Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Exam
Georgia · 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
80
Passing score
70%
Exam time
200 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Georgia State Portion 80 questions
Sitework, Footings and Foundation
8 Q · 10%
Footing size, depth, and minimum dimensions based on soil bearing capacity and building loadsFrost protection requirements and minimum footing depth below frost lineFoundation wall types, materials, and thickness requirements (concrete, masonry, wood, precast)Foundation drainage, dampproofing, and waterproofingSoil classification, bearing capacity, and geotechnical investigationSite layout, excavation, and grading requirementsSoil compaction methods, testing, and backfill requirementsFoundation anchorage, sill plate attachment, and anchor bolt requirements
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement
8 Q · 10%
Concrete mixture components and proportioning (cement, aggregates, water, admixtures)Types and grades of Portland cement and supplementary cementitious materialsCompressive strength requirements and concrete testing procedures (slump, air content, cylinders)Steel reinforcement types, sizing, placement, and concrete cover requirementsFormwork design, materials, erection, and safe removal proceduresFooting types, dimensions, depth, and reinforcement per IRC requirementsConcrete joints (contraction, isolation, and construction joints) for slabs and wallsOSHA safety requirements for concrete and masonry construction operations
Masonry
5 Q · 6%
Mortar types, mixing, and propertiesBrick types, sizes, and classificationsConcrete masonry unit (CMU) types and classificationsMasonry wall systems (solid, cavity, composite, veneer, reinforced)Laying brick and block techniquesFoundation and footing requirements for masonryMasonry anchors, ties, and joint reinforcementFireplaces and chimneys (IRC requirements)
Carpentry
16 Q · 20%
Wood framing members and lumber grades (studs, plates, headers, joists, rafters, girders)Floor framing systems (joists, girders, sill plates, subfloor, cantilevers, and span tables)Wall framing and sheathing (layout, assembly, bracing, drilling/notching limits, and IRC fastening schedules)Roof framing types and rafter layout (gable, hip, valley, jack rafters, ridge boards, slope/pitch calculations)Engineered wood products (plywood grading, LVL, OSB, glulam, I-joists, and structural panels)Roof truss handling, installation, temporary restraint, and permanent bracing (BCSI requirements)Doors, windows, and skylights installation (frame components, hardware, clearances, and egress requirements)Finish carpentry elements (stairway construction, molding and trim, cabinets, countertops, and decks)
Roofing
8 Q · 10%
Roof framing terminology and planning (span, run, rise, slope, pitch, unit run, unit rise)Common rafter layout and sizing (Pythagorean theorem, unit-length method, step-off method, rafter span tables)Roof framing members and assembly (ridge board vs. ridge beam, collar ties, purlins, braces, ceiling joists, rafter ties)Hip, valley, and jack rafter layout and cutting (shortening allowances, side cuts, bird's mouth, backing/dropping the hip)Roof sheathing installation (panel sheathing spans, nailing, staggered joints, lumber sheathing)Roof covering materials and installation requirements (asphalt shingles, wood shingles/shakes, tile, metal panels, minimum slopes, fasteners)Underlayment, ice barriers, and flashing (types, application, drip edge, step flashing, valley flashing, eaves protection)Roof ventilation and attic access (IRC requirements, ridge vents, soffit vents, Georgia amendment for attic service access)
General Code and Construction Knowledge
18 Q · 22%
IRC 2018 scope, administration, and permit requirementsGeorgia state amendments to the IRC (definitions, building planning, fire-resistant construction)Structural design criteria: load types, dead loads, live loads, roof loads, and allowable deflectionClimatic and geographic design criteria: wind, seismic, snow, and flood loadsFire-resistant construction: exterior wall separation distances, townhouse wall assemblies, and fireblockingGeorgia energy code requirements: insulation R-values, air sealing, fenestration, and blower door testingReading and interpreting construction drawings: plans, elevations, scales, symbols, and dimensionsEstimating, bidding, and project cost components: labor burden, overhead, direct and indirect costs
Associated Trades
10 Q · 12%
Interior wall and ceiling surface installation (drywall, plaster, paneling)Exterior siding materials and installation methodsFinish flooring types and installation (hardwood, vinyl, tile, carpet)Thermal and acoustical insulation types, R-values, and vapor retardersPlumbing system basics (supply, DWV, fixtures, and materials)Electrical system basics (circuits, wiring, service panels, and outlet boxes)HVAC systems, duct construction, and exhaust systemsExterior and interior paint types, application techniques, and paint problems
OSHA Safety
7 Q · 9%
Fall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest systems)Scaffold types, capacity, and safety requirementsLadder types, safety rules, and proper useExcavation cave-in protection and hazardous atmosphere controlsPersonal protective equipment (PPE) selection and employer obligationsFire protection, prevention, and flammable liquid storageElectrical safety, GFCI requirements, and lockout/tagoutToxic and hazardous substances (asbestos, silica, lead, permissible exposure limits)
Key Distinctions
Quality ControlvsQuality Assurance
Quality control involves actions taken to control the product so it meets standards, while quality assurance verifies that those controls are in place and working.
The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Page 132Shed Roof Common RaftervsGable Roof Common Rafter
A shed roof rafter's total run equals the building span minus the top-plate width of the higher wall and has two bird's mouths, while a gable roof rafter's total run is one-half the span and has one bird's mouth.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 483Type-X DrywallvsType-C Drywall
Type-X is 5/8" thick with glass fibers to prevent crumbling in heat, while Type-C is even more fire-resistant and contains vermiculite in addition to glass fibers.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Fire-Code Drywall sectionType-S Drywall ScrewsvsType-W Drywall Screws
Type-S screws have narrow threads and are designed for steel framing, while Type-W screws have wide threads that grip wood aggressively and are used for wood framing.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Drywall Fasteners sectionSetting-Type Joint CompoundvsDrying-Type Joint Compound
Setting-type compound cures by a chemical process, comes only in powder form, and is stronger, while drying-type compound cures by evaporation and is available pre-mixed.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Setting-Type Compounds sectionTopping CompoundvsTaping Compound
Topping compound shrinks very little and finishes smoothly for final coats over tape, while taping (embedding) compound is stronger and used for the initial tape-embedding layer.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Joint Compound sectionHorizontal Drywall ApplicationvsVertical Drywall Application
Horizontal application reduces joint footage by up to 25 percent and runs the strongest panel dimension across studs, while vertical application results in more lineal feet of joints to tape and finish.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Horizontal Application sectionDirect Construction CostvsDirect (Job) Overhead Cost
Direct construction costs are tied specifically to labor, materials, and equipment for a trade or phase (e.g., pipe, backhoe), while direct job overhead costs are administrative costs for a specific job not tied to a single trade (e.g., traffic control).
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21Five-Bag Concrete MixvsSix-Bag Concrete Mix
Five-bag mix (five bags of cement per cubic yard) is the minimum acceptable for most work, while six-bag mix is specified where high strength is needed or where steel reinforcement is used.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226Extruded Expanded Polystyrene (XPS)vsExpanded Polystyrene (EPS)
XPS has greater compressive strength making it suitable for below-grade foundation insulation, while standard EPS has lower compressive strength and is not specifically rated for below-grade use.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Rigid Insulation Materials and R-ValueBullnose Corner BeadvsStandard Metal Corner Bead
Bullnose corner bead has a rounded surface that creates a rounded 90° corner similar to plastered or adobe walls, while standard corner bead creates a sharp, straight outside corner edge.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Trim Accessories sectionGlass-Mat Gypsum BoardvsMoisture-Resistant (Green) Board
Glass-mat gypsum board has fiberglass surfaces and is approved as backing in shower stalls and tub/shower surrounds, while green board is no longer permitted in those wet areas (except on ceilings).
Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Moisture-Resistant Drywall sectionKey Terms
Flood Elevation Freeboard – Option B (Georgia) IRC 2018 Amendments, Appendix U - Section AU302.1.3 (Option B)
Under IRC 2018 Appendix U, Section AU302.1.3 Option B, the minimum floor height in Georgia flood hazard areas is the base flood elevation plus two feet.
Trench Egress – OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.651(c)(2)
In trench excavations 4 feet or more deep, a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe egress must be located so workers need no more than 25 feet of lateral travel to reach it.
Fire Extinguisher Travel Distance – OSHA 29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(i) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.150(c)(1)(i)
A 2A-rated fire extinguisher must be provided per 3,000 sq. ft. of protected building area, and travel distance to the nearest extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet.
Flammable Liquid Fire Extinguisher Requirement – OSHA 29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(vi) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.150(c)(1)(vi)
A fire extinguisher rated not less than 10B must be provided within 50 feet wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable/combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are in use.
Guardrail Top Rail Height – OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.502(b)(1)
The top edge of a guardrail system's top rail must be 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches above the walking/working surface.
Crawl Space Ventilation Ratio Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Crawl-Space Ventilation
Minimum net ventilation area for a crawl space is 1 square foot of venting per 150 square feet of crawl-space area when a vapor retarder is present.
Radiant-Heat Barrier Air Space Requirement Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Radiant-Heat Barriers
When draped over rafters before sheathing is applied, a radiant-heat barrier must have at least 1 inch of air space between the barrier and the underside of the sheathing.
Keyway Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 258
A groove (typically 3½" wide × 1½" deep) formed in the top of a concrete footing to lock the foundation wall to the footing and prevent moisture seepage between them.
Consolidation (Concrete) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
The process of removing air pockets and forcing concrete into all parts of the forms, accomplished by vibrating, tamping, spading, or tapping the forms.
Retarding Admixture The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Pages 72 and 82
A concrete additive that delays setting, increases lateral pressure on vertical forms (chemistry coefficient CC = 1.2), and requires longer form-stripping times.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Book Page 92
A manufacturer-supplied document listing a product's hazards, toxicity levels, physical data, first-aid recommendations, protective equipment, and proper storage and disposal methods.
Room-Finish Schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
An architectural plan document that identifies the materials and finishes to be used for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room of a building.
Corner Bead Carpentry And Building Construction, Chapter 32, Trim Accessories section
A shaped vinyl or metal accessory installed on outside drywall corners to reinforce and protect the corner and provide a smooth, even edge for finishing.
Minimum Concrete Cover over Rebar in Footings Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 230
Reinforcing steel in footings must have a minimum of 3 inches of concrete cover to protect against corrosion and maintain structural integrity.
Foundation Wall Minimum Height Above Grade Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 9.2, Page 247
The top of a foundation wall must be at least 8 inches above finished grade to protect siding and framing from soil moisture and allow termite inspection.
Crawl Space Minimum Clearance Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 9.2, Page 247
At least 18 inches of clearance is required between the underside of floor joists and the highest ground point enclosed by foundation walls to permit inspection and moisture control.
Formulas to Know
Excavation Volume (cubic yards)
[(Length + clearance×2) × (Width + clearance×2) × Depth] ÷ 27Crawl Space Ventilation Area (sq ft)
Crawl space floor area (sq ft) ÷ 150Drywall Sheets Required (figured solid)
[(Perimeter × Wall height) + (Length × Width of ceiling)] ÷ 32Drywall Joint Tape (lineal feet)
(Total drywall area in sq ft ÷ 1,000) × 370Drywall Nails Required (lbs)
(Total drywall area in sq ft ÷ 1,000) × nail factor (e.g., 4.5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for ½" at 16" OC)Elevation Difference Between Two Points
Higher elevation value − Lower elevation valueBoard Feet of Lumber
Surface area (sq ft) × board-foot factor from material estimation table for given size and spacingShed Roof Rafter Total Run
Building span − Width of top plate on the higher wallGable Roof Rafter Total Run
Building span ÷ 2