Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Arkansas Drywall - Residential Exam
Arkansas · PSI Services Contractor
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
30
Passing score
70%
Exam time
75 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Arkansas State Portion 30 questions
Ceilings, Acoustical Systems Materials and Installation
8 Q · 27%
Suspension grid system types and components (main tees, cross tees, wall angle, hanger wire)Acoustical performance ratings (NRC, CAC, AC) and panel selection criteriaFire safety classifications and fire-rated ceiling assemblies (UL designs, ASTM E119)Step-by-step installation procedures for suspended acoustical ceilings (ASTM C635 and C636)Environmental and humidity considerations for ceiling system selection (ClimaPlus, exterior applications)Seismic compliance requirements for suspended ceiling systemsInterior finish flame spread and smoke-developed index classifications for ceiling materials (IBC Class A, B, C)Minimum ceiling height requirements and furred ceiling provisions (IBC Section 1208)
Drywall Materials and Installation
12 Q · 40%
Gypsum panel product types and specificationsFraming requirements for drywall systemsFastener types, spacing, and attachment methodsSingle-layer and double-layer application techniquesJoint treatment and finishing proceduresFire-resistance-rated assemblies and UL-listed designsBackerboard installation for wet areasCommon drywall defects, causes, and remedies
Taping and Finishing
4 Q · 13%
Special Applications Including Veneer Plaster
3 Q · 10%
OSHA Safety
3 Q · 10%
Key Distinctions
Benefit-cost analysisvsLife-cycle cost analysis
Materials may be evaluated by either method, but life-cycle cost analysis is the approach that considers the total cost of an assembly throughout its useful life rather than just initial construction cost.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Selection of MaterialsSound Transmission Class (STC)vsImpact Insulation Class (IIC)
STC rates a partition's ability to attenuate sound passing through it, while IIC is a numerical evaluation of a floor-ceiling assembly's effectiveness in retarding impact sound (ASTM E492 testing, ASTM E989 rating).
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Fire and Sound TestsNoise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)vsCeiling Attenuation Class (CAC)
NRC measures sound absorption, while CAC applies to ceilings between adjacent spaces.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Fire and Sound TestsASTM E119vsASTM E90 / E413 / E492
ASTM E119 (also ANSI/UL 263 and NFPA 251) governs fire resistance testing of building construction and materials, while E90 is sound transmission testing, E413 is STC rating, and E492 is impact sound testing.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Fire and Sound TestsUL Design U305 (one-hour wood frame)vsUL Design U301 (two-hour wood frame)
U305 uses a single layer of 5/8" Firecode core panels each side of wood 2x4 studs 16" o.c. with 1-7/8" cement-coated nails at 7" o.c. (insulation optional), while U301 uses two layers each side with base-layer nails 6" o.c. and face-layer 2-3/8" nails 8" o.c., face joints staggered over base joints.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — One-Hour Rating, UL Design U305Regular-core 5/8" gypsum panelvsType X and Type C cores
In a 1,850°F fire comparison test the regular 5/8" core failed in 10 to 15 minutes, Type X lasted 45 to 60 minutes, and Type C lasted over 2 hours.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 15 — Fire Resistance and Gypsum Panels section5/8" gypsum panelvs3/8" gypsum panel
5/8" is recommended for the finest single-layer construction with increased fire and sound transmission resistance, while 3/8" is recommended for repair and remodeling over existing surfaces.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 2 Framing, Maximum Frame Spacing—Drywall Construction table, footnote (1)Type W screwsvsType S screws
1-1/4" Type W screws attach resilient channels to wood studs (nails not recommended), while 1-1/4" Type S oval head screws (or 8d nails) attach steel runners to wood framing and No. 6 Type S bugle head screws attach panels to drywall suspension systems.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 2 Framing, Resilient Channel Partitions sectionRunners fastened to wood framingvsRunners fastened to concrete/masonry
Steel runners are secured to wood framing with 1-1/4" Type S oval head screws or 8d nails, while runners are attached to concrete and masonry with stub nails or power-driven fasteners.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 2 Framing, Runner Installation sectionSetting-type joint compound (Durabond 90 / Easy Sand 90)vsSetting-type 210
Mix only what can be used within the time on the bag — usually 1 hour for 90 and 2 hours for 210.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Cladding chapter, Mixing—USG Sheetrock Brand Setting-Type Compounds sectionResidential hanger wirevsCommercial hanger wire
Suspended acoustical ceiling installation specifies 18 ga. hanger wire for residential work and 12 ga. for commercial work.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 9 — Step-By-Step Installation sectionCeiling control joints with perimeter reliefvsCeiling control joints without perimeter relief
With perimeter relief, control joints are required when ceiling dimensions exceed 50' in either direction; without perimeter relief, control joints are required when dimensions exceed 30' (maximum 30' intervals).
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 15 — Building Sciences, Control Joints sectionEmployers with more than 10 employeesvsEmployers with 10 or fewer employees
For employers with 10 or fewer employees the emergency action plan may be communicated orally and no written plan need be maintained.
OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.35(e)(3)Key Terms
Competent person (OSHA 1926.32(f)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.32(f), Page 31
One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Life-cycle cost analysis Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Selection of Materials
A material-evaluation method that considers the total cost of an assembly throughout its useful life, including maintenance, rather than initial construction cost alone.
Impact Insulation Class (IIC) Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Fire and Sound Tests
A numerical evaluation of a floor-ceiling assembly's effectiveness in retarding transmission of impact sound, determined by ASTM E492 testing and rated per ASTM E989.
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Fire and Sound Tests
A widely used rating of a partition's ability to attenuate sound passing through it.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 9 — Acoustical Ratings section
A sound-absorption rating for which .50 or higher offers significant sound absorption; panels engineered for increased acoustical performance are rated .70 or above.
ASTM E119 Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Fire and Sound Tests
The standard test method for fire tests of building construction and materials under which all fire resistance tests are conducted; also known as ANSI/UL 263 and NFPA 251.
UL Design U419 Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — One-Hour Rating, UL Design U419
A 1-hour rated steel stud drywall system using steel studs (362S125-18 minimum) at a maximum 24" o.c. with 5/8" Firecode core gypsum panels each side attached with Type S screws 8" o.c.
UL Design U305 Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — One-Hour Rating, UL Design U305
A one-hour rated wood stud drywall system with 5/8" Firecode core gypsum panels each side of wood 2x4 studs at 16" o.c. attached with 1-7/8" cement-coated nails at a maximum 7" o.c.; insulation is optional.
UL Design U301 Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Two-Hour Rating, UL Design U301
A two-hour rated wood-frame drywall system with two layers of 5/8" Firecode core gypsum panel each side, base layer with 1-7/8" cement-coated nails 6" o.c. and face layer with 2-3/8" nails 8" o.c., face joints staggered over base joints.
UL fire design prefix letters Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 9 — Fire Safety section
UL Fire Resistance Directory designations keyed by construction type: A = concrete cellular deck with cellular steel floor units and beam support; D = concrete with steel floor units and beam support; G = concrete and steel joists; J or K = precast and field-poured concrete; L = wood or wood-and-steel joist floor/ceiling assemblies; P = roof/ceiling designs.
Type C (Firecode C) gypsum panel Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 15 — Fire Resistance and Gypsum Panels section
A panel containing a shrinkage-compensating additive — a form of vermiculite — that expands with heat at about the rate the gypsum core shrinks from water loss, giving dimensional stability during fire exposure.
Setting-type joint compound Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 5 — Finishing Drywall Systems, — Setting-Type Joint Compounds System Applications, One-Day Finishing section
A compound that hardens chemically rather than by drying; for one-day finishing a compound setting within 1-1/2 to 2 hours is recommended so later coats can go on as soon as the prior coat hardens.
Interior Class A finish (IBC 2015 §803.1.1) IBC 2015 Section 803.1.1
Interior wall and ceiling finish with a flame spread index of 0-25 per ASTM E84/UL 723; Class B is 26-75 and Class C is 76-200.
Metal composite material (MCM) alternate condition (2015 IBC §1407.11.2.2) IBC 2015 Chapter 14 — Sections 1407.11.2 through 1407.11.2.2
Where MCM with a self-ignition temperature of 650°F or greater (ASTM D1929) is installed up to 50 feet above grade, individual sections shall not exceed 300 square feet and shall be separated not less than 4 feet vertically.
Risers (gypsum board storage) Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 11 — Handling and Storage
Supports under stored board, evenly spaced no more than 28 inches apart, within 2 inches of board ends, and placed directly under each other vertically to prevent sag, damage, or deformity.
Lateral load design value for interior non-load-bearing partitions Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Chapter 10 — Structural Criteria
Interior partitions are typically designed for 5 psf lateral load, with manufacturers' allowable loads starting at 5 psf and increasing in 5- or 10-psf increments to about 40 psf.
Staples for base-layer board (wood framing, double-layer) Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Cladding chapter, Staple Application section
16-gauge flattened galvanized wire with 7/16"-wide crown, divergent points, and leg lengths giving a minimum 5/8" penetration into supports.
Formulas to Know
Gypsum board quantity takeoff for partitions with board on each side
Total board SF = partition wall area x 2 (one face each side); example: 12,000 SF of partition x 2 = 24,000 SF of 5/8" boardScrew estimate, single-layer wall on 16" o.c. framing
Approximately 1,000 screws (Type W for wood, Type S or S-12 for steel) per 1,000 SF of gypsum boardCeiling control joint spacing
With perimeter relief: control joints where ceiling dimension exceeds 50 ft in either direction; without perimeter relief: control joints at maximum 30 ft intervalsScrew spacing on drywall suspension system
No. 6 Type S bugle head screws at 8" o.c. at panel periphery and 12" o.c. in the fieldCurved partition runner cuts
Cut one leg and the web of top and bottom steel runners at 2" intervals for the length of the arc, leaving 12" of uncut runner at each endOSHA toilet facilities minimum
20 or fewer employees = 1 facility minimum (Table D-1)OSHA permissible noise exposure
8-hour duration = 90 dBA slow response maximum (Table D-2)