Breaking Down Journeyman Electrician Exam Sample Questions
Identifying Key Question Types: Recall vs. Application
Journeyman exams utilize a mix of cognitive levels to verify competency. Recall questions are the most straightforward, testing your ability to locate specific facts or definitions within the codebook. For example, a question might ask for the minimum clearance of a service conductor above a residential driveway. The answer is a fixed value found directly in the text. However, application questions—often referred to as situational analysis—require you to use that data to solve a problem. In these instances, the exam might describe a specific house with a certain roof pitch and ask where the weatherhead must be located. You are not just looking for a number; you are applying Article 230 requirements to a unique set of variables. Understanding which type of question you are facing dictates your speed; recall questions should be answered quickly to save time for the heavy lifting required by application-based problems.
Deciphering Complex Word Problems and Scenarios
Many electrician test question examples are intentionally dense, buried under layers of technical descriptions that may or may not be relevant to the final calculation. This is a test of your ability to filter "noise." A common scenario might describe a commercial kitchen with various appliances, specifying their voltages, phases, and duty cycles. To succeed, you must identify the demand factor applicable to each load type. The exam logic often includes redundant information, such as the color of the equipment or the brand name, which has no bearing on the NEC calculation. Success depends on isolating the "knowns"—the specific voltage, amperage, and continuous vs. non-continuous nature of the load—before opening your codebook to the relevant tables in Article 220.
Recognizing 'Distractor' Answers in Multiple Choice
Test developers use distractor options to catch candidates who perform incomplete calculations or skip steps. A classic distractor is an answer that represents an intermediate step in a multi-part problem. For instance, if a question asks for the minimum size of a copper THHN conductor for a 50-ampere non-continuous load, one of the incorrect choices will likely be the amperage rating before applying ambient temperature correction factors. If you simply look at Table 310.16 and stop, you will pick the distractor. Another common trap involves units of measurement; an answer might be numerically correct but provided in Watts when the question asks for Kilowatt-hours (kWh). Always verify the final unit required by the prompt before committing to a selection.
Analyzing NEC-Based Code Questions
How to Locate Code References Quickly
Efficiency in a journeyman exam question analysis often comes down to your mastery of the NEC Table of Contents and Index. The exam is a race against the clock, and you cannot afford to flip pages aimlessly. High-performing candidates use the "keyword method." If a question mentions "Rigid Metal Conduit in a Class I, Division 1 location," you should immediately recognize that Article 344 covers the conduit, but Article 501 governs the hazardous location requirements. The index is your primary tool, but understanding the Chapter structure—where Chapters 1 through 4 apply generally and Chapters 5 through 7 apply to special conditions—allows you to jump to the correct section of the book without over-reliance on the index for every single query.
Sample Questions on Grounding and Bonding
Grounding and bonding questions are among the most failed sections of the exam because of the technical distinction between the two. A typical question might ask for the required size of a Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC) for a service supplied by 3/0 AWG copper conductors. To solve this, you must navigate to Table 250.66. The logic hinges on the material of the service entrance conductors and the material of the GEC itself. If the question specifies a concrete-encased electrode (Ufer ground), the rules change compared to a water pipe connection. You must also distinguish between the GEC and the Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC), which is sized based on the overcurrent protective device rating using Table 250.122. Mixing up these two tables is a frequent cause of incorrect answers.
Sample Questions on Conductor Sizing and Protection
When evaluating NEC code question breakdown scenarios, conductor sizing is a foundational topic. A sample question might present a 40-ampere motor load and ask for the minimum branch-circuit conductor size. Here, the rule of 125% for continuous loads or specific motor rules in Article 430 must be applied. For example, Section 430.22 requires branch-circuit conductors supplying a single motor to have an ampacity not less than 125% of the motor's Full-Load Current (FLC) rating. If the FLC is 40A, the conductor must be rated for at least 50A. You then check Table 310.16, keeping the Terminal Temperature Limitations (usually 60°C or 75°C) in mind as per Section 110.14(C). Failing to account for the terminal rating is a common reason for selecting an undersized conductor.
Tackling Electrical Theory and Calculation Questions
Step-by-Step Solution to Ohm's Law Problems
Core theory questions test your grasp of the relationship between Voltage (E), Current (I), and Resistance (R). In electrical calculation sample problems, you might be asked to find the voltage drop over a specific length of wire. The formula VD = (2 * K * I * L) / CM is often required for single-phase systems, where K is the resistivity of the material (typically 12.9 for copper), I is the current, L is the one-way length, and CM is the circular mil area of the wire. A question might provide the resistance and current and ask for the power dissipated in Watts. Using P = I² * R allows you to solve this quickly. The exam tests your ability to manipulate these formulas; for instance, finding the total resistance in a parallel circuit using the reciprocal formula 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3.
Motor questions are heavily weighted and require a specific sequence of steps. When calculating the overcurrent protection for a motor, you don't use the nameplate current; you must use the FLC tables in Article 430 (e.g., Table 430.250 for three-phase motors). Once the FLC is determined, you apply the percentages from Table 430.52 based on the type of protection (e.g., 250% for an Inverse Time Circuit Breaker). Transformer questions often involve calculating the primary or secondary full-load amps using the KVA rating. For a three-phase transformer, the formula is I = VA / (E * 1.732). Forgetting the square root of three (1.732) in three-phase calculations is a primary source of error in these complex problems.
Power Factor and VA Calculation Examples
Understanding the difference between Apparent Power (VA) and True Power (Watts) is essential for load calculations. A question might state that a circuit has a load of 5000W with a power factor of 0.80 and ask for the total Volt-Amperes. You solve this by dividing the Watts by the Power Factor (VA = W / PF), resulting in 6250 VA. This is critical because the NEC requires most calculations to be performed in VA to ensure the electrical system can handle the total "apparent" flow of electricity, not just the energy being converted to work. Mastering these conversions ensures that you size feeders and sub-panels correctly according to Article 220 requirements for service calculations.
Interpreting Blueprints and Diagram-Based Questions
Sample Questions on Reading Electrical Schematics
Diagram-based questions assess your ability to translate a two-dimensional drawing into a code-compliant installation. You might be shown a ladder diagram for a motor control circuit and asked to identify the function of a specific component, such as a normally open (NO) auxiliary contact used for sealing in the circuit. Another common question involves identifying the correct wiring for a 3-way switch system. You must be able to trace the path of the "hot" conductor through the common terminal, across the travelers, and to the load. Mastery of these symbols—such as those for transformers, capacitors, and various switch types—is vital for the technical portion of the exam.
Identifying Code Violations in Pictorial Scenarios
Some exams present an illustration of a service installation or a junction box and ask, "What is the NEC violation in this image?" This requires a keen eye for detail regarding Physical Protection and support requirements. For example, the image might show an EMT conduit run that is not supported within 3 feet of a box, violating Section 358.30(A). Or, it might show a conductor with white insulation being used as an ungrounded (hot) conductor without being permanently re-identified by taping or painting, as required by Section 200.7(C). These questions test your ability to apply the code to real-world visual data, simulating an inspection scenario.
Calculating Loads from a Provided Floor Plan
A floor plan question may ask for the minimum number of 20-ampere branch circuits required for the small appliance loads in a dwelling unit. According to Section 210.11(C)(1), at least two such circuits are required. You might then be asked to calculate the General Lighting Load based on the square footage shown on the plan. You must multiply the total square feet (excluding open porches and garages) by the unit load of 3 VA per square foot for dwellings, as specified in Table 220.12. If the floor plan shows a specific room dimension, such as 30' x 40', you must first calculate the area (1200 sq. ft.) before applying the VA multiplier.
Using Sample Questions to Master Test-Taking Strategy
The Process of Elimination for Tough Questions
When faced with a question where the answer isn't immediately obvious, the process of elimination is your most effective tool. In how to answer electrician exam questions, you should first discard any options that are clearly "out of bounds" for the NEC. For example, if a question asks for a conduit support distance and one option is 20 feet, that is almost certainly wrong for any common wiring method. By narrowing the choices from four down to two, you statistically increase your chances of success from 25% to 50%. Often, one of the remaining two choices will be a "common mistake" number, while the other is the result of a correctly applied code exception.
Time Management Techniques for Lengthy Calculations
Time is a finite resource during the Journeyman exam. A common strategy is the "Three-Pass Method." On the first pass, answer all the easy recall questions and short theory problems that you can solve in under 60 seconds. On the second pass, tackle the more involved NEC lookups and standard calculations. Save the most complex problems—such as Voltage Drop in long-distance runs or multi-family dwelling service calculations—for the final pass. This ensures that you have already secured the "easy" points and won't be forced to rush through simple questions at the end because you spent 15 minutes on a single difficult calculation earlier in the session.
How to Verify Your Answer Before Submission
Verification is the final step in a successful journeyman exam question analysis. Before finalizing an answer, perform a "sanity check." If you calculated that a residential kitchen requires 400 amperes for its service entrance, something is likely wrong with your math or your demand factor application. Re-read the question one last time to ensure you didn't miss a key word like "not" or "except." For example, a question asking which of the following is not a permitted grounding electrode is very different from one asking which is permitted. Checking the "units" and the "specifics" (copper vs. aluminum, 75°C vs. 90°C) one last time can prevent simple errors from ruining an otherwise perfect calculation.