Florida General Contractor Exam
Practice Test
1. What is the primary purpose of a construction contract?
A. To estimate labor costs
B. To provide project financing
C. To define the rights and responsibilities of the parties
D. To replace building codes
Answer: To define the rights and responsibilities of the parties
Rationale: A construction contract establishes obligations, expectations, scope,
payment terms, and legal protections for all parties involved.
2. Which document typically provides detailed information about materials
and workmanship?
A. Bid form
B. Permit application
C. Change order
D. Project specifications
Answer: Project specifications
Rationale: Specifications describe materials, installation methods, quality
standards, and workmanship requirements.
, 3. What is the minimum slope generally required for drainage away from a
building foundation?
A. 1 inch in 20 feet
B. 6 inches in 10 feet
C. 1 inch in 50 feet
D. Level grade
Answer: 6 inches in 10 feet
Rationale: Proper grading helps direct water away from foundations and
reduces moisture problems.
4. Which type of footing supports a load-bearing wall?
A. Isolated footing
B. Combined footing
C. Continuous footing
D. Mat footing
Answer: Continuous footing
Rationale: Continuous footings distribute loads evenly beneath load-bearing
walls.
5. Concrete gains most of its design strength after approximately:
A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 21 days
D. 28 days
Answer: 28 days
,Rationale: Standard concrete strength testing is based on a 28-day curing
period.
6. What is the purpose of reinforcing steel in concrete?
A. Reduce curing time
B. Improve appearance
C. Increase tensile strength
D. Prevent shrinkage
Answer: Increase tensile strength
Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension; steel
reinforcement improves tensile capacity.
7. A contractor discovers differing site conditions. The first action should be:
A. Ignore the condition
B. Proceed with work
C. Notify the owner according to contract requirements
D. Increase labor
Answer: Notify the owner according to contract requirements
Rationale: Contracts generally require prompt notice of unexpected site
conditions before corrective action.
8. Which roofing material typically has the longest service life?
A. Asphalt shingles
B. Wood shakes
C. Clay tile
D. Rolled roofing
, Answer: Clay tile
Rationale: Clay tile roofs often last several decades longer than many
alternative roofing materials.
9. What is the main purpose of a vapor barrier?
A. Increase insulation value
B. Prevent insect infestation
C. Reduce moisture migration
D. Improve structural strength
Answer: Reduce moisture migration
Rationale: Vapor barriers limit the movement of water vapor through building
assemblies.
10.Which framing member is designed to support loads over an opening?
A. Stud
B. Joist
C. Plate
D. Header
Answer: Header
Rationale: Headers transfer loads around door and window openings.
11.What does OSHA primarily regulate?
A. Tax collection
B. Environmental permits
Practice Test
1. What is the primary purpose of a construction contract?
A. To estimate labor costs
B. To provide project financing
C. To define the rights and responsibilities of the parties
D. To replace building codes
Answer: To define the rights and responsibilities of the parties
Rationale: A construction contract establishes obligations, expectations, scope,
payment terms, and legal protections for all parties involved.
2. Which document typically provides detailed information about materials
and workmanship?
A. Bid form
B. Permit application
C. Change order
D. Project specifications
Answer: Project specifications
Rationale: Specifications describe materials, installation methods, quality
standards, and workmanship requirements.
, 3. What is the minimum slope generally required for drainage away from a
building foundation?
A. 1 inch in 20 feet
B. 6 inches in 10 feet
C. 1 inch in 50 feet
D. Level grade
Answer: 6 inches in 10 feet
Rationale: Proper grading helps direct water away from foundations and
reduces moisture problems.
4. Which type of footing supports a load-bearing wall?
A. Isolated footing
B. Combined footing
C. Continuous footing
D. Mat footing
Answer: Continuous footing
Rationale: Continuous footings distribute loads evenly beneath load-bearing
walls.
5. Concrete gains most of its design strength after approximately:
A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 21 days
D. 28 days
Answer: 28 days
,Rationale: Standard concrete strength testing is based on a 28-day curing
period.
6. What is the purpose of reinforcing steel in concrete?
A. Reduce curing time
B. Improve appearance
C. Increase tensile strength
D. Prevent shrinkage
Answer: Increase tensile strength
Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension; steel
reinforcement improves tensile capacity.
7. A contractor discovers differing site conditions. The first action should be:
A. Ignore the condition
B. Proceed with work
C. Notify the owner according to contract requirements
D. Increase labor
Answer: Notify the owner according to contract requirements
Rationale: Contracts generally require prompt notice of unexpected site
conditions before corrective action.
8. Which roofing material typically has the longest service life?
A. Asphalt shingles
B. Wood shakes
C. Clay tile
D. Rolled roofing
, Answer: Clay tile
Rationale: Clay tile roofs often last several decades longer than many
alternative roofing materials.
9. What is the main purpose of a vapor barrier?
A. Increase insulation value
B. Prevent insect infestation
C. Reduce moisture migration
D. Improve structural strength
Answer: Reduce moisture migration
Rationale: Vapor barriers limit the movement of water vapor through building
assemblies.
10.Which framing member is designed to support loads over an opening?
A. Stud
B. Joist
C. Plate
D. Header
Answer: Header
Rationale: Headers transfer loads around door and window openings.
11.What does OSHA primarily regulate?
A. Tax collection
B. Environmental permits
