WV General Contractor study plan

Map the four exam domains and weight each by percentage to build a personal priority list

Define the key terms of project delivery methods (design-bid-build, design-build, construction management) in your own words

List the components of a complete bid package and explain the purpose of each

Draft a one-page glossary of business and estimating vocabulary you must own

Compute quantity takeoffs for concrete, framing, and finishes from written dimensions

Apply waste factors and unit conversions to convert takeoffs into order quantities

Build a labor-and-material cost estimate for a small residential scope using a stated productivity rate

Distinguish direct costs, indirect costs, overhead, and markup in a written estimate

Calculate markup, gross margin, and break-even on a bid using provided numbers

Explain the difference between a bid bond, performance bond, and payment bond and when each applies

Identify the common causes of bid errors and describe a pre-submission checklist to prevent them

Compare lump-sum, unit-price, and cost-plus contract structures in writing

Sequence a sample project schedule and identify the critical path from a written task list

Describe how change orders, submittals, and RFIs flow through a project

Outline the records a contractor must keep for payment applications and lien protection

Explain the roles of owner, architect/engineer, general contractor, and subcontractor in a written summary

Match structural systems (wood frame, steel, concrete, masonry) to their typical applications and limits

Describe proper installation sequence for foundations, framing, roofing, and exterior finishes

Identify the correct material or assembly for a given written scenario involving moisture, load, or fire separation

Explain how codes and manufacturer instructions govern material selection

Interpret written code requirements for egress, stairs, guards, and fire separation

Select the correct PPE and fall-protection method for described site conditions

Identify excavation, scaffolding, and electrical hazard controls from written scenarios

Describe the purpose of permits, inspections, and the contractor licensing requirements

Explain OSHA employer duties for hazard communication, recordkeeping, and training

Outline a site-specific safety plan for a small commercial job in writing

Describe environmental controls for erosion, dust, and waste on a described site

Summarize West Virginia contractor licensing, lien, and contract requirements at a high level

Complete a full-length timed practice exam under test conditions

Review every missed item and write the rule or concept behind it

Re-drill the two weakest domains with focused problem sets

Confirm exam-day logistics, allowed materials, and scheduling