Hi,
I wanted to get some opinions before I sit down for the exam. I want to take the exam, but don’t know if I am ready. I built only one house as a partner with a friend who is GC, but don’t have any other experience beside that. I read the Residential code for one and two family dwellings twice. I bought some practise or prep tests from exam.biz and went over all of them. There were 1500 questions which included business management and codes. Do you guys “those who have taken the exam” think I am ready and should go for it?
Thanks in advance for your help 🙂
Replies
Just make sure you have a good breakfest before the exam, worst that could happen is you have to take it again ( where do you live?)
Best of luck & hope the first time is a Charm!
By the way Welcome to BT!
Thanks lol, I will make sure of that.
I live in NC.
> Just make sure you have a good breakfest before the exam
Actually, avoid carbs. Light, high protein to stay awake and for best brain function. (he writes after a high carb lunch....)
-- J.S.
Yes I have taken and passed the GC exam. One problem - with the term THE GC exam. Do you think all states have the same test material? Was that web site to encompass the your state? I took both a community college course and a private weekend long course prior to taking the test which in NC - at least back then it was 5 hours. My brain was squeezed dry. It's not rocket science though. For all I know it could be 1 hour or 2 days where you are.
Based on the way you stated your entire Q, when you said >> I read the Residential code for one and two family dwellings twice. << I guess that was the one for your state... Code is state specific, maybe even county or city specific, and although many states might use the same "model code" many have their own revisions.
That said, I'd say go for it. Here I'm thinking it was only like a $50 or $100 fee, and you could try again in 3 months. Not sure how it works were you are. I got like a 96 on the test. If I had of been a smart guy I would have studied 1/2 as much, and gotten a 76, since 75 was passing :-)
Edited 8/3/2006 6:56 am ET by Matt
Edited 8/3/2006 6:58 am ET by Matt
Thanks for your reply Matt..
1... what matt was obliquely getting at is this :
what STATE are you in ?.. ie : what is the licensing jurisdiction that is giving the testMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Good morning Mike! First time I've ever been called oblique :-) That I know of. Guess I've been hanging with the DW too much.
JUST GIVE ME THE SUMMARY! She hates it when I say that! :-)
<<JUST GIVE ME THE SUMMARY>>>
matt... 32 years... i've learned not to say that... just wait for it
Happy Friday !Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Hi,I live in Raleigh, NC.
Doode, I took the residential exam last summer. I've been building for 30 years, took a community college course, used test books, and I thought I was good at multiple choice...it was the hardest test I ever took.Matter of fact, I must have flunked it cause I only got 72, and Matt's saying it takes 75 to pass...LOLWeird part is, if you pass, you can't find out the answers to the ones you miss...if you fail, they give you the answers, WTF?I was too cheap to take the weekend courses, but a lot of them were guaranteeing a passing grade...Good Luck I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
Hi,Snort, were the questions as they stated it to be in their website?
The breakdown was pretty much like they said...but I still don't have a clue what 30% of the questions were even about...no kind of building I've ever done, apparently<G>have you gotten the info pack from Raleigh? All the money stuff documented, reference letters, and approval to take the test?Oh yeah, you can take in a Construction Master calculator, and you might want to get the two other books they allow, besides the code books. I'm pretty sure a lot of answers were in them.No notes are allowed, but you can highlite stuff...they check everything you're allowed to bring in. If you can read plans, and know where to look in the books, you'll do okay...Wish I could remember my seat number, the proctor said it was lucky...she was right!Good luck I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
Hi Snort,Yes I did get all that staff from raleigh office. I will have it ready soon to submit it to them.
They like to see you jump through some hoops, don't they? <G>.What limit license are you going for? I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
Going to start with limited, which doesnt require lots of money.
Going to start with limited, which doesnt require lots of money.or an audit! I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
Not trying to hijack this thread, but am also in NC and was wondering about the limited license. Is there a web site that has this info.
John
http://www.nclbgc.net/faq_fr.htmlyou may have to noodle around the state site, too, but for the limited: you must show $17,000 in obtainable assets, and there's $350,000 cap a the job.The info pack has all the stuff.I used to do some work for Jim Dale in Chapel Hill, any relation? I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
Thanks for the info. I would like to get licensed to add to my credibility, but do not have the $25,000 I was told I would need. Never heard of a Jim.
John
If you're not doing any jobs over 30 grand, you don't need one anyway... I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
You are in no position to be a general contractor if you have not had more experience than one home. CA requires four years of experience with one at least at the journeyman level.
Even at the end of four years you still do not know all that much.
There's practical knowledge and book knowledge. give the kid credit for what he does have.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
"You are in no position to be a general contractor if you have not had more experience than one home. CA requires four years of experience with one at least at the journeyman level."
Dooooode, CA has a Journeyman GC category???????? Holy crap, they put Cheech and Chong in charge again!
DG/Builder
The do not have a journeyman level GC. One must have had at least one year of experience at the journeyman level as a worker just to be qualified to take the test.
I've taken the Florida one and it was difficult but it was open book. Just have to "tab" your materials on the important stuff and know where to look for the answers.
If you spend more than 2-3 minutes on any one question, just guess and move on as thats too much time.
I've passed the Florida one as well as several of the ICC ones using that strategy and it works for me.
You'll do well just make sure you know the legal parts if you'll be tested on them too. Things like Workers Comp, Liens, wages, insurance, etc.
GOOD LUCK!
Thanks Mike
You probably know more than I do about a lot of things already
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
On the test and training material do they cover anything about financial management? Seems that most of the GCs I’ve met locally can build a decent house but they’ve got no idea about managing the money. Often I hear of them taking the first draft of $$$ on their new project to finance the completion of their previous project. To me that’s bad business. And because of poor accounting they also don’t really have any idea of how much they’re making (if any) on each project which leads to other issues.
John
john,
No they really didn't cover that on the test I took but yes, you are right, that is a HUGE problem in the industry.
Its a known fact many builderscontractors know the technical side very well but are lax in the adminfinancial side. I'll admit I'm that guy! Thats why my business partner is an MBA! No kidding. He handles that side of the biz and I take care of the "hammer swinging". Works out well.
Mike
Hi,
Well, my major in school was business, so I am confident on that side. On test-prep yes they do cover. They are about 600 or more questions about business, contracts and so on.
Hey bud... I'm in Raleigh too, so my previous comments are directly applicable to you. I think there are a few more of us "Raleighites" here - I think maybe "Good Carpenter" is one too.
Anyone got that link for that BTer map?
Anyway, check out the doc linked to by this page: http://www.nclbgc.net/law_fr.html Ya gotta know this material well - it IS part of the test.
Also, check this out: http://www.waketech.edu/conted/schedules/bcn.html
scroll almost all the way to the bottom.
Like I said before, I'd just go for it if you don't mind possibly burning the application and test fees...
Edited 8/7/2006 7:58 pm ET by Matt
Hi Matt,This weekend I ordered another exam prep. software. This software is for NC exam as to the other one which was general. I havent tried it yet, but will check it out today or tomorrow, and thanks for the links.
Move to NJ.
All you need for a contractor's liscense is $90 and proof of $1 mil in liability insurance.
Pretty stupid, huh?