Maximizing Your Open-Book Exam Advantage

Electrical Exam Prep Tip #101: Maximizing Your Open-Book Exam Advantage

The Texas electrical exam is open-book, timed, and multiple-choice. While the open-book format may sound easier, it’s important to remember that time is limited, and you need strong strategies to maximize your chances of success.

The Power of Multiple-Choice Exams

Multiple-choice exams give you a better chance of selecting the correct answer—even if you’re not 100% sure. With careful thought and elimination, you can increase your odds of guessing correctly. Sometimes, you’ll see questions with answers like “none of the above” or “all of the above.”

Tip: Always Read All the Answer Choices

One of the most valuable electrical exam prep tips I give at our Texas seminars is simple but effective: always read all four answers. Sometimes, the question doesn’t provide enough information to pinpoint the exact National Electrical Code (NEC) article or location in the codebook. However, the answers often give clues, pointing you toward the right section of the Code.

For example, if a question asks about conductor ampacity but doesn’t specify the conditions, check the answer choices. One of them might hint at the correct NEC section where these conditions are covered, guiding you to the right answer.

Eliminate Obvious Wrong Answers

Another great strategy is to eliminate obviously wrong answers. Cross them out immediately. This narrows down your choices, making it easier to work your way backward to the correct answer. But, be cautious with calculation or formula-based questions. The exam often includes common wrong answers as options, anticipating that errors in your math may lead you there.

Prepare Effectively for the Electrical Exam

To get fully prepared, we recommend attending one of the exam prep seminars in Texas. In these seminars, they cover strategies like these in detail, along with every subject area included in the exam. Can’t attend in person? No problem. Get your hands on as many practice exams as possible. This will help you hone your skills and practice under real exam conditions from home.

Want more tips? Check out our next electrical exam prep tip in our blog!

Thanks for reading, and good luck!