WV Masters test

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fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
I planning to take the WV Master's test first week in June.
I'm working through Mike's NEC Exam Practice Questions.
Is there something else I should do?

Thanks
 
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fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
Thanks, Mike

Thanks, Mike

I took the Master Electrician's test for WV on the 6th. I got the results yesterday.

What do you call a law student who just barely passed the bar exam? -- an attorney.

What do you call an electrician who just barely passed the masters exam? -- a master electrician.

I got an 80, 80 is passing. WV's masters test is reputed to be difficult. I worked through 24 practice tests in Mike's exam prep book and had an average grade of 92.8, the lowest being 86 and highest being 96.

There were 10 calculation questions. Each question needed about 5 different code references.

I'm good at taking tests, so I think the difference in grades is an indication of the difficulty of the WV test.

I'm certain I would have not passed the test without taking the practice tests. Thanks again Mike.

/s/ Jim Williams
 
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6stringslinger

Member
Location
Bluefield, WV
I was planning on taking it this month too, but scheduling got in the way. I have also heard that our (WV) Master's is pretty difficult. I've been working with reference books and practice exams including Holt's material but after talking to several peers who have taken it, albeit with a coin-flip success rate, I don't know when I'll actually feel prepared enough to take it.
 
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fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
6stringslinger said:
I was planning on taking it this month too, but scheduling got in the way. I have also heard that our (WV) Master's is pretty difficult. I've been working with reference books and practice exams including Holt's material but after talking to several peers who have taken it, albeit with a coin-flip success rate, I don't know when I'll actually feel prepared enough to take it.
Click to expand...

Next test is in August. I would start now on the review. I'd suggest taking all of Holt's tests. Record each answer you get wrong (or are unsure about and guess right). Go through the suggested code reference in the answer sheet and if you still don't understand it, bring it up in this forum.

Check with the nearest Tech school instructor to see if s/he can help with practice materials.

There are also calculation problems. You need to practice motor and non-residental calculations. The ones on the test will probably send you a merry chase through the code. When you find section that pertains, make sure you look at all the exceptions and references to other sections.

If you find a question that you don't understand or is taking too long to find the answer to, skip it and go back at the end. When all else fails, guess. There is no penalty for guessing wrong.

Arrive early so that you are one of the first to check in. Bring your letter from the fire marshal's office and you will probably go to the head of the check in line.

When I took my test in Charleston, they let you start as soon as you checked in.

Bring something to drink.

And finally remember the retest only costs $10.

Good luck, and work safe.

/s/ Jim Williams

PS you can bring the code book (some say the looseleaf is best). You can mark it up and you can add notes and formulas to it. You can also bring UGLY's (I found several answers in it). And third party indexes to the code. Bring a calculator you have been using on the practice tests (actually bring 2 just in case).
 
6

6stringslinger

Member
Location
Bluefield, WV
Sounds round. When I took my J-man's exam, everyone started together. There was a gaggle of ppl in that room. I also took the Tom Henry Index. Great ref. I've been all over Mike's material for better than a year. Passed the Jman with a 98%...that one missed question has irritated me ever since, but one of the guys I work with did nearly that well on the Jman and failed the Master twice. Made me a little gun-shy.
 
resistance

resistance

Senior Member
Location
WA
PS you can bring the code book (some say the looseleaf is best). You can mark it up and you can add notes and formulas to it. You can also bring UGLY's (I found several answers in it). And third party indexes to the code. Bring a calculator you have been using on the practice tests (actually bring 2 just in case).
Click to expand...
If they allow all this during an open book test, I see no reason why you wouldn’t pass!!! When I took my test, you could bring the code book, and a few other materials[Restricted to specific copy righted materials] (including the ugly’s), but you was never allowed to have books marked-up with formulas, notes etc.. Maybe things have changed!!!!
 
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F

fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
resistance said:
If they allow all this during an open book test, I see no reason why you wouldn?t pass!!! When I took my test, you could bring the code book, and a few other materials[Restricted to specific copy righted materials] (including the ugly?s), but you was never allowed to have books marked-up with formulas, notes etc.. Maybe things have changed!!!!
Click to expand...

Did you take the WV test?

Beats me:happysad: But it is not an easy test. Going from averaging 92 on the prep tests to 80 on the actual test may give you an idea.

Another point of comparison: both Journeyman's and Master's tests are allotted 4 hours.
When I took the Journeyman's I completed it in less that 2 hours and got a 94.
 
resistance

resistance

Senior Member
Location
WA
fmtjfw said:
Did you take the WV test?

Beats me:happysad: But it is not an easy test. Going from averaging 92 on the prep tests to 80 on the actual test may give you an idea.

Another point of comparison: both Journeyman's and Master's tests are allotted 4 hours.
When I took the Journeyman's I completed it in less that 2 hours and got a 94.
Click to expand...
Most open book test are harder, but it seems they give you a lot of ammunition to work with!! But, I trust that your knowledge of the test is better than my assumption.
 
resistance

resistance

Senior Member
Location
WA
fmtjfw said:
I am retired. I'll probably continue to do a few jobs as they come. I have some possibilities at a TV station. I'm also planning to take the Residential, Commercial, and possibly Plans Review Inspectors tests.
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That sounds good>>>Retirement, and the opportunity!!! Having a Residential Electricians license is a waste of time in my view—too many limits to career opportunity!!! Seems industrial and utility related fields are more rewarding.Where commercial has much better perks over residential. I see a few opportunities on a regular for electricians with PLC experience. Never see anything for residential!!! When the resi industry was in boom—it seemed rewarding, but the truth of the matter is: You will be better served to go commercial, industrial, or utility—with more favor towards industrial and utility!!! Seems the utility end is a lot harder to reach!!!! Just my opinion!!!
 
resistance

resistance

Senior Member
Location
WA
Another point of comparison: both Journeyman's and Master's tests are allotted 4 hours.
When I took the Journeyman's I completed it in less that 2 hours and got a 94.
Click to expand...
Based on this fact. I can tell you they have already figured out the average time it will take a person to take the above test. Seems they may have figured it may take the average person who studied half the time to take the non-masters test.
 
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fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
resistance said:
That sounds good>>>Retirement, and the opportunity!!! Having a Residential Electricians license is a waste of time in my view?too many limits to career opportunity!!! Seems industrial and utility related fields are more rewarding.Where commercial has much better perks over residential. I see a few opportunities on a regular for electricians with PLC experience. Never see anything for residential!!! When the resi industry was in boom?it seemed rewarding, but the truth of the matter is: You will be better served to go commercial, industrial, or utility?with more favor towards industrial and utility!!! Seems the utility end is a lot harder to reach!!!! Just my opinion!!!
Click to expand...

I probably was not clear on the additional tests, English is so prone to multiple meanings.

I meant "residential inspector, commercial inspector, and plans review inspector"
I believe the three inspector licenses are separate.

WV Journeyman Electrician and Masters Electrician cover all sub licenses: Single Family Dwelling, HVAC, Fire/Burglar Alarm, and Sign.

My pensions and social security provide a comfortable income. I do electrical work as a "hobby". The guy I work with does commercial and high end residential electrical work (for the projects I work with him on). Things like gymnasiums for the rich, home standby generators, doctor's office new services....

I use the money to buy "toys" and pay state and federal income taxes.

My wife doesn't want me to work full time and who am I to argue?

PLCs would be interesting. I dabbled in programming them while in trade school in 2005/6. They are pretty simple computers. (I spent about 10 years as architect of a real-time operating system).

I'm also considering getting into part-time, private inspection.

I did resi for a summer. It was too hot, running miles of romex is a pain, and the bathroom vent fans seem to be built of resharpened razor blades. (I got a 3 stitch cut from one).

Sorry for the long winded response:ashamed1:
 
resistance

resistance

Senior Member
Location
WA
fmtjfw said:
I probably was not clear on the additional tests, English is so prone to multiple meanings.<br>
<br>
I meant "residential inspector, commercial inspector, and plans review inspector"<br>
I believe the three inspector licenses are separate.<br>
<br>
WV Journeyman Electrician and Masters Electrician cover all sub licenses: Single Family Dwelling, HVAC, Fire/Burglar Alarm, and Sign.<br>
<br>
My pensions and social security provide a comfortable income. I do electrical work as a "hobby". The guy I work with does commercial and high end residential electrical work (for the projects I work with him on). Things like gymnasiums for the rich, home standby generators, doctor's office new services....<br>
<br>
I use the money to buy "toys" and pay state and federal income taxes.<br>
<br>
My wife doesn't want me to work full time and who am I to argue? Wow!! Excellent!!! I?m wondering when my break is going to come!? I guess I should say: A specialty residential electricians license is a waste of time. Again, this is just my opinion. Obviously you have a commercial JM's license.  <img src="images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Thumbs Up" smilieid="83" class="inlineimg"><br>
<br>
PLCs would be interesting. I dabbled in programming them while in trade school in 2005/6. They are pretty simple computers. (I spent about 10 years as architect of a real-time operating system).<br>
<br>
I'm also considering getting into part-time, private inspection.<br>
<br>
I did resi for a summer. It was too hot, running miles of romex is a pain, and the bathroom vent fans seem to be built of resharpened razor blades. (I got a 3 stitch cut from one).<br>
<br>
Sorry for the long winded response<img src="images/smilies/smiley-ashamed001.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Ashamed (Static)" smilieid="76" class="inlineimg">
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I?m impressed!! :thumbsup:. I guess i should say, i believe the specialty residential electricians license is a waste of time!! I reiterate, this is just my opinion!!! Obviously you have a commercial JM?s card. :thumbsup:. I?m wondering when my break is going to come :?
 
D

dnbob

Senior Member
Location
Rochester, MN
fmtjfw said:
I took the Master Electrician's test for WV on the 6th. I got the results yesterday.



...There were 10 calculation questions. Each question needed about 5 different code references...



On this test, do you have to write out each article as part of the answer?
Click to expand...
 
F

fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
dnbob said:
So if there is 5 "references" and you list 4, the answer is wrong? MN used to be that way, but now is just multiple choice.
Click to expand...

I really don't know how they grade the answers. They ask you to show your work. I assumed that selecting the right code references was part of the "work".

On the WV SkillsUSA tests I write for the Motors Controls contest, I usually give you 10 points for the correct multiple choice answer and 1 point for each correct code reference. If I expected 5 code references and you wrote 3 correct ones you got 3 points. No penalty for incorrect code references or incorrect multiple choice answers.

For example last year's test asked "what are correct wire colors for hot conductors?"
A: red, blue, green
B: yellow, black, blue
C: gray, orange, red
D: black, red, white

The correct answer was B
The code references expected were: 200.6 and 250.119 which was a little tricky
 
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