This will be the article I was looking for when I needed tips for this.
Take the “very long” course offered here.
review it at least twice.
purchase the practice test from Building code Masters $39
Don’t purchase the practice class from ICC. $79
Take their timed test several times with the following method:
Answer every question from memory, bookmarking the ones you are guessing. dont even open the digital codes yet. Once you have answered all of the questions open your digital codes and go through your bookmarked question. You will remember the ones that are in the same sections.
Its okay not to get to all of the bookmarks. you can literally leave 14 of them and pass. You only need 45 correct answers and when you pass they will not giive you a score. But if you dont they will give you a breakdown to study.
I felt horrible not passing. On the first one I was cocky and thought “its open book” but nerves and an inability to find things early. it wasted time and made me more nervous. Til then I had never taken the entire time for any exam.
I did much better the second pass but didnt have a strategy like I listed above and got bogged down on a couple of questions early and ran out of time.
Third pas, I had a strategy of attack and had gone through all 60 questions from memory, bookmarking maybe 25 ( even a couple I was pretty sure on) I still had 90 minutes to look things up. I left five on the table when time expired.
I feel much better about it than I would have if I had passed on the first attempt.
Again, This is the post I wish I had found before taking the exam. So hopefully this will help someone else. Dont forget to like and subscribe…….
I know the material better for having done what I did. Having a “strategy” for taking a test is not a bad thing. We have a strategy when we inspect. Those are the things I learned and wish I had known ahead of time. I still would have done the same study.
Maybe you didnt read the part about going through the internachi course twice or the purchase and review of other resources.
This is why people are hesitant to post here. I’ve seen and read too many responses that are middle school mean girl in nature.
If I’m reading your response wrong I apologize,
Short answer: NO, You still have to know the material.
it was the B1 prep test. It was $79. The one from Building Codes Masters was $39 and had 2 separate tests that randomized questions from a pool of 150 questions. you could take the tests often. It helped get my nerves out of the way. Better bang for your buck also. The Internachi class for this is a game winner too.
it was not much the knowing of the material than being able to navigate the code book. the tests gave me the opportunity to do that. A musician can know all of the notes on their instrument, but they still practice.
I found both to be relevant. You not only need to know the material, but also how to navigate the book(s). Your coaching points are helpful for others trying to attain this goal. Eliminating questions that are fresh in memory while “bookmarking for later”, other questions, that for whatever reason, one can’t reply to at that time is a good strategy IMHO. I’ve done this off the cuff, to find a question later in the material which jogs memory about the previous subject.
I found it helpful to have the physical code books (specifically when accessing the tables for Span Ratings and other similar info etc.) at hand as well as the digital access.
One other thing(s) you didn’t mention was the index… Also When using the digital “books” the “ctrl F” (FIND) function can be very helpful too.
If you know the material why do you need the books just to pass (minimum score as you point out) the tests? The tests have very, very few questions requiring even referencing them if you know the materials. There are no real “trick questions” on the test. They are all common sense questions.
I have a subscription with ICC and allows me all tests. Well worth the cost. I also have 6 certifications from ICC and testing for Commercial Electrical Inspector. NFPA 70.
In regards to your reply to me. ICC has a trainer course. $79/course or $300.00 per year for all courses. The M2/3 course helped with the Florida test. International Residential Electric is only for passing test. Everyone here uses NEC. Which I am preparing to test next weekend for Electrical Inspector.
George, so the subscription you are speaking of is for the prep classes for each code exam with practice exams included but not the actual accreditation exam. You still have to pay for those . Am I correct?
I purchased this material from BuildingCode Masters specifically to prepare for the ICC B1 examination and improve my speed navigating the 2021 IRC. There own instructions state that the practice test is intended to build navigation speed and knowledge of code reference locations. While reviewing the exam, I discovered that the answer key contains an incorrect code reference. Question 12 addresses masonry chimney wall thickness, yet the answer key directs the student to IRC R1001.10. The applicable provision in my 2021 IRC is R1003.10, Wall Thickness. An incorrect reference in a study product specifically designed to train code book navigation is not a minor issue. It wastes study time, creates unnecessary confusion, and, more importantly, can teach a candidate to navigate to the wrong section during a timed examination.
I have also attempted to contact the company by telephone without success.
At this point, I no longer have confidence in the accuracy of the practice examination or its answer key references. I do have my own study material that I have gathered for the B1 which has helped me navigate quickly. Always verify everything and again I am very disappointed with this company.