Year 2 Exam Study Guide — master what the exam actually tests, concept by concept.
Construction sites are one of the most hazardous work environments in Canada. Fall protection, scaffold safety, struck-by and caught-in hazards are among the leading causes of fatalities. This section ensures you can identify hazards, apply controls, and know the regulations that protect workers.
Lap splice: bars overlap, stress transfers by bond; length = 40-60 × db. Memorize this formula and practise substituting values — exam questions often give you three variables and ask you to solve for the fourth.
length = 40-60 × db
Building codes, fire codes, and workplace regulations define the minimum standards that protect occupants and workers. These aren't guidelines — they're legal requirements. Knowing your applicable codes means fewer failed inspections, less rework, and a professional reputation that lasts.
Development length (ld): embedment needed for bar to develop design strength; table/formula per ACI. When solving calculation questions, always identify your known variables first, select the correct formula, and double-check your units before calculating.
Mechanical couplers: threaded ends screwed into coupler; efficient, full strength. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Structural calculations, material quantities, load calculations, and slope determinations are all part of journeyperson knowledge. These questions test your ability to move between units, apply geometric principles, and size materials correctly for the application.
Shear walls: diagonal reinforcement, boundary elements resist lateral loads. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Construction materials have specific strengths, limitations, and proper applications. Choosing the wrong adhesive, fastener, or structural member isn't just a quality issue — it can be a structural failure waiting to happen. Know your materials.
Rebar placement: bottom tension bars, top bars, stirrups (shear), epoxy-coated/black per spec. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Cover: concrete protects steel; minimum 2.5cm for interior, 5cm for exterior exposure. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Post-tension: jack and anchor tendons after concrete strength develops; reduces deflection. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Strength gain: 3-day strength ~25%, 7-day ~50%, 28-day ~90-100% of design strength. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Quality construction depends on proper sequence, technique, and workmanship standards. Whether it's concrete curing, wood framing, or tile installation — how you do it determines how long it lasts. These questions test the procedural knowledge that defines trade-level competency.
Manual benders: fixed or adjustable for various bar sizes; hydraulic for large quantities. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Anchor bolts: set in forms before pour to correct elevation; embedded length critical. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
All 10 exam concepts from this guide — test your recall before you sit the exam.