General Requirements
22%of exam
PlanningEstimatingSafetyCodesControls
Procurement + Contracts
27%of exam
Site Construction
13%of exam
SoilsExcavationGradingDrainageErosion
Trade Coordination
38%of exam
ConcreteMasonryMetalsWoodMEP
Quick Facts
- Exam
- NASCLA commercial
- Provider
- PSI
- Format
- Open book
- Questions
- 115
- Time
- 5.5 hours
- Pass
- 70 percent
- Score
- 81 correct
Float vs Delay
Float
- Available slack
- May absorb slip
Delay
- Schedule impact
- May need change
Critical path controls
Exam Strategy
- Open book
- Fast lookup required
- Tabs
- Find references quickly
- Index
- Use under pressure
- Time budget
- About three minutes
- Math
- Show units
- Flagging
- Return later
- Priority
- Contracts first
Project Controls
- Critical path
- Controls finish date
- Float
- Allowable slippage
- Baseline
- Approved plan
- Lookahead
- Near-term schedule
- Takeoff
- Measure quantities
- Unit price
- Cost per unit
- Contingency
- Risk reserve
Contract Flow
Bid, bond, build, change, close.
BidBondBuildChangeClose
Bid vs Performance
Bid bond
- Before award
- Protects bid reliance
Performance bond
- After award
- Protects completion
Timing distinguishes them
Document Picker
- Before bid change→Addendum
- Clarify conflict→RFI
- Show product data→Submittal
- Fabrication detail→Shop drawing
- Change agreed→Change order
- Change directed→CCD
- Payment requested→Pay application
- Work nearly done→Punch list
Bidding + Bonds
- Invitation
- Solicits bids
- Addendum
- Prebid change
- Bid bond
- Protects owner
- Performance bond
- Guarantees completion
- Payment bond
- Protects subs
- Bid opening
- Public result
- Responsible bidder
- Qualified bidder
Closeout
Punch, correct, document, warrant, final.
PunchCorrectDocumentWarrantFinal
RFI vs Submittal
RFI
- Asks clarification
- Information gap
Submittal
- Shows proposed item
- Review before work
Question versus review
Contract Admin
- Change order
- Formal modification
- CCD
- Directed change
- RFI
- Request clarification
- Submittal
- Review before install
- Shop drawing
- Fabrication detail
- Allowance
- Undefined cost reserve
- Lien waiver
- Payment rights release
Substantial vs Final
Substantial
- Owner can use
- Punch list remains
Final
- All work complete
- Closeout delivered
Use before perfect
Site Safe
Classify, protect, access, inspect, control.
ClassifyProtectAccessInspectControl
Site Picker
- Trench hazard→Protective system
- Soil unknown→Classify soil
- Water present→Dewatering plan
- Slope needed→Grade stakes
- Sediment risk→Erosion control
- Backfill placed→Compact lifts
- Concrete placed→Cure concrete
- Envelope leak→Check flashing
Safety + Site
- Competent person
- Corrects hazards
- PPE
- Personal protection
- Excavation
- Cave-in hazard
- Soil class
- Protective system driver
- Access
- Safe egress
- Erosion
- Control sediment
- Compaction
- Increase density
Slump vs Strength
Slump
- Fresh consistency
- Workability check
Strength
- Hardened capacity
- Cylinder test
Do not confuse
Concrete + Masonry
- Slump
- Fresh workability
- Curing
- Maintain moisture
- Rebar
- Tension reinforcement
- Control joint
- Planned crack
- CMU
- Concrete masonry unit
- Mortar
- Bonds units
- Grout
- Fills cells
Metals + Wood
- Structural steel
- Frame members
- Bolt
- Mechanical fastener
- Weld
- Fused connection
- Joist
- Floor support
- Stud
- Wall vertical
- Sheathing
- Panel skin
- Lumber grade
- Strength classification
Envelope + MEP
- Flashing
- Water diversion
- Vapor retarder
- Moisture control
- Insulation
- Thermal resistance
- Roofing
- Weather barrier
- HVAC
- Air systems
- Plumbing
- Water systems
- Electrical
- Power systems
Common Traps
Open Book Overconfidence
Lookup must be fast ≠ Practice reference routes
Document Mixups
RFI asks questions ≠ Submittal shows products
Bond Timing
Bid before award ≠ Performance after award
Schedule Math
Critical path matters ≠ Float can vanish
Trade Detail Depth
General contractor level ≠ Coordinate disciplines
Last Minute
- 1.Tab official references
- 2.Practice index lookup
- 3.Review contract documents
- 4.Drill bond purposes
- 5.Memorize site safety
- 6.Check unit conversions
- 7.Separate completion stages
- 8.Manage question pacing
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