10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The WV-GBC exam has 80 questions and runs 3 hours.
These 10 free WV-GBC questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the West Virginia General Building Contractor Trade Exam blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
An estimator is ordering concrete for a 30-by-24-foot slab with a general thickness of 6 inches. One interior thickened strip, 24 feet long and 2 feet wide, lies entirely within the slab footprint. Its total depth is 18 inches measured from the slab's top surface. Include a 5% allowance, then round up to the supplier's next 0.5-cubic-yard increment. What quantity should be ordered?
Correct answer: C - 16.0 cubic yards
Compacted fill must reach at least 95% of the ASTM D698 maximum dry density, with moisture content between 7% and 11%. The laboratory maximum dry density is 125.0 pounds per cubic foot. At one test location, the field wet bulk density is 130.8 pounds per cubic foot and the moisture content is 9% by dry soil mass. Which entry belongs on the acceptance report?
Correct answer: D - 96.0% compaction; meets the specification.
A concrete placement has a specified 28-day compressive strength of 4,000 psi. Three consecutive strength-test results are 3,650, 4,200, and 4,450 psi; each result is the average of two properly made, standard-cured 6-by-12-inch cylinders from one sample. Under ACI 318-14, what do these results establish?
Correct answer: B - The results meet both the consecutive-test average and individual-test acceptance criteria.
A reinforced masonry specification calls for f'm = 2,000 psi and Type S mortar. A reviewer rejects a mortar submittal solely because its reported ASTM C270 laboratory compressive strength is 1,900 psi, less than the specified f'm. What is the error in that comparison?
Correct answer: A - f'm is the masonry assemblage strength, not the mortar's required laboratory strength.
Inspection records show that the bolts in a slip-critical steel connection received the specified pretension. However, the contacting steel surfaces were coated throughout the bolt pattern with a shop primer that has not been qualified for slip resistance. The erector argues that the verified bolt pretension makes the primer irrelevant. Which assessment is correct?
Correct answer: D - The faying surfaces still require correction; verified pretension does not establish their slip resistance.
An AWS welding callout has a fillet-weld symbol below the reference line, a flag at the arrow/reference-line junction, and the notation '6-12' to the right of the fillet symbol. Dimensions are in inches. The foreman should direct the crew to make:
Correct answer: A - An arrow-side field weld with 6-inch segments spaced 12 inches center to center.
A roof-framing proposal would remove the lower rafter ties to create an open ceiling. The roof has a ridge board, not a structural ridge beam, and the existing collar ties near the ridge would remain. What load-resisting function of the lower ties would be lost?
Correct answer: A - Resisting the outward thrust of the rafters at the exterior walls.
The roof over an office addition has a 3:12 slope. Its asphalt shingles are approved by their manufacturer for that slope, and the specified underlayment is conventional felt. The installer proposes the ordinary single-layer felt application used on steeper roofs. Under the 2018 IBC, which revision addresses the slope-related requirement?
Correct answer: B - Use the required double-underlayment application and retain the asphalt shingles.
Final measurements on an enclosed office stair show risers ranging from 6-1/8 to 6-5/8 inches within one flight, rectangular treads 11-1/2 inches deep, 82 inches of headroom, and a circular handrail 36 inches above the tread-nosing line. Under the ordinary 2018 IBC stair provisions, which recorded condition requires correction?
Correct answer: C - The 1/2-inch variation in riser heights.
Workers are installing pipe in a 7-foot-deep sloped trench when a heavy shower ends. The competent person observes fresh cracks along the crest, new seepage, and soil beginning to slough from one face. Which action takes priority?
Correct answer: C - Remove exposed workers until necessary precautions have restored safe conditions.
The WV-GBC exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:
The full bank has 1,020 more WV-GBC questions with explanations.
Continue in the free practice test →
View plans