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.
Corrosion protection: epoxy bars, galvanized, A706 grades for salt/moisture environments. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
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.
Dowels: vertical bars at joint transfer horizontal shear (e.g., pavement expansion joints). Knowing what each component does — not just what it is — helps you diagnose failures, specify replacements, and explain your work to inspectors and clients.
Grouting: cement grout fills ducts protecting tendons from corrosion; must be done promptly. 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.
Hooks (90° or 180°): increase development length by ~25-30% in confined areas. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Couplers: congested areas, field splicing, prestressed bar connections. 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.
Stirrup spacing: d/2 at support (high shear), transitions to d/4 near middle. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Verification: concrete cover gauges, ruler checks, count bars, verify grade marks. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
Joints: designed at low-shear points (e.g., 0.4L from support in beams). 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.
Cold bending: small bars bendable; #8+ may require heating to prevent cracking. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Grade marks: deformed pattern on bar indicates yield strength (40/60/75 ksi). Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
All 10 exam concepts from this guide — test your recall before you sit the exam.