g/apprentice • Posted by u/journeyman_hopeful • 1 months ago

Just passed my journeyman exam — what I wish I'd done differently in year 4

Tested out last week. 82% first attempt. Here's what I'd tell 4th-year me:

Study the NEC like you use it, not like you memorize it. The exam is open book in most states (check yours). Knowing WHERE to find the answer is more important than memorizing it. Practice with a tabbed code book, not a study guide.

Do practice problems under time pressure. The exam pacing is the surprise. I could answer every question given unlimited time. Pacing under the actual time limit was harder than the material.

Apprenticeship hours vs actual skill hours are different things. I logged hours on jobs where I carried material all day. Those hours count on paper but not in terms of skill. Volunteer for the technical work, even if it means slower jobsite progress.

The exam is about the code, not about field practice. Some field practices are non-code-compliant and experienced. If your JW says "we do it this way," confirm the NEC section independently before using that as exam logic.

Anyone in late apprenticeship — happy to answer questions.

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u/nec_nerd • 1 months ago

The open-book tip is underused. Most exam-takers over-study memorization and under-practice navigation. A well-tabbed code book with handwritten notes in the margins is worth more than any study guide on exam day.

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u/admin_jake ADMIN • 1 months ago

Good writeup. "Apprenticeship hours vs actual skill hours are different things" is something I tell every apprentice when they get to my jobs. Push for the technical work. Nobody remembers who carried the wire spool.

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u/first_year_felix • 1 months ago

As a first-year: what would you prioritize learning in years 1-2? Conduit work? Panel work? Theory? Everything feels equally important and equally overwhelming right now.

u/three_phase_phil • 1 months ago

Congrats man. Solid advice especially the NEC navigation point. I've been practicing with my code book tabbed by article and it's already faster than the first time I tried to find anything in that book.