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Carpentry

Entry Level Assessment Blueprint

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Safety

  • Demonstrate safe material handling practices 
  • Display comprehension of workplace/job-site safety procedures (OSHA) 
  • Exhibit knowledge of SDS and personal protective equipment (PPE) 
  • Display understanding of hand tool safety issues
  • Display understanding of power tool safety issues

 

Tools and Accessories

  • Use and maintain hand tools
  • Use and maintain power tools 
  • Use and maintain measuring, layout, and marking tools 

 

Blueprint Reading and Estimation Skills

  • Demonstrate awareness of general building codes 
  • Display comprehension of dimensions and scales 
  • Read and understand various views and elevations 
  • Display understanding of symbols, lines, and details 
  • Extrapolate information from a set of plans 
  • Estimate materials quantities 
  • Demonstrate awareness of green building practices

 

Foundations, Forms, and Concrete 

  • Lay out foundation 
  • Construct and align footing and foundation forms
  • Install, brace, align, and remove formwork 
  • Understand concrete characteristics

 

Rough Framing 

  • Demonstrate understanding of floor systems
  • Demonstrate understanding of wall systems
  • Demonstrate understanding of roof systems
  • Calculate, lay out, and install stairs

 

Exterior Finish 

  • Identify and install cornice and trim 
  • Calculate and install roofing 
  • Identify, prepare, and install windows and doors  
  • Calculate, lay out, and install siding 

 

Interior Finish

  • Install insulation
  • Install and finish interior walls and ceilings 
  • Install interior doors 
  • Install standing and running trim 
  • Install cabinets and associated hardware

 

Carpentry Related Mathematics 

  • Perform basic mathematical operations: whole numbers, fractions, and decimals 
  • Perform linear, square, and cubic computations
  • Perform algebraic and geometric functions 

 

Written Assessment: 

Administration Time: 3 hours   

Number of Questions: 170

 

Areas Covered:

Safety: 15%

Tools and Accessories: 9%

Blueprint Reading and Estimation Skills: 18%

Foundations, Forms, and Concrete: 7%

Rough Framing: 16%

Exterior Finish: 13%

Interior Finish: 13%

Carpentry Related Mathematics: 9%

 

Sample Questions:

Trimmer studs strengthen the sides of an opening and bear the direct weight of the 

  1. wall
  2. header
  3. window
  4. sill

 

Hinges and a track are used in what type of door system?

  1. pocket
  2. swinging
  3. bifold
  4. bypass

 

Which saw is used to cut an inside corner using base molding?

  1. compass saw
  2. coping saw
  3. hack saw
  4. zip saw

 

If pine boards are sold for $800.00 per 1,000 board feet, what is the cost to purchase 550

board feet?

  1. $440.00
  2. $460.00
  3. $480.00
  4. $500.00

 

Three types of valley shingle installation are

  1. open, woven, and closed-cut
  2. Dutch cut, French cut, and English cut
  3. half-lap, side-lap, and top-lap
  4. cal-fil, wainscoat, and overlap

 

With vinyl siding, which of the following is normally installed last?

  1. J-channel
  2. corner pieces
  3. siding panels
  4. starter strip

Use ______ nails when installing exterior trim to prevent corrosion.

  1. sinker
  2. galvanized
  3. steel
  4. resin-coated box

 

Riser dimension plus tread dimension should fall between

  1. 16 to 17 inches
  2. 17 to 18 inches
  3. 18 to 19 inches
  4. 16 to 19 inches

 

The top and bottom metal framing members are referred to as 

  1. conduit
  2. ducts
  3. jambs
  4. track

 

The chemical reaction that occurs between water and cement is called

  1. evaporation
  2. aging
  3. hydration
  4. drying

 

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes 

Number of Jobs: 7

 

Areas Covered: 

9% Tool and Material Identification Participant will accurately identify a variety of tools and materials, including saws, bits, saw blades, wrenches, nails, fasteners, lumber, finishing, layout, and marking tools.

13% Square Layout 

Participant will use the appropriate equipment and techniques to lay out and chalk a square.

 

12% Establish a Starting Course for Vinyl Siding Using a Builder’s Level Participant will properly set up and use a builder’s level to establish a level chalk line for the starting course of vinyl siding on a wall.  

 

17% Blueprint Reading and Exterior Sole Plate Layout 

Participant will lay out a sole plate according to instructions and include all necessary markings.

 

19% Rafter Layout 

Participant will lay out one common rafter using provided plans and materials showing all necessary corrections and adjustments.

 

11% Stairway Stringer 

Participant will layout a 3-tread stringer according to instructions and record correct number of risers, treads, and measurements.

 

19% Interior Frame 

Participant will install an interior frame in a given opening using appropriate procedures, tools, and equipment.

Sample Job:

Square Layout 

Maximum Time: 20 minutes 

Participant Activity: The test participant will chalk out a 12-foot by 12-foot square using blue chalk and placing blocks at the corners, as shown in the drawing provided.