HAWAII GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR
(CLASS B) EXAMINATION COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
The Hawaii General Building Contractor (Class B) examination is administered for
applicants seeking licensure as a general building contractor in Hawaii. The exam evaluates
competency in building construction, project management, estimating, safety, structural
systems, sitework, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, and related construction practices.
Candidates must also pass a separate Business and Law examination covering Hawaii
contracting regulations and business operations. The trade examination is closed-book,
contains approximately 80 questions, and assesses knowledge required to supervise and
construct residential and commercial building projects.
Exam Coverage
Plan Reading and Specifications
o Interpreting blueprints, elevations, details, schedules, and construction
documents.
Estimating and Quantity Takeoffs
o Calculating labor, material quantities, equipment costs, and project budgets.
Site Preparation and Earthwork
o Excavation, grading, compaction, drainage, and foundation preparation.
Concrete Construction
o Mix design, placement, curing, reinforcement, formwork, and quality control.
Masonry Construction
o Block, brick, mortar systems, reinforcing methods, and installation
procedures.
Carpentry and Framing
, o Structural framing, floor systems, walls, roofs, and wood construction
practices.
Doors, Windows, and Finishes
o Installation methods, flashing, weatherproofing, and finish requirements.
Roofing Systems
o Roofing materials, drainage systems, flashing, and waterproofing principles.
Structural Steel
o Steel framing, connections, erection procedures, and load considerations.
Safety Practices
o OSHA requirements, fall protection, excavation safety, PPE, and hazard
prevention.
Project Supervision
o Scheduling, inspections, coordination of trades, and quality assurance.
Building Codes and Standards
o Compliance with applicable building regulations and construction standards.
1.
A contractor discovers soft, unstable soil during
excavation for a commercial building foundation. What
should be done FIRST before proceeding with concrete
placement?
A. Increase concrete strength only
B. Continue construction as planned
C. Evaluate and correct unsuitable soil conditions
D. Install roofing materials
Answer: C
,Rationale: Foundation support depends on adequate soil
bearing capacity. Unsuitable soils require correction before
construction proceeds.
2.
When reviewing a blueprint, which drawing most
commonly shows the arrangement of rooms, walls, doors,
and dimensions?
A. Foundation detail
B. Floor plan
C. Roof framing schedule
D. Elevation note
Answer: B
Rationale: Floor plans provide the primary layout of
interior spaces and dimensions.
3.
A superintendent needs to determine the amount of
concrete required for a rectangular slab. Which
information is most essential?
A. Paint color and finish schedule
B. Slab length, width, and thickness
, C. Roofing material weight only
D. Door hardware specifications
Answer: B
Rationale: Concrete volume calculations require slab
dimensions including thickness.
4.
During concrete placement on a hot day, which action best
helps prevent rapid moisture loss?
A. Delay reinforcement installation
B. Remove forms immediately
C. Apply curing measures promptly
D. Reduce slab thickness
Answer: C
Rationale: Proper curing minimizes cracking and preserves
concrete strength.
5.
A masonry wall requires reinforcement for additional
structural capacity. Which component provides that
reinforcement?
(CLASS B) EXAMINATION COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
The Hawaii General Building Contractor (Class B) examination is administered for
applicants seeking licensure as a general building contractor in Hawaii. The exam evaluates
competency in building construction, project management, estimating, safety, structural
systems, sitework, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, and related construction practices.
Candidates must also pass a separate Business and Law examination covering Hawaii
contracting regulations and business operations. The trade examination is closed-book,
contains approximately 80 questions, and assesses knowledge required to supervise and
construct residential and commercial building projects.
Exam Coverage
Plan Reading and Specifications
o Interpreting blueprints, elevations, details, schedules, and construction
documents.
Estimating and Quantity Takeoffs
o Calculating labor, material quantities, equipment costs, and project budgets.
Site Preparation and Earthwork
o Excavation, grading, compaction, drainage, and foundation preparation.
Concrete Construction
o Mix design, placement, curing, reinforcement, formwork, and quality control.
Masonry Construction
o Block, brick, mortar systems, reinforcing methods, and installation
procedures.
Carpentry and Framing
, o Structural framing, floor systems, walls, roofs, and wood construction
practices.
Doors, Windows, and Finishes
o Installation methods, flashing, weatherproofing, and finish requirements.
Roofing Systems
o Roofing materials, drainage systems, flashing, and waterproofing principles.
Structural Steel
o Steel framing, connections, erection procedures, and load considerations.
Safety Practices
o OSHA requirements, fall protection, excavation safety, PPE, and hazard
prevention.
Project Supervision
o Scheduling, inspections, coordination of trades, and quality assurance.
Building Codes and Standards
o Compliance with applicable building regulations and construction standards.
1.
A contractor discovers soft, unstable soil during
excavation for a commercial building foundation. What
should be done FIRST before proceeding with concrete
placement?
A. Increase concrete strength only
B. Continue construction as planned
C. Evaluate and correct unsuitable soil conditions
D. Install roofing materials
Answer: C
,Rationale: Foundation support depends on adequate soil
bearing capacity. Unsuitable soils require correction before
construction proceeds.
2.
When reviewing a blueprint, which drawing most
commonly shows the arrangement of rooms, walls, doors,
and dimensions?
A. Foundation detail
B. Floor plan
C. Roof framing schedule
D. Elevation note
Answer: B
Rationale: Floor plans provide the primary layout of
interior spaces and dimensions.
3.
A superintendent needs to determine the amount of
concrete required for a rectangular slab. Which
information is most essential?
A. Paint color and finish schedule
B. Slab length, width, and thickness
, C. Roofing material weight only
D. Door hardware specifications
Answer: B
Rationale: Concrete volume calculations require slab
dimensions including thickness.
4.
During concrete placement on a hot day, which action best
helps prevent rapid moisture loss?
A. Delay reinforcement installation
B. Remove forms immediately
C. Apply curing measures promptly
D. Reduce slab thickness
Answer: C
Rationale: Proper curing minimizes cracking and preserves
concrete strength.
5.
A masonry wall requires reinforcement for additional
structural capacity. Which component provides that
reinforcement?
