Colorado General Building Contractor A Exam

davey4000

I'm preparing to take the referenced exam which is based on IBC 2006. Questions are taken from major content areas broken down as follows:

Footings and Foundations: 18%
Structural and Design: 46%
Nonstructural Elements: 18%
Plan Reading: 11%
Administration: 7%

Can anyone who has taken this exam recommend which chapters of the IBC to focus on the most? I hate to waste a lot of time on things like Floors, Walls, Roofs, Masonry, Wood, Steel, etc. if the main content appears to be geared more toward the structural, design and administration. I do suppose, however, that Nonstructural Elements could mean just about anything.

To me the IBC is not an easy open book reference when needing to find things fast. The table of contents help some, but the index is almost useless.

Any helpful hints appreciated.

Milhaus

Davey,

I understand what you are saying, but to say any of it is a waste of time is just plain dumb if you are in this for the long haul. The whole purpose of this test is to see how well you MANEUVER through the book to find what you need. I'm sure there are some guys out there that knew the IRC/IBC to a T before the test, but for most, myself more than others probably, it gets referenced all the time well after the test.

The percentages they give you are all you have to go on, and there will be one off the wall question in each area about how many inches you should leave between a stick of treated lumber and the top and sides of a concrete block. Know where to find that answer and you're golden.

mark

modterry

Is the test open book?
Terry

davey4000

Mark,

I understand completely what you say about being able to maneuver through the book, and my use of the word "waste" was a poor choice. Looking up answers, even if good at it, is very time consuming and you have to be able to answer a good portion of the questions without looking them up or you will run out of time.

I hold licenses in other states where the IBC is not one of the references. I've been able to maneuver through the pile of books required in those states easier than the IBC. For some reason I have difficulty with the arrangement of this reference. Even the NEC, which is difficult as well, seems to be easier for me than the IBC. I've always been able to find what I need in the IBC...just not very quick.

Thanks for your comments. It's much appreciated.

davey4000

Terry,

Yes, it is open book.

davey4000

Now that I have taken the exam, and thankfully passed it, I will answer my own question for the benefit of others. Mark’s advice regarding learning how to maneuver through the book is sound and right on the money. This is a given because there’s just too much material.

I bought the National Contractor's Exam Study Guide and Turbo Tabs. The study guide was not all that helpful, but the tabs were a great time saver.

I spent too much time on the first few chapters. I should have spent more time on chapters 16-19, 21 and 23. Also, there were several questions that I knew from having worked in the industry that I could not find in the book.

Like I said in my previous post, I can usually find what I need, just not quick. Time was my biggest enemy.