I’m taking the nicet level 1 test. Was wondering if anyone has any tips or just ideas as to what I should focus my studies on. Any help would be appreciated!
From what I remember you need NFPA 70 & 72. And I imagine you are taking the computer based test. So that’s all you can bring. Tab your 72. When I get home I’ll take a picture of mine and show you what I did. I believe the tabs must be permanent and not sticky notes. Your best thing to do is go through the entire test and answer all the questions you know first. Then go through and answer the questions you need to look up, taking no more then 2 minutes per question, skip the ones you cannot find. Then use your remaining time on those you skipped.
http://www.nicet.org/schedule-an-exam/cbt-reference-material/
You’re allowed NFPA 70 (2011) and NFPA 72 (2013), or any earlier versions but those are the recommended. These can be printed from a PDF and put into a 3 ring binder, but no loose sheets are allowed. Tab them like Lamba said, and HIGHLIGHT THEM! You’re allowed to highlight things.
Focus 99% of your studying on the NFPA 72, there won’t be a lot out of the 70. If there is anything out of the 70, it’ll probably be from article 760, the chapter 9 tables, or chapter 3. If you don’t know any of the 70 stuff, just take your best guess and flag it, if you have time spend some time looking it up (via the index in the NFPA 70). It’s worth highlighting the table of contents for the NEC 70, highlight the chapter 3 chapters relevant to fire alarm just to get familiar with it.
Do the same thing in the NFPA 72, highlight specific chapters you will use often, and keep in mind Chapter 2 - Referenced Publications. Any question asking about other codes, ANSI, etc. you’ll find descriptions of in that chapter and be able to answer easily. Focus a lot on Chapter 7, 10, more 10, 14, even more 14, 17, and 18. Don’t worry to much about the rest.
Keep in mind the appendix is explanatory material that explains what’s in the code, if you’re confused on something and it has an asterisks next to, that means there’s a corresponding paragraph in appendix A explaining that particular section of the code.
Use the index to look up keywords in the question to find whatever you need in the code, if you don’t already have a general idea of where its at.
Level 1 has a lot of generic questions too, like basic math, ohms law, english, trouble shooting skills, etc.
There’s a practice exam on the NICET website that’s worth taking if you’re unsure about the test.
Here is a picture of my NFPA 72 with tabs. Basically, tab every chapter. This way with the book closed you can quickly find the chapter on “Notification Devices”. The big thing with this test is being able to find things in the code book. Do not waste your time trying to memorize the code, that will drive you nuts! And you don’t need to. This is an “open book” test. Know where things are in the code book, how to use the code book (use the INDEX), and how to best manage your time during the test. Don’t waste more than 2 minutes on a question. Skip it and go to the next one. Sometimes, five questions up you will find the answer to the question that had you stumped a couple minutes ago.
Also, keep a copy of EVERYTHING you send to NICET. They will not provide copies without paying out the nose and you will need to keep track of things when you re-certify. If you may be looking into two or more certifications in the future, keep your work history consistent and don’t leave anything out. I made the mistake of not listing something on my initial certification and basically had to “loose” that part of my work history when I get certified in another field.
The questions for the test are, for the most part, pretty straight forward. For example:
Who is responsible for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of the system and for alterations or additions to the system?
(a) Tenant or occupying party of the building
(b) Property or building or system owner
(c) Contracted fire alarm service company
(d) Local authority having jurisdiction
(e) All of the above
You can find the answer in 2010 - 14.2.2.1
In a corridor application, visible appliances shall be rated not less then _____.
(a) 15 cd
(b) 30 cd
(c) 50 cd
(d) 75 ed
(e) 110 cd
Answer in 2010 - 18.5.4.4.3
And these are NOT questions taken from the test! Just examples of how they may word questions.
Check out this helpful website: http://www.firealarmcertification.com/
And index the NFPA books like shown above. Really helps navigate the book quickly.
My other suggestion, get NICET level 2 right away! Everything will be fresh in your mind.