Building Contractor's Exam Preparation Guide
by John Traister and Keeler Chapman

Not long ago, to become a contractor you just needed a thorough knowledge of the trade and an entrepreneurial spirit. Today, most states, counties and cities require applicants to pass a written exam on modern building practice, and many also include questions on construction law and business techniques. These tests can be so intimidating they may cause even the most knowledgeable tradesmen to "freeze up" and score low.

The more ready you are for the exam, the easier it will be. And that's what this book does. It shows you what to study, how questions may be worded, and the kinds of choices given for the answers. There are sample questions from actual state, county, and city examinations. The questions cover building practices from the foundation to the roof, as well as:

• Building Construction Calculations
• Law and Business Management
• Print Reading
• Structural Loads
• Safety Codes
• Site Work
• Fire Protection Systems
• Special Equipment

And there's a practice exam you can use to test your readiness for the real thing. When you sit down in the examination room, what you see on the exam paper will look familiar. While others are sweating, you'll be prepared, relaxed and confident.

Of course, this book isn't a substitute for the actual study material that your testing board recommends. But it will prepare you for the types of questions likely to appear on the actual exam - and that's likely to increase your chances of passing the first time.

About the Authors:

John Traister has been involved in the construction industry for nearly 40 years. Starting as an apprentice during college vacations, he eventually became a master electrician, then a principal in Engineering Associates, Ltd. where he supervised the designers and kept them abreast of the latest changes in the Code. Now a writer, he has shared his construction knowledge in over a hundred technical books and hundreds of articles in trade journals and national publications.

Keeler Chapman, a registered architect, has been designing buildings of all types for the past 25 years. For this project he has called on his knowledge of proper building practice, his awareness of code requirements, and his drafting and artistic skills to provide this manual with clear, informative illustrations.