Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Mississippi Residential Builder

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
80
Passing score
70%
Exam time
180 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed

Mississippi State Portion 80 questions

Site work, Footings and Foundations 13 Q · 16%
Footing size requirements based on soil bearing capacity and number of storiesMinimum footing depth and frost protection requirementsSurface drainage and lot grading requirementsSoil classification and presumptive load-bearing valuesFoundation wall types and minimum thickness requirementsFoundation waterproofing and dampproofing methodsFoundation anchorage and sill plate attachmentCrawl space ventilation, moisture control, and under-floor space requirements
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement 8 Q · 10%
Concrete mixture components and proportioning (cement types, aggregates, water-cementitious materials ratio, admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials)Field control tests for fresh concrete (slump, air content, compressive strength cylinders, density and yield)Steel reinforcement types, grades, and bar identification markingsConcrete cover requirements and reinforcement placement tolerancesReinforcing bar fabrication, splicing methods, and bar supportsAir entrainment purpose, benefits, and recommended air content levels for freeze-thaw exposureWater addition at the jobsite and effects on strength and w/cm ratioCompressive strength acceptance criteria and cylinder testing procedures
Masonry 4 Q · 5%
Masonry construction materials and standards (CMU, clay/shale, AAC, stone units)Mortar types, proportions, and application requirementsGrout types, placement procedures, and space dimensionsMasonry wall thickness requirements and minimum dimensionsMasonry reinforcement requirements for seismic design categoriesWall tie bonding and multiple-wythe masonry constructionLateral support spacing and anchorage for masonry wallsAllowable compressive stresses and lintels over openings
Carpentry 15 Q · 19%
Wood floor joist allowable spans and species/grade selectionFloor sheathing types, grades, and allowable spansWood wall framing stud size, height, and spacing requirementsHeader and girder spans for wall openingsWall bracing methods, required bracing length, and braced wall panel constructionCutting, notching, and drilling limitations for structural framing membersExterior deck construction including joists, beams, posts, footings, and ledger connectionsFloor and wall framing fastening schedules and connection requirementsRoof and ceiling framing including rafter and ceiling joist spans, ridge boards, and framing connectionsTruss handling, unloading, and jobsite storage requirementsTemporary installation restraint and bracing of trussesPermanent restraint and bracing of truss chord and web members +2 more
Associated Trades and Drywall 6 Q · 8%
Gypsum board thickness, fastener types, and spacing requirements for walls and ceilingsGypsum board application methods with and without adhesive to wood and cold-formed steel framingInterior plaster types, coat requirements, and proportions for gypsum and cement plasterWater-resistant gypsum backing board limitations and backer board materials for tile installationsVapor retarder classes, materials, and climate zone requirements for frame wallsExterior wall covering attachment, fastener requirements, and wind resistance for siding materialsWater-resistive barriers and flashing requirements for exterior wall coveringsExterior plaster installation including lath attachment, weep screeds, curing times, and coat requirements
Roofing 7 Q · 9%
Roof covering types and minimum slope requirementsUnderlayment types, application methods, and standardsFlashing installation at valleys, chimneys, and vertical surfacesFire classification of roof coverings (Class A, B, C)Fastener requirements for roof coveringsRoof drainage, secondary overflow drains, and scuppersReroofing and roof recover requirements and restrictionsRoof sheathing and deck requirements
Estimating, Plan Reading and General Code Requirements 18 Q · 22%
Building permit requirements, exemptions, and application proceduresBuilding official authority, duties, and enforcement powersConstruction document requirements and plan review processRequired inspections sequence and certificate of occupancyMinimum room dimensions, ceiling heights, and habitable space requirementsStructural design loads including dead, live, roof, wind, and seismic loadsMeans of egress requirements including stairway dimensions, handrails, and emergency escape openingsFire-resistant construction, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarm requirementsIRC scope, administration, and permit requirements for residential constructionStructural design criteria and load types (dead, live, wind, seismic, snow)Reading and interpreting construction drawings, symbols, and plan typesEstimating material quantities and labor costs for residential construction trades +4 more
OSHA Safety 5 Q · 6%
Fall protection requirements and trigger heights for residential constructionPersonal fall arrest system components, anchorage, and performance criteriaGuardrail system specifications and strength requirementsEmployer accident prevention responsibilities and competent person dutiesSafety training and education requirements for construction workersMedical services, first aid requirements, and emergency action plansOccupational health controls including noise exposure limits and air contaminant permissible exposure limitsHousekeeping, sanitation, and general jobsite health provisionsFall protection systems and requirements for residential construction (6-foot threshold, guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, safety nets)Scaffold types, capacity requirements, and safety standardsExcavation safety, cave-in protection, and protective systems (sloping, shoring, shielding)Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, use, and employer responsibilities +4 more
Licensing 4 Q · 5%
Permit application requirements and proceduresWork exempt from permit requirementsPermit validity, expiration, and extensionBuilding official duties and enforcement authorityRequired inspection types and sequencingCertificate of occupancy issuance and revocationStop work orders and violation penaltiesBoard of appeals process and limitations

Key Distinctions

Carbon Monoxide AlarmvsCarbon Monoxide Detector

A CO alarm is a self-contained unit with sensor, controls, and notification appliance in one device, while a CO detector has only the sensor and transmits a signal to a separate alarm control unit.

International Residential Code, Section R202 Definitions (Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector), PDF Pages 30-31
Plan ViewvsProfile View

A plan view is a bird's-eye overhead view of the work area, while a profile view is a horizontal cut-away showing elevations, grades, and depths along the alignment.

Page 105, Chapter 3 introduction, plan view/profile view definitions
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 132
Floor Joist Notch (non-end)vsFloor Joist Notch (end)

Notches in the middle zone of a solid lumber joist are limited to one-sixth the member depth, while end notches may be up to one-fourth the member depth.

Section R502.8.1
Table R502.3.1(1) – Sleeping AreasvsTable R502.3.1(2) – Other Living Areas

Table R502.3.1(1) applies to floor joists in sleeping areas with a 30-psf live load (dead load ≤ 20 psf), while Table R502.3.1(2) applies to other living areas with a 40-psf live load.

Section R502.3.1
Framing Anchors (joist-to-girder)vsLedger Strips (joist-to-girder)

Both are approved methods to support floor joists framing into the side of a wood girder; either approved framing anchors or nominal 2×2 ledger strips are acceptable per Section R502.6.2.

Section R502.6.2
Cantilever Backspan Ratio – Balcony (exterior)vsCantilever Backspan Ratio – Bearing Wall/Roof

Joists supporting an exterior balcony require a minimum 2:1 backspan-to-cantilever ratio, whereas cantilever joists supporting a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof require a 3:1 ratio.

International Residential Code, Table R502.3.3(2), Note b
Wood Shake Valley FlashingvsWood Shingle Valley Flashing

Wood shake valley flashing must extend not less than 11 inches from the centerline each way, while wood shingle valley flashing varies by slope (10 inches for slopes under 12:12; 7 inches for 12:12 and greater).

International Residential Code For One- And Two-Fa, Section R905.8.8
Granular SoilsvsCohesive Soils

Granular soils (sands and gravels) are best compacted by vibration, while cohesive soils (silts and clays) are best compacted by impact force or sustained pressure.

The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Page 44
2×6 Bearing Wall Studs – Roof-Ceiling Onlyvs2×6 Bearing Wall Studs – Two Floors + Roof-Ceiling

2×6 studs supporting only a roof-ceiling assembly may be spaced up to 24 inches on center, but when supporting two floors plus a roof-ceiling assembly the maximum spacing is reduced to 16 inches on center.

International Residential Code, Table R602.3(5), Page 206
Solid Lumber Floor Joist (boring/notching)vsPrefabricated Wood I-Joist (boring/notching)

Solid lumber joists have prescriptive limits (hole diameter ≤ 1/3 depth; notch ≤ 1/6 depth), while I-joists may not be cut, notched, or bored except where explicitly permitted by the manufacturer or a registered design professional.

Section R502.8.1
Retarding Admixture – Effect on SettingvsRetarding Admixture – Effect on Formwork

Retarders delay concrete setting time (slowing strength gain), which simultaneously increases lateral pressure on vertical forms, requiring forms to remain in place longer than normal.

The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Pages 72 and 82

Key Terms

Attic Access Opening (minimum size) International Residential Code, Section R807.1
Per IRC Section R807.1, the rough-framed attic access opening in buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction must be not less than 22 inches by 30 inches and located where readily accessible.
Truss Member Alteration Prohibition International Residential Code, Section R802.10.4
Per IRC Section R802.10.4, truss members shall not be cut, notched, drilled, spliced, or otherwise altered without approval of a registered design professional.
Stairway Minimum Clear Width Section R311.7.1
Per IRC Section R311.7.1, stairways must have not less than 36 inches of clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height.
Stairway Minimum Headroom Section R311.7.2
Per IRC Section R311.7.2, a minimum headroom of 6 feet 8 inches is required, measured vertically from the sloped line adjoining tread nosings.
Maximum Stair Flight Rise Section R311.7.3
Per IRC Section R311.7.3, a single flight of stairs shall not have a vertical rise greater than 12 feet 7 inches between floor levels or landings.
Handrail Wall Clearance Section R311.7.8.3
Per IRC Section R311.7.8.3, handrails installed adjacent to a wall must have not less than 1½ inches of clear space between the wall and the handrail.
Type I Circular Handrail Diameter Section R311.7.8.5
Per IRC Section R311.7.8.5, a Type I circular handrail must have an outside diameter of not less than 1¼ inches and not more than 2 inches.
Stair Riser/Tread Uniformity Tolerance Sections R311.7.5.1 and R311.7.5.2
Per IRC Sections R311.7.5.1 and R311.7.5.2, within any single flight the greatest riser height and the greatest tread depth shall each not exceed the smallest by more than ⅜ inch.
Ground Snow Load Engineering Threshold International Residential Code, Section R301.2.3, PDF Page 84
Per IRC Section R301.2.3, buildings in regions with ground snow loads exceeding 70 psf must be designed by accepted engineering practice rather than IRC prescriptive provisions.
Sill Plate Anchor Bolt Requirements IRC R403.1.6
Per IRC R403.1.6, wood sill plates must be anchored with minimum ½-inch-diameter bolts spaced not more than 6 feet on center, with one bolt located not more than 12 inches from each end of every plate section, embedded at least 7 inches into concrete or grouted masonry.
Air Entrainment for Freeze-Thaw Exposure Modern Masonry, Page 385
Per the IRC as cited in Modern Masonry (Page 385), concrete exposed to freezing and thawing must be air-entrained with a minimum total air content of 5%; exceeding 7% can reduce strength.
Minimum Concrete Cover – Earth Contact The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Page 100 (Table 6.3)
Per ACI 318, cast-in-place concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth (e.g., footings) requires a minimum concrete cover of 3 inches over reinforcement.
Bid Bond Default Penalty Pages 45–46, 'Bid Bonds' section
If a contractor defaults on a bid bond by refusing to enter into a contract after award, the penalty is either the full bid bond amount or the difference between the low bid and the next lowest bid, whichever is smaller.
Tensile Strength of Plain Concrete The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Page 88
Unreinforced (plain) concrete has a tensile strength of only approximately 10 percent of its compressive strength, which is why steel reinforcement is used to resist tensile forces.
Spiral Stairway Dimensions Section R311.7.10.1
Per IRC Section R311.7.10.1, spiral stairways must have clear width ≥ 26 inches, tread depth ≥ 6¾ inches at the walkline, maximum rise of 9½ inches, and minimum headroom of 6 feet 6 inches.
Clay Soil Bearing Reliability The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Page 43
Clay soil is unreliable for bearing capacity because it is firm when dry but can expand and become slippery and unreliable when wet, making it an uncertain foundation material.

Formulas to Know

Maximum Floor Cantilever SpanMax cantilever ≤ nominal depth of wood floor joist (e.g., 2×10 joist = 10-inch max cantilever)
Reinforcement Cover Impact on Slab CapacityMisplacing bars ±½ inch in a 6-inch slab ≈ 20% reduction in load-carrying capacity
Concrete Tensile Strength EstimateTensile strength ≈ 0.10 × Compressive strength (f'c)
Max Aggregate Size RuleMax aggregate size ≤ 1/5 × wall thickness; ≤ 1/3 × slab thickness; ≤ 3/4 × narrowest form space
Joist Boring LimitMax hole diameter ≤ 1/3 × joist depth; hole edge ≥ 2 inches from top or bottom
Joist Notch Limit (non-end)Max notch depth ≤ 1/6 × joist depth; max notch length ≤ 1/3 × joist depth; no notches in middle 1/3 of span
Joist Notch Limit (end)Max end notch depth ≤ 1/4 × joist depth
Balcony Cantilever Backspan RatioBackspan : Cantilever ≥ 2:1 (exterior balcony); ≥ 3:1 (light-frame bearing wall + roof)
Lap Splice at Bearing (opposing joists)Minimum lap = 3 inches; fastened with ≥ 3 – 10d face nails
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