Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Tennessee BC-A, b (sm) Combined Residential/Small Commercial Contractor

Tennessee  ·  Prov

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
100
Passing score
73%
Exam time
300 min
Administered by
Prov
Format
Reference materials allowed

Tennessee State Portion 100 questions

Estimating, Plan Reading 12 Q · 12%
Reading and interpreting civil drawings (site plans, plan and profile sheets, cross-sections)Contour lines, grading plans, and cut-and-fill mapsExcavation volume calculations (rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, and cylindrical shapes)Unit conversions and material weight calculations for excavationConstruction specifications format (CSI MasterFormat Division 31 Earthwork)Slope and grade control using stakes, benchmarks, and layout methods
General Code 8 Q · 8%
Occupancy classification and use group assignments (Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U)Building height and area limitations by occupancy and type of constructionTypes of construction (Types I–V) and fire-resistance rating requirements for building elementsFire-resistance-rated assemblies: fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, and smoke partitionsMeans of egress requirements: occupant load, exit capacity, number and separation of exits, egress illuminationAutomatic sprinkler system requirements by occupancy, building height, and fire areaAccessibility requirements: accessible routes, entrances, parking, and means of egressScope, administration, and authority of the building official; permits, inspections, and certificates
Sitework 5 Q · 5%
Excavation safety requirements and competent person responsibilities (OSHA 1926 Subpart P)Trench protective systems: sloping, benching, shoring, and shieldingSoil classification for excavation (Type A, B, C, Stable Rock)Grading operations: cuts, fills, compaction, and slope requirements (IBC Appendix J)Earthmoving equipment selection and site excavation methodsDrainage and water control on construction sitesUnderground pipe installation: trench preparation, bedding, and thrust blocksPaving operations: concrete and hot-mix asphalt methods, equipment, and quality control
Footings and Foundations 5 Q · 5%
Soil classification and presumptive load-bearing valuesFooting minimum dimensions, depth, and frost protectionConcrete and masonry foundation wall design and reinforcementFoundation dampproofing and waterproofingGeotechnical investigations and soil testing requirementsFootings and foundations on or adjacent to slopesDeep foundation elements and pile design requirements
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement 10 Q · 10%
ConcreteConcrete ReinforcementConcrete mix design and proportioningConcrete batching, mixing, and transportingConcrete placement, consolidation, and finishingCuring methods and requirementsConcrete durability and exposure categoriesFormwork design and removalReinforcing bar fabrication, sizes, grades, and ASTM standardsConcrete cover requirements and bar supports
Masonry 7 Q · 7%
Masonry materials: clay brick types, grades, and manufacturing processesConcrete masonry unit (CMU) types, grades, and propertiesMortar types, proportions, and mixing requirementsMasonry wall systems: solid, cavity, composite, hollow, and veneer wallsLaying brick and block techniques: mortar placement, coursing, leads, and mason's lineMasonry reinforcement, anchors, ties, and joint reinforcementMasonry structural design: allowable stress, strength design, and empirical design methodsOSHA safety requirements and jobsite safety for masonry construction
Carpentry 12 Q · 12%
Wood wall framing components (studs, plates, headers, cripple studs, trimmer studs)Wall bracing methods and braced wall panel requirementsHeader sizing and span tables for wall openingsFastening schedules for wood wall and roof framing connectionsDrilling and notching limitations for studs and top platesCold-formed steel wall framing materials, member identification, and installationWood floor framing: joist spans, bridging, blocking, and cantileversWood roof framing: rafter spans, ridge boards, collar ties, and ceiling joists
Doors, Windows, and Stairs 2 Q · 2%
Door size, swing direction, and operational force requirementsDoor hardware, locking, and latching requirements (including panic hardware and delayed egress)Special door types (revolving, power-operated, sliding, and security grilles)Stair dimensions, treads, risers, landings, and headroomHandrail requirements for stairs and rampsGuards: height, location, and opening limitationsSafety glazing: hazardous locations and impact test requirementsGlazing in handrails, guards, skylights, and sloped applications
Interior Finish 2 Q · 2%
Gypsum board types and special-use panels (Type X, water-resistant, abuse-resistant, flexible, sheathing)Drywall fasteners: nails, screws (Types W, S, G), and adhesives — selection and spacing requirementsFire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies: single-ply vs. multi-ply construction and fire-stopping methodsInterior wall and ceiling finish flame spread and smoke-developed classifications (Class A, B, C) by occupancySound-isolation construction methods: STC ratings, separated partitions, resilient channels, and sound-isolating materialsDrywall installation procedures: cutting, fitting, fastener patterns, floating interior angle construction, and moisture-resistant applicationsDrywall accessories: corner beads, casings, control joints, and perimeter reliefInterior floor finish and decorative materials requirements under IBC Chapter 8
Structural Steel 6 Q · 6%
Pre-erection activities and site readiness verificationStructural steel erection sequence (columns, horizontal members, bracing and bridging)Column anchorage requirements and anchor bolt tolerancesBolted and welded field connections (framed-beam, seated-beam, end-plate, single-plate shear)Erection tolerances for columns and structural membersTemporary supports, bracing, and plumbing-up during erectionSteel erection safety requirements under OSHA Subpart R (fall protection, hoisting, open web steel joists, metal decking)Pre-engineered metal building erection and IBC Chapter 22 steel design standards
Roofing, Siding, and Insulation 10 Q · 10%
Roof covering types and minimum slope requirements (asphalt shingles, clay/concrete tile, metal panels, wood shingles/shakes, built-up, modified bitumen, single-ply)Underlayment selection, application, and attachment requirements by roof covering type and wind speedRoof flashing requirements (valleys, drip edges, base/cap flashing, crickets and saddles, parapet walls)Fire classification of roof assemblies (Class A, B, C ratings and applicable construction types)Insulation types, R-values, and installation methods (flexible, loose-fill, rigid/semirigid, reflective, spray foam)Vapor retarders and moisture control (perm ratings, vapor barrier classes, placement relative to building thermal envelope by climate zone)Exterior wall weather protection and water-resistive barriers (building wrap/house wrap installation, flashing at openings, drainage requirements)Reroofing requirements (roof recover vs. roof replacement, conditions prohibiting recover, reinstallation of materials)
Plumbing Concepts 3 Q · 3%
Minimum plumbing fixture counts by occupancy type (IBC Table 2902.1)Sanitary drainage system design: pipe sizing, slope, and fixture unit valuesBackflow prevention devices and cross-connection controlVenting methods and vent pipe sizing requirementsWater supply system design: pressure, flow rates, and pipe sizingFixture trap requirements: seal depth, size, and prohibited trap typesWater heater installation: relief valves, pan requirements, and prohibited locationsStorm drainage and subsoil drain systems
HVAC Concepts 3 Q · 3%
Combustion air requirements and sizing methods for fuel-gas appliancesFuel gas piping materials, sizing, and installationVenting systems and chimney types for gas appliances (Type B, BW, L, single-wall, factory-built)Duct system construction, materials, insulation, and sealingHeating and cooling equipment installation, sizing, and clearances to combustiblesCondensate disposal and auxiliary drain pan requirementsBoiler and water heater installation, safety controls, and pressure reliefExhaust systems for dryers, cooking equipment, and mechanical ventilation
Electrical Concepts 3 Q · 3%
GFCI and AFCI protection requirements by locationService entrance sizing, conductors, and disconnecting meansGrounding and bonding systems (electrodes, conductors, jumpers)Branch circuit ratings, loading, and overcurrent protectionReceptacle outlet placement and spacing requirementsWiring methods, raceways, and conduit fillPanelboard installation, ratings, and working space clearancesEmergency and standby power systems (IBC requirements)
OSHA Safety 8 Q · 8%
Fall protection requirements and systems (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Scaffold safety requirements and load capacityExcavation and trenching safety (cave-in protection, sloping, shoring)Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection and employer responsibilitiesElectrical safety in construction (grounding, GFCI, lockout/tagout, working clearances)Hazardous and toxic substances (asbestos, silica, permissible exposure limits)Fire protection and prevention on construction sitesStairway and ladder safety requirements
Exterior Finish 4 Q · 4%
Water-resistive barrier and building wrap installation requirementsFlashing installation at openings, corners, and wall intersectionsSoffit and fascia construction (box cornice, closed cornice, aluminum/vinyl soffit systems)Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) and direct-applied exterior finish systems (DEFS)Estimating exterior finish materials quantities and waste allowances

Key Distinctions

Nominal lumber dimensions (IBC 2301.2)vsNet (actual) dimensions (IBC 2304.2)

Where lumber dimensions are specified on documents they are deemed nominal unless specifically designated as actual (e.g., a 2×4 is actually 1½" × 3½"), but computations to determine required member sizes must be based on net/actual dimensions, not nominal.

IBC 2021 Section 2301.2
SlopevsPitch

Slope is a ratio of rise to run (the term best suited to roof framing), while pitch is a ratio of rise to span.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 470
MuntinvsMullion strip

A muntin is the vertical or horizontal piece within a sash that holds an individual pane of glass; a mullion strip is the vertical piece separating combined window units.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows section
Solid-core doorvsHollow-core door

Solid-core construction (wood strips, particleboard, or rigid foam covered with thin veneer) reduces warping and is more fire-resistant, so it is generally preferred for exterior doors.

Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors section
Direct construction costvsDirect (job) overhead cost

Direct construction costs are labor, material, and equipment tied to a trade or phase (pipe materials, backhoe rental, bedding aggregate), while direct job overhead results from taking the particular job but is not tied to a specific trade or phase (traffic control barricades/flaggers/delineators, soil density and pipe testing).

Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21
Fiberglass asphalt shinglesvsOrganic asphalt shingles

Fiberglass shingles use a fiberglass base mat saturated and covered with flexible asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules; organic shingles use a cellulose-fiber base mat.

NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing Condensation and Air Leakage Control, and Reroofing, Appendix 6—Climatic Design Information (glossary, "asphalt shingle")
Field-cured test cylindersvsLaboratory-cured test cylinders

Field-cured specimens stay on site under the same conditions as the placement and may be used to determine when it is safe to remove forms; acceptance strength is determined from laboratory-cured cylinders tested under ASTM C39.

Study Guide for Commercial Building Contractor, Module 23212 Properties of Concrete, Section 3.4.0
Cantilever joists supporting an exterior balcony (IRC Table R502.3.3(2), Note b)vsCantilever joists supporting a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof (IRC Table R502.3.3(1))

Backspan-to-cantilever ratio shall be not less than 2:1 for balcony joists, whereas 3:1 is required for joists supporting a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof.

IRC 2021 Table R502.3.3(2), Note b; IRC 2018 Table R502.3.3(2)
3/8" gypsum panelsvs1/2" and 5/8" gypsum panels

3/8" panels are designed for framing centers up to 16" o.c. maximum, while 1/2" and 5/8" panels are designed for framing centers up to 24" o.c.

Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Page 3 (Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3)
"K" series open web steel joist end attachment (welded)vs"LH"/"DLH" series joists and joist girders

Per §1926.757(b)(1) each end of a "K" series joist needs a minimum of two 1/8-inch fillet welds 1 inch long (or two 1/2-inch bolts or equivalent); the larger 1/4-inch by 2-inch welds apply to "LH" and "DLH" series joists and joist girders.

29 CFR 1926, Subpart R, §1926.757(b)(1)
Coped jointvsMitered joint

A coped joint is preferred at inside corners for profiled baseboard because it forms a tight joint even when walls are not square or plumb and will not open up as visibly as a miter when the wood shrinks.

Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
Five-bag concrete mixvsSix-bag concrete mix

Five bags of cement per cubic yard is the minimum generally acceptable for most work; six-bag mix is commonly specified where high strength is needed or where steel reinforcement is used.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226
Type III portland cementvsType I (general-purpose) portland cement

Type III is high-early-strength cement that reaches in about 7 days the strength Type I reaches in 28 days, with little difference in long-term strength beyond 2 or 3 months.

Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Pages 14-15
Site-built beam form sides of lumbervsSite-built beam form sides of plywood

Lumber sides require 2x4 vertical cleats at 2' to 2'-6" on center; with plywood sides the cleats are eliminated and 2x4 vertical stiffeners are used instead.

Study Guide for Commercial Building Contractor, Module 27309 Horizontal Formwork, Section 3.3.1

Key Terms

Fire wall (IBC 202) IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Fire Wall)
A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings that restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
Building area (IBC 202) IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Area, Building)
The area within surrounding exterior walls, or exterior walls and fire walls, exclusive of vent shafts and courts, including unwalled areas that fall within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.
Occupant load (IBC 202) IBC 2021 202
The number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed (a design value, not the actual number present).
Story above grade plane (IBC 202) IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Story Above Grade Plane)
Any story having its finished floor surface entirely above grade plane, or in which the finished surface of the floor next above is more than 6 feet above grade plane or more than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.
Cavity wall (TMS 402/ACI 530 Section 1.6) ACI 530/530.1-11, TMS 402 Code Chapter 1, Section 1.6 Definitions, Page C-14
A masonry wall of two or more wythes, at least two of which are separated by a continuous air space, with the separated wythes connected by wall ties.
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 because a 2×4 forms it) that locks the foundation wall to the footing and prevents moisture seeping between wall and footing.
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, by tamping, spearing with a spade, or tapping forms with a hammer.
Efflorescence Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Troubleshooting Concrete section
A whitish crystalline deposit on concrete or mortar caused by salts mixing with water or moisture vapor and rising to the surface; a cosmetic problem that generally does not affect strength or durability.
Shear wall Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 378
A wall designed to resist lateral (sideways) forces, created in part by a specified sheathing nail spacing and properly fastened to the framing above and to the sill plate and foundation below.
Racking Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 29.3, Page 852
A structural failure in which the wall shifts and studs are forced out of plumb; properly installed full-height, tightly fastened sheathing braces the wall against racking and twisting.
Ridge board Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 468
The horizontal framing member that connects the upper ends of the rafters and extends the full length of the house.
Collar tie Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 542
A horizontal framing member connecting opposite pairs of rafters that prevents them from spreading apart and from bowing inward under load; in a finished attic it may also support ceiling surfaces.
Reveal Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
A small offset between a piece of trim and the surface it is applied to; door casing is nailed to the jamb allowing about a ³⁄₁₆" reveal on the jamb face.
Gain Residential Doors chapter, Hinges section
A mortise (notch) cut for a hinge 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.
Finger-jointed stock Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
Molding/trim made from short lengths of solid wood finger-jointed and glued together; paint-grade only, suitable when painted but not when stained.
Plyform Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Chapter 19, Page 402
An exterior-type plywood specially designed and manufactured for concrete forming from special wood species and veneer grades, available in Class I and Class II grades.
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.
Jointer (jointing tool) Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 24, Page 688
A shaped metal bar run over masonry joints to pack mortar into them and give the joints a particular shape.
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS/XEPS) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Rigid Insulation Materials and R-Value
Rigid insulation similar to EPS but with greater compressive strength, suitable for foundation insulation below grade, rated R-5 per inch.
U-value (window rating) Carpentry and Building Construction, Windows & Skylights chapter, Energy Efficiency - Ratings section
A window energy rating that works in reverse of R-value: a lower U-value means less heat loss or gain and greater insulating performance.

Formulas to Know

Crawl-space ventilation net areaNet vent area = crawl-space area ÷ 150 (1 sq ft of venting per 150 sq ft of crawl space); example: 1,200 ÷ 150 = 8 sq ft
Excavation volume in cubic yardsCubic yards = (length + side clearances) × (width + side clearances) × depth ÷ 27; example: (40+2+2) × (26+2+2) × 7 = 9,240 cf ÷ 27 ≈ 342 cy
Gutter total drop at minimum slopeDrop = run (ft) × 1/16 in. per ft (minimum 1 inch per 16 feet toward downspouts); example: 32 ft × 1/16 = 2 inches
Roof rise and ridge elevation from pitchRun = span ÷ 2; Rise = run × (pitch rise/12); Ridge elevation = top-of-wall elevation + rise. Examples: 56' span, 6:12 → run 28', rise 14', ridge 9'+14'=23'; 63' span, 8:12 → run 31.5', rise 21', ridge 12'+21'=33'
Sloped rafter (top chord) line lengthRafter length = √(run² + rise²); examples: √(28²+14²)=31.30'; √(24²+12²)=26.8'; √(31.50²+21.00²)=37.86'
Roof slope in x-in-12 and slope angleSlope = rise ÷ run, expressed per 12 units of run (e.g., 12/24 = 0.5 → 6 in 12); Angle from horizontal = arctan(rise ÷ run) = arctan(0.5) = 26.6°
Hip roof ridge length (equal slopes, centered ridge)Ridge length = building Length − building Width; example: 60' − 36' = 24.00 ft
Actual sloped roof area from plan areaSloped area = plan-view footprint × slope-conversion factor (multiply, never divide); examples: 50'×40'=2,000 sf × 1.118 (6:12) = 2,236 sf; 24'×12'=288 sf × 1.031 (3:12) = 297 sf
Concrete volume in cubic yardsCubic yards = length × width × thickness (ft) ÷ 27, rounded up to order; examples: 200'×2'×1' = 400 cf ÷ 27 = 14.8 → order 15 cy; deck 720 sf × 0.333' = 240 cf ÷ 27 = 8.89 → 9 cy
Formwork contact area and marked-up labor priceContact area = length × form height × number of faces (200' × 1.0' × 2 = 400 sf); Labor = 400 sf × $1.25 = $500, × 1.25 burden = $625, × 1.15 O&P = $718.75
Average lot elevation and fill volumeAverage elevation = sum of corner spot elevations ÷ 4 ((4+3+2+3)÷4 = +3.00'); Fill cy = lot area × (finished elev − average existing elev) ÷ 27 = 6,000 sf × 1.00' ÷ 27 = 222.2 cy; Max elevation difference = highest corner − lowest corner = 4.00 − 2.00 = 2.00'
Masonry lap splice length (allowable stress design, IBC 2107.2.1)ld = 0.002 db × fs, but not less than 12 inches and not less than 40 bar diameters
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