Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Louisiana Building Construction
Louisiana · 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
180 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Louisiana State Portion 80 questions
Sitework
7 Q · 9%
Building site layout and staking from reference lines or surveying instrumentsBatter boards, grade establishment, and differential levelingSoil classification and geotechnical investigation requirementsExcavation methods, trench shoring, and safety systemsSoil compaction methods, Proctor testing, and density requirementsGrading, drainage, and site slope requirements per IBC Appendix JSewer and stormwater pipe installation, bedding, and trench backfillRock and groundwater management during excavation
Concrete
13 Q · 16%
Concrete mix design and proportioning (water-cement ratio, strength, durability requirements)Portland cement types and properties (Types I–V, blended cements, hydration)Aggregates for concrete (fine and coarse aggregate properties, grading, classification)Admixtures for concrete (air-entraining, water-reducing, accelerating, retarding)Placing and finishing concrete (subgrade preparation, depositing, consolidating, flatwork)Curing concrete (methods, duration, temperature effects, moisture retention)Reinforcing steel placement (bar sizes, grades, concrete cover, tolerances, supports)Post-tensioning systems (installation, stressing, elongation, anchorages, encapsulated systems)
Masonry
7 Q · 9%
Masonry materials identification and properties (brick, block, stone, mortar, grout)Mortar types, proportions, and mixing proceduresBrick and block laying techniques and wall construction methodsWall system types (solid, cavity, composite, veneer, reinforced)Masonry tools and equipment selection and useFoundation systems, footings, and anchorageAnchors, ties, and joint reinforcement installationOSHA safety requirements and masonry construction hazards
Metals
10 Q · 12%
Open web steel joist series types and designations (K-, LH-, DLH-, CJ-Series, Joist Girders)Steel joist erection bridging requirements and hoisting cable release conditionsBearing seat attachments and minimum bearing lengths on steel and masonry/concrete supportsBridging types, spacing, sizing, and anchorage requirementsCold-formed steel framing members, shapes, and construction methodsIBC 2018 structural steel design and construction standards (AISC 360, AISI S100, SJI specifications)Safe handling, unloading, and storage of steel joist productsAluminum structural design and fabrication standards (IBC Chapter 20)
Carpentry
7 Q · 9%
Wood properties, moisture content, grading, and lumber sizingEngineered wood products: plywood, OSB, LVL, glulam, and I-joistsHand tools and power tools for carpentry: selection, use, and safetyStructural framing systems: platform, balloon, post-and-beam, and steel framingFloor framing: sill plates, girders, joists, bridging, and subfloor installationWall framing and sheathing: layout, plates, headers, studs, and bracingRoof framing: common, hip, valley, and jack rafters; ridge calculation; roof assembly and sheathingStairway construction: layout, rise/run calculation, stringers, treads, risers, and code requirements
Thermal and Moisture Protection
7 Q · 9%
Roof covering types and installation methods (asphalt shingles, wood shakes, tile, slate, metal, roll roofing, built-up, elastomeric)Underlayment selection and application requirements by roof slope and material typeThermal insulation types, R-values, and installation locations (walls, ceilings, floors, roofs)Vapor retarders and moisture control in wall and roof assembliesRoof flashing requirements (valleys, eaves, drip edge, chimneys, step flashing, vent pipes)Roof deck and sheathing requirements by roofing material typeIBC fire classification of roof assemblies (Class A, B, C ratings)Roof repair, maintenance, and leak identification
Doors and Windows
3 Q · 4%
Door types and construction (solid-core, hollow-core, raised-panel, flush/slab)Exterior door installation requirements (dimensions, rough opening, sill, weatherstripping, thresholds)Door hardware (hinges, locksets, strike plates, hinge gains)Interior door types and clearances (pocket, bifold, sliding, louvered, folding)Window types and components (double-hung, casement, awning, hopper, stationary, sliding)Window energy efficiency (glazing types, U-values, SHGC, low-e, gas-filled, weatherstripping)Safety glazing requirements and hazardous locations (IBC Section 2406)Skylight installation and flashing requirements (curb mounting, step flashing, pan flashing, load design)
Finishes
3 Q · 4%
Drywall types, installation methods, and fastening requirementsTaping, finishing, and joint compound application for drywallPlaster systems: lath types, coat application, and trim accessoriesInterior finish flame spread classifications and occupancy requirements (IBC)Wall and ceiling surface textures and suspended/acoustical ceiling installationWood flooring types, grading, acclimation, and installation methodsResilient, ceramic tile, and carpet flooring installationMolding and trim profiles, joinery, and installation sequences
Safety
8 Q · 10%
OSHA regulations and employer/employee safety responsibilitiesFall protection systems (guardrail, personal fall arrest, safety net)Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection and useScaffolding types, erection, and safe useExcavation and trenching hazards and protective systemsFire prevention and fire extinguisher classificationLadders and stairways safety requirementsConfined space entry procedures and hazard controls
General Code Plan Reading and Estimating
15 Q · 19%
IBC occupancy classification and use groupsBuilding height and area limitations by construction typeTypes of construction and fire-resistance ratingsReading architectural plans, views, and drawing typesPlan symbols, abbreviations, and line conventionsScale interpretation and dimension reading on construction drawingsCost estimating methods and quantity takeoffBuilding permits, inspections, and certificate of occupancy
Key Distinctions
Isolation jointvsContraction joint
Isolation joints separate a placement from walls, columns and footings and extend the full depth of the slab with a premolded filler, while contraction joints extend only about one-quarter of the concrete thickness.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 9 - Properties of Concrete, Page 184 (16th ed.: Page 282)SlopevsPitch
Slope is the ratio of rise to run (the term best suited to roof framing), while pitch is the ratio of rise to span.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 470MuntinvsMullion strip
A muntin is the vertical or horizontal piece within a sash that holds an individual pane of glass, while a mullion strip is the vertical piece separating combined window units.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows sectionFiberglass asphalt shinglevsOrganic asphalt shingle
Fiberglass shingles use a fiberglass base mat saturated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules, while organic shingles use a cellulose-fiber base mat.
Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 4—Asphalt ShinglesDirect construction costvsDirect (job) overhead cost
Direct construction costs are labor, material and equipment tied to a specific trade or phase (pipe materials, backhoe rental, bedding aggregate), while direct (job) overhead covers administrative items caused by the job but not tied to a trade or phase, such as traffic control and soil density testing.
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21Solid-core doorvsHollow-core door
Solid-core construction (wood strips, particleboard, or rigid foam under a thin veneer) reduces warping and is more fire-resistant, so it is generally preferred for exterior doors.
Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors sectionStep flashing (skylight)vsPan flashing (skylight)
Step flashing uses small L-shaped metal pieces interwoven with the roof shingles, while pan flashing is a one-piece metal assembly.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 20 — Skylight FlashingType M mortarvsTypes N, S, and O mortar
Type M has high compressive strength and durability for heavily loaded or below-grade foundation walls; Type N is for general masonry above grade, Type S for earthquake/high-wind zones, and Type O is low-strength for interior walls.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.3, Page 279Silica fumevsFly ash / slag cement
Silica fume gives dramatic chloride-penetrability reduction within 28 days (but raises water demand, often requiring a water reducer), while fly ash and slag improve chloride resistance more gradually over time.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 3 - Supplementary Cementitious Materials, Page 74 (16th ed.: Pages 161-162)Thickened slab under an interior bearing wallvsStandard footing
The thickened slab acts like a footing but is formed by a trench dug into the subgrade and strengthened with rebar, rather than by formwork.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 11.1, Page 295Builder's (dumpy) levelvsTransit / theodolite
A builder's level is the least expensive instrument, accurate to about ±1/4" at 75'; a transit is classified by the smallest increment readable on its vernier scale (minutes or seconds), and a theodolite is a transit that reads angles electronically on an LCD for extremely accurate work.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of InstrumentsDirectional drillingvsDirectional boring with a pneumatic mole
Directional drilling tunnels up to 2,200 feet for pipe 16 to 36 inches in diameter, while a pneumatic mole handles only pipe up to about 6 inches for 50 to 150 feet.
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 176-177Assembly occupant load factor — unconcentrated (tables and chairs)vsConcentrated (chairs only) and standing space
Per IBC Table 1004.5, unconcentrated assembly without fixed seating is 15 net sq ft per occupant, versus 7 net for concentrated chairs-only and 5 net for standing space.
IBC 2018 Table 1004.5Key Terms
Isolation joint Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 9 - Properties of Concrete, Page 184 (16th ed.: Page 282)
A joint that separates a concrete placement from other parts of a structure to permit horizontal and vertical movement, extending the full depth of the slab with a premolded joint filler.
Consolidation Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
The process that removes air pockets and forces concrete into all parts of the forms, done by vibrator, tamping, spading, or tapping the forms.
Efflorescence Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Troubleshooting Concrete section
A whitish crystalline deposit on concrete or mortar caused by salts rising to the surface with moisture; it is generally cosmetic and does not affect strength or durability.
Keyway Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 258
A groove formed in the top of a footing (usually 3½" wide by 1½" deep, formed with a 2×4) that locks the foundation wall to the footing and prevents moisture seepage between them.
Porosity Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — The Excavation
The measurement of the ability of water to flow through soil, determined by soil testing before construction.
Differential leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
Determining the difference in elevation between points remote from each other by using one or more additional intermediate instrument setups.
Reference line Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Basic Techniques / Measuring From a Reference Line
An existing line such as a street or marked property line that a builder measures from to stake out a building without a surveying instrument.
Shear wall Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 378
A wall designed to resist lateral (sideways) forces, created in part by specific sheathing nail spacing and fastened to the framing above and to the sill plate and foundation below.
Ridge board Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 468
The horizontal framing member that connects the upper ends of the rafters and extends the full length of the house.
Reveal Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
A small offset between trim and the surface it is applied to; door casing is nailed allowing about a 3/16" reveal on the face of the jamb.
Gain Residential Doors chapter, Hinges section
A mortise (notch) cut for a hinge with a depth equal to the thickness of a single hinge leaf, one in the door edge and one in the jamb.
Corner bead Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 32, Trim Accessories section
A shaped length of vinyl or metal that reinforces and protects an outside drywall corner and provides an even, smooth edge for finishing.
Room-finish schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A schedule on the plans identifying the materials and finishes for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room, including hallways.
Agricultural building IBC 2018 Section 202
Per IBC Section 202, a structure designed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products, which is not a place of human habitation, not a place of employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged, and not a place used by the public.
Type III construction IBC 2018 Section 602.3
Per IBC Section 602.3, construction in which the exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of any material permitted by the code.
Escalation allowance Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 27
An allowance for the increase in labor, material, and equipment costs between bid submission and the time the work is done and paid for; recommended especially during high inflation.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Book Page 92
A manufacturer-supplied document listing physical data, toxicity levels, first-aid recommendations, storage and disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak response, which every worker must be able to access on the job site.
Plyform Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Chapter 19, Page 402
An exterior-type plywood specially designed for concrete forming, made from special wood species and veneer grades and available in Class I and Class II grades.
Formulas to Know
Cubic feet to cubic yards
cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 (27 cubic feet per cubic yard)Excavation volume with side clearance
Volume = (house width + clearance each side) × (house length + clearance each side) × depth, then ÷ 27; e.g. (26+2+2) × (40+2+2) × 7 = 9,240 cf ÷ 27 ≈ 342 cyRoof rise and ridge elevation from span and pitch
Run = span ÷ 2; Rise = run × (pitch rise ÷ 12); Ridge elevation = top-of-wall elevation + rise (e.g. 63'/2 = 31.5'; 31.5 × 8/12 = 21.0'; 12.00 + 21.00 = 33.00')Sloped rafter (top chord) length
Rafter length = √(run² + rise²); e.g. √(28² + 14²) = √980 = 31.30'Roof slope as x-in-12 and as an angle
Slope (x in 12) = (rise ÷ run) × 12; Angle from horizontal = arctan(rise ÷ run); e.g. 12/24 = 0.5 → 6 in 12 → 26.6°Roof area and rafter length using printed slope factors
Net sloped roof area = flat (plan) area × slope factor (e.g. 24 × 8 = 192 sf × 1.031 for 3:12 = 198 sf); sloped rafter length = run × slope factor (10 × 1.054 = 10.5 lin ft); take off separate slopes separatelyFormwork contact area and burdened labor price
Contact area = length × form height × number of faces (200 × 1.0 × 2 = 400 sf); Labor = area × rate × 1.25 (25% burden) × 1.15 (15% O&P) = 400 × $1.25 = $500 → $625 → $718.75Concrete volume for footings and slabs
Volume = length × width × depth ÷ 27 (footing: 200 × 2 × 1 = 400 cf ÷ 27 = 14.8 → order 15 cy); for slabs convert thickness to feet (4" = 0.333'), deck area = outer footprint − opening, 720 sf × 0.333 = 240 cf ÷ 27 = 8.89 → 9 cyAverage lot elevation and fill volume
Average elevation = sum of corner spot elevations ÷ 4; average fill depth = target elevation − average existing; fill cy = lot area × fill depth ÷ 27 (6,000 sf × 1.00' = 6,000 cf ÷ 27 = 222.2 cy); max elevation difference = highest corner − lowest cornerSetbacks and diagonals on a site plan
Equal side setback = (lot dimension − house dimension) ÷ 2 = (78 − 42)/2 = 18'-0"; rear yard = lot width − front setback − house width = 110 − 24 − 30 = 56'-0"; corner diagonal = √(24² + 18²) = 30'-0"3-4-5 squaring check (multiples)
9 ft on one leg (3×3) and 12 ft on the other (3×4) must give a 15 ft diagonal (3×5) for a true 90° cornerCrawl-space ventilation and drywall take-off (figured solid)
Vent net area = crawl-space area ÷ 150 (1,200 ÷ 150 = 8 sf); Drywall sheets = (wall perimeter × ceiling height + ceiling area) ÷ 32 sf per 4×8 sheet, with no deduction for openings (60 × 8 = 480 + 224 = 704 ÷ 32 = 22 sheets)