ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) Exam (2018 IBC/IRC) Practice Exam
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- 80 questions (same as real exam)
- 240 minute time limit
- 4 topic areas covered
- 399 questions in pool
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ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 80This practice exam is built around the official content outline for the ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) exam: Permits and General Regulations, Building Planning and Life Safety, Structural Systems, Building Envelope.
There are two ways to practice. The free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, and you can take it as many times as you like. The full practice exam gives you 80 questions on a 4 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank each time.
Permits and General Regulations 17 items
Our study plan for this topic: Regulations and Job Planning; Code Definitions and Terms; Permit application requirements and procedures; Work exempt from permit requirements; Building official duties, powers, and authority; Required inspections and inspection sequence; Certificate of occupancy issuance and requirements; Stop work orders and violation enforcement.
Building Planning and Life Safety 24 items
Our study plan for this topic: Use & Occupancy & Types of Construction; Fire & Smoke Alarms & Fire Protection Systems; Occupancy Needs & Interior Environment; Exiting & Means of Egress; Accessibility; Building height and area limitations by occupancy and construction type; Allowable story counts and sprinkler system increases; Fire-resistance ratings for building elements and exterior walls.
Structural Systems 33 items
Our study plan for this topic: Footings and Foundations; Concrete; Floors; Wall Framing and Stairs; Roof Ceiling Construction Roof Assembly; Masonry; Structural loads and load combinations (dead, live, wind, snow, seismic); Wall bracing methods and braced wall panel requirements.
Building Envelope 6 items
Our study plan for this topic: Interior Finishes; Glass and Glazing; Exterior Finishes and Roof Coverings; Water-resistive barriers and vapor retarders in exterior walls; Flashing requirements and locations (walls and roofs); Roof covering types, slope requirements, and minimum installation standards; Underlayment types, application, and attachment requirements; Roof drainage, scuppers, and secondary overflow systems.
Sample 1 — Structural Systems
Question: An air-entrained exterior concrete slab on a commercial site has just completed its initial moist curing and will be exposed to freezing and thawing. To protect freeze-thaw resistance, the concrete should be allowed to air dry for at least how long before freeze-thaw exposure?
- A. 7 days
- B. 30 days
- C. 60 days
- D. 14 days
Correct Answer: B
Per the Concrete Manual, Section 4.11, in addition to properly air-entrained concrete, good quality aggregate, a low water-cement ratio and proper finishing and curing, the concrete should be allowed to air dry at least 30 days after initial moist curing and prior to freeze-thaw exposure. Section 4.12 adds that prolonged moist curing without an intervening drying period can fill the air voids with water and reduce the durability imparted by entrained air.
Reference: Concrete Manual (2015 IBC / ACI 318-14), Chapter 4 — Section 4.11 (Typical Problems — Scaling) and Section 4.12
Sample 2 — Building Planning and Life Safety
Question: A platform lift is being installed in a residential project. Which standard governs the platform lift installation?
- A. ASME A17.1/CSA B44
- B. ASME A18.1
- C. ICC A117.1
- D. NFPA 72
Correct Answer: B
IRC R321.2 states that where provided, platform lifts shall comply with ASME A18.1. ASME A17.1/CSA B44 applies to elevators (R321.1), and ICC A117.1 applies where the lift is part of a required accessible route (R321.3).
Reference: IRC 2018 Chapter 3 — Sections R321.1 through R321.3 (Elevators and platform lifts)
Sample 3 — Permits and General Regulations
Question: On a commercial project, the building official grants a modification for an individual case because strict application of a code provision creates a practical difficulty. What must be done with the details of the action granting that modification?
- A. Entered in the files of the department of building safety
- B. Noted on the certificate of occupancy at completion
- C. Ratified by the board of appeals at its next meeting
- D. Attached to the construction documents kept at the site
Correct Answer: A
IBC Section 104.10 permits the building official to grant modifications where practical difficulties exist, provided the modification complies with the intent of the code and does not lessen health, accessibility, life and fire safety or structural requirements. The section further requires that the details of the action granting the modification be recorded and entered in the files of the department of building safety. No ratification by the board of appeals is required.
Reference: IBC 2018 Chapter 1 (Scope and Administration), Section 104.10
Your first score is just a starting point. After every attempt, the results page shows how you did on each outline topic, so you can see what to work on next. Compare your score with the real exam's passing score, 70% correct, and keep at it until you pass consistently.
- Start with the questions you know. Go through the whole exam once and bookmark anything you're unsure about. Our practice exams let you bookmark and come back.
- Circle back to your bookmarks on the second pass.
- Keep an eye on your pace. The real exam works out to about 3 minutes per question.
- Turn every miss into a lesson. After each attempt, look up each missed question's reference in your book and read the section.
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | 70% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $120 |
- Results for examinations taken electronically are available immediately after the examination is completed.
- You must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
Source: National Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, PUBLISHED June 30, 2026; ICC Exam Catalog, checked October 2, 2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.