|
|
|
|
State Exam Tips When you receive our home-study contractor's courses, open the package and review the enclosed materials. This page is intended to summarize the general procedures we recommend for the law and trade courses. STUDY LAW BEFORE TRADE COURSE: If you are taking both the law and trade course, we recommend that you take the law course first; It takes longer, and there is a lot of unfamiliar material to digest. STUDY A CHAPTER A WEEK: In order to get the most out of this course, you should allow plenty of time to study. Ideally, a comfortable pace would be to cover one chapter and tape per week. Of course, you can complete the course in a much shorter period if you can spare the time. TAKE PRACTICE TESTS AT LEAST THREE TIMES: It is important that you allow enough time to do the practice tests at least three times without feeling rushed. There is a lot of material to work through and digest, so set studying time aside. BE PREPARED FOR ANY QUESTION: The scope of information on which the state may ask a question on the law or trade course is vast. What we have done is condense the most important information into a reasonable scale. If we were to write manuals that addressed every topic the state could ask about, they would be the size of telephone books. So don't be surprised if you see questions on our practice tests that are not covered by the manuals or tapes! READ PRACTICE TEST EXPLANATIONS: In our answer sheets we try to explain questions you might not be prepared for. Be sure you read these explanations: They often contain related information that the state could use when making up a new question. (For example, if they ask you about one type of portland cement, there is nothing stopping them from asking about the others.) As you will see, on our practice tests we give you alternative answers as well as our explanation and calculations (where appropriate). Other courses just give you one answer-with no explanation or calculations-but we believe it is best to give you as much information as possible. ON FIRST PRACTICE TEST LOOKUP ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY: Over the years, we have found that most students prefer to read the question and then immediately read the answer (and explanation) the first time they attempt the practice questions. That way you will "imprint" the correct answer in your memory without having to compete with wrong answers. Then, test your memory on your second and third pass. USE PROPER FORMS TO CHALLENGE QUESTIONS: at times, you may disagree with our choice of answers. If this is the case, keep in mind that the state's exam is based on specific codes and literature and may differ from local codes or your own experience. However, if you are convinced that our answer is incorrect, you may challenge our choice via the accompanying challenge form. (Make sure to include a code reference or a detailed explanation.) We Cannot Answer These Questions Over The Phone! ALLOW FOUR TO EIGHT WEEKS FOR EXAM DATE: The interval between sending in your application and sitting for the state exam varies according to how heavy the application load upon the state is. Typically, allow three to six weeks between submitting your application to the state and sitting for the exam. And bear in mind that the state can slip you into a vacated appointment with only a few days warning! SUBMIT APPLICATION ONLY AFTER ADEQUATE STUDY: Plan your studying according to your possible test date. If you are taking both the law and trade courses, don't mail your application until you've made substantial progress in the law course. UPDATE COURSE WHEN YOUR TEST DATE IS RECEIVED: when you have received a test date from the state, make sure you send us the enclosed postcard letting us know! When we receive your card, we can check to make sure the course has not undergone any recent changes or additions. If it has, we will send you the revisions ASAP. ALLOW SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE COURSES: You are allowed up to six months to complete your courses. You may apply (with any reasonable excuse) for one extension of three months at no cost. WE WILL SUPPORT YOU UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT; if, for any reason, you do not pass either the law or trade course, the clock stops. We will stand by the course until you pass. That's the most honest guarantee we know: Nobody can guarantee that you will pass someone else's exam! The state can add questions or completely change an exam without warning and at any time, so do not blame yourself if a bunch of new questions popped up on your exam. Call us at once if you fail, and we'll work on a solution.
|
|
