Passing the General Contractor Exam

Passing a state examination, or any examination for that matter, requires utmost preparation on the examinee’s part. This article will present preparation options for your upcoming general contractor exam.

Studying

One way of preparing yourself for the general contractor exam is to study at a contractor review class. Classes, albeit pricey, will give you professional review and support for the upcoming exam. They can instantly provide review materials and conduct an actual contractor examination through practice exams.

There are contractor exam preparation centers that can be accessed online like American Contractors Exam Services. This exam preparation company has produced over 30,000 licensed contractors with a 90% passing rate for first time exam takers. They offer classes through live seminars lasting one to five days. These seminars can also be accessed online. Aside from that, they can provide approved reference materials that can be shipped within the day (as long as orders are placed before 3:00 PM CST). They also have additional services like practice exam CDs and providing assistance in processing exam applications.

Another equally effective but low-cost way of preparing for the contractor examination is through self-study. Studying the most reliable and up-to-date resources before an exam will definitely give you higher chances of passing. To determine what areas to study, secure a copy of your state’s Candidate Information Bulletin for the general contractor examination. This brochure lists the topics that will be covered in the state exam, the types of examinations provided by your state, reference books that are allowed and not allowed in the exam, exam dates, items to bring, and all other pertinent information regarding the state exam. With the Candidate Information Bulletin’s topic outline as your basis, focus on acquiring the necessary resources to study. These resources could be from persons whom you know have already passed the general contractor exam, your local library, or third parties who could provide the study materials for free.

The following are three websites that provide access to your state’s Candidate Information Bulletin:Prometric, PSI Exams Online, International Code Council. These websites have easy-to-use navigation and search toolbars that help you find the state where you can take the general contractor exam, as well as the licensing programs offered in each state.

Acquiring Reference Materials

In the Candidate Information Bulletin, you will find references and/or books that are recommended for study and exam preparation like John L. Feirer and Mark D. Feirer’s Carpentry and Building Construction, Modern Masonry: Brick, Block, Stone by Clois E. Kicklighter and the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies. By investing in these materials, you gain access to information that is beneficial to both your exam preparation and general contractor business. These reference books can be availed from technical bookstores such as those that specialize in construction (like the AAA Construction School bookstore), as well as from community college bookstores, general retail bookstores, or online retail bookstores.

Online Learning Options

Aside from studying books and references, the Internet offers useful resources to help prepare for the general contractor exam. Most are accessible through websites in the form of video training courses, online tutorials, downloaded practice examinations, and computer learning software. Aside from that, some of these websites provide other useful information and tips that enhance your knowledge and preparedness for the exam. Aside from the earlier mentioned websites of the contractor exam preparation centers, here are three other recommended websites that provide extensive online resource materials:

Contractor Exam's Construction License Preparation Resource offers products like computer learning software, tutorials, practice tests, and study courses in CD and DVD formats. The site also offers tips for exam preparation and links to the contractor examinations offered per state with their recommended study materials.

Contractors Exam Prep has opened a home study program that tackles the mathematical aspect of the exam for $600. They also have links to the initial license application form and information on exam dates and locations. All of their programs and resources are recognized by the Contractor’s State License Board.