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Hong KongNASCLA practice tests, used properly
Practice with the actual books, tabbed as they will be, and against the clock. A practice score from closed-book study or without a timer measures something the exam does not test.
The most common preparation mistake for this exam is practicing the wrong thing.
Practice the way you will sit
With the actual books. Tabbed as they will be tabbed. Against a clock.
Working questions from memory tells you what you know. It tells you nothing about whether you can find what you do not, which is the skill being examined.
Two modes
| Mode | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Untimed, books open, tabbing as you go | Learning and index building - weeks one and two |
| Timed sets of 25 | Building lookup speed - weeks three onward |
| Full 125 timed | Measuring readiness - weeks seven and eight |
It measures recall on an exam that does not test recall. Somebody scoring 60 percent closed book might pass comfortably with tabbed books, and somebody scoring 80 might run out of time.
What a good practice question gives you
The answer, the reasoning, and where it came from - book and provision. That last part is what builds your index.
A question that tells you only the letter is teaching you nothing you can use.
Weighting
A practice set should reflect the published counts: Procurement 31, General Requirements 25, Site Construction 15, and the rest thinly.
A set weighted evenly across twelve categories over-represents electrical eightfold and under-prepares you for the paper.
How many
Enough that you are not re-meeting the same ones, plus two full timed mocks on questions you have not seen.
Common questions
How should I use NASCLA practice tests?
With the actual books, tabbed as they will be, and against a clock. That is what the exam tests.
Is a closed-book practice score useful?
No. It measures recall on an exam that tests retrieval.
What should a good practice question give me?
The answer, the reasoning, and the book and provision it came from.
How should a practice set be weighted?
To the published counts - Procurement 31, General Requirements 25, Site Construction 15, and the rest thinly.
How many practice questions do I need?
Enough that you are not re-meeting the same ones, plus two full timed mocks on unseen questions.