MA General Contractor study plan

Map the Massachusetts permitting sequence from application through certificate of occupancy, listing each inspection trigger point

Locate and tab the code sections governing egress, stair geometry, and fire separation in the current Massachusetts building code

Build a one-page checklist of documents a local building department requires at permit submittal

Compare three municipal inspection workflows and note where the code sets the floor versus local discretion

Write ten practice scenarios on permit violations and state the correct remedy for each

Read a full set of residential plans and transcribe floor-to-floor and wall-to-wall dimensions into a takeoff sheet

Calculate live and dead loads for two framing conditions and select compliant joist and rafter sizes from a span table

Describe correct header, trimmer, and king stud assemblies for three opening widths

Produce a quantity takeoff with waste factor for floor, wall, and roof framing on a small plan set

Identify code-required blocking, bracing, and connections at five designated plan locations

Draft the eight clauses every Massachusetts residential contract must contain, including lien and payment terms

Sequence the Massachusetts mechanics lien process from notice to recording, with the statutory time limits for each step

Write a fall-protection and excavation-safety plan for a two-story addition

List OSHA and Massachusetts requirements for scaffolding, ladder use, and housekeeping on an active site

Explain the difference between a change order and a construction change directive and draft one of each

Determine footing size and depth below grade for given soil and frost conditions

Specify backfill, compaction, and drainage details for a basement wall assembly

Identify soil types from a provided description and select appropriate excavation support

Describe formwork, reinforcement placement, and curing requirements for a slab and a foundation wall

Explain masonry flashing, weep, and anchor requirements at three wall conditions

Detail the ice dam protection, underlayment, and flashing layers for a roof in three exposure conditions

Compare wall assembly approaches and calculate insulation R-values needed to meet the Massachusetts energy code

Explain air sealing and blower-door testing requirements and where they apply in a renovation

Specify waterproofing methods for below-grade walls, wet areas, and deck transitions

Identify the most common envelope defects that fail a rough inspection

Sequence the rough-in order for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work relative to framing and inspection

Read an MEP plan set and flag the three most common cross-trade conflicts

State the clearance and ventilation rules for mechanical equipment in a residential basement

Reconcile a contractor's schedule with inspection hold points for all three trades

Re-check weak spots from weeks 4 and 5 with targeted practice questions

Re-drill the heaviest domains with timed question sets and log every miss by root cause

Reconstruct from memory the permitting, lien, and framing rules that were missed most often

Summarize each of the ten domains on a single page for final review

Practice explaining code reasoning out loud to build speed on scenario questions

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions

Review every incorrect answer and convert each into a flashcard

Re-read only the one-page summaries and the highest-frequency flashcards

Confirm test-day logistics, including identification and scheduling