Taking the ICC B1 General Building exam in about 6 weeks and I'm trying to figure out if that's enough time. I've got about 2 hours each evening plus weekends. Passed my state journeyman test a few years back but the ICC format feels different - more code reference heavy than anything I've taken before.
I scored 62% on my first practice run through 2021 IBC chapters 1-6. I know I need 75% to pass and most people say aim for 80%+ before scheduling. Egress and occupancy classification are killing me - I keep confusing the assembly group subcategories.
My plan is to tab the IBC and IRC heavily and practice open-book speed. Has anyone taken B1 recently? I've heard it's strictly timed at 3.5 hours for 80 questions. Any section worth prioritizing over others?
Six weeks is doable if you're consistent. I passed B1 after 5 weeks at about 90 minutes a night. Tabbing your code book is the key - I used color tabs by chapter and shaved at least 20 seconds per lookup on the actual exam.
Don't underestimate structural loads questions - I got at least 12 of them on my attempt. Chapter 16 of the IBC is worth a dedicated weekend. I went in at 78% on practice tests and finished the real thing at 81%.
Occupancy classification got me the first time - failed at 73%. Second attempt I spent three days just on Table 302.1 and related exceptions. Passed at 79% on the retake.
Open-book sounds easier than it is because time pressure is real. Practice navigating the index quickly, not just reading content. I set a 2.5-minute timer per question during practice and it helped a lot.
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