Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Mississippi Remodeling
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
135 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Mississippi State Portion 60 questions
Safety
6 Q · 10%
OSHA employer and contractor safety responsibilitiesFall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Fire protection and prevention on construction sitesPersonal protective equipment (PPE) requirementsSafety training and hazard communication requirementsHousekeeping, sanitation, and site safety standardsHandling and storage of flammable and hazardous materialsFirst aid, medical services, and emergency action plans
Windows and Doors
3 Q · 5%
Types of windows and their operational characteristics (double-hung, casement, awning, hopper, horizontal-sliding, stationary)Window building code requirements (egress dimensions, minimum glazing area, ventilation area percentages)Window energy efficiency features (glazing types, U-values, SHGC, low-e coatings, weatherstripping)Safety glazing requirements and hazardous locations (IBC Section 2406)Window installation procedures (flanged windows, flashing, shimming, plumb and level)Types of exterior and interior doors and their construction (solid-core, hollow-core, raised-panel, sliding, bifold, pocket, fire-rated)Door hardware and locksets (hinges, hinge gains, entry/privacy/passage locksets, strike plate installation)Skylight types, installation, and flashing requirements (fixed vs. ventilating, step flashing, pan flashing, curb mounting)
Rough Carpentry
11 Q · 18%
Framing systems: platform, balloon, post-and-beam, and SIP constructionFloor framing components: girders, posts, sill plates, joists, and subflooringWall framing components: studs, plates, headers, cripple studs, trimmer studs, and rough openingsRoof framing: common rafters, ridge boards, span tables, and rafter layout methodsStructural design values, load types, and span tables for lumber selectionNails and metal framing connectors: types, sizes, and installation requirementsSpecial framing details: bearing walls, openings, bridging, blocking, and shear wallsRoof trusses: types, components, installation, and bracing
Finish Carpentry
11 Q · 18%
Stairway components, terminology, and types of constructionBuilding code requirements for stairs (risers, treads, headroom, handrails, balusters)Stair layout calculations (unit rise, unit run, total rise, total run)Cut-stringer layout and installation proceduresDoor and window casing installation (reveals, miter joints, coped joints)Baseboard and ceiling molding installation techniquesCabinet types, construction, and installation (base and wall cabinets)Countertop types and plastic laminate installationStair trim-out components and terminologyInstalling skirt boards on open and closed stair sidesInstalling treads and risersBalustrade installation including newel posts and balusters
+4 more
Siding
3 Q · 5%
Types of siding materials (wood, vinyl, plywood, fiber cement, stucco)Moisture protection methods (building paper, housewrap, flashing, caulking, drainage plane)Wood bevel siding installation (layout, story pole, exposure, coursing, nailing)Wood shingle siding coursing styles and installation (single, double, ribbon, decorative)Vinyl siding installation and fastening techniques (nailing, expansion gaps, J-channel, accessories)Fiber cement siding installation and safety (cutting methods, dust exposure, nailing)Stucco application (scratch coat, brown coat, finish coat, metal lath)Estimating siding materials quantities (area calculations, coverage factors, waste allowances)
Drywall
2 Q · 3%
Types of drywall panels and their applicationsFire-code drywall requirements (Type X and Type C)Moisture-resistant and specialty drywall productsDrywall fasteners (nails and screws) and fastening schedulesJoint compound types and taping proceduresDrywall installation methods (vertical vs. horizontal application)Trim accessories (corner bead, J-trim)Common drywall defects and repairs (nail pops, blistered tape, cracked joints)
Concrete
7 Q · 12%
Concrete ingredients and mix proportions (cement, aggregate, water ratios)Types of Portland cement and their characteristicsHydration process and curing methodsAdmixtures and their effects on concrete propertiesConcrete placement, consolidation, and slump testingSteel reinforcement (rebar sizes, placement, chairs, welded-wire fabric)Concrete flatwork finishing steps (screeding, bullfloating, edging, jointing, troweling)Common concrete defects and troubleshooting (crazing, efflorescence, scaling, chalking)Subgrade and subbase preparation (compaction, moisture control, vapor retarders)Formwork design, materials, and form release agentsConcrete joints (control joints, construction joints, isolation joints, dowels)Hot weather and cold weather concreting precautions
+4 more
Masonry
7 Q · 12%
Masonry construction materials (units, mortar, grout, reinforcement)Masonry fireplace construction requirements and dimensionsMasonry chimney construction, flue sizing, and terminationAllowable stress and strength design methods for masonrySeismic reinforcement and anchorage for fireplaces and chimneysGlass unit masonry limitations and installationAdobe masonry empirical design requirementsOSHA safety requirements for masonry construction (limited access zones, bracing)Mortar joint types, profiles, and tooling techniquesBrick and block wall layout, coursing, and bond patternsMasonry wall types (solid, cavity, composite, veneer, hollow)Flashing, weep holes, and moisture control in masonry walls
+4 more
Roofing – Residential and Commercial
10 Q · 17%
Roof covering types and minimum slope requirementsUnderlayment types, application, and attachment requirementsFlashing installation at valleys, walls, chimneys, and roof penetrationsFire classification of roof assemblies (Class A, B, and C)Wind resistance requirements for roof coverings and edge systemsRoof drainage systems including primary drains, secondary drains, scuppers, and guttersReroofing requirements including roof recovery and roof replacementRooftop structures including penthouses, cooling towers, and mechanical equipment screens
Key Distinctions
Dead LoadvsLive Load
A dead load is the total weight of the building and permanently attached materials, while a live load is weight not permanently attached, such as furniture and people.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 14.1 Framing Systems & Structural Design, Page 383Ridge BoardvsRidge Beam
A ridge board is nonstructural and does not support roof weight, while a ridge beam is structural and its loads must be transferred to the foundation by posts or bearing walls.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 19.1 Ridges, Page 530Face-Frame CabinetvsFrameless (European-Style) Cabinet
Face-frame cabinets have a hardwood frame around the carcase front for mounting hinges, while frameless cabinets have no wood frame and use concealed cup hinges mounted directly on the side walls.
Carpentry & Building Construction, Section 27.2, Page 788Underlayment at Eaves (Drip Edge)vsUnderlayment at Rake Edges (Drip Edge)
At eaves the underlayment is installed over the drip edge, while at rake edges the drip edge is installed over the underlayment.
IBC Section 1507.2.8.3Wood Shingles (Minimum Slope)vsWood Shakes (Minimum Slope)
Wood shingles require a minimum roof slope of 3:12, while wood shakes require a steeper minimum slope of 4:12.
IBC Sections 1507.8.2 and 1507.9.2; Table 1507.8Built-Up Roof (Minimum Slope)vsCoal-Tar Built-Up Roof (Minimum Slope)
Standard built-up roofs require a minimum design slope of 1/4:12 for drainage, while coal-tar built-up roofs require only 1/8:12.
IBC Section 1507.10.1Series Circuit (Resistance)vsParallel Circuit (Resistance)
In a series circuit total resistance equals the sum of all resistors, while in a parallel circuit total resistance is always less than the resistance of any individual branch.
Ugly's Electrical References, Series CircuitsContinuous LoadvsNon-Continuous Load
A continuous load is one where maximum current is expected to persist for 3 hours or more, while a non-continuous load does not meet that duration threshold.
NEC Article 100Crown Molding Cope CutvsBaseboard Cope Cut
Crown molding requires a compound-miter cut (combining miter and bevel angles) before coping because it is a sprung molding, while baseboard requires only a simple miter cut before coping.
Carpentry & Building Construction, Section 26.3, Page 772Square-Cut Rafter TailvsPlumb-Cut Rafter Tail
Square-cut rafter tails make gutter installation very difficult and are only suitable when no gutters are required, while plumb-cut rafter tails provide a proper mounting surface for gutters.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 17.2 — Completing the Layout (Book Page 481)Engineering/Administrative ControlsvsRespirators/Protective Equipment
OSHA requires administrative or engineering controls to be implemented first whenever feasible to reduce airborne contaminant exposure; respirators and other protective measures are only a fallback when engineering controls cannot achieve full compliance.
29 CFR 1926, §1926.55(b)Slate Shingles (Minimum Slope)vsClay/Concrete Tile (Minimum Slope)
Slate shingles require a minimum slope of 4:12, while clay and concrete tile requires a lower minimum of 2.5:12.
IBC Section 1507.7.2Key Terms
Ampacity (NEC) NEC Article 100
Per NEC Article 100, the maximum current in amperes that a conductor can carry continuously under conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.
Continuous Load (NEC) NEC Article 100
Per NEC Article 100, a load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more.
Fire Extinguisher – General Area Requirement (OSHA 1926.150) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.150(c)(1)(i)
Per OSHA 1926.150(c)(1)(i), a 2A-rated fire extinguisher must be provided for each 3,000 sq ft of protected building area, with maximum travel distance of 100 feet to the nearest extinguisher.
Fire Extinguisher – Flammable Liquids Requirement (OSHA 1926.150) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.150(c)(1)(vi)
Per 29 CFR 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.
Unsafe Equipment Tagging (OSHA 1926.20) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.20(b)(3)
Per 29 CFR 1926.20(b)(3), machinery or tools not in compliance with safety requirements must be tagged/locked to render them inoperable or physically removed from service.
Trench Egress Requirement (OSHA 1926.651) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.651(c)(2)
Per 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2), in trench excavations 4 feet or more deep, a safe means of egress (stairway, ladder, or ramp) must be located so no employee needs to travel more than 25 feet laterally to reach it.
Guardrail Top Rail Height (OSHA 1926.502) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.502(b)(1)
Per 29 CFR 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.
Residential Fall Protection Plan (OSHA 1926.501) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.501(b)(13)
Per 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), when conventional fall protection is infeasible on residential construction, the employer must develop and implement a written fall protection plan prepared by a qualified person.
Abrasive Blasting Respirator Approval (OSHA 1926.57) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.57(f)(5)(i)
Per 29 CFR 1926.57(f)(5)(i), only respirators approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 may be used to protect employees from dusts generated during abrasive-blasting operations.
Cricket / Saddle (IBC 1503.5) IBC Section 1503.5
Per IBC Section 1503.5, a cricket or saddle is required on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration greater than 30 inches wide (measured perpendicular to the slope).
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Book Page 92
A manufacturer-required document that lists hazards, toxicity levels, first-aid recommendations, protective equipment requirements, and proper disposal methods for a product; every worker must have access to MSDS on the job site.
Double Underlayment (IBC 1507.2.2) IBC Sections 1507.2.1 and 1507.2.2
Per IBC Section 1507.2.2, asphalt shingles installed on roof slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 require double underlayment application; asphalt shingles cannot be installed below a 2:12 slope.
Scupper Minimum Opening (IBC 1502.3) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1502.3
Per IBC Section 1502.3, scuppers used for secondary (emergency overflow) roof drainage shall have an opening dimension of not less than 4 inches.
Metal Flashing Minimum Thickness (IBC 1503.2.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1503.2.1
Per IBC Section 1503.2.1, metal flashing at wall and roof intersections must be corrosion-resistant with a minimum thickness of 0.019 inch (No. 26 galvanized sheet).
Stair Riser/Tread Variation Tolerance Carpentry & Building Construction, Section 25.1, Page 740
Building code allows a maximum variation of no more than 3/8 inch between the tallest and shortest riser heights, and no more than 3/8 inch between the deepest and shallowest tread depths, in a residential stairway.
Water-Cement Ratio and Concrete Strength Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Water section; Chapter 11 — Temperature Extremes section
As more water is added to a concrete mix beyond the design ratio, the compressive and tensile strength of the concrete decrease; in hot weather, workers should keep aggregates cool rather than adding extra water.
Formulas to Know
Ohm's Law – Current
I (Amperes) = E (Volts) / R (Ohms)Ohm's Law – Voltage
E (Volts) = I (Amperes) × R (Ohms)Ohm's Law – Resistance
R (Ohms) = E (Volts) / I (Amperes)Power (Watts) – Current from Wattage
I = P (Watts) / E (Volts)Series Circuit – Total Resistance
R_total = R1 + R2 + R3 + ...Three-Phase Kilowatts
KW = (E × I × PF × 1.73) / 1000Parallel Circuit – Total Resistance (two resistors)
R_total = (R1 × R2) / (R1 + R2) [always less than smallest branch]