One of the biggest challenges electricians face on the licensing exam isn’t the math or even the tricky word problems—it’s confusing similar NEC Articles.

With hundreds of pages and overlapping topics, it’s easy to flip to the wrong section and waste precious minutes. Worse, picking the wrong Article can mean a completely wrong answer.

The exam is designed with this in mind. Instead of handing you questions that point straight to the index, many questions use wording that’s close enough to steer you toward the wrong Article if you’re not careful.

For example, you might see a question that sounds like a branch circuit rule when it really belongs in feeders. Or you might confuse grounding for services with grounding for separately derived systems.

Here are a few of the most commonly mixed-up areas:

• Article 210 (Branch Circuits) vs. Article 215 (Feeders): Both deal with supplying power, but the details are different. If you mix them up, you’ll size conductors or OCPD incorrectly.
• Article 230 (Services) vs. Article 225 (Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders): Service equipment questions look a lot like feeder questions, but the rules don’t always match.
• Article 240 (Overcurrent Protection) vs. Article 310 (Conductors for General Wiring): Conductor ampacity and overcurrent protection often overlap in calculations, but they live in different places in the Code.
• Grounding in Article 250: This Article covers everything from services to separately derived systems, and it’s easy to land on the wrong section if you don’t know the structure.

How to Stay on Track

• Highlight Part Headings: Mark Parts I, II, III, etc., in each large Article so you know exactly which section you’re in.
• Practice Cross-Referencing: When you look up a rule, double-check if it refers you to another Article. The exam often hides the real answer in a different section.
• Watch for Key Phrases: Words like “branch,” “feeder,” or “service” aren’t interchangeable. Pay close attention to the terminology in the question.
• Don’t Rely on the Index Alone: The exam is designed to make the index less helpful. Learn the layout of each Article so you can navigate faster without getting lost.

Confusing similar Articles is a common mistake, but it’s one you can avoid with practice. The more familiar you are with the NEC structure, the less likely you are to fall for “trick” wording.

If you’re serious about mastering these areas, our affiliate partners offer exam prep resources that dive deeper into NEC navigation, practice exams, and real-world tips. With the right preparation, you’ll be ready to spot these traps and answer with confidence.