California CSLB A — General Engineering Exam Prep

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Your access starts when you do: the days begin the first time you open the course, not at checkout (or 14 days after purchase, whichever comes first).

Business & Law is 75% off with this classification. Add it only if you want it, for the same term: $24.75 for 30 days, $32.25 for 60 days, $42.25 for 90 days.

Official sitting

California CSLB A General Engineering exam at a glance

The California CSLB A General Engineering exam has 100 questions and a time limit of 3 hours 30 minutes, and it is closed book. That works out to about 2.1 minutes per question. CSLB also requires a separate Law and Business exam. Figures are from CSLB’s published exam information.

Questions100
Time3 hours 30 minutes

Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not guarantee a passing result. Source: cslb.ca.gov. How we source exam facts

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What’s included

21,000+ word study guide

Worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, exam traps, a key-terms glossary and a 30/60/90-day plan.

5 full-length practice exams

Original questions weighted to match the topic mix of the real exam.

500 practice questions

Every one with a written explanation and the code section behind the answer.

Same study guide and four exams on every term. You are choosing how long you can log in.

Instant accessSecure checkoutBuilt on current codes
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What’s on the California CSLB A General Engineering exam

CSLB’s study guide divides the A exam into eight weighted sections. Subsurface, Surface, and Elevated Piping Work carries the most weight at 21%, and together with Safety (18%) it makes up 39% of the exam. Roadwork and Paving is the smallest share at 5%.

California CSLB A General Engineering exam sections and their share of the exam
SectionShare of exam
Planning and Estimating15%
Structural Principles6%
Earthwork and Surveying15%
Subsurface, Surface, and Elevated Piping Work21%
Foundation and Concrete Construction11%
Buildings, Structures, and Related Work9%
Roadwork and Paving5%
Safety18%

The A exam is closed book: no reference materials may be used during the test. Questions are multiple choice with four options, and there is no penalty for guessing, so leave nothing blank.

Source: CSLB General Engineering (A) examination study guide. These weightings are the Board’s own, not our estimate. Contractor Pathway is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by CSLB.

What this prep covers

  1. How this guide works
  2. Planning and Estimating — 15% of the exam
  3. Quick Reference Tables
  4. Structural Principles — 6% of the exam
  5. Earthwork and Surveying — 15% of the exam
  6. Final Study Tips
  7. Key Code Sections the Exam Tests
  8. Subsurface, Surface, and Elevated Piping Work — 21% of the exam
  9. Foundation and Concrete Construction — 11% of the exam
  10. Buildings, Structures, and Related Work — 9% of the exam
  11. Roadwork and Paving — 5% of the exam
  12. Safety — 18% of the exam
  13. Code reference & listed resources
  14. Exam day — CSLB A at PSI

Related California CSLB exams

Common questions about this exam

How many questions are on the California CSLB A General Engineering exam?

The California CSLB A General Engineering exam has 100 questions and a time limit of 3 hours 30 minutes, about 2.1 minutes per question. It is closed book. Check the current CSLB bulletin before you book.

Do I also need the Law and Business exam in California?

Yes. CSLB requires every applicant to pass the separate Law and Business exam in addition to the A trade exam. That exam has 3 hours 30 minutes. California CSLB Law & Business prep is 75% off when you add it to this classification for the same term.

How much practice does this prep include?

It includes 5 full-length practice exams and 500 practice questions in total. Every question has a written explanation naming the code section the answer comes from.

How long is the study guide?

The California CSLB A General Engineering guide runs to roughly 21,096 words in 14 sections, starting with “How this guide works” and ending with “Exam day — CSLB A at PSI”.

How long do I get access?

Choose 30, 60 or 90 days at checkout. Your days do not start at checkout: they begin the first time you open the course (or 14 days after purchase, whichever comes first). Access works on any device, and you can retake every practice exam as often as you like. Days remaining are shown in your dashboard and you can extend at any time.

Is this an official California CSLB A General Engineering exam?

No. This is independent preparation material. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any state licensing board or exam vendor, and it does not contain real exam questions. Always confirm current requirements with your licensing board.

About this prep

This prep is built specifically for the A — General Engineering examination and includes a 21,000+-word study guide written for this exam, 5 full-length practice exams and 500 practice questions, each with a written explanation.

How access works

You are paying for access length (30, 60, or 90 days). The study guide and four timed exams are the same on every term. Your days start the first time you open the course, not at checkout (or 14 days after purchase, whichever comes first), and access works on any device for that term.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by any state licensing board or exam vendor. For exam-preparation purposes only.