Texas Electrician and Trade Exams (2026): Presented Questions vs Scored Questions

August 28, 2026

The Texas master electrician examination presents more questions than it scores, and the split matters for how you prepare.

108 presented, 100 scored, in two blocks

The paper is built from an NEC Knowledge block of 75 items and a Calculations block of 33 items. Eight of those 108 are non-scored pretest questions: five in the knowledge block and three in calculations. Your result is measured against the 100 scored items.

Two consequences. First, you cannot tell which questions count, so you answer all 108 as though they do. Second, your pass target is a percentage of 100, not of 108, so calculating against the presented total sets a harder goal than the exam does.

The two blocks reward different preparation

Knowledge questions are lookup speed with a tabbed 2023 NEC. Calculations are practice volume and knowing your tables cold. A single overall score hides which half let you down, so track your accuracy on each separately when you practice. Candidates strong on one and weak on the other tend to find out in the exam room.

Plumbing runs through TSBPE

Texas plumbing licenses are administered by the State Board of Plumbing Examiners through Pearson VUE, and both the journeyman and master papers include a practical or design portion alongside the multiple-choice section.

Neither TSBPE nor the Pearson VUE candidate bulletin publishes question counts. We checked the full bulletin, and secondary sources disagree with each other. We would rather tell you that than print a number, so confirm the current format with TSBPE at (512) 936-5200 before planning around a specific length. The same applies to the ACR/HVAC exam.

Texas exam prep

Before you register

Confirm the question count and time limit on the current bulletin for your exam.
Confirm the code edition named; it is pinned and a newer edition is not a substitute.
Confirm whether a separate business and law paper is required.