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Practice and exam technique

Practice: metals, wood and thermal

Compiled by the Sitonce editorial team from the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, NASCLA's own published material and the federal standards named belowUpdated 2 min readFacts verified 4 September 2026
The short answer

Metals carries 5 questions and Wood and Plastics 8. Both are span-table and connection categories where finding the right table matters more than recalling a figure.

Thirteen questions between them, and nearly all of them a table lookup.

Four questions

Question 1

A wood joist span table gives allowable spans by species, grade, size and spacing. Which additional variable most commonly changes the answer?

  1. The fastener type
  2. The design load, since tables are published for specific live and dead load combinations
  3. The moisture content at installation
  4. The direction of the grain
Answer: B. Span tables are published per load combination. Reading a span from the wrong load table is the single most common error, and it is why the exam question usually states the loading in the stem. If the stem gives you a load, it is telling you which table to use.
Question 2

What does the grade stamp on dimensional lumber primarily convey?

  1. The mill of origin only
  2. The grade, species, moisture condition and grading agency
  3. The allowable span
  4. The treatment chemical
Answer: B. A grade stamp carries grade, species, moisture condition and the grading agency, and those inputs are what a span table needs. It does not give a span directly, which is option C's error.
Question 3

Structural steel members are most commonly connected in the field by which method?

  1. Riveting
  2. Bolting
  3. Adhesive anchoring
  4. Brazing
Answer: B. Field connections are typically bolted, with welding more common in the shop. Riveting is historical and appears in questions as a distractor for exactly that reason.
Question 4

Pressure-treated lumber is required in which of the following situations?

  1. All exterior framing
  2. Wood in contact with concrete or masonry, or exposed to weather and decay conditions
  3. Only in structural members
  4. Only below grade
Answer: B. The requirement is driven by decay exposure, which includes contact with concrete or masonry and exposure to weather. Option A overstates it and options C and D understate it.
Span tables punish speed

Four variables and several tables means picking the wrong row is easy and the wrong answer will be among the options. Read the stem twice, confirm the load case, then read the table.

What to have tabbed

  • Joist and rafter span tables, indexed by load case
  • Grade stamp interpretation
  • Nailing and fastener schedules
  • Treated lumber requirements
  • Steel connection types

Common questions

How many metals and wood questions are on the exam?

Five on Metals and eight on Wood and Plastics, so 13 of 125.

What is the common span table error?

Reading from the wrong load table. If the stem gives a load, it is telling you which table to use.

What does a grade stamp show?

Grade, species, moisture condition and grading agency - the inputs a span table needs.

How is structural steel connected in the field?

Usually bolted, with welding more common in the shop.

When is treated lumber required?

Where wood contacts concrete or masonry, or is exposed to weather and decay conditions.

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