Michigan Residential Builder Exam Prep – Practice Test 1 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Rationales
1. During planning for a residential project, which choice correctly applies this principle? PSI
Residential Builder passing score: The listed passing raw score for the Residential Builder
examination is 116.
A. 125
B. 100
C. 116
D. 110
✓ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PSI's current examination specification lists 116 as the passing raw score.
2. A contractor is preparing for the Michigan Residential Builder examination. Which answer is correct?
MIOSHA education: The approved prelicensure structure includes at least six hours on Michigan
construction safety standards/MIOSHA.
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 2 hours
D. 12 hours
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LARA lists six hours for Michigan construction safety standards.
3. Which option most accurately identifies the purpose or requirement described below?
Grounding/bonding: Grounding and bonding provide pathways for fault current and help stabilize
electrical systems.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Provide safe fault-current paths
C. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
D. Eliminate the need for all inspections
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: They serve related but distinct electrical functions.
4. Which statement BEST describes the following concept in a residential construction context?
Procurement lead time: Lead time is the time between ordering and receiving a material or equipment
item.
A. Eliminate the need for all inspections
B. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
C. Increase project cost without changing the work
D. Time from order to delivery
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Long-lead items should be identified early.
5. A Michigan residential builder is reviewing this issue. What is the BEST answer?
Change management: Changes should be evaluated for cost, schedule, scope, and approval before
implementation.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
, B. Evaluate cost, schedule, scope and approval
C. Increase project cost without changing the work
D. Eliminate the need for all inspections
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncontrolled changes create disputes and overruns.
6. During planning for a residential project, which choice correctly applies this principle?Roof
drainage: Roof drainage systems move water away from the roof and building.
A. Eliminate the need for all inspections
B. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
C. Increase project cost without changing the work
D. Move water away from the building
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Proper drainage protects roof and wall assemblies.
7. A contractor is preparing for the Michigan Residential Builder examination. Which answer is
correct?Float: Float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the relevant
completion milestone, depending on the schedule calculation.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
B. Increase project cost without changing the work
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
D. Allowable schedule delay
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Different types of float exist in scheduling.
8. Which option most accurately identifies the purpose or requirement described below?
Safety planning: A job hazard analysis identifies hazards and controls before or during work.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
B. Identify hazards and controls
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
D. Increase project cost without changing the work
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Planning helps reduce exposure to known job hazards.
9. Which statement BEST describes the following concept in a residential construction context?
Project Management education: The approved prelicensure structure includes at least six hours in
Project Management and Scheduling.
A. 4 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 2 hours
✓ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LARA lists six hours for this subject.
10. A Michigan residential builder is reviewing this issue. What is the BEST answer?
Air sealing: Air sealing reduces uncontrolled air leakage through joints, penetrations, and gaps.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Reduce uncontrolled air leakage
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
, D. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Good air sealing improves comfort and can reduce energy losses.
11. During planning for a residential project, which choice correctly applies this principle?Lien
concept: A construction lien is generally a security interest associated with qualifying unpaid
construction work or materials, subject to applicable law.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
B. Increase project cost without changing the work
C. Security interest for qualifying unpaid work
D. Eliminate the need for all inspections
✓ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lien rights and procedures are governed by applicable Michigan law.
12. A contractor is preparing for the Michigan Residential Builder examination. Which answer
iscorrect?
Concrete slump: Concrete slump is a field measure associated with consistency/workability.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
D. Consistency/workability
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Slump does not directly equal compressive strength.
13. Which option most accurately identifies the purpose or requirement described below?
Estimating direct cost: Direct material and labor costs are costs that can be traced to a specific project.
A. Eliminate the need for all inspections
B. Traceable project costs
C. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
D. Increase project cost without changing the work
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Direct costs are attributable to a particular job.
14. Which statement BEST describes the following concept in a residential construction context?Attic
ventilation: Attic ventilation can help manage heat and moisture when designed and installed as
required.
A. Manage attic heat/moisture
B. Eliminate the need for all inspections
C. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
D. Increase project cost without changing the work
✓ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventilation must not substitute for proper air sealing.
15. A Michigan residential builder is reviewing this issue. What is the BEST answer?
Permits: Required permits should be obtained before regulated construction work begins, subject to
applicable exemptions.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Obtain required permits before covered work
Answers with Rationales
1. During planning for a residential project, which choice correctly applies this principle? PSI
Residential Builder passing score: The listed passing raw score for the Residential Builder
examination is 116.
A. 125
B. 100
C. 116
D. 110
✓ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PSI's current examination specification lists 116 as the passing raw score.
2. A contractor is preparing for the Michigan Residential Builder examination. Which answer is correct?
MIOSHA education: The approved prelicensure structure includes at least six hours on Michigan
construction safety standards/MIOSHA.
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 2 hours
D. 12 hours
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LARA lists six hours for Michigan construction safety standards.
3. Which option most accurately identifies the purpose or requirement described below?
Grounding/bonding: Grounding and bonding provide pathways for fault current and help stabilize
electrical systems.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Provide safe fault-current paths
C. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
D. Eliminate the need for all inspections
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: They serve related but distinct electrical functions.
4. Which statement BEST describes the following concept in a residential construction context?
Procurement lead time: Lead time is the time between ordering and receiving a material or equipment
item.
A. Eliminate the need for all inspections
B. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
C. Increase project cost without changing the work
D. Time from order to delivery
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Long-lead items should be identified early.
5. A Michigan residential builder is reviewing this issue. What is the BEST answer?
Change management: Changes should be evaluated for cost, schedule, scope, and approval before
implementation.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
, B. Evaluate cost, schedule, scope and approval
C. Increase project cost without changing the work
D. Eliminate the need for all inspections
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncontrolled changes create disputes and overruns.
6. During planning for a residential project, which choice correctly applies this principle?Roof
drainage: Roof drainage systems move water away from the roof and building.
A. Eliminate the need for all inspections
B. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
C. Increase project cost without changing the work
D. Move water away from the building
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Proper drainage protects roof and wall assemblies.
7. A contractor is preparing for the Michigan Residential Builder examination. Which answer is
correct?Float: Float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the relevant
completion milestone, depending on the schedule calculation.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
B. Increase project cost without changing the work
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
D. Allowable schedule delay
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Different types of float exist in scheduling.
8. Which option most accurately identifies the purpose or requirement described below?
Safety planning: A job hazard analysis identifies hazards and controls before or during work.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
B. Identify hazards and controls
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
D. Increase project cost without changing the work
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Planning helps reduce exposure to known job hazards.
9. Which statement BEST describes the following concept in a residential construction context?
Project Management education: The approved prelicensure structure includes at least six hours in
Project Management and Scheduling.
A. 4 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 2 hours
✓ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LARA lists six hours for this subject.
10. A Michigan residential builder is reviewing this issue. What is the BEST answer?
Air sealing: Air sealing reduces uncontrolled air leakage through joints, penetrations, and gaps.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Reduce uncontrolled air leakage
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
, D. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Good air sealing improves comfort and can reduce energy losses.
11. During planning for a residential project, which choice correctly applies this principle?Lien
concept: A construction lien is generally a security interest associated with qualifying unpaid
construction work or materials, subject to applicable law.
A. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
B. Increase project cost without changing the work
C. Security interest for qualifying unpaid work
D. Eliminate the need for all inspections
✓ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lien rights and procedures are governed by applicable Michigan law.
12. A contractor is preparing for the Michigan Residential Builder examination. Which answer
iscorrect?
Concrete slump: Concrete slump is a field measure associated with consistency/workability.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
C. Eliminate the need for all inspections
D. Consistency/workability
✓ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Slump does not directly equal compressive strength.
13. Which option most accurately identifies the purpose or requirement described below?
Estimating direct cost: Direct material and labor costs are costs that can be traced to a specific project.
A. Eliminate the need for all inspections
B. Traceable project costs
C. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
D. Increase project cost without changing the work
✓ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Direct costs are attributable to a particular job.
14. Which statement BEST describes the following concept in a residential construction context?Attic
ventilation: Attic ventilation can help manage heat and moisture when designed and installed as
required.
A. Manage attic heat/moisture
B. Eliminate the need for all inspections
C. Replace the need to follow manufacturer instructions
D. Increase project cost without changing the work
✓ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventilation must not substitute for proper air sealing.
15. A Michigan residential builder is reviewing this issue. What is the BEST answer?
Permits: Required permits should be obtained before regulated construction work begins, subject to
applicable exemptions.
A. Increase project cost without changing the work
B. Obtain required permits before covered work
