INSIDE INFORMATION

Below are some brief excerpts of the "inside information" in my study material.

.........Next, call Construction Book Express in NY and get their free catalog, "Construction Savvy", if there’s a book you need, they’ve got it. Their phone number is 1-800-253-0541 or www.construction book.com. Then order yourself a NEC looseleaf code book #9068-02, ($69.95) and tabs #9082-02 ($ 12.95). The reason for the looseleaf book is, it sits flat on your desk while you are writing, and if you have to take the pages out for any reason, they come right out. Make sure you get the tabs, they are made for the book, 60 of them, and you will need every one. Also, Tom Henry’s "Key Word Index" is the absolute best quick reference guide to the code book, and it just so happens to be punched the same size as the looseleaf code book with the same size print and page color. ***Just remember to take it out when taking the exam. You can order this booklet directly from the author by calling 1-800-642-2633 or www.code-electrical.com and ask for item #444 ($14). Next, if your state is asking fire alarm questions from the NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code Book -1999) order #7067 ($54.95) from Construction Book Express. At the time of this printing, NFPA 72 is still in the 1999 version, check for updated versions when ordering. The 3rd and last book you may be allowed to take to the test is the Reference Manual For Contractors Book (Business & Law) by calling the National Assessment Institute 1-800-352-0637 and specifically ask for your state’s law book. Not every state asks questions out of the law book, many just ask questions that will come in your package from the Licensing Board. Or you may call the IRS 1-800-tax-form, and ask for a free Circular E, Employers Tax Guide. It has some good test questions in it, and it’s free. Or you can just ask any person who is in business to borrow theirs since they are sent to every business owner. 

.........If you have the extra money, Construction Book Express also carries the NEC Hand Book #9071-02 ($103.50) and tabs #9072 ($10.95) The best design book that I’ve seen is Stallcup’s Electrical design Book. This book is 664 pages of illustrated text that is used throughout the industry for designing electrical systems small and large with outstanding references to the NEC, and it is also a work book. You have to order this one directly from the author, 1-817-831-6599 or www.grayboyassociates.com. These books give excellent detailed explanations of the NEC. Another good little book is "Ugly’s Electrical Reference" # 9081-02 ($ 12.95) which can also be purchased from Construction Book Express or directly from the author, 1-800-423-1825. Construction Book Express may carry all of these books but are sometimes out of stock, thus the reason for the author’s direct phone numbers.

There are just a few more, but as you can see by the price, they are not as expensive as you might have expected, and are huge sellers with inspectors.

.........I know this is going to sound like a lot, but memorize all of them, they are all short and key word formatted, and since the test is multiple choice, the answer will be there, even if you’ve forgotten it.

.........Out of the 4 possible answers, one will be totally oddball, one will be obviously wrong, and the other two will be so close that it could be either one. The best example I can give you, is this question that is usually asked.

.........Now, for what they’re going to ask you besides what you’ve memorized. The code portion is usually about 4 hrs. and when graded it’s broken down into parts, such as, motors, (10%) conductors, (10%) raceways, (20%) pools, special occupancies (10%) 1 & 2 family dwellings, (20%) services (10%) grounding, (10%) and of course calculations (10%).

.........When taking the test, first go through all the questions you know by memory. The reason for this is, when you start looking in the book for answers you’ll find answers to other questions that you’ve passed over. Also it will give your brain a good start. When you sit down in that room with 200 other guys, you’ll be nervous, and chances are your mind will go blank. The electrical exams are run by a private testing service, a lot of states use The National Assessment Institute and they could be checking books for handwritten notes and possibly your calculator. Programmable calculators are not permitted, (calculators that can store electrical formulas, etc.) I couldn’t possibly condone cheating, but I can tell you they will not strip search you.

And there is much more than this. But you get the idea. I do this throughout my material.