The NASCLA-accredited commercial general building contract examination is undoubtedly one of the most valuable assessments in the construction industry. Passing it opens the door to licensing opportunities across multiple participating states, making it an attractive option for contractors looking to expand their businesses into new markets.
But this is also one of the most demanding trade examinations, so passing on your first attempt requires a solid study plan and effective preparation. Here are the top tips to get you there.
1. Master the Reference Books
The NASCLA examination is open-book, and while that’s often a good thing, many candidates misunderstand what it means. Many attempt to memorise every detail contained within the approved references, but that’s not practical. Instead, you want to master the outline of the reference books, so you will be able to find the required information efficiently.
This is why it is recommended to use expertly prepared NASCLA exam prep material from a renowned provider like RocketCert. This makes it easier to master the different reference books and recognise the commonly referenced sections. The less time you spend searching for information, the more time you will have to analyse questions carefully.
2. Practise Looking Up Answers Under Time Pressure
Completing practice questions is a good thing, but it won’t be effective enough if you don’t consider how long it takes to answer each question. That’s why you want to set a timer when practising. You basically want to challenge yourself to answer questions quickly while maintaining accuracy.
This should help you become better at making decisions and navigating through the reference books. These are two skills that will come in quite handy during the actual examination. The more often you practise this way, the less stressful the actual examination should become.
3. Spend Enough Time on Your Weakest Subjects
Reviewing the study material is important, but make sure you aren’t spending most of your time on what you already understand. Instead, use the results from your practice tests to identify troublesome areas and focus more on these. Some of the trickiest topics, according to what candidates say, include masonry, estimating, soil conditions, site preparation, and safety regulations.
Of course, not everyone will have the same experience while studying, so it is normal to see other topics as problematic. When you spend additional study time on your weakest subjects, you will see better score improvements than if you repeatedly review material you are familiar with.
4. Build a Consistent Study Schedule
Postponing your study sessions until weekends seems like a good thing to do until you realise how negatively it impacts retention over time. That’s in consideration that waiting until weekends often means having to cover enormous amounts of material in a single sitting. And even though this can work in some cases, there’s usually a high chance it will be less effective than shorter, more regular study sessions throughout the week.
A good idea would be to aim for 30-minute study sessions every two days or so, as this increases your chances of retaining content. If you can, short study sessions every day will help you not just understand the material better, but also build greater consistency as you get closer to the examination date.
5. Study Related Topics Together
Construction topics often affect each other, making it a good idea to study them as a group. Here’s how this works in practice. Rather than studying framing topics and then switching to a totally different topic, go for something like roofing. That’s because framing typically impacts roofing, which, in turn, affects weather protection, and so on.
Studying group-related concepts in succession rather than studying isolated chapters helps you develop a broader understanding that comes in quite handy for questions that require practical reasoning. You will also retain the information you acquire for longer periods as it becomes clearer how different construction disciplines interact on real projects.
Get Effective NASCLA Exam Prep Material Today
Boosting your NASCLA exam score is never about discovering secret shortcuts or memorising extensive information, often without a solid plan. Instead, it’s about being deliberate in how you plan your preparation.
And if you ask us, the best preparation is the one that seems natural, which is what RocketCert’s NASCLA exam prep materials offer. So, if you want to increase your chances of passing this exam without unnecessary struggles, be sure to visit rocketcert.com today to check out their prep material.