Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Mississippi Carpentry

Mississippi  ·  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
60
Passing score
70%
Exam time
120 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed

Mississippi State Portion 60 questions

Safety 6 Q · 10%
OSHA regulations and employer/employee responsibilitiesPersonal protective equipment (PPE) selection and useFall protection requirements and systemsPower tool and hand tool safety rulesElectrical hazards and groundingFire prevention and fire extinguisher useHazardous materials identification and handlingExcavation safety requirementsScaffold erection, use, and inspection requirements (Subpart L)Ladder types, ratings, and safe use procedures (Subpart X)Stairway construction and stairrail requirementsLockout/tagout and safety tags for defective equipment +4 more
Insulation 1 Q · 2%
R-value and insulation effectiveness ratingsTypes of insulation materials and forms (batts, loose-fill, rigid, spray-foam)Building envelope and where to insulate (walls, floors, ceilings, attics, foundations)Vapor retarders and moisture controlAttic and crawl-space ventilationRadiant-heat barriers and emissivityAcoustical insulation and Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratingsImpact Noise Rating (INR) and floor/ceiling sound controlInsulation installation techniques and craftsmanship (gaps, stapling, vapor retarder placement)IRC/IBC climate zones and minimum R-value requirements by zone and componentLoose-fill insulation materials, application methods, and R-values per inchRigid insulation materials (EPS, XPS, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate) and R-values per inch +4 more
Windows and Doors 3 Q · 5%
Types of windows and their operating mechanismsWindow components and terminologyBuilding code requirements for windows including egressWindow energy efficiency ratings and glazing typesWindow installation procedures and rough opening sizingTypes of exterior and interior doorsDoor hardware including hinges and locksetsExterior door installation and weatherstrippingInterior door rough opening sizing and clearancesDoor hand (swing direction) determinationPrehung door installation and jamb assemblyFire-rated door requirements for garage and dwelling separations +4 more
Rough Carpentry and Formwork 27 Q · 45%
Floor framing components: posts, girders, sill plates, joists, and subfloorWall framing members: studs, plates, headers, cripple studs, trimmer studs, and rough openingsRoof framing: common rafters, ridge board, ceiling joists, and rafter layout methodsFoundation walls and footings: concrete, concrete block, and formworkSubfloor installation: panel sheathing, fastening schedules, and glue-nailingRoof trusses: types, installation, bracing, and fasteningSpecial framing conditions: openings, cantilevers, bearing walls, and blockingWall sheathing: materials, orientation, fastening, and shear wallsLumber species, grades, and grade stamps for framing membersEngineered wood products: LVL, glulam, I-joists, OSB, and plywood for structural applicationsConcrete formwork design, construction, and OSHA safety requirementsFooting design: types, dimensions, reinforcement, and drainage +4 more
Finish Carpentry 14 Q · 23%
Stair parts identification and terminologyStair building code requirements for risers, treads, headroom, and handrailsCut-stringer stairway layout and constructionCleat-stringer stairway installationMolding and trim types, profiles, and materialsDoor and window casing installation techniquesBaseboard installation including coped, mitered, and scribed jointsCabinet types, construction, and installation proceduresFinish flooring types, installation methods, and fastening techniquesWood flooring acclimation, moisture content, and storage requirementsWall paneling types, installation, and conditioning proceduresDrywall types, installation, finishing, and repair +4 more
Drywall 7 Q · 12%
Types of drywall panels (standard, fire-code Type X and Type C, moisture-resistant, specialty)Drywall fasteners (nails vs. screws, Type-W and Type-S screws, proper depth and spacing)Joint compound types and application (setting-type vs. drying-type, taping flat joints and corners, feathering)Cutting and installing drywall (score-snap-separate, vertical vs. horizontal application, framing requirements)Trim accessories (corner bead, bullnose bead, J-trim installation and purpose)Estimating drywall materials (calculating square footage, panel count, fastener quantity, joint tape and compound quantities)Repairing drywall defects (nail pops, blistered tape, cracked tape, damaged face paper, large holes)Drywall installation tools (screw gun, drywall jack, taping knives, pole sander, utility knife, drywall router)Levels of gypsum board finish (Level 0 through Level 5 definitions and applications)Control joint placement and spacing requirements (partitions, interior and exterior ceilings)Single-layer vs. double-layer drywall application methodsAdhesive attachment of drywall (stud adhesive application, bead size, supplemental fasteners) +4 more
Siding 2 Q · 3%
Types of siding materials (wood, vinyl, plywood, fiber cement, stucco)Moisture prevention methods (building paper, housewrap, flashing, caulking, drainage plane)Wood bevel siding installation (story pole, exposure calculation, coursing layout, nailing)Wood shingle siding coursing styles (single, double, ribbon, decorative)Vinyl siding installation and fastening techniques (nailing, expansion gaps, J-channel, accessories)Fiber cement siding handling, cutting safety, and applicationSiding material estimation and quantity takeoff calculationsCode requirements for exterior wall coverings (water-resistive barrier, minimum thickness, fastener requirements)Back-priming and pre-priming wood siding before installationCorner board and corner strip installation (inside and outside corners, mitered corners)Plywood panel siding installation (vertical/horizontal application, joint treatment, nailing schedule, stud spacing)Stucco application layers (scratch coat, brown coat, finish coat) and lath types +4 more

Key Distinctions

Higher rod reading at a pointvsLower rod reading at a point

When sighting with a level, a higher rod reading means the ground is lower, so a reading of 6'6" at B versus 4'6" at A means B is 2 feet lower than A.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
Laminated-veneer lumber (LVL)vsPlywood

LVL is parallel laminated, with the grain of every layer running the same direction for more uniform structural performance, while plywood is cross laminated with each layer's grain perpendicular to adjoining layers.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 13.2, Page 354
Face-frame cabinetvsFrameless (European-style) cabinet

A face-frame cabinet has a hardwood frame around the front of the carcase that provides the mounting surface for hinges and drawer hardware, while a frameless cabinet has no frame and uses concealed cup hinges mounted on the side walls and is supported on leveling feet or a wood base frame rather than resting on the subfloor.

Carpentry & Building Construction, Section 27.2, Page 788
Coped joint at inside crown cornersvsInside miter joint

The coped joint's knife-edge, pressure-fit meeting edge stays tight for the life of the molding, while inside miters are hard to fit and the smallest movement or shrinkage opens an obvious gap that glue on end grain cannot resist.

Finish Carpenter's Manual (1993), Finish Carpentry, Chapter 11 (Cornice Moldings), The Coped Joint section
Crown molding cut before copingvsBaseboard cut before coping

Sprung crown molding (e.g., 45° springing angle) is angled away from both wall and ceiling and requires a compound-miter cut combining miter and bevel simultaneously, whereas baseboard needs only a simple miter cut before coping.

Carpentry & Building Construction, Section 26.3, Page 772
Newel postvsBaluster

Newel posts at each end are the primary support for the handrail and must be firmly anchored; balusters are the vertical members that support the handrail on open stairs but are not its primary support.

Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 25, Section 25.2, 'Handrail — newel post anchoring'
Collar ties supporting a ceilingvsCollar ties used only structurally

Collar ties at every rafter pair are required only when they support a ceiling; when used only for structural purposes they go at every fourth rafter pair at 16" OC and every third rafter pair at 24" OC.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 19.3, Page 542
Heel cut of a bird's mouthvsSeat cut of a bird's mouth

The heel cut is the plumb cut that bears against the side of the plate; the seat cut is the level cut that bears on the top of the plate.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 17.2, Page 481
MuntinvsMullion 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 section
Active lateral soil pressure designvsAt-rest lateral soil pressure design

Per the 2021 IBC Section 1610.1 exception, foundation walls extending not more than 8 feet below grade and laterally supported at the top by flexible diaphragms are permitted to be designed for active pressure, while walls whose horizontal movement is restricted at the top require at-rest pressure.

IBC 2021 Section 1610.1
Thickened slab under an interior bearing wallvsStandard footing

The thickened slab area acts like a footing but is formed by a trench dug into the subgrade (strengthened with rebar) rather than by formwork.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 11.1, Page 295
3/8" gypsum panelsvs1/2" and 5/8" gypsum panels

Per the Gypsum Construction Handbook panel limitations, 3/8" panels are designed for framing centers up to 16" on center, while 1/2" and 5/8" panels are designed for framing centers up to 24" on center.

Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Page 3 (Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3)
2×6 bearing wall studsvs2×4 nonbearing wall studs

Per 2021 IBC Table 2308.5.1, 2×6 bearing wall studs have a maximum laterally unsupported height of 10 feet, while 2×4 nonbearing wall studs are permitted up to 14 feet at 24 inches on center.

IBC 2021 Table 2308.5.1
Nominal lumber dimensionsvsNet (actual) dimensions

Plans typically call out nominal sizes, but per 2021 IBC Section 2304.2 computations for required member sizes must use net (actual) dimensions — a 2×4 actually measures about 1½" × 3½" after surfacing and seasoning, and codes use actual dimensions for drilling and notching limits.

IBC 2021 Section 2304.2

Key Terms

Plot plan Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Basic Techniques / Using Surveying Instruments / Plot Plan
The part of the house plans showing the location of the building on the lot along with related land elevations; it is the basis for marking the building out on the land in the process called site layout.
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 site without a surveying instrument, used when the building is planned parallel to it.
Theodolite Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments
A transit that reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically and displays measurements on an LCD screen, needing no vernier scale, used where extremely accurate measurements are required.
Builder's level (dumpy level) Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments / Levels
The least expensive surveying instrument; a good quality model is accurate to within ±1/4" at 75 feet.
Transit classification Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments / Transits
A transit is classified by the smallest increment readable on its vernier scale (minutes or seconds), such as a five-minute, one-minute, or twenty-second transit.
Batter boards Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Setting Up Batter Boards
Corner layout boards set on three 2×4 stakes driven at each building corner at least 4 feet beyond the foundation lines to clear excavation work.
Differential leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
Determining differences in elevation between points remote from each other, requiring one or more additional intermediate instrument setups.
Porosity Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — The Excavation
The measurement of the ability of water to flow through soil; poor drainage may require excavating and replacing soil.
Overdig Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — The Excavation / Overdig
The additional excavation beyond the foundation walls that provides clearance to install and remove concrete forms, lay up block, waterproof exterior surfaces, and install foundation drainage.
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 with a vibrator, tamping, spearing with a spade, or tapping forms with a hammer.
Keyway Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 258
A groove formed in the top of a footing (usually 3½" wide and 1½" deep, since a 2×4 forms it) that locks the foundation wall to the footing and prevents moisture seepage between them.
Type M mortar Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.3, Page 279
A mortar with high compressive strength and particular durability, suited to heavily loaded or below-grade foundation walls (Type N is general above-grade, Type S for earthquake/high-wind zones, Type O low-strength interior).
Collar tie Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 17.1, Page 468
A horizontal framing member that connects opposite pairs of rafters to help stiffen the roof.
Bird's mouth Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 17.2, Page 481
A notch cut in a rafter with an overhang so the rafter fits against the plate, consisting of a plumb heel cut and a level seat cut.
Skirtboard Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 25, Section 25.2, 'Skirtboard'
A finished board nailed to the wall before the stringers are installed; risers and treads are nailed to the stringers and butted to it, protecting the wall and giving a finished edge that is easier to paint or wallpaper.
Kick plate Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 25.2, Page 756
A short piece of framing lumber screwed or nailed to a concrete floor to anchor the bottom of a stair, giving a surface for toenailing the stringers since they cannot be toenailed into concrete.
Housed stringer Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 726
A stringer with recesses cut in its sides into which treads and risers fit and are held with wood wedges, often used in prefabricated stair systems.
Nosing Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 25 (Stairways)
The part of a stair tread that projects beyond the face of the riser (a bullnose, by contrast, is a rounded starting step).
False riser Finish Carpenter's Manual (1993), Modern Finish Carpentry, Chapter 18 — Installing the Open-Side Skirt Board
A scrap piece of riser stock cut to fit loosely between the closed- and open-side skirt boards, set plumb on a step and slid against the open skirt to mark where the mitered riser joints are cut.
Gain Residential Doors chapter, Hinges section
A mortise or notch cut for a hinge leaf with a depth equal to the thickness of a single hinge leaf, one in the door edge and one in the jamb so the closed door sits flush.
Reveal Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
A small offset between trim and the surface it is applied to; door casing is nailed to the jamb with about a ³⁄₁₆" reveal on the jamb face, adding visual interest and allowing fit adjustment.
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; segmented bead is the type made to finish arches and curved surfaces.
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 31.2 — How Sound Travels
A numerical rating of a material's or assembly's ability to reduce sound transmission; the higher the STC number, the better the sound barrier.
Drainage plane Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 23 — Stucco section (drainage plane definition)
A gap or series of gaps behind siding that lets water drain freely; without it stucco would stick to the sheathing paper and block drainage.
Room-finish schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A plan schedule identifying the materials and finishes for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room and hallway.

Formulas to Know

Excavation volume in cubic yards (with side clearance)[(building width + clearance each side) × (building length + clearance each side) × depth] ÷ 27; e.g., (26+2+2) × (40+2+2) × 7 = 9,240 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 342 cu yd (27 cu ft = 1 cu yd)
Trench excavation from the standard per-100-lineal-foot factorcubic yards = table factor per 100 LF × (trench length ÷ 100); e.g., 42" deep × 18" wide = 19.4 cu yd per 100 LF, so 19.4 × 0.30 = 5.82 cu yd for 30 ft
Board feet for a lumber ordertotal board feet = number of pieces × board feet per piece from the Board-Foot Measures table; e.g., a 12-ft 2×6 = 12 bd ft, so 50 × 12 = 600 bd ft
Ceiling plank material estimateUse table board feet per 100 sq ft of surface: 2×6 at 16" OC = 88 bd ft/100 sq ft (2×6 at 24" OC = 63; 2×4 at 16" OC = 42; 2×8 at 16" OC = 117)
Stair unit rise and number of riserstotal rise in inches ÷ 7" (ideal riser) = risers, rounded to a whole number; then total rise ÷ number of risers = unit rise; e.g., 107" ÷ 7 = 15.28 → 15 risers; 107 ÷ 15 ≈ 7⅛" (within the 7¾" code maximum)
Total run of a stairwaytotal run = unit run × number of treads (tread count depends on how the upper end is anchored to the upper landing)
Crawl-space ventilation net area1 sq ft of net venting per 150 sq ft of crawl-space area; e.g., 1,200 ÷ 150 = 8 sq ft
Drywall sheet count, 'figured solid' (no deductions for openings)[(wall perimeter × ceiling height) + (length × width of ceiling)] ÷ 32 sq ft per 4'×8' sheet; e.g., (60 × 8 = 480) + (14 × 16 = 224) = 704 ÷ 32 = 22 sheets
Joint tape quantity370 lineal feet of joint tape per 1,000 sq ft of drywall; e.g., 2,000 ÷ 1,000 = 2.0, then 370 × 2.0 = 740 LF
Unit run of a hip rafter√(12² + 12²) = √288 = 16.97 in. (often rounded up to 17 in.), the hypotenuse of a triangle whose legs each equal the 12-in. common-rafter unit run
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