Help I need to pass Jersey

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Jerseydaze

Senior Member
HI im new so im not sure where to post this.Anyway Ive been doing residential electrical work for years now .Im taking the Contractors exam in New Jersey on january 9th 06 I have no clue where to start in preparing for the test, my test will be on the 2005 Nec. Any help or any comment from people who have been through this is greatly appreicated.
 
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Ken9876

Senior Member
Location
Jersey Shore
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

I passed this test last January, I bought the Mike Holt exam prep book I did every question in it. There are about 3000, it will cover all the theory you'll need, calculations and just help you get familiar with finding things. Personally I felt the electrical test was not all that bad if you studied. I felt the business law test was the hardest. Your going to have to buy the business law book from who ever is giving the test now and study it. The fire alarm test wasn't too bad a lot of the questions can be found in the NEC or fire code book. The other questions will be from the book they recommend you buy. The electrical test will also have questions on motor controls, motor connections, transformer connections. hope this helps. I really hit the books about this time before I took the test.
 
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Jerseydaze

Senior Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Hi Ken thanks for the reply I'm still a little unsure on what to study as far as the Alarm system section of the test. the only thing Experior suggests is nfpa 72 which doesn't give me any pratice.If you could tell me what book you studied from it would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Ken9876

Senior Member
Location
Jersey Shore
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

To be honest I really didn't study too much for the alarm test. See that test is geared as if a alarm contractor or electrician was taking the test. I got familiar with the layout of 72 and what each section was on. Many questions on that test will be from the NEC, like cable distance from the?edge of a stud or number of bends in conduit, types of wire etc. web page

There is alarm theory book on this site they recommend, that's probably a good place to study as they probably based some questions off that book.
 
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Flyersfan

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Hey Jersey,

Track down an instructor by the name of Ben Shedlock and take his prep course. I did and it was the smartest move I ever made. Make sure you do all the homework over the duration of the course (up to 10 hours a week) and you will sail through the exam. I worked my butt off for a couple of months and it was worth it!!
 
celtic

celtic

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

I took a course with one of these inspector types and it was smart move. I passed the test easily on the first shot ~ this was over a decade ago when it was "just" code and law (coincidentially, I scored the same on both parts).


I will offer no names for recommendation or comment...
But I will offer a "tip"...just wish you had posted sooner...on 12/5/05 make your way to the Holiday Inn on Rt.22W in Springfield, NJ at about 3:00PM.

All the "instructors" know that a certain percentage of test takers WILL fail...and WILL be looking for a new "instructor". The "instructors" plaster every car in the lot with flyers for their course.

Dates: http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/electric/examtab.htm
 
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sicsteve

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Hello, I am thinking about taking the electrical exam in NJ. Can someone recommend some instructors in somerset or union county. Thank you
 
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revolt

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

There is a list of prep instructors that I believe I got from the State. Can't remember. Do take a prep course. It's worth it. It helps with the "language" of the code,math and where to look things up. Study till you drop. It's only a couple of months but it's the only way to be sure. Concentrate on the 100 code questions. The law book I never really looked at till the test and got an 84.The fire alarm test I failed the first time. I never looked at 72 and didn't even bring one to the test and got a 65. Passed it the 2nd time, but it was the only test I had to concentrate on. Settle on an instructor and study the material he gives you. Spend as much time you can studying. Good luck.
 
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sicsteve

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Thanks revolt I am currently out of work so I figured the best thing to do is go get my license
what do you think the best way to study is. Just reading the code over and over and doing sample questions. Thanks again
 
celtic

celtic

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Originally posted by sicsteve:
Just reading the code over and over and doing sample questions.
Click to expand...
You decide:

:confused:

Trying to learn it solo will either bore you to sleep or confuse you. IMHO, taking a course is the best option (and write-off all the costs associated w/taking the classes on your taxes).

Being out-of-work can be advantageous - if you want it to be.

If you want, PM me and I will give you a short list of courses - NONE of which I am affiliated with NOR endorse...I just get bombarded with course info because of the NJ 34 hours of CEC requirements for maintaining my EC credentials.
 
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revolt

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Sicsteve,Celtic is correct in that you need to take a course. The instructor will tell you the formulas you need to know and will give you insight as to the the general percentages of questions on the test. Code is X%,general knowledge is Y%, calculations expect Z%,etc.
If you study what the instructor gives you and really know it, you can expect a 20-25% advantage than walking in cold. Getting a code handbook also helps. It runs $110-120 bucks. See if anyone you know has one and take a look to see if it would help you. It helps "interpret" the language.Keep in mind that the cut off date to apply for the Spring test is in December.
Celtic had a good idea about going to Rt 22 in Springfield on 12/5. Ask some of the test takers who come out if they took a course and if they would recommend the instructor. Just a thought. Keep us informed of you progress
 
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Flyersfan

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Ben Shedlock. Find him!! :) Honestly, I have no affiliation with the man, but if he could teach a dummy like me to pass the test he should be in the instructor hall of fame.
 
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sicsteve

Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Thanks guys for all your help. If you can help me in any other ways that would be great.

Thanks again all of you.
 
Oakey

Oakey

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Yes to Ben Shedlock..Helped me pass the first time in N.J. I still have his info so if you want I can help you find him
 
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pierre

Senior Member
Location
Westchester County, New York
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

The next available test date for NJ is JULY. The test dates have all been taken up until that date. For some reason, there have been a lot of guys taking the test. I would apply as soon as possible, as I know of quite a few who tried to get into the next test scheduled and were told they had to wait till JULY. To date my guys have done very well on the NJ test. I have a bunch scheduled for the JULY test date.
 
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Jerseydaze

Senior Member
Re: Help I need to pass Jersey

Hey hey I PASSSSED on my first try got a 79 on code a 80 on bussiness and a 76 on alarm I first bought Mike Holts Exam book in September but by end of October I knew I needed a prep courses so I took Bob Frangipanes course cost was about $650 worth every penny.
 
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