As an example: If we are writing questions for an electrical exam, our first step would be to research which books and/or statutes are recommended as study references and purchase these references ourselves.
Oftentimes, testing companies do not offer information on where to find references, as in the case with federal regulations and standards. Not only do we provide you with these links, we also use these sources for question writing purposes.
The next step in the process would be to locate a list of the subjects covered in the exam. Perhaps one of the subjects covered is “Conductors.” After reading the reference materials, our question writers create questions, sometimes rephrasing what is found in the reference materials to simulate questions that may be found on the exam.
Obtaining books can be a time consuming and costly process. We generally don't buy expensive books that can only be used for a single trade/license. On our trade web pages, when there is an expensive book listed, we make every effort try to find a retail price to help you anticipate the total cost of taking the exam.
While some exam providers do not publish current reference lists, we will inform you when a book is out-of-print and provide an alternate edition or reference from which to study.
The following question is extracted from our study material for the ICC National Standard (F11) General Building Contractor:
Question:
Chapter 31 of the International Building Code governs the construction of all of the following except ______.
Correct answer: C
Source: International Building Code – 3101.1 Scope
Supplemental Info: Other types of construction covered by this chapter are awnings and canopies, marquees, pedestrian walkways and tunnels, signs and temporary structures.
As you can see by the example above, our question writers have provided you with a question, the correct answer and where the answer can be found within the code book or reference. Sometimes it is necessary to add supplemental information for clarification which would be provided below the source.
In the example below, rather than offering four answers to choose from, the question can be converted to a statement of fact:
Example 1: What is the correct height of a kitchen counter?
Example 2: The correct height of a kitchen counter is 36 inches.
This format sets up the need to choose which of the two facts or statements is/are correct:
At least one month prior to a license expiring, the Licensing Commission shall mail to the licensee, at the last known address, a renewal application form and:
The Old Stewart Building on Main Street has been slated for renovation. The blue prints have been hauled out of storage and found to have been drawn to a scale of 1/16 inch per 2 feet, 0 inches.
One wing of the building measures 1-1/2 inches. This would mean that the actual length of the wing is:
Solution: the measured distance on the blueprint is 1.5 inches. This is 24 sixteenths (1.5 x 16 = 24). Since one sixteenth equals 2 feet, 24 sixteenths equal 48 feet.
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