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
Builder's Level (Dumpy Level)vsTheodolite
A builder's level is a basic, less expensive optical instrument accurate to ±1/4" at 75', while a theodolite reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically and displays measurements on an LCD screen for extremely accurate work.
NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments / LevelsBuilder's LevelvsTransit
A builder's level measures only horizontal angles, while a transit measures both horizontal and vertical angles and is classified by the smallest increment readable on its vernier scale (e.g., 5-minute, 1-minute, 20-second).
NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments / LevelsLaser Surveying InstrumentvsBuilder's Level / Transit
A laser instrument allows one person to set up and then use an electronic detector remotely, but its light is difficult to see in bright daylight, unlike optical instruments which require a rod reader at the instrument.
NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments / Laser instrumentsCollar Ties (structural only)vsCollar Ties (ceiling support)
Collar ties used only for structural purposes are installed at every fourth rafter pair (16" OC) or every third rafter pair (24" OC), while collar ties that will support a ceiling must be installed at every rafter pair.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 19.3, Page 542Vertical Wall SheathingvsHorizontal Wall Sheathing
Vertical sheathing panels do not require additional blocking at joints, while horizontal sheathing panels require solid blocking at all horizontal joints to provide a nailing base.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 16.1, Page 437Newel PostsvsBalusters
Newel posts at each end of a stairway are the primary structural support for a handrail and must be firmly anchored, while balusters are not the primary support.
Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 25, Section 25.2, 'Handrail — newel post anchoring'Net DimensionsvsNominal Dimensions
Structural computations for wood members must use net (actual) dimensions per IBC Section 2304.2, not nominal dimensions, which are the larger labeled sizes typically called out on plans.
2021 International Building Code, Section 2304.2Interior Bearing Wall Footing (slab thickening)vsStandard Footing
Thickened slab areas beneath interior bearing walls are formed by a trench dug into the subgrade and reinforced with rebar, whereas standard footings are formed using formwork.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 11.1, Page 295Full BasementvsCrawl Space / Concrete Slab
A full basement design may need to be changed to a crawl space or slab construction when soil test borings reveal a high water table on the site.
NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — The Excavation / Test BoringsHigher Rod ReadingvsLower Rod Reading
When using a level, a higher rod reading indicates a lower ground elevation, and a lower rod reading indicates a higher ground elevation.
NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in ElevationGlue-Nail Subfloor (panel joints)vsStandard Nailed Subfloor
The glue-nail method requires a 1/8-inch gap at all panel edge and end joints to allow for expansion, a spacing detail critical to preventing buckling.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Pages 421–423Floor Header ≤ 4 feetvsFloor Header > 4 feet
A header spanning 4 feet or less can use single joist stock, while a header spanning more than 4 feet requires doubled joist stock, and framing connectors are required by code when the span exceeds 6 feet.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Pages 412–415Key Terms
Basic Design Wind Speed / Wind Exposure Category 2021 International Building Code, Section 1603.1 Exception
Per IBC Section 1603.1 Exception, construction documents for conventional light-frame wood buildings must indicate the basic design wind speed V (mph), allowable stress design wind speed Vasd, and wind exposure category.
Structural Member Documentation (IBC 1603.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1603.1
Per IBC Section 1603.1, construction documents must show the size, section, and relative locations of structural members with floor levels, column centers, and offsets dimensioned.
Net Dimensions for Wood Member Computation (IBC 2304.2) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2304.2
Per IBC Section 2304.2, computations to determine required sizes of structural wood members shall be based on net (actual) dimensions, not nominal sizes.
Wood Structural Panel Identification (IBC 2303.1.5) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.1.5
Per IBC Section 2303.1.5, each wood structural panel must be identified by an approved agency trademark indicating its grade, bond classification, and Performance Category.
Truss Design Drawing Requirements (IBC 2303.4.1.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.1.1
Per IBC Section 2303.4.1.1, each truss design drawing must include at minimum the slope or depth, span, and spacing of the truss, along with joint locations, support locations, number of plies, bearing widths, and design loads.
Stairway Riser/Tread Variation Limit (2006 IRC Ch. 25) 2006 IRC / Chapter 25, p. 731
Per the 2006 IRC Chapter 25, the maximum allowable variation between the tallest and shortest riser heights in a single stairway is 3/8 inch; the same limit applies to tread depth variation.
Sill Plate Anchor Bolt Spacing Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 402
Building codes require sill plate anchor bolts to be spaced no more than 6 feet on center, with a bolt placed within 12 inches of each end of every plate.
Differential Leveling NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
The process of determining differences in elevation between remote points that require one or more additional intermediate instrument setups.
Overdig NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — The Excavation / Overdig
The additional excavation beyond foundation walls needed to provide clearance for installing and removing concrete forms, waterproofing exterior surfaces, and installing foundation drainage.
Porosity NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — The Excavation
A measurement of the ability of water to flow through soil, used to assess drainage quality before excavation and construction.
Plot Plan NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Basic Techniques / Using Surveying Instruments / Plot Plan
The document that shows the location of a building on the lot along with related land elevations, and serves as the basis for site layout.
3-4-5 Method NASCLA/Carpentry Reference, Chapter 9 — Setting Up Batter Boards / 3-4-5 Method
A squaring technique where measuring 3 and 4 units along two perpendicular lines and confirming a 5-unit diagonal verifies a true 90° corner; any multiple (e.g., 9-12-15) also applies.
Room-Finish Schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A document included in architectural plans that identifies the materials and finishes to be used for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room and hallway.
Board Foot Carpentry and Building Construction, Ready Reference Appendix, Page 1033
A unit of lumber volume; a 2×6 board 12 feet long equals 12 board feet, and total board feet are calculated by multiplying the per-piece count by the number of pieces.
Crown (floor joist) Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 406
The outermost curve of a slight edgewise bow in a floor joist; joists should always be installed with the crown facing up so it tends to straighten under subfloor and floor loads.
Formulas to Know
Excavation Volume (cubic feet)
(Length + clearance both sides) × (Width + clearance both sides) × DepthConvert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27Excavation Volume with Factor
Cubic Yards = Area (sq ft) × depth factor (CY/sq ft)Trench Volume (using lineal-foot factor)
Cubic Yards = (Trench Length ÷ 100) × CY-per-100-LF factorBoard Feet (single piece)
Board Feet = (Thickness in" × Width in" × Length in ft) ÷ 12Total Board Feet (multiple pieces)
Total BF = Board Feet per piece × Number of piecesCeiling Plank Material Estimate
Total BF = (Room Area ÷ 100) × BF-per-100-sq-ft factor (from species/spacing table)Diagonal Check for Square Layout
Layout is square when Diagonal₁ = Diagonal₂ (measure corner to corner both ways)3-4-5 Right Angle (any multiple)
Corner is 90° when: a = 3n, b = 4n, c = 5n (c = √(a² + b²))Difference in Elevation (rod readings)
Elevation Difference = Rod Reading B − Rod Reading A (positive result = B is lower)