Preparing for the NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) exam requires proper preparation. A NASCLA exam prep course will ensure that you test your skills to understand how prepared you are. This exam is designed to ensure that contractors possess the necessary knowledge and skills to operate successfully and safely. However, many candidates fall into common traps that can hinder their chances of passing.
Knowing some best practices to prepare for the NASCLA exam is critical to your success. Preparing for this exam in the right ways will allow you to approach it with confidence. Having an understanding of best practices to focus on while studying can boost your confidence on the exam so that you feel more at ease on test day. Also, knowing mistakes to avoid during the study and application process can also be beneficial to your test taking. Here are five common mistakes to avoid during your NASCLA exam preparation.
1. Underestimating the NASCLA Exam’s Difficulty
One of the most significant mistakes candidates make is underestimating the complexity and scope of the NASCLA exam. The NASCLA exam covers 23 books and documents. This is an open book exam, so you are expected to be knowledgeable in each book. Knowing how to swiftly navigate through the books to find the best answer to each question will give you a much better outcome. Many candidates do not properly estimate the difficulty of the exam which leads to inadequate study habits. This will greatly increase your lack of confidence and exam anxiety on test day.
The exam covers a broad range of topics, including business and finance, project management, safety, and various trade-specific knowledge areas. Assuming that your field experience alone is enough can lead to inadequate preparation. While having field experience is helpful, knowing the details of each book is more crucial to your success. To avoid this mistake, thoroughly review the exam content outline provided by NASCLA and use comprehensive study materials tailored to the exam.
2. Inadequate Study Plan
Creating a structured study plan is crucial for success, yet many candidates either do not plan their study time effectively or start too late. It is important to set aside time to study regularly rather than crammed, stressful study sessions. Without a well-organized study schedule, you may find yourself cramming at the last minute. This is not conducive to long-term retention or understanding of the material.
To avoid this pitfall, start your preparation early and break down the content into manageable sections. Allocate specific times each day or week for studying different topics and stick to your schedule. Also, breaking down the exam into bite size pieces, book by book, can help you to stay focused and motivated during your study time. Some books require a more significant amount of studying than others. Properly planning to study the lesser books on busy days and the longer books on days you have more time can also help you to feel more relaxed while studying.
3. Not Believing in NASCLA Exam Prep Courses
As noted, the NASCLA exam is made up of 23 books. Learning material from 23 books can be a daunting task. Learning material from 23 books on your own, with no help, can be a recipe for failure. Having a course to guide you through each book and provide practice exams can tremendously help you to pass. Not only can a course help you to pass, but it can also cut your studying time down significantly. Having guidance to help you through each book is much more efficient than going about the studying on your own.
There are numerous NASCLA prep courses online and in person. Do your research on NASCLA prep courses to see which one is best for you. Be sure to research cost of the course and the value that it will bring to you. Reach out to the course providers as they are happy to have a sales rep call you to break down the course itself.
NASCLA PRACTICE EXAM & PREP COURSE
4. Ignoring Practice Exams
A NASCLA exam prep course will tremendously speed up your quality study time. Also, practice exams are an invaluable tool in preparing for the NASCLA exam, but some candidates either skip them or do not use them effectively. Practice exams not only familiarize you with the format and timing of the real test but also help identify areas where you need further review. To make the most of practice exams, take them under exam-like conditions, review your answers thoroughly, and understand why you got questions wrong. This approach will help you build confidence and improve your performance.
In addition to just taking practice exams, it is good to take practice exams that tell you where each answer is in the books. This way you can go back through all of the answers that you got right and wrong to make sure you know where to find them in the book on the real exam.
5. Neglecting NASCLA Exam Prep Test-Taking Strategies
Knowing the material is essential, but so is having a strategy for taking the test. Common mistakes include spending too much time on difficult questions, not reading questions carefully, or failing to manage time effectively during the exam. To avoid these errors, practice effective test-taking strategies such as:
- Reading each question thoroughly before answering.
- Marking difficult questions and returning to them later.
- Keeping an eye on the time and pacing yourself to ensure you can answer all questions.
- Not flipping through multiple books on a single question
Developing these skills through practice exams can significantly improve your chances of passing the NASCLA exam.
Conclusion
Preparing for the NASCLA exam requires more than just knowledge of the subject matter; it demands careful planning, strategic study, and creating or researching test-taking strategies. By avoiding these common mistakes—underestimating the exam, failing to plan, neglecting online courses or practice exams, and ignoring test-taking strategies — you can improve your chances of passing the NASCLA exam on your first attempt. With the right approach and dedication, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a licensed contractor and advancing your career.