Journeyman Test

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kda3310

kda3310

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Location
Dry Prong, Louisiana
I have been an electrician now for seven years and I have never taken the journeyman test. It scares me just to think about going to take it. There is so much information that I can not remember it all. My biggest problem is trying to remember all the calculation or formulas I need to know. Is there some more important to remember than others. What I would like to know is how other people handled that part of the test.
 
Take the test whats the worst thing that can happen? If you pass you'll feel great if you do not pass, shrug it off and retake as soon as possible..The sooner the better
 
Your not alone, I too was nerved up to the point of being sick over the test. I read to the point of trying to memorizing the book. When I got there and sat down, I suddenly had C-R-A-F-T disease. Relax, you been doing the job for seven years now you remember more than you think. When reading the question think how you would do it in the field and apply your common sense. You have been tested everyday now for seven years what?s one more time just on paper. Good luck.

LHarrington
 
I used Mike Holt's journeyman exam book.

I got to a point where I could pass the test up to a certain point.

I fall down on motors and three phase stuff.

My IBEW neighbor showed me a "bootleg" copy of the CA. test. Don't ask me how he got it. We can't discuss union issues here.

I signed up for the test and passed it.

Go for it dude. You are smarter than you think.
 
Just remember two words: Code and Minimum.

The test isn't about real-life situations, it's about the Code and the minimum requirements.

Code + Minimum = Minimum wire size, Minimum number of circuits, Minimum this, Minimum that. Real life, well, we all exceed that minimum every day.

Example: How far from a j-box can you go before you need a strap on EMT? A: 36" (358.30). But do you measure out from a j-box 3 feet when you install EMT?. No, you probably are like most of us.... 12" or so. And you probably install more than one strap for every 10', too.

The test is designed to make you fail. The folks that administer the test know this, so they want you to fail so you'll pay again to take it again. Once you pass, you are no longer a customer of theirs. But as pointed out before, don't give up if you don't pass. Once you've taken it, you know what to expect, and can apply that experience to the next go-around.
 
kda3310 said:
I have been an electrician now for seven years and I have never taken the journeyman test. It scares me just to think about going to take it. There is so much information that I can not remember it all. My biggest problem is trying to remember all the calculation or formulas I need to know. Is there some more important to remember than others. What I would like to know is how other people handled that part of the test.
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I think I had like 1 or 2 calculations on mine, the rest is basically read the question find the answer in the code book, pretty simple if you can find your way around the code...
 
LHarrington said:
Your not alone, I too was nerved up to the point of being sick over the test. I read to the point of trying to memorizing the book. When I got there and sat down, I suddenly had C-R-A-F-T disease. Relax, you been doing the job for seven years now you remember more than you think. LHarrington
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What that's ? > C-R-A-F-T disease ? ? : )
 
480sparky said:
I call it 'Some-timers Disease'. Someimes I remember, sometimes I don't. :grin:
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Are you guys trying to tell me that I am not the only moron with a journeyman card in his wallet?

I spend countless hours on this forum and in the code book, because I can't remember much of anything.

At least, I do want to do a good job.
 
This worked for me twice, once for the city test, and once for the union test.

I didn't study at all, just went in and took the tests. I knew I needed a 75 to pass, and in reality a 75 is just as good as a 100.

First, I answered all the questions I knew for sure, (minus a few for simply being an idiot), and my score was 55 or 60. Then I did the ones that involved some simple math, but not the complicated ones. That gave me about 10 more points. Next I did the 3 phase diagrams, which I know fairly well, but it's easy to make a mistake. I gave myself half of them, and now had a 70 or 75. The rest I just guessed on, figuring I'd get at least a few right.

I passed both tests on the first try, but they wouldn't tell me what score I got, only that I passed.

Seriously, just go take the thing, if you pass, great, if not you'll know what to study up on. Failing a test is no big deal, though it seems so at the time. Keep at it, eventually you'll get there.
 
sparky_magoo said:
Are you guys trying to tell me that I am not the only moron with a journeyman card in his wallet?
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Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. They say your memory is the second thing to go.
 
480sparky said:
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. They say your memory is the second thing to go.
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LMAO, it is still not a hard test to pass. My money is on him.

edit for lame spelling. Can anyone tell me why we always make excuses for fixing lame posts?
 
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The test is NOT designed to make you fail in all jurisdictions. In Maryland the test questions are created by a volunteer board and the test is given by a testing agency employed by the state OR by the local jurisdictions. There is no incentive for the people creating the questions to want you to fail, they are not paid for their work. The test is difficult, but it is open book. 90% of the answers are in the NEC, the other 10% are based on theory and your knowledge of the trade. Because most people are not real familiar with the NEC, the 4-hour time limit on the test is what gets them. If you know how to find things in the NEC, and can do some basic calculations, you should pass with relative ease. I passed the Maryland Master's test on my first try, but I had taught a Test Prep class for three years prior to my attempt, so I was familiar with how to find things in the NEC. Memorizing the NEC is not necessary.
 
In CA., we also had four hours for a 100 question test. I was done in under two hours.

I can't imagine taking all four hours.
 
sparky_magoo said:
I can't imagine taking all four hours.
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Same here. I got 90's on all three tests (Journeyman, Master, Contractor), and I was first or second done every time.

The only electrical questions I had trouble with was the power factor stuff; I had forgotten that PF is always one or less.
 
LarryFine said:
Same here. I got 90's on all three tests (Journeyman, Master, Contractor), and I was first or second done every time.

The only electrical questions I had trouble with was the power factor stuff; I had forgotten that PF is always one or less.
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Whats the difference between journeyman and master? around here your either a journeyman or a electrical contractor... thats it...
 
stickboy1375 said:
Whats the difference between journeyman and master? around here your either a journeyman or a electrical contractor... thats it...
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To qualify to apply for the Journeyman test, you must apprentice for four years; one year may be skipped if you also attend school.

To qualify to apply for the Master test, you must be employed as a Journeyman for two additional years in a supervisory position.
 
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