ICC E1 Residential Inspector Exam

[Dennis Dotson]

Hello all,
I'm almost ashamed to talk about it but today I took the E1 Residential exam and bombed it with a 48 ! I have been in ELE field as an electrician for 21yrs. Have done a lot of residential on the side but more industrial during the last 10 years. Have moved up to Electrical Engineering Tech lately, a more advanced troubleshooting role for robotics and industrial controls. I recently inquired about a local Electrical Inspector position (would really like to pursue the inspection side of the field)and today, I went and took the Residential E1 ICC test. I failed miserably with a 48 and studied the 2014 NEC code book for 2 weeks in the afternoons after work. I also purchased and studied and took the /NEC quizzes. I didn't get thru all 2400, maybe a 100 or more. I cant afford to spend anymore $ on resources for study being a family of 4 and Christmas is here but will try the test 1 more time and ill be done for 6 months and the job will be filled. Is there any advice anyone can give me as to what or how I can prepare better without the funds to do so ?? Don't need answers just guidance to succeed Help !!

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all

 

[Dennis Dotson]

Forgot to mention in original post how I maneuvered thru and took the test. If you have any feedback on how to best take the exam please reply. I took the computer based exam.

1. First I went thru the test (all the way to the last question #60) looking for questions I knew immediately and answered them without looking them up. Clicking MARK on the ones I didn't know to be able to go back and answer them later. I did not choose an answer on the ones I marked to do later and I'm thinking I should have made a educated guess so that if time ran out at least all questions would have been answered and a 25% chance of getting it right ??
2. I went back and began to look up and answer the ones I previously MARKED. And the result was, time ran out and I left too many questions UNANSWERED !

After getting home and gaining my composure I started to go over how I approached the test. I figured I lost 20-30 sec of time for each question I read and marked for later ( figure I lost 6-8 min of time ). With a 48 I'm figuring I got 30 correct at 1.6 pts per question and believe I left 20-25 unanswered which means I must have gotten 5-10 wrong.

Any response is appreciated and thank you.

Dennis

 

[ActionDave]

Welcome to the forum.

What kind of questions are on the test? Are they all code questions?

 

[Joe Villani]

I think you issue may be focusing on the NEC for this test.

Remember the ICC residential code has an electrical section to it.

While it is based on and extracted from the NEC the material is presented different in the ICC residential code, some of its tables will be complied to cover multiple NEC tables.

When you take the commercial and plan review those tests are based on the NEC.

I have no doubt given unlimited time you would pass, but this (these) tests are all about speed.

I would suggest to study the ICC residential electrical code sections and how they are laid out. It is presented a bit different and in some cases its easier than reading the NEC. The material will be familar to you as you have been studying the NEC.

Use the book the test is based on and you should do fine.

Joe Villani

 

[Dennis Dotson]

Welcome to the forum.

What kind of questions are on the test? Are they all code questions?

There were a few calculation questions but the majority of the test was code related. Was just having a hard time finding the answers within the time limit. The way some of the questions were worded was a little confusing on which section of the code to look in.

 

[Ponchik]

There is nothing to be ashamed about if you don't have any code book experience. By that I mean if you have not practiced code questions by finding answers in the code book you will have a hard time on any code related test. Your number of years in trade experience will NOT transfer into code book usage experience. (I am not picking on you this applies to any electrician)

I get fair amount of guys in my class that have 20+ field experience but do not know how the code book is laid out so they usually fail their first quiz/test until they practice using a practice book and a code book. Then they get more experience in using and navigating the code book.

 

[Dennis Dotson]

I think you issue may be focusing on the NEC for this test.

Remember the ICC residential code has an electrical section to it.

While it is based on and extracted from the NEC the material is presented different in the ICC residential code, some of its tables will be complied to cover multiple NEC tables.

When you take the commercial and plan review those tests are based on the NEC.

I have no doubt given unlimited time you would pass, but this (these) tests are all about speed.

I would suggest to study the ICC residential electrical code sections and how they are laid out. It is presented a bit different and in some cases its easier than reading the NEC. The material will be familar to you as you have been studying the NEC.

Use the book the test is based on and you should do fine.

Joe Villani

Thanks for the info ! I got access to the 2015 International Residential Code on the ICC website and see that it is laid out differently. Chapters 34-43 are the electrical sections. So I got public access to the 2015 residential code on the web site and can study it from there. So you recommend purchasing the 2015 ICC RC and studying and taking it to the test site (or is it material that may not be approved)? The bulletin on the test does say that the literature just has to be binded and notes written in ink and highlights are acceptable. Didn't know if an illustrated version (if this is illustrated )would be acceptable ?

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Dennis Dotson]

There is nothing to be ashamed about if you don't have any code book experience. By that I mean if you have not practiced code questions by finding answers in the code book you will have a hard time on any code related test. Your number of years in trade experience will NOT transfer into code book usage experience. (I am not picking on you this applies to any electrician)

I get fair amount of guys in my class that have 20+ field experience but do not know how the code book is laid out so they usually fail their first quiz/test until they practice using a practice book and a code book. Then they get more experience in using and navigating the code book.

Thank You for the honesty and reply, you are exactly right ! I practiced the quizzes on Mikes site for 2 weeks, looking up every answer in the code book, every afternoon and still had issues trying to find the answers in a timely manner during the test. I'm going to continue practicing the quizzes and also studying the 2015 ICC residential code (electrical section of the code) as another member has mentioned.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Ponchik]

Thank You for the honesty and reply, you are exactly right ! I practiced the quizzes on Mikes site for 2 weeks, looking up every answer in the code book, every afternoon and still had issues trying to find the answers in a timely manner during the test. I'm going to continue practicing the quizzes and also studying the 2015 ICC residential code (electrical section of the code) as another member has mentioned.

Thanks,
Dennis

IMO, strictly studying the ICC residential section may only gain you a PASS for the residential certificate. However, studying the material that Mike Holt has using the NEC code book will have much deeper positive impact on getting other inspector certifications not juts the ICC residential. (ICC commercial, ICC plan check, ICC master electrician, IAEI certifications...)

 

[Dave047]

ICC E-1 Residential electrical Inspector exam

ICC E-1 Residential electrical Inspector exam

My advice for passing the exam ( although I took the commercial electrical ) would be to study your code book more and make sure you have tabs too. The ICC exam is all about identifying key words in the question and using the index in the back of the book to locate the code reference/ section specific to said question. I think your method was flawed too about going through the entire test first, which you correctly associated to precious lost time, as you only have about two minutes per question as an average. Mike Holt's quizzes were a valuable resource as well. Get to know your code book : where the various wiring methods are, tables, services , branch circuits,etc. Study and you will pass. Good luck.

 

[E16]

When I took the test I took both the IRC book and my NEC book. I am pretty sure I never opened my NEC book. One thing I noticed when studying was the way that ICC worded things, it was easier for me to pick them out of the ICC section then the NEC. If you are just testing for the E1 I would personally just study and get familiar with the IRC chapters. I hope you have access to the IRC book.

Good luck

 

[Mike Furlan]

Hello all,
I'm almost ashamed to talk about it but today I took the E1 Residential exam and bombed it with a 48 ! I have been in ELE field as an electrician for 21yrs. Have done a lot of residential on the side but more industrial during the last 10 years. Have moved up to Electrical Engineering Tech lately, a more advanced troubleshooting role for robotics and industrial controls. I recently inquired about a local Electrical Inspector position (would really like to pursue the inspection side of the field)and today, I went and took the Residential E1 ICC test. I failed miserably with a 48 and studied the 2014 NEC code book for 2 weeks in the afternoons after work. I also purchased and studied and took the /NEC quizzes. I didn't get thru all 2400, maybe a 100 or more. I cant afford to spend anymore $ on resources for study being a family of 4 and Christmas is here but will try the test 1 more time and ill be done for 6 months and the job will be filled. Is there any advice anyone can give me as to what or how I can prepare better without the funds to do so ?? Don't need answers just guidance to succeed Help !!

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all

I studied for 6 months for the Commercial Exam. You are just a lot braver than I was.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Dennis Dotson]

I studied for 6 months for the Commercial Exam. You are just a lot braver than I was.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Don't know about brave lol, maybe ill prepared is the best way to sum it up. Guess there is one bright side, at least I know where I stand and can be better prepared the next time :thumbsup:.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Dennis Dotson]

When I took the test I took both the IRC book and my NEC book. I am pretty sure I never opened my NEC book. One thing I noticed when studying was the way that ICC worded things, it was easier for me to pick them out of the ICC section then the NEC. If you are just testing for the E1 I would personally just study and get familiar with the IRC chapters. I hope you have access to the IRC book.

Good luck

I have access to the ICC online IRC book and have been studying it but I don't have a book to take to the test. I hope to have one before test day. I agree on the IRC, seems to be easier to navigate the chapters.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Dennis Dotson]

My advice for passing the exam ( although I took the commercial electrical ) would be to study your code book more and make sure you have tabs too. The ICC exam is all about identifying key words in the question and using the index in the back of the book to locate the code reference/ section specific to said question. I think your method was flawed too about going through the entire test first, which you correctly associated to precious lost time, as you only have about two minutes per question as an average. Mike Holt's quizzes were a valuable resource as well. Get to know your code book : where the various wiring methods are, tables, services , branch circuits,etc. Study and you will pass. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I do have tabs on my 2014 NEC and that's a big help but wasn't enough on test day. I just was not familiar enough with the sections of the book to be able to go immediately (in a timely manner) to the section of the code the question was pertaining to. I'm still taking the quizzes and trying to improve my surfing time in the NEC book while also studying the ICC's IRC book. I believe if I had been a little quicker with the NEC I would have passed, maybe not aced it but passed. Wouldn't have left so many unanswered questions.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Ponchik]

Thanks for the advice. I do have tabs on my 2014 NEC and that's a big help but wasn't enough on test day. I just was not familiar enough with the sections of the book to be able to go immediately (in a timely manner) to the section of the code the question was pertaining to. I'm still taking the quizzes and trying to improve my surfing time in the NEC book while also studying the ICC's IRC book. I believe if I had been a little quicker with the NEC I would have passed, maybe not aced it but passed. Wouldn't have left so many unanswered questions.

Thanks,
Dennis

I think that is the key.

 

[north star]

~ @ ~ @ ~


Dennis D.,

I agree with a lot of the responses so far.
IMO, ...you should become VERY familiar
with the layout of the applicable IRC, and
not the NEC.......The E-1 Exam is all about
the IRC, and not just the electrical chapters.
You should, IMO, become familiar with the
whole book.......When you get hired in to
an Electrical Inspector position, you may
very well find yourself needing an answer
from the rest of the IRC.

I took all of my certification exams by
paper & pencil method.......I just do better
with taking exams by the old fashioned
method, ...others mileage may vary.

I did like you did, in that, I too went thru
the E-1 test answering all of questions that
I knew instantly or could find very quickly.
After that, I came back thru and answered
the ones I did not know by looking them up
[ QUICKLY ] in the IRC.

DO NOT give up on becoming a qualified
Inspector......I have spent thousands &
thousands of dollars on the various ICC
exams.......If you want it bad enough, you
WILL find a way to take the exams,
...purchase the study materials and make
it work.

Absolutely, ...DO NOT QUIT ! :thumbsup:



@ ~ @ ~ @

 

[Ingenieur]

How much total time for the test?
how many did you answer first pass?
what do you figure you spent on those?

say you answered 40 (20 not answered)
if you got 30/40 right you were on track (I assume 70% to pass)

second pass
say you have 30 questions left and 120 minutes
start answering them, if you spend more than 5 minutes or so guess and move on
save a few minutes to make sure everyhing is answered
no penalty and a 1/4 chance

the first pass probably took less than 1/2 the time

do not be ashamed
imo failing is not failure
failing to keep at it is

 

[Dennis Dotson]

~ @ ~ @ ~


Dennis D.,

I agree with a lot of the responses so far.
IMO, ...you should become VERY familiar
with the layout of the applicable IRC, and
not the NEC.......The E-1 Exam is all about
the IRC, and not just the electrical chapters.
You should, IMO, become familiar with the
whole book.......When you get hired in to
an Electrical Inspector position, you may
very well find yourself needing an answer
from the rest of the IRC.

I took all of my certification exams by
paper & pencil method.......I just do better
with taking exams by the old fashioned
method, ...others mileage may vary.

I did like you did, in that, I too went thru
the E-1 test answering all of questions that
I knew instantly or could find very quickly.
After that, I came back thru and answered
the ones I did not know by looking them up
[ QUICKLY ] in the IRC.

DO NOT give up on becoming a qualified
Inspector......I have spent thousands &
thousands of dollars on the various ICC
exams.......If you want it bad enough, you
WILL find a way to take the exams,
...purchase the study materials and make
it work.

Absolutely, ...DO NOT QUIT ! :thumbsup:



@ ~ @ ~ @

Thanks for the encouragement ! I plan on seeing this thru and getting my Inspector certifications.


Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Dennis Dotson]

How much total time for the test?
how many did you answer first pass?
what do you figure you spent on those?

say you answered 40 (20 not answered)
if you got 30/40 right you were on track (I assume 70% to pass)

second pass
say you have 30 questions left and 120 minutes
start answering them, if you spend more than 5 minutes or so guess and move on
save a few minutes to make sure everyhing is answered
no penalty and a 1/4 chance

the first pass probably took less than 1/2 the time

do not be ashamed
imo failing is not failure
failing to keep at it is

I don't know the exact specifics on how many I missed, left unanswered and such, can just speculate. I took a guess in my 1st post and may be off some but the examination results form they gave me states that a "passing score is 75". I feel that if I had answered the unanswered questions I may have passed. Water under the bridge now, just trying to prepare for round 2 now :thumbsup:. Thanks for the reply and failing is not an option for me, ill continue until I get the certifications.

Thanks,
Dennis