Minnesota Journeyman Exam

[starbright28]

I searched this forum to see if anything else was similar to this, and couldn't find it.

I'm just wondering if there is any tips or questions and what not that can be shared about the MN Journeyman test.

I will be retaking mine again here soon, 3rd WILL be the charm.

Just a general interest to those who have passed it and what worked for you to study, and for those who are going to take it to bounce what is covered and the test is like.

Hope to get some interesting answers.

For me - calcualtions are the big thing to study up on. code is open book now.

 

[jeff43222]

Have you been taking only the new exam, or was one (or both) attempts taken during the old one?

I took the old master exam (twice), the one where 50 of the 75 questions were closed-book. I've heard the new one is open book all the way.

Anyway, the main thing I did was use Mike Holt's Electrical Exam Preparation book. It has good information on calculations.

 

[starbright28]

I took the test under the old format the first time. The second time I took the test was under the new format this past April.

I took an Exam Prep class before taking the test this past Arpil, and that helped - it's just the calculations (some I never really understood) that I didn't understand.

I bought a book from Mike Holt for calculations. It just arrived and I'm digging deeply into it soon. I'm also retaking the Exam Prep class next weekend (Oct 14-15) since if you fail your test you can retake the class for free.

 

[jeff43222]

So once you knew what the exam was all about, they totally changed it on you! I've heard the new exam has an even lower pass rate than the old one.

I also took an exam prep class before I took the master exam the second time around, but I didn't find it all that helpful. I actually knew more about the exam than the instructor did.

I did find myself well prepared for the calculation questions after using the Mike Holt book. The questions on the exam were generally easier than the ones in the book.

One thing I did notice about the exam is that they often asked about more obscure stuff. For example, I remember one question where you had to correctly size the conductor or find the maximum ampacity, and you usually go to T310.16 for that. Except that the wiring method was listed as cablebus, and if you didn't first check 370.4(B) or already know, T310.17 is the proper table to consult.

There was also a question about maximum support distances for busways, something no one (of the 30 of us) in the review class had ever worked with.

 

[starbright28]

Actually the very first time I took the test I did so horrible. I didn't know how or what to study. The second time when I took the exam prep class, it helped me because I could remember stuff from the class when I took the test. the calcualtions it was really hurt me. I felt like the new test was easier to take verus the old test.

so this time around - the 3rd time better be a charm. it's hard for me to get my butt in gear to study, but i'm doing a lot more of calcs, figuring out things at work now than my previous work place. (I moved and switched jobs in May, after the last test).

What i have a hard time with is motors. Motor calcs. I did go to school for construction electrician 1 yr, then switched to drafting.

 

[tseeba]

On the ND masters they also had 3 or 4 questions on cablebus.

 

[starbright28]

I'm just talking about the MN state exams.

Anyone else have any experience or thigns they remember from taking these tests?

 

[tseeba]

From what I've heard from the State Board is that they are trying to standardize the tests between our states for better reciprocity. I've talked to people that have taken both and they said, questions are pretty similar just different formats. Yours is all open book, ours is part open, part closed.

 

[starbright28]

For those of you that have taken or are thinking of taking an exam prep type of class - what have you taken, what did it cover, and was it worth it?


--------------------------

I took the Minnesota Electrical Association's Examp Prep Class, now twice. They allow you to take the class again if you fail your test.

I found out that when I took the test, that I could remember things said and done in class. However the class did not provide me answers with on how to do service calcs, which on the Journeyman's exam there is a small piece of those calcs. All in all the class was very well. Even the second time around I felt that I understood things much better.

 

[starbright28]

Has anyone passed the test under the new format for the state lately?

I am hearing the passing rates for Journeyman is 50% and for Masters 20%

 

[cschmid]

It has been along time since I took the test. Yet I remember that the process of findng the answer and having all the correct code numbers was also important. I would recommend that you remember to write down all applicable codes areas. I used flash cards and the aid of a friend. The flash card for the formula / code question and a friend to add numbers to the formula. whether it is all open book or part memory the ability to find the proper codes in the proper order is a key issue. Good luck.....

 

[blue spark]

I failed by one point my first time through. I also took the MEA prep classes and didn't find them very helpful. They didn't really cover the meat and potatoes of the deal. Couple of things and I hope they don't sound too bitter but, alot of trick questions. I can't stress how important it is to read the question over and over. WHAT are they ASKING FOR?!? I came across a couple of questions where the answer seemed obvious until I read it again and found they weren't asking for the obvious. Calcs were mmmm 30% of the test and I'm sure I missed a few there. What really miffed me was the scoring system change. I had lunch with my inspector the other day and he stated it used to be 70% to pass. It is now 70 out of 80 points to pass which equates to 87.5%. I scored 86.25%. Well, the rules are the rules I guess and that was then. It seemed to me however that they (testing board) were really seeing how well you took a test and not what you knew about the field. When are you testing again Amanda?

 

[jbelectric777]

I'm new, I have a question ?

I'm new, I have a question ?

Hi all, Sorry this has nothing to do with your conversation but I am new here and I do not know how to post a question. Maybe one of you can help. I am taking the Ohio State Electrical Contractors examination and I am looking for a certain book for the law/business part, It's 1.5 hours and 30 questions. I'm not concerned with the electrical part of the exam because I have taken and passed exams by ETA/Lasergrade/ NAI etc for New Jersey and Pennsylvania electrical contractor and electrical inspector / plans examiner first time around so I am fortunate there. But I never had to take a business/law exam before. Do any of you have to do that in your state ? and if so , is the test hard ? I dont want to buy the referance manual from ICC if I am only going to use it one time... Or maybe one of you know someone that has the manual and will sell it used ? I mean , I have been in business since 1996 ( small 2-4 man shop ) and have run my business just fine and complied with all tax and labor laws, never had a problem... In NJ we have to do 34 hours continuing education for electrical contractors and ten of those CE units are NJ Law, PA electrical inspector, we have to do 45 hours but no law... Please Help !!!

Jim B

 

[starbright28]

Blue Spark

I guess I didn't know the "exact' percentage range anymore. I just know I improved from the 1st time I took the test. Like I said in my previous posts, I have taken the test under the new format. To me the class helped because I reconigized things on the test that was taught in calss, or it helped me better understand the things on the test.

I guess it's maybe personal preference too.

I'm taking the test Nov 22 - day before Thanksgiving.

 

[starbright28]

Hi all, Sorry this has nothing to do with your conversation but I am new here and I do not know how to post a question. Maybe one of you can help. I am taking the Ohio State Electrical Contractors examination and I am looking for a certain book for the law/business part, It's 1.5 hours and 30 questions. I'm not concerned with the electrical part of the exam because I have taken and passed exams by ETA/Lasergrade/ NAI etc for New Jersey and Pennsylvania electrical contractor and electrical inspector / plans examiner first time around so I am fortunate there. But I never had to take a business/law exam before. Do any of you have to do that in your state ? and if so , is the test hard ? I dont want to buy the referance manual from ICC if I am only going to use it one time... Or maybe one of you know someone that has the manual and will sell it used ? I mean , I have been in business since 1996 ( small 2-4 man shop ) and have run my business just fine and complied with all tax and labor laws, never had a problem... In NJ we have to do 34 hours continuing education for electrical contractors and ten of those CE units are NJ Law, PA electrical inspector, we have to do 45 hours but no law... Please Help !!!

Jim B

Jim B
As far as a buisness/law exam in the State of MN, there is none required for becoming a Electrical COntractor. There is that exam for the lawyers and such, and I have no clue what that all contains. I suggest starting a New Thread in the Exam Prep area and posing this same question to everyone, and see if you get results from there.

 

[jbelectric777]

contractors law / business exam

contractors law / business exam

Thanks Amanda , Its not a legal examination , it is part of the electrical contractors examination its a seperate part of the exam pertaining to contracts,proposals, employee's etc. I will take your advice, and good luck to you in your future goals.
Jim B

 

[jeff43222]

What really miffed me was the scoring system change. I had lunch with my inspector the other day and he stated it used to be 70% to pass. It is now 70 out of 80 points to pass which equates to 87.5%. I scored 86.25%. Well, the rules are the rules I guess and that was then.

When did this change? According to the information I just got from Page 6 of the Licensing Exam Guide, the passing score is still 70%.

 

[blue spark]

Not sure when it changed. When I got my failure notice from the DLI it stated "you needed 70 out 80 points to pass. You scored 69 points....." I assumed it was 70% to pass because everyone told me it was before I took the test.

 

[jeff43222]

I'd contact DLI and ask for clarification. From the looks of it, I'd say either there was a typo in the letter they sent you (i.e., it should have said "You scored 69 out of 100"), or your exam wasn't scored properly. Either that, or the information in the exam guide on DLI's Web page is wrong. It says 70%, not 70 out of 80, is passing.

Was each question on your exam worth one point? When I took the exam, the 25 open-book questions were worth two points each, and the 50 closed-book questions were worth one each, so the total possible points on the 75-question exam was 100. If each question on your exam was worth one point each, then I'd say you passed. But if there was a scheme like 50 one-point questions, 20 two-point questions, and two five-point questions, that would yield 100 points for an 80-question exam.

 

[blue spark]

I'd contact DLI and ask for clarification. From the looks of it, I'd say either there was a typo in the letter they sent you (i.e., it should have said "You scored 69 out of 100"), or your exam wasn't scored properly. Either that, or the information in the exam guide on DLI's Web page is wrong. It says 70%, not 70 out of 80, is passing.

Was each question on your exam worth one point? When I took the exam, the 25 open-book questions were worth two points each, and the 50 closed-book questions were worth one each, so the total possible points on the 75-question exam was 100. If each question on your exam was worth one point each, then I'd say you passed. But if there was a scheme like 50 one-point questions, 20 two-point questions, and two five-point questions, that would yield 100 points for an 80-question exam.

Each question was worth one point. Apparently when the MEB was dissolved and DLI took over, is when the change occured. However, I'm going to check into this further. If they goofed, I'll be one PO'd apprentice.