adds a second coil and two straight lines between them.
All three end in a small circle at the output. Compare the straight back of the NAND with the curved back of the NOR.

A schematic shows how components connect, not where they sit on the board or how long the wires are (Technician pool T6C12). Trace a kit’s schematic one connection at a time against the board.
The exams ask about these symbols in figures T-1 to T-3 (Technician subelement T6), G7-1 (General G7) and E6-1 to E6-3 (Extra E6). Each symbol above cites the question that names it.

Each symbol is redrawn from the NCVEC exam figures (T-1, T-2, T-3, G7-1, E6-1, E6-2 and E6-3) and cites the pool question that names it.
A schematic shows how components are connected, not where they sit or how long the wires are.

Sources: 2026-2030 Technician question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee); 2023-2027 General question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee); 2024-2028 Extra question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)

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