Just want to thank you for posting this information!! I’ve taken the exam numerous times and always come away more frustrated than the last time. On my last test, I scored 487/500. Coming that close really got to my confidence. I have searched everywhere that I could think of for “suggestions” on studying for this test - this has come the closest to really making sense. Also, could you give the name of the app that you used to make your flash cards? I think that’ll help me a lot also.
I started this process with very little understanding of anything entailed with home inspection. But through reading, taking courses, using apps when I’m not able to use a computer or read. I have gained a lot of knowledge on my own. I’m determined to pass this test because I know that I’ve put in so much time - I’m stubborn and won’t give up!!
I hope that others will use your advice because it seems very helpful. I’ve also taking a lot of the courses that are provided on this website and have done very well with them.
I really think the key is in breaking down each and every question to get to the final correct answer. On my test yesterday, there was a question that had VERY similar answers - one word that looked VERY close to another one but had no relation between them whatsoever!! (Interrupter vs Interpreter). Had I not slowed myself down I would’ve gotten that one wrong - I knew the answer, skimmed the answers and marked one - the WRONG one!!
One question - did you go back and review the questions & answers?? I don’t know if everyone trusts the “go with your gut” reasoning!!
I studied the NHIE manual(focus on this book) like I had one and only one chance to pass then I took the exam. I also looked into the flash cards, NACHI online exam, paid to take the PSI exams offered along with 50+ pages of notes and a big “why” behind all of it. You do not have to be a genius to pass, I’ve struggled with class work especially English. I would encourage you to really pay attention to every detail that you are reading and break it down. Take your time, I read approximately 20-30 pages a day until finished while doing all the above mentioned then take the exam.
Karen, if you haven’t already you should purchase the Official NHIE Study Manual. It covers everything on the test and makes a great reference manual for the future.
As far as going back and reviewing the questions and answers during the test, I personally do not. I always stay with my first answer.
If you would like, please feel free to PM me and I will send you another study guide you may find useful. Good Luck!
Joe, thank you so much for your advice. I do have both the NHIE Inspection Manual and Study Guide - among approximately 30 other books I’ve accumulated. I really agree with going with my first answer. I went back this past time and changed a lot of answers - and could kick myself for doing it. I could’ve caused my not passing the test by doing that!!! But live & learn.
I’d really be interested in the other study guide that you offered. Anything that can help would be amazing.
Karen, if you haven’t already you should purchase the Official NHIE Study Manual. It covers everything on the test and makes a great reference manual for the future.
As far as going back and reviewing the questions and answers during the test, I personally do not. I always stay with my first answer.
If you would like, please feel free to PM me and I will send you another study guide you may find useful. Good Luck!
Hi Karen. Sorry for the delay in responding. Your message got caught up in my beer brewing forum messages in my Gmail account just I just now tripped over it.
To answer your second question, At the end of my exam, I felt comfortable that I had answered enough correctly to pass so I didn’t go back and review. If I was cutting it close, I would have. My understanding of the concepts of reviewing or “go with your gut” is that if you feel the need to review, then do so but only change answers when you feel strongly or certain that your first answer was incorrect. Your example above is a good one. If you read Interrupter vs Interpreter and answered the question wrong as a result, on second look you might have an Ah Ha moment where you know you screwed up. The other advantage is that if you’re stressed about time while taking the exam, you can keep moving forward, but once done, you can go back and ponder or consider a question for a lot longer without the fear of taking too much time.
Also Karen, and others that will take the exam, they’re may be more that one correct answer. Choose the most correct answer.
And, if you don’t know an answer, mark it somehow and come back to it because later questions may help you realize the answer to the one you marked.
I noticed this also on the Internachi exam. Kind of confused me as to what they were asking…
I skipped those and pretty much took a best guess.
Some of those best guesses were wrong but better than no answer at all.
I just finished a 8 day webinar class with ICA Schools; 8 long 10 hrs days. The day after I reviewed all the slides, SOP and Ethics. The test is based on the ASHI SOP and ethics, not InterNACHI- very close though. The day after that I tested. Finished in 107 minutes (240 max) and scored a 640. The version test I had was not technical. Mostly common sense. After I got home, I went thru the NHIE books and highlighted what I could remember.
Note: I also completed the CPI certification during COVID before the exam.
Contact some CMIs or CPIs within 40 to 50 miles, or closer, to your area and communicate with them. Maybe one, or more, will help you. Some inspectors feel as though they are training their competition by ride-alongs or mentoring or hiring.
