COMPLETE 2026/2027 VERSION WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
GRADED A+
Aligned with State Farm Estimatics Training Program Standards, Xactimate Software Proficiency Requirements, and Property
Insurance Claim Estimating Best Practices (2026/2027 Edition)
150 Multiple-Choice Questions | 8 Sections | One Correct Answer Per Question | Verified Answers and Rationales Follow Each
Question
Cognitive Coverage: 25% Recall | 50% Application | 25% Analysis
Section 1: Construction Basics & Building Materials (Questions 1-20)
Q1: In conventional platform (western) framing, which structural system forms the primary load path that
transfers roof, wall, and floor loads down to the foundation?
A. Exterior sheathing panels fastened to the outside of the walls
B. Gypsum wallboard ceilings and partition assemblies
C. Exterior finish materials such as siding and brick veneer
D. Sawn lumber framing members such as studs, floor joists, and rafters [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Platform framing relies on dimensional lumber studs, joists, and rafters to carry gravity and lateral loads to the
foundation, while sheathing, gypsum board, and finishes add rigidity or protection but are not the primary load path. State
Farm Estimatics methodology requires estimators to distinguish structural from non-structural components early because
scope documentation, demolition pricing, and repair methods differ substantially.
Q2: During an interior inspection, an estimator documents floor members constructed with oriented strand board
(OSB) webs bonded between sawn lumber top and bottom flanges. These engineered members should be
identified on the estimate as:
A. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
B. I-joists [CORRECT]
C. Open-web wood floor trusses
D. Glue-laminated (glulam) beams
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: I-joists are recognized by their OSB or plywood webs sandwiched between dimensional lumber flanges, and
Xactimate prices them as engineered floor joists distinct from solid sawn lumber. LVL and glulam are solid all-veneer beam
products, while open-web trusses use diagonal webs between chords. Misidentifying engineered lumber is a common
estimating error that changes both demolition and replacement costs.
1
,State Farm Estimatics Exam - 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Questions | Verified Answers & Rationales
Q3: Which engineered wood product is manufactured by bonding multiple layers of thin wood veneers with
every grain direction running parallel to the member length, and is most commonly used for headers, beams, and
rim boards?
A. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) [CORRECT]
B. Oriented strand board (OSB)
C. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
D. Particleboard core panels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: LVL is produced from stacked veneers all oriented parallel to the member length, giving it high bending strength
for header and beam applications. OSB uses cross-oriented strands to form panels, and MDF and particleboard are
non-structural composite products. Estimators must never substitute non-structural panel products for LVL line items when
scoping structural repairs.
Q4: A hail claim requires partial replacement of roof sheathing. Which statement about oriented strand board
(OSB) roof decking is most accurate for estimating purposes?
A. OSB is manufactured from cross-laminated sheets of peeled wood veneer
B. OSB panels are prohibited as roof decking under the International Residential Code
C. OSB is made of compressed, resin-bonded wood strands, and exposure-rated panels are acceptable roof
decking when installed per manufacturer specifications [CORRECT]
D. OSB carries a higher span rating than plywood in every application
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSB is composed of oriented wood strands bonded with resin under heat and pressure, and code-listed Exposure
1 panels are standard residential roof decking. Option A describes plywood construction, option B is false because the IRC
permits approved OSB sheathing, and option D overstates OSB performance. Estimators document decking type and span
rating because replacement pricing follows panel characteristics.
Q5: A detached garage slab measures 24 feet by 20 feet at 4 inches thick. Allowing 5 percent for waste and
uneven subgrade, approximately how many cubic yards of concrete should the estimator order?
A. 23.7 cubic yards
B. 25.0 cubic yards [CORRECT]
C. 21.3 cubic yards
D. 28.8 cubic yards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Volume equals 24 x 20 x 0.333 = 640 cubic feet, and = 23.7 cubic yards; adding 5 percent waste
produces about 24.9, rounded to 25.0 cubic yards. Selecting 23.7 ignores waste, while the other options reflect
added-thickness or percentage errors. Xactimate concrete line items are placed in cubic yards (CY), so unit conversion must
be completed before entering quantities.
2
,State Farm Estimatics Exam - 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Questions | Verified Answers & Rationales
Q6: For a standard 4-inch residential concrete driveway slab on grade, which reinforcement is most typically
specified to control shrinkage and temperature cracking?
A. No. 5 rebar spaced 12 inches on center in both directions
B. 6x6-W1.4/W1.4 welded wire mesh supported on chairs at mid-depth [CORRECT]
C. Post-tensioning cables stressed after initial curing
D. Half-inch rebar spaced 6 inches on center each way
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Light welded wire mesh or fiber reinforcement is the customary slab-on-grade reinforcement for crack control,
while heavy rebar mats and post-tensioning are reserved for structural or engineered slabs. Chairs hold the mesh at
mid-depth where it is effective rather than at the bottom of the pour. State Farm Estimatics pricing lists welded wire fabric
separately from structural rebar installation, so the correct identification protects both scope and cost accuracy.
Q7: Under American Concrete Institute (ACI) guidance, newly placed residential concrete should be kept
continuously moist for a minimum curing period of approximately:
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 3 days
D. 7 days [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ACI curing guidance calls for maintaining moisture for at least seven days so ordinary Portland cement concrete
can develop strength and surface durability. Twelve to seventy-two hours leaves the surface weak and prone to dusting,
while 28 days is the standard age for measuring full design strength rather than the minimum cure. Cure documentation also
helps estimators evaluate drying-related surface defects on later claims.
Q8: An estimator must calculate the stud count for a 40-foot-long interior partition framed at 16 inches on
center with single bottom and top plates. Excluding extra studs at openings and intersections, approximately how
many studs are required (one per bay plus one starter stud)?
A. 31 studs [CORRECT]
B. 30 studs
C. 40 studs
D. 24 studs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Forty feet equals 480 inches, and = 30 bays; adding one starter stud yields 31 studs. Using exactly 30
omits the end stud, while 40 and 24 reflect incorrect spacing conversions. Xactimate framing line items are priced per linear
foot or per each, so the estimator verifies field counts before finalizing quantities.
3
, State Farm Estimatics Exam - 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Questions | Verified Answers & Rationales
Q9: Which model code governs the construction of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more
than three stories in height in most U.S. jurisdictions?
A. International Building Code (IBC)
B. International Fire Code (IFC)
C. International Residential Code (IRC) [CORRECT]
D. National Electrical Code (NEC)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The IRC is the model residential code that most jurisdictions adopt, with local amendments, for dwellings up to
three stories, while the IBC covers commercial and larger multi-family buildings. The IFC addresses fire prevention and the
NEC governs electrical installation. Estimators confirm the adopted code edition and amendments because code-required
upgrades change the scope of repairs.
Q10: A county adopts the 2021 IRC but passes a local amendment requiring an ice-and-water barrier along all
eaves at every re-roof. When preparing the estimate for a covered full roof replacement, the estimator should:
A. Include the ice-and-water barrier as required by the locally amended code [CORRECT]
B. Exclude the barrier because the model code itself does not require it
C. Include the barrier only if the policyholder specifically requests it
D. Let the roofing contractor decide whether the barrier is needed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Local amendments modify the model IRC and carry the force of law, so a code-compliant estimate must include
eave ice-and-water protection where amended codes require it. Excluding it creates an underpriced scope and a predictable
supplement, while treating it as optional misstates the code. In Xactimate, the ice-and-water membrane line item is added per
eave linear foot in such jurisdictions.
Q11: Among common residential insulation products, which typically provides the highest R-value per inch of
installed thickness?
A. Fiberglass batts
B. Loose-fill cellulose
C. Expanded polystyrene rigid board
D. Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Closed-cell spray foam delivers roughly R-6 to R-7 per inch, exceeding fiberglass batts at about R-3.2, cellulose
at about R-3.5, and EPS board at about R-4. Because insulation is priced by R-value and coverage, selecting the wrong
product distorts both scope and cost. Xactimate insulation line items distinguish batt, blown, board, and foam products by
unit of measure and R-value.
4