Replies

1. 
   andybuildz | Dec 29, 2008 05:05am | #1

   Bump

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

2. 
   McDesign | Dec 29, 2008 05:09am | #2

   Ask DavidHawks - i think he took it

   Forrest

3. 
   FatRoman | Dec 29, 2008 05:16am | #3

   bump

   'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

   View Image

1. 
   McDesign | Dec 29, 2008 05:29am | #4

   i guess I could have done that

4. 
   yojimbo2 | Dec 29, 2008 07:46am | #5

   The trade exams are a complete joke. They have very little to do with real world applications.

   The prep schools basically provide you with the answers to the test. They have people go in ostensibly to take the tests, but what they really do is remember the questions.

   You will probably not have access to every question because the licensing board is constantly updating the questions.

   All you need to do is memorize all the answers.

   Sad but true.

   What is this about a letter of eligibility?, from who, the prep schools? Anyone is eligible to take the exam.

1. 
   JDale | Dec 29, 2008 02:57pm | #7

   The letter is from the state board.  I received it after sending in all the info and financial info they wanted just to say yes or no for me to take the test.

    

   John

1. 
   Matt | Dec 30, 2008 04:45am | #8

   It's been 10+ years since I took the NC GC test however what they are saying about memorizing test Qs is true.  Still you will learn quite a bit though.  For example once you memorize a bunch of answers about contracting laws, you know most all of the basics about that...  Memorize a bunch of stuff about OSHA and you will actually learn some stuff about safety rules(the easy way).  Memorize some Qs about workers comp, and you got that covered.... Some basic Qs about surveying and .... Get the idea?  I have no idea how much it has changed since I took it but when I did, the blueprint reading portion was more than 1/2 of the test (time wise) and it wasn't really like you could memorize most of that....  a lot of which was material estimating... and other stuff you do when reading plans.  Back then they used a different plan for each exam session so again, no way to memorize.  Also, in preping for the test I pretty much learned my way around the residential code book...  Can't say I memorized it but I now know where to find things - and although we have had a few new model codes they all kinda follow the same lines - if you know what I mean.   At that time they gave you a code book to look at (open book) but what good is it if you have maybe 2 minutes per Q and the book is 300 pages long (guessing) if you don't know where to find stuff.

   Actually, once you get in the system (which it sounds like you already are) you will start getting advertisements in the mail for classes.  I took one one at the community college (prior to all that) - where I actually learned quite a bit, and took a one weekend cram course from a private company which was mostly just memorizing stuff.  I pretty much aced it.

    

1. 
   davidhawks | Dec 30, 2008 05:34am | #9

   Well said Matt.  Your right, you do learn an awful lot by accident <G>.  Most importantly, WHERE to look for the correct answers.

   RE: the plans

   5 sets of prints with Q's pulled from at least 3.  May be different for the residential exam, I took the builder.  So far, no one has figured out how to get a set of plans out of a testing center, but people do share from memory after taking the test.

   Hope he does well.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.

1. 
   timothale | Dec 30, 2008 06:18am | #10

   I took the Calif test 15 years ago. once I had the test date I called the prep co I used  They overnighed me about 10 yellow sheets with a bunch more sample test questions.  There were a lot of questions about masonry work...because of earth quakes most people quit building masonry-brick houses about 75 years ago. I think they got someone on the test board that was an old masonry person.  The sample questions and answere helped.

2. 
   JDale | Feb 10, 2009 03:12am | #11

   Ok Found the thread I started.  I passed the test today on the first try.  Thanks everyone fpr the advice and encouragement.

   John

5. 
   davidhawks | Dec 29, 2008 07:58am | #6

   Yes, the prep courses are money well spent.  Couldn't have passed w/out it.

   Unfortunately, not because of the wealth of knowledge I learned, but rather because of the 3000 questions we covered that "have been known to appear on the exam".

   I'm not real proud of that part, but when the test questions come from 14 different books, there really isn't much alternative.

   Good luck.  I took it in W-S about 4 months ago.  Email me any questions you have and I'll help if I can.

   The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.