Taking the NASCLA-accredited exam as a contractor can open a door to countless opportunities since it makes it easier to get licensed in the 18 states that accept this exam at the moment. Still, it's no secret that preparing for this exam can be a tall order, especially when you have a busy schedule.
It also doesn't help that many contractors looking to do this exam are full-time employees. The good news, however, is that you can take this exam and succeed. Here are the tips to make that possible.
1. First, Understand What NASCLA Is All About
The secret to acing your NASCLA test on your first attempt is preparing as much as you can. There's no better way to do that than by taking the time to understand what your exam will look like.
So, what exactly are you studying for here? Well, you will be tackling an open-book examination with 115 questions on topics like:
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Procurement and Contracting Requirements
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General Requirements
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Mechanical and Plumbing Systems
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Thermal and Moisture Protection
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Electrical Systems
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Site Construction
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Wood
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And Others
You are required to answer at least 81 questions correctly to attain the minimum score of 70% that is required to pass your exam. Understanding what you will be tested on is a great idea since you will now have an easier time leveraging materials like RocketCert's NASCLA exam prep and other resources.
2. Start Studying Early and Have a Strategic Plan
You must prepare adequately to succeed in your exams, and this process starts as early as possible with a strategic plan. We usually advise anyone studying for a professional exam to break down the course content into smaller, manageable segments.
If you can, find an online course that does that for you. That way, you can focus on tackling a book at a time. And with 23 books on the NASCLA exam, you can be sure that this study plan will work wonders. Here are some additional steps that will help you create an effective study plan:
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Evaluate your knowledge at the moment
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Find out how many questions come from each book
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Set your goals clearly
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Allocate effective time slots for studying
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Keep track of your progress
3. Take Advantage of Shorter Study Sessions
You may think that studying for longer periods will help you meet your study goals more easily, but that could easily become a nasty trap. Studying for longer periods is typically ineffective and, in some cases, downright impractical.
This is why you should opt for short sessions that you should aim to fit into your daily routine. Shorter, intense study periods will give you better results as you will comprehend the content better, making it easier to remember it longer.
You will want to use flashcards and practice questions in your study sessions to make them all the more effective and enjoyable.
4. Be Consistent and Flexible
Consistency leads to success in many areas of life, and the NASCLA exam isn't an exception. Reviewing the exam material consistently and taking practice quizzes and exams helps you move in the right direction, as you're not taking unnecessarily long breaks that will break your study patterns and increase the chances of forgetting.
Also, be as flexible as you can be. Flexible enough to accommodate the unpredictability of life without compromising your study goals. Being flexible means being ready to reschedule your study time and even take advantage of downtime to skim through the topics you've already covered.
5. Use Quality Study Materials
Make sure you select the right study material when preparing for your exam. Whether it's your study guides, reference material, or practice exams, you want to ensure that all the materials you use are thoroughly reviewed and aligned with the NASCLA exam structure.
So, take your time to evaluate any study materials you will use to prepare for your exam before committing yourself. We'd recommend going with top-rated and positively reviewed online courses since these give you maximum convenience and reduce the amount of study time. Don't forget to check recommendations from your peers on online platforms like Reddit, Facebook groups, and others.
Pass Your NASCLA Exams Effortlessly
Working hard to pass your NASCLA exams with a busy schedule is undeniably challenging, but doable if you're leveraging the right strategies. So, use the tips mentioned above and see just how effective they will be in helping you prepare for success.
Also, head over to rocketcert.com to see why their exam prep is highly reputable among contractors who are interested in taking the NASCLA exam.
