General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
**Question 1.** Which blueprint symbol represents a door swing?
A) A solid line with a break
B) A circle with a slash
C) An arc with a dotted line
D) A rectangle with a diagonal line
Answer: C
Explanation: The arc with a dotted line indicates the direction and radius of a door swing on
architectural plans.
**Question 2.** When estimating concrete volume for a slab, which formula is correct?
A) Length × Width × Depth
B) (Length + Width) × Depth
C) Length + Width + Depth
D) (Length × Width) ÷ Depth
Answer: A
Explanation: Volume is calculated by multiplying the three dimensions: length, width, and depth
(height) of the slab.
**Question 3.** Title 24 primarily addresses which building requirement?
A) Structural load resistance
B) Energy efficiency standards
C) Fire resistance ratings
D) Accessibility compliance
Answer: B
Explanation: Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations sets energy efficiency standards for
residential and non-residential buildings.
**Question 4.** A permit is required for which of the following activities?
,General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
A) Installing interior trim
B) Painting interior walls
C) Adding a new load-bearing wall
D) Replacing a light fixture with a similar model
Answer: C
Explanation: Modifying structural elements such as a load-bearing wall triggers a building permit
requirement.
**Question 5.** In a quantity take-off, the term “board-feet” is used to measure:
A) Concrete volume
B) Drywall area
C) Lumber length
D) Plywood volume
Answer: D
Explanation: Board-feet is a unit of volume for lumber and plywood, calculated as thickness (in
inches) × width (in inches) × length (in feet) ÷ 12.
**Question 6.** Which crew is most likely to need a crane on a typical residential project?
A) Finish carpenters
B) Drywall installers
C) Roofing crew for truss placement
D) Interior painters
Answer: C
Explanation: Roof trusses are heavy and often require a crane or lift for safe and efficient placement.
**Question 7.** When evaluating a site, an easement that restricts building within 10 ft of a
property line is called a:
A) Setback
,General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
B) Right-of-way
C) Encroachment
D) Buffer zone
Answer: A
Explanation: A setback is a required distance between a construction element and a property line or
easement.
**Question 8.** The correct spacing for joist hangers on a 16-in. on-center floor system is:
A) Every 24 in.
B) Every 48 in.
C) Every 12 in.
D) Every 8 in.
Answer: B
Explanation: Joist hangers are typically spaced at 48 in. intervals to provide adequate support while
allowing for floor sheathing.
**Question 9.** Which wall component provides the primary shear resistance in a seismic zone?
A) Interior non-load-bearing studs
B) Shear wall with proper hold-downs
C) Exterior cladding
D) Ceiling joists
Answer: B
Explanation: Shear walls, when properly anchored with hold-downs, resist lateral forces caused by
earthquakes.
**Question 10.** The minimum rafter spacing for a residential roof using 2 × 6 rafters is:
A) 12 in. o.c.
B) 16 in. o.c.
, General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
C) 24 in. o.c.
D) 30 in. o.c.
Answer: B
Explanation: Standard residential roof framing uses 2 × 6 rafters spaced at 16 in. on-center to meet
load requirements.
**Question 11.** A roof pitch of 6/12 means the roof rises how many inches for every 12 inches of
run?
A) 4 in.
B) 5 in.
C) 6 in.
D) 12 in.
Answer: C
Explanation: A 6/12 pitch indicates a 6-inch vertical rise per 12-inch horizontal run.
**Question 12.** Which hardware is required to meet the IBC wind load requirements for a
wood-frame wall?
A) Nails only
B) Screws only
C) Metal straps and hold-downs
D) Adhesive anchors
Answer: C
Explanation: Metal straps and hold-downs provide the necessary connection strength to resist wind
uplift forces.
**Question 13.** The code-required maximum riser height for residential stairs is:
A) 6 in.
B) 7 in.
C) 7 ¾ in.
Exam
**Question 1.** Which blueprint symbol represents a door swing?
A) A solid line with a break
B) A circle with a slash
C) An arc with a dotted line
D) A rectangle with a diagonal line
Answer: C
Explanation: The arc with a dotted line indicates the direction and radius of a door swing on
architectural plans.
**Question 2.** When estimating concrete volume for a slab, which formula is correct?
A) Length × Width × Depth
B) (Length + Width) × Depth
C) Length + Width + Depth
D) (Length × Width) ÷ Depth
Answer: A
Explanation: Volume is calculated by multiplying the three dimensions: length, width, and depth
(height) of the slab.
**Question 3.** Title 24 primarily addresses which building requirement?
A) Structural load resistance
B) Energy efficiency standards
C) Fire resistance ratings
D) Accessibility compliance
Answer: B
Explanation: Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations sets energy efficiency standards for
residential and non-residential buildings.
**Question 4.** A permit is required for which of the following activities?
,General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
A) Installing interior trim
B) Painting interior walls
C) Adding a new load-bearing wall
D) Replacing a light fixture with a similar model
Answer: C
Explanation: Modifying structural elements such as a load-bearing wall triggers a building permit
requirement.
**Question 5.** In a quantity take-off, the term “board-feet” is used to measure:
A) Concrete volume
B) Drywall area
C) Lumber length
D) Plywood volume
Answer: D
Explanation: Board-feet is a unit of volume for lumber and plywood, calculated as thickness (in
inches) × width (in inches) × length (in feet) ÷ 12.
**Question 6.** Which crew is most likely to need a crane on a typical residential project?
A) Finish carpenters
B) Drywall installers
C) Roofing crew for truss placement
D) Interior painters
Answer: C
Explanation: Roof trusses are heavy and often require a crane or lift for safe and efficient placement.
**Question 7.** When evaluating a site, an easement that restricts building within 10 ft of a
property line is called a:
A) Setback
,General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
B) Right-of-way
C) Encroachment
D) Buffer zone
Answer: A
Explanation: A setback is a required distance between a construction element and a property line or
easement.
**Question 8.** The correct spacing for joist hangers on a 16-in. on-center floor system is:
A) Every 24 in.
B) Every 48 in.
C) Every 12 in.
D) Every 8 in.
Answer: B
Explanation: Joist hangers are typically spaced at 48 in. intervals to provide adequate support while
allowing for floor sheathing.
**Question 9.** Which wall component provides the primary shear resistance in a seismic zone?
A) Interior non-load-bearing studs
B) Shear wall with proper hold-downs
C) Exterior cladding
D) Ceiling joists
Answer: B
Explanation: Shear walls, when properly anchored with hold-downs, resist lateral forces caused by
earthquakes.
**Question 10.** The minimum rafter spacing for a residential roof using 2 × 6 rafters is:
A) 12 in. o.c.
B) 16 in. o.c.
, General B Contractor Trade Ultimate
Exam
C) 24 in. o.c.
D) 30 in. o.c.
Answer: B
Explanation: Standard residential roof framing uses 2 × 6 rafters spaced at 16 in. on-center to meet
load requirements.
**Question 11.** A roof pitch of 6/12 means the roof rises how many inches for every 12 inches of
run?
A) 4 in.
B) 5 in.
C) 6 in.
D) 12 in.
Answer: C
Explanation: A 6/12 pitch indicates a 6-inch vertical rise per 12-inch horizontal run.
**Question 12.** Which hardware is required to meet the IBC wind load requirements for a
wood-frame wall?
A) Nails only
B) Screws only
C) Metal straps and hold-downs
D) Adhesive anchors
Answer: C
Explanation: Metal straps and hold-downs provide the necessary connection strength to resist wind
uplift forces.
**Question 13.** The code-required maximum riser height for residential stairs is:
A) 6 in.
B) 7 in.
C) 7 ¾ in.
