Electrical Connection: Effects of Single-Line-to-Ground Faults

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So, you need a state license and must pass a code exam to get it. You can choose between taking the test and hoping for the best (the usual approach), or preparing for the exam and passing with flying colors the first time.

Let’s assume you don’t like to waste time and money, and don’t want to wait six months or longer for a retest. That assumption means you must know how to prepare for the exam.

To prepare for electrical code exams, click here.

Step 1: Buy and review a current code book. You can’t know the code unless you read it.

• See how it’s laid out. Notice which sections provide the definitions, purpose, limitations, and applicability of the code. Then, notice which sections apply to general circumstances and which to special circumstances.
   
• Carefully read the definitions. Make it a point to carefully read one definition each day between now and the test day.
   
• Note the major divisions, categories, or chapters. You may find it beneficial to read a separate book on those general topics you have no knowledge of—don’t count this toward your exam study time, but do it if you need to. If time is short, skim the supplemental books—read the headings, then read the first three chapters. That’s generally all you’ll need to do to get a general understanding of the topic.

Step 2: Study

• Obtain an exam prep course (we offer these for the National Electrical Code).

• Set aside 6 hours per week to study. One way to divide up the 6 hours is to use one hour every night except Wednesday, and then study for 2 hours on Saturday. Whatever regimen you set up, make sure you stick with it. Provided you have several months prior to the exam, it will not be necessary to study more than the 6 hours. If you have less time than that, schedule two or three sessions with someone who can tutor you, and interleave these with your self-study. Trying to proceed with too difficult a study program leads to burnout.
   
• Don’t have a supply of chips and other junkfood on hand. Declare your study time a "no food zone." Drinking water is fine—nothing else, though. The last thing you want to do is emerge from your study efforts with two additional inches of waistline. Absolutely no food or water while practicing taking the exam.

Step 3: Practice.

• Work all the practice questions that come with the exam materials.
   
• Make a photocopy of the practice exam that was in your exam prep materials. If you have no such exam, prepare your own. A few weeks before the exam, take your sample exam once, and then carefully research your answers. Study again wherever you had difficulty. This differs from taking a previous exam, because in this case you have the answers. If you do develop your own, try simply modifying the previous exam and coming up with answers. When you take the exam as practice, do so under the exam time limits.
   
• Two weeks before the real exam, take the sample exam again. Study where you had weaknesses.

Passing a code exam is tough for most folks, but easy for some. Follow these tips and you’ll be in that second group.