You've probably heard it all: the secret to passing your contractor NASCLA exam is preparation. Truth is, not all preparation is created equal. You have to prepare the right way. Go back to the last exam you took and failed the first time. Were you just not bright enough? Maybe not. Maybe you thought you lacked knowledge? No. Most probably, you didn't prepare for that test properly.

​

Here are the three secrets to passing your contractor exam:

​

Do your homework. 

​

Yes, you still have to do your homework. Begin online and look up contractor preparation courses on your subject. If you're going to be an electrical contractor, take notes. If you've already completed the South Carolina Residential Builders exam application, now is the time to look for the best courses you can take. You'll be happy that there are plenty of classes out there, both only and classroom-type.

​

Choose wisely.

​

After doing your research, read your notes and choose the best course. Take time to call your instructor and even former enrollees. Very importantly, know how the students performed on the test. This is probably the best indicator of how effective the class or course is. 

Have willpower.

​

After getting your course and sample tests, make sure you actually set a fixed and regular schedule of study. No matter how good your materials are or how much you paid for your review classes, they won't get you anywhere unless you actually commit to studying. Are you aware that more than half of people who take online contractor prep courses didn't even bother to get an ID and password? Preparing the right way means being committed to achieving your goal, which is to pass the test. Even if you go to a conventional classroom course, you have to review your materials before taking the exam. Make sure you allot time for yourself and treat yourself after each study session. And be realistic about what you can cover. Otherwise, you will only end up frustrated and that may just kill your drive to continue.

​

Finally,  never underestimate the possibility of the test coming out totally different from what most people prepare for. You should always leave some room for the unexpected. That means exploring your limits and opening yourself up to a wider area of study. The idea is to be prepared for anything and everything. There's no use thinking you'll get a perfect score (although it's not impossible), but you want to be as ready for the exam as you can ever be.

​

For more details, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contractor.