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

What's the best way to study for the journeyman exam without burning out?

Testing out in about 8 months. I've got Tom Henry's book and the Mike Holt comprehensive exam workbook. Every time I sit down to study I either fall asleep or get so frustrated that I quit after 30 minutes.

How do you guys actually study for the journeyman exam while working full days and having a life?

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u/panel_pete • 1 days ago

Mike Holt's video courses are worth the money if you're struggling to study from books alone. Understanding the why behind the code makes it stick better than flashcards. Watch 20 minutes on your lunch break, then do practice problems on the same topic at night.

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u/nec_nerd • 1 days ago

The most important thing: practice looking up code sections, not memorizing answers. The journeyman exam is open book (in most states). Your skill is finding the right code section fast, not knowing the answer from memory. Time yourself — you need to answer 80 questions in 4 hours, which is 3 minutes per question. Practice with the book in hand under time pressure.

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u/three_phase_phil • 1 days ago

Group study with other apprentices approaching the test is underrated. Teaching a concept to someone else is the best way to find out if you actually understand it or just think you do.

u/sparky420 • 1 days ago

Don't try to study for 2 hours — your brain will check out. 30-40 minutes of focused practice problems, every day or nearly every day, beats 3-hour sessions on weekends. Use your phone during lunch to knock out 10 practice questions. Consistency over intensity.