EPA 608 Type II Questions: Hardest Section Guide
EPA 608 Type II has the highest fail rate. Master leak rates (10/20/30%), evacuation levels, R-410A, and A2L with sample questions and study strategy.
EPA 608 Type 2 questions are the hardest on the entire exam — Type II has the highest fail rate of all four sections. It covers high-pressure systems (residential AC, commercial refrigeration, R-410A), leak rate regulations, and evacuation levels that vary by system size. This guide breaks down every EPA 608 Type 2 question topic, the exact numbers you must memorize, and sample questions with explained answers to help you pass the hardest section on the first try.
TL;DR — EPA 608 Type 2 Questions
Type II has 25 questions across 8 topics. Hardest topics: leak rates (10/20/30%) and evacuation levels (4"/23" Hg/0 psig). Memorize these numbers and you cover 40% of the exam. EPA 608 Type 2 questions also now include A2L refrigerants (R-454B, R-32) for 2026. Spend 40% of your total study time on Type II — it is the make-or-break section.
Why Type II Is the Hardest Section
EPA 608 Type 2 questions have the highest fail rate for three reasons: (1) the most specific numbers to memorize (leak rates, evacuation levels, pressure values), (2) the broadest equipment scope (residential + commercial), and (3) new 2026 content (A2L refrigerants, HFC leak repair rule). If you are going to fail one section on the Universal exam, it will almost certainly be Type II.
The good news: EPA 608 Type 2 questions are predictable. The same topics appear on every exam. Memorize the key numbers, understand leak rate categories, and you will pass. Here is exactly what to study:
TYPE II TOPIC BREAKDOWN
8 Topics on the EPA 608 Type II Exam (25 Questions)
💡 Comfort=10%, Commercial=20%, Industrial=30%. 30 days to repair. ≥50 lbs.
💡 <200 lbs: 4" Hg vacuum. ≥200 lbs: 23" Hg vacuum. R-410A: 0 psig.
💡 ~400 psig, POE oil, GWP 2,088, ODP 0. NEVER mix with R-22.
💡 R-454B (GWP 466), R-32 (GWP 675). Mildly flammable. No new certification.
💡 Certified by EPA-approved lab. Low-loss fittings required.
💡 Electronic detector, soap bubbles, UV dye. For A2L: no halide torch.
💡 Major repair = changing compressor. Nitrogen purge for brazing.
💡 R-410A operates at higher pressures. Pink cylinders. Never >80% full.
Leak Rates: The #1 Topic on Type II
Leak rate questions account for 5–6 of the 25 EPA 608 Type 2 questions — that is 22% of the exam on a single topic. If you memorize the 10/20/30% rule, you virtually guarantee passing this portion:
LEAK RATE CHEAT CARD
Memorize 10/20/30 — Appears on EVERY Type II Exam
Comfort Cooling (residential/commercial AC)
Repair within: 30 days
Applies to: ≥50 lbs
Commercial Refrigeration (supermarkets, restaurants)
Repair within: 30 days
Applies to: ≥50 lbs
Industrial Process (plants, factories)
Repair within: 30 days
Applies to: ≥50 lbs
🧠 Memory trick: 1-2-3 → 10-20-30: Comfort(1)=10%, Commercial(2)=20%, Industrial(3)=30%
Evacuation Levels: The #2 Topic
Evacuation levels are the second most tested topic in EPA 608 Type 2 questions. The levels vary by system charge size and refrigerant type — and the R-410A exception (0 psig instead of vacuum) is a frequent exam trap:
EVACUATION LEVELS
3 Evacuation Levels for Type II (Post-1993 Equipment)
Systems <200 lbs
4 inches of mercury vacuum
Systems ≥200 lbs
23 inches of mercury vacuum
Very high pressure (R-410A, R-404A)
Deep vacuum would freeze moisture — use 0 psig
⚠️ Exam trap: R-410A uses 0 psig, NOT deep vacuum. Many candidates confuse this with the other levels.
Sample Type II Questions (With Answers)
Here are 5 real-style EPA 608 Type 2 questions that represent what you will see on exam day. Each includes the correct answer and an explanation:
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
5 Real EPA 608 Type II Questions
❓ At what annual leak rate must a comfort cooling system with ≥50 lbs of refrigerant be repaired?
→ 10%
💡 Comfort = 10%. Commercial = 20%. Industrial = 30%. Memorize 1-2-3 → 10-20-30.
❓ To what level must a high-pressure system with less than 200 lbs of refrigerant be evacuated?
→ 4 inches Hg vacuum
💡 <200 lbs = 4" Hg. ≥200 lbs = 23" Hg. Very high pressure (R-410A) = 0 psig.
❓ Can R-410A be used as a direct drop-in replacement for R-22?
→ No — different pressures, different oils, incompatible components
💡 R-410A operates at ~400 psig vs R-22 at ~250 psig. Mixing = destroying the system.
❓ How many days does the owner have to repair a leak that exceeds the threshold?
→ 30 days
💡 30 days for all categories (comfort, commercial, industrial). + initial verification.
❓ What is the ASHRAE safety classification of R-454B?
→ A2L
💡 A2L = lower toxicity + mildly flammable. R-410A replacement in new 2026 equipment.
Practice more with our Type II practice test — 25 questions that simulate the real exam format.
How to Study for Type II (The Hardest Section)
Given that EPA 608 Type 2 questions cause the most failures, here is the optimal study strategy:
- Memorize leak rates first — 10/20/30% = Comfort/Commercial/Industrial. Use the 1-2-3 memory trick. This covers 22% of the exam.
- Memorize evacuation levels — 4" Hg (small), 23" Hg (large), 0 psig (very high pressure). This covers another 18%.
- Study R-410A vs R-22 differences — Pressure, oil type, ODP, GWP. See our R-410A vs R-22 guide.
- Learn the A2L basics — R-454B (GWP 466), R-32 (GWP 675), A2L = mildly flammable. See our A2L guide.
- Take the Type II practice test until you score 90%+ — Real exam anxiety drops scores 5–10%. Budget extra margin.
Allocate 40% of your total EPA 608 study time to Type II. If you are following our 14-day study plan, that means 2 full days on Type II material plus practice tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on EPA 608 Type 2?
EPA 608 Type 2 has 25 multiple-choice questions. You need 18 correct (72%) to pass. The questions cover 8 topic areas with leak rates and evacuation levels being the most heavily tested.
Is Type 2 the hardest EPA 608 section?
Yes. EPA 608 Type 2 questions have the highest fail rate of all four sections. Type II covers more specific numbers (leak rates, evacuation levels, pressures) than any other section, and the new A2L content adds another layer of material.
What are the leak rates for EPA 608 Type 2?
The leak rates tested in EPA 608 Type 2 questions: 10% for comfort cooling, 20% for commercial refrigeration, 30% for industrial process. All apply to systems with ≥50 lbs of refrigerant. Repair must be completed within 30 days.
What evacuation levels are on the Type 2 exam?
EPA 608 Type 2 questions test three evacuation levels: 4 inches Hg vacuum for systems under 200 lbs, 23 inches Hg vacuum for systems 200 lbs or more, and 0 psig for very high-pressure refrigerants like R-410A.
Does EPA 608 Type 2 cover A2L refrigerants?
Yes. Starting in 2026, EPA 608 Type 2 questions include A2L refrigerants (R-454B, R-32) as replacements for R-410A in new residential equipment. Know their GWP values, ASHRAE A2L classification, and that your existing EPA 608 covers them.
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Practice Type II — The Hardest Section
25 Type II questions, timed, same format as the real exam. Score 90%+ before taking the real test.