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

Table R502.3.1(1)vsTable R502.3.1(2)

Table R502.3.1(1) is used for floor joists supporting sleeping areas and attics accessed by fixed stairway (live load not exceeding 30 psf, dead load not exceeding 20 psf), while Table R502.3.1(2) applies to other living areas at 40 psf live load.

IRC 2021 Section R502.3.1
Quality controlvsQuality assurance

Quality control is control and documentation of the product itself so applicable standards and contract documents are followed, while quality assurance verifies and documents that those controls are in place and working.

Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 132
Carbon monoxide alarmvsCarbon monoxide detector

An alarm is a single- or multiple-station unit combining sensor, control components and alarm notification appliance in one device, while a detector has only an integral sensor and transmits an alarm signal to a connected alarm control unit.

IRC 2021 Section R202 Definitions (Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector)
Plan viewvsProfile view

The plan view is a bird's-eye overhead view showing the layout of the work, while the profile view is a horizontal cut-away (cross-section) along the alignment showing elevations, grades and depths.

Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 105, Chapter 3 introduction, plan view/profile view definitions
Granular soils (sands and gravels)vsCohesive soils (silts and clays)

For compaction purposes granular soils are best compacted by vibration, while cohesive soils are best compacted by impact force or sustained pressure.

Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 44
Notch in a solid lumber joist at a location other than the endvsNotch at the end of the member

Notches away from the ends are limited to one-sixth the depth of the member, while end notches may be up to one-fourth the depth.

IRC 2021 Section R502.8.1
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 less than 12:12 and 7 inches for 12:12 and greater).

IRC 2021 For One- And Two-Fa, Section R905.8.8
Cantilever joists supporting an exterior balcony (Table R502.3.3(2), Note b)vsCantilever joists supporting a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof (Table R502.3.3(1))

Balcony cantilevers require a backspan-to-cantilever ratio of not less than 2:1, while cantilevers supporting an exterior bearing wall and roof require 3:1.

IRC 2021 Table R502.3.3(2), Note b
2×6 bearing wall studs supporting two floors plus a roof-ceiling assemblyvs2×6 bearing wall studs supporting only a roof-ceiling assembly

Supporting two floors plus a roof-ceiling (or habitable attic) assembly limits spacing to 16 inches on center, while supporting only a roof-ceiling assembly permits 24 inches on center.

IRC 2021 Table R602.3(5)
Foundation wall projection above finished grade where masonry veneer is usedvsFoundation wall projection above finished grade elsewhere

Concrete and masonry foundation walls must extend a minimum of 4 inches above finished grade where masonry veneer is used, versus a minimum of 6 inches elsewhere.

Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Page 313
Anchor bolt embedment for wood sill plates (IRC R403.1.6)vsEmbedment for cold-formed steel connections (R603.3.1)

Wood sill plate anchor bolts (minimum 1/2-inch diameter) must extend not less than 7 inches into concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry units, while the 15-inch embedment applies only to cold-formed steel connections.

IRC Section R403.1.6
Veneer tie fastener in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁, D₂vsVeneer tie fastener in lower seismic design categories

In SDC D₀–D₂ the minimum tie fastener is an 8d ring-shank nail (2½ in. × 0.131 in.), an upgrade from the standard 8d common nail allowed in lower seismic design categories.

IRC 2021 Table R703.8.4(1), footnote c
Type III portland cementvsType V portland cement

Type III is high-early-strength cement reaching in 7 days about the strength Type I reaches in 28 days, while Type V is sulfate-resistant cement for high-sulfate soils, solutions or groundwater (Type II gives only moderate sulfate resistance).

Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Pages 14-15

Key Terms

Ceiling height IRC 2021 Section R202 Definitions (Ceiling Height)
The clear vertical distance from the finished floor to the finished ceiling, measured to finished surfaces rather than framing members.
Emergency escape and rescue opening IRC 2021 Section R202 Definitions (Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening)
An operable exterior window, door or similar device that provides a means of escape and access for rescue in the event of an emergency.
Benchmark (BM) Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 111 and 115–116, elevation and benchmark definitions
A fixed point of known elevation from which the elevations of other points are calculated by adding or subtracting measured vertical distances (elevation being the height of a point above sea level).
Escalation allowance Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 27
A cost allowance for the increase in labor, material and equipment costs between the time the bid is submitted and the time the work is done and paid for, especially important in high-inflation periods.
Bid bond Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 45–46, 'Bid Bonds' section
A bond guaranteeing that the bidder will enter into a contract if awarded and will furnish performance and payment bonds; default costs either the full bond amount or the difference between the lowest and second-lowest bid, whichever is smaller.
Independent testing laboratory Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 133
A laboratory contracted to conduct acceptance testing of materials and workmanship that has no financial stake in the contractor's work and no affiliation with any member of the contracted construction team.
Air entrainment Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 11
Microscopic entrained air voids in concrete whose most important benefit is improved resistance to freezing-and-thawing damage and deicing chemicals; all concrete exposed to freezing weather in service should be air entrained, and the IRC specifies a minimum total air content of 5% for freeze-thaw exposure (2% or less gains no benefit, over 7% can reduce strength).
Slump test Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 11
A test of fresh concrete that measures consistency and indicates workability (flowability/plasticity), useful as an indicator of batch-to-batch uniformity.
Unit weight (density) test Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 149
A field test that, used with batch weights and measured air content, gives a good indication of water content because water is the lightest component of the mixture.
Camber Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Page 77
A slight upward curvature intentionally built into a structural element or form to compensate for deflection under load, shrinkage and creep.
Retarding admixture (retarder) Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Pages 72 and 82
An admixture that delays the setting of concrete, increasing lateral pressure on vertical forms (chemistry coefficient CC of 1.2 versus 1.0) and requiring longer form stripping times because strength gains are slower.
Frost line depth IRC 2021 Table R301.2, Note b
The minimum depth of footing below finish grade, a locally determined value that the jurisdiction fills into the climatic and geographic design criteria table, not a nationally uniform standard.
Grade SW building brick Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Page 116
Severe Weathering brick, highly resistant to frost action and intended where brick is exposed to freezing weather such as foundation courses or retaining walls (Grade MW is moderate exposure; Grade NW is interior backup).
Common (American) bond Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Pages 129-130
A variation of running bond with a course of full-length headers at regular intervals, generally every fifth to seventh course, providing structural bonding as well as pattern.
Purlin braces (IRC R802.4.5) IRC 2021 Section R802.4.5
2×4 braces that support purlins used to reduce rafter span, installed to bearing walls at a slope not less than 45 degrees from horizontal, spaced not more than 4 feet on center, with unbraced length not exceeding 8 feet.
Type I circular handrail IRC 2021 Section R311.7.8.5
A handrail with circular cross section having an outside diameter of not less than 1¼ inches and not more than 2 inches for adequate graspability.
Nosing projection IRC 2021 Section R311.7.5.3
The tread projection required on stairways, not less than ¾ inch and not more than 1¼ inches, and not required where tread depth is not less than 11 inches.

Formulas to Know

Roof rise from span and pitchRun = span ÷ 2 (symmetric gable); Rise = run × (pitch rise ÷ 12). Ex: 56'/2 = 28' × (6/12) = 14.00'; 63'/2 = 31.50' × (8/12) = 21.00'
Ridge elevationRidge elevation = top-of-wall elevation + rise. Ex: 9.00' + 14.00' = 23.00'; 12.00' + 21.00' = 33.00'
Sloped rafter (top chord) length and slope angleRafter length = √(run² + rise²); Slope = rise/run expressed per 12 of run; Angle = arctan(rise ÷ run). Ex: √(28²+14²) = 31.30'; √(24²+12²) = 26.8'; arctan(12/24) = 26.6°
Sloped roof area from plan footprint (slope factor)Slope factor = √(12² + rise²) ÷ 12 (6:12 = 1.118; 3:12 = 1.031; 2:12 = 1.014); Roof area = plan footprint × slope factor; Squares = area ÷ 100. Ex: 50×40 = 2,000 sf × 1.118 = 2,236 sf; 24×12 = 288 sf × 1.031 = 297 sf; 24×10 = 240 sf × 1.014 = 243 sf
Shingle bundles with wasteBundles = total squares × 3 bundles/square × 1.10 waste, rounded up. Ex: 2,533 sf = 25.33 sq × 3 × 1.10 = 83.6 → 84 bundles
Hip roof ridge length and true hip lengthRidge = length − width (symmetric hip, equal slopes); True hip = √(run_a² + run_b² + rise²). Ex: 60 − 36 = 24.00 ft; √(18²+18²+9²) = 27.00 ft
Concrete volume in cubic yardsVolume (cf) = length × width × thickness in feet (inches ÷ 12); cy = cf ÷ 27, rounded up when ordering whole yards. Ex: 200×2×1 = 400 cf ÷ 27 = 14.8 → 15 cy; 720 sf × 0.333 = 240 cf ÷ 27 = 8.89 → 9 cy; 540 sf × 5/12 = 225 cf ÷ 27 = 8.33 cy
Formwork contact area and labor priceContact area = length × form height × number of faces; Labor = area × unit rate × 1.25 (burden) × 1.15 (O&P). Ex: 200 × 1.0 × 2 = 400 sf; 400 × $1.25 = $500 × 1.25 = $625 × 1.15 = $718.75
Flashing piece countsStep flashing pieces = wall length (ft) × 12 ÷ exposure (in), rounded up (or length ÷ piece coverage, e.g. 2 ft per piece); Sectional flashing (headwall/counterflashing) = length ÷ section length, rounded up to whole sections, then × 1.10 waste and rounded up — note Q17206 also adds one full extra section as a waste buffer. Ex: 85 ft × 12 = 1,020 in ÷ 5 = 204 pieces; 90 ÷ 10 = 9 sections × 1.10 = 9.9 → 10, +1 extra = 11; 42 ÷ 8 = 5.25 → 6 × 1.10 = 6.6 → 7 pieces
Gutter cross-section and freestanding garden wall heightGutter: sq in = roof sf × rainfall (in/hr) ÷ 100 (1 sq in per 100 sf at 1 in/hr). Ex: 5,000 × 6 ÷ 100 = 300 sq in. Garden wall at 10 psf wind: max height above grade = ¾ × (wall thickness)². Ex: ¾ × 8² = 48 in
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