About this B — General Building prep
This prep is built specifically for the B — General Building examination and includes a 21,000+-word study guide written for this exam, 5 full-length practice exams and 529 practice questions, each with a written explanation.
The CSLB B General Building trade examination is administered by CSLB / PSI. Closed book, 3.5 hours. CSLB does not publish scored Q or pass %. Practice 5×100 Q / 210 min. Mix from B study guide (exams on/after 1/1/2025): Planning 15, Framing 20, Core Trades 30, Finish 20, Safety 15. Law is a separate exam. Not 115/73.. This prep is written to that board’s current scope, not to a generic national syllabus.
The real B — General Building exam contains 100 questions. Our practice exams mirror that structure so the format is familiar before you sit it.
Topics covered
- How this guide works
- CSLB B trade sitting — official study guide (exams on or after 1 January 2025)
- Planning and Estimating — 15% of the exam
- Framing and Structural Components — 20% of the exam
- Additional California Building / Residential / Electrical Code & Safety Sections
- Key Code Sections the Exam Tests
- Core Trades — 30% of the exam
- Finish Trades — 20% of the exam
- Quick Reference: Key Numbers to Memorize
- Safety — 15% of the exam
- Business & Law — tested on a separate exam
- Code reference and general knowledge
- Study Tips for Exam Day
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. Access starts when you enrol and 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.
What is actually on the B exam
CSLB divides the General Building (B) examination into five sections. These weightings are the Board’s own, taken from the study guide it publishes for this classification — they are not our estimate:
| Section | Share of exam |
|---|---|
| Planning and Estimating | 15% |
| Framing and Structural Components | 20% |
| Core Trades | 30% |
| Finish Trades | 20% |
| Safety | 15% |
The B examination 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.
This is only half of what you sit. Every applicant also passes the separate Law and Business examination, which is not part of the B paper and is weighted on its own outline. Budget preparation time for both.
Source: CSLB General Building (B) examination study guide. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CSLB.