Mississippi Concrete Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

Mississippi Concrete Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

If you’re preparing for the Mississippi Concrete Contractor trade exam, you already know the challenge isn’t just “knowing concrete.” It’s knowing how to use the approved references efficiently, how to find answers under time pressure, and how to work through questions with confidence inside a computer-based testing environment.

The Mississippi Concrete Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course from 1 Exam Prep is built for the way the Mississippi trade exam is structured: an open book format where your success depends on fast navigation, smart practice, and a clear understanding of what each reference is used for.

This course focuses on the skills that matter on exam day—organized review, practice-oriented preparation, and methodical reference use—so you can walk into the PSI testing center with a plan.

Whether you’re coming from hands-on field experience, moving up into qualifying individual responsibilities, or tightening up your testing strategy after time away from exams, this prep course is designed to help you study with purpose and avoid wasted time.

Exam Details

The Mississippi Concrete trade exam is administered by PSI and is associated with the Mississippi contractor licensing process. For the Concrete classification, the scope of work is unlimited concrete work.

• Exam administration: PSI (computer-based testing)
• Exam format: Trade exam
• Number of questions: 50
• Time allowed: 2 hours
• Passing requirement: 70%
• Exam fee: $120 per examination portion (PSI registration fee)

Content areas shown for the Mississippi Concrete exam include:

• Safety: 6 items
• Concrete–Earthwork: 3 items
• Concrete: 15 items
• Concrete–Reinforcement: 10 items
• Concrete–Formwork: 12 items
• Concrete–Cutting: 4 items

This outline is a helpful guide for how to divide your study time: solid safety fundamentals, strong core concrete knowledge, and targeted preparation for reinforcement, formwork, and cutting topics.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors identifies Mississippi exams as open book and administered by PSI. For the Concrete classification, the trade exam is OPEN BOOK and allows approved reference materials in the examination center.

Open-book doesn’t mean “easy”—it means your score is closely tied to how quickly and accurately you can:

• Recognize what the question is really asking
• Choose the correct reference for that topic
• Navigate to the right chapter, table, section, or definition fast
• Verify the answer without losing time second-guessing

Reference materials may typically be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed prior to the exam session. However, references may not be written in, and candidates are not permitted to bring in additional loose papers with approved references. References may be tabbed/indexed with permanent tabs only; temporary tabs (such as Post-it notes) are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins.

A practical way to approach an open-book PSI exam is to train your “look-up” process during study. That’s why this course emphasizes reference navigation as a skill—not an afterthought.

Licensing Steps

Mississippi contractor licensing includes a Board eligibility process and PSI testing. While your specific path depends on the license type and classification you’re applying for, the general process is:

1. Request an application package from the Mississippi Contractor Licensing Board and complete the appropriate application.
2. Submit your application to the Board. Eligibility to test is determined by the Board.
3. Receive eligibility confirmation (PSI is notified by the Board, and PSI emails a confirmation notice).
4. Register and schedule your exam(s) through PSI after eligibility is confirmed. Candidates have 6 months from the date of eligibility to take the exam(s).
5. Take required exam(s), which may include the Mississippi Law & Business Management Exam and a trade exam based on classification.
6. Submit complete licensing materials to the Board for review and issuance after meeting all requirements.

Because the Board determines which examinations you are approved to take, it’s important to follow the eligibility instructions and keep your testing window in mind once you’re approved.

State Requirements

Mississippi contractors are licensed and regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. The Board determines exam eligibility, and PSI administers examinations through computer examination centers.

Key requirements and process notes include:

• Exam provider: PSI administers Mississippi contractor exams.
• Law & Business exam: Identified by the Board as required for all applicants, with a trade exam required based on classification.
• Eligibility and timing: New applicants seeking first-time licensure have 6 months from the date of eligibility to take the required exam(s).
• Exam fees: PSI registration fees are listed per examination portion.
• Open-book format: Mississippi exams are identified as open book, with reference materials specified in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

If you’re acting as the qualifying individual for a company, be prepared to follow Board instructions carefully and keep documentation organized during the application and testing process.

Reference Books

The Mississippi Concrete trade exam is open book, with specific reference materials identified for this classification. The online course is designed to help you study in a way that matches how these books are used on exam day—finding answers quickly, using indexes and tables efficiently, and recognizing which book applies to which type of question.

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Construction safety standards that support key exam questions on jobsite safety requirements, hazard recognition, and compliance-driven practices relevant to concrete operations.
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  Formwork planning and systems guidance, including practical considerations for forming, placing, and supporting concrete—highly relevant to the formwork portion of the exam outline.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  Concrete materials, proportioning, performance, and troubleshooting concepts that support mix design understanding and quality control. (On exam day, candidates should follow the specific edition listed in the PSI bulletin for the Concrete classification.)
• Sawcutting Joints in Concrete, Bruce A. Suprenant, 1995
  Jointing fundamentals and sawcut timing concepts that support the exam’s concrete cutting content area and practical decision-making around crack control.
• Sawcutting Concrete Flatwork, Rosalie Johnston, 1994
  Flatwork-focused cutting practices and considerations that reinforce jobsite planning and execution topics related to concrete cutting questions.
• Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting, 1981
  Concrete cutting efficiency concepts and practical insights that help connect field decisions to reference-driven exam questions.
• Tips for Cutting Concrete, 1987
  Practical cutting tips that help reinforce terminology, best practices, and application-focused knowledge often tested in open-book trade exams.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Code structure, terminology, and construction requirements that may support code-related questions and general construction context relevant to concrete contractors.

Test Information and Study Materials

Because the Concrete exam is open book, your study plan should prioritize two tracks at the same time:

• Knowledge track: Concrete fundamentals (materials, placement, reinforcement, and safety) so you recognize what the question is asking and what a reasonable answer looks like.
• Navigation track: Fast reference use—knowing where information lives in each book and how to locate it under pressure.

This course supports both tracks through structured preparation. You’ll work through concrete topics aligned with the exam outline—especially reinforcement, formwork, and cutting—while also practicing the exam skill that open-book candidates often overlook: efficient lookups.

To get more out of your open-book study time, your prep should include habits like:

• Learning each book’s table of contents, index style, and appendix layout
• Practicing common search paths (definitions, tables, safety requirements, and step-by-step procedures)
• Studying how questions are written so you can spot keywords that point to the right reference
• Training yourself to confirm answers quickly instead of reading entire chapters during the exam

Even experienced contractors can lose time on exam day if their references aren’t familiar. The goal is not to “memorize everything”—it’s to build reliable patterns for finding the right information fast.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep is designed to support serious tradespeople who want to approach testing with a clear plan. Instead of throwing random information at you, the course helps you build a repeatable strategy for an open-book PSI trade exam.

Here’s how the course supports your preparation:

• Organized, trade-focused study guidance: Study structure built around the Concrete exam outline so you’re not guessing what to prioritize.
• Practice-oriented preparation: You spend time applying concepts the way you’ll use them on exam day—recognizing the question type and choosing the correct reference path.
• Reference navigation mindset: Open-book exams reward efficient lookup skills. The course reinforces how to use your books as tools, not as reading assignments.
• Confidence-building structure: When you know what to study and how to study it, your prep feels clearer, and exam day feels more manageable.
• Realistic support for busy schedules: A practical approach for contractors balancing work, crews, bids, and deadlines while preparing for a required exam.

If your goal is to move through your prep with less stress and more direction—so you can focus on your next step in the licensing process—this course gives you a structured path to follow.

FAQ

Is the Mississippi Concrete trade exam open book?

Yes. Mississippi contractor exams are identified as open book, and the Concrete classification exam is listed as an OPEN BOOK examination with approved reference materials allowed in the testing center.

How many questions are on the Mississippi Concrete exam, and how long do I have?

The Concrete exam is listed as 50 questions with a 2-hour time allowance.

What score do I need to pass the Mississippi Concrete exam?

The Concrete exam lists a 70% passing requirement.

Do I only need the Concrete trade exam to become licensed in Mississippi?

Mississippi licensing may require the Law & Business Management Exam and a trade exam depending on the classification and license type. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors identifies the Law & Business exam as required for all applicants, and a trade exam may be required based on the license you’re applying for.

Who administers the Mississippi contractor exams?

Mississippi contractor examinations are administered by PSI through computer-based testing centers.

When can I schedule my exam?

You generally cannot schedule with PSI until the Board determines eligibility and PSI provides confirmation. Once eligible, candidates have a stated testing window tied to the eligibility date.

Can I highlight or tab my reference books?

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed prior to the exam session. References may not be written in. References may be tabbed/indexed with permanent tabs only, and temporary tabs are not allowed.

Can I bring loose notes or extra papers into the exam room?

No. Candidates are not permitted to bring in additional papers (loose or attached) with approved references. Any additional materials may be removed and confiscated under testing rules.

What topics should I focus on most for the Concrete exam?

The Concrete exam content outline includes Safety, Concrete–Earthwork, Concrete, Concrete–Reinforcement, Concrete–Formwork, and Concrete–Cutting. Most candidates benefit from a balanced plan that combines core concrete knowledge with strong reference navigation for reinforcement, formwork, and cutting topics.

Does this course teach me how to do concrete work?

This is an exam prep course focused on testing strategy and preparation for the licensing exam format. It’s designed to help you study effectively, understand exam structure, and use references confidently during an open-book test.

What’s the biggest advantage of an online exam prep course for an open-book exam?

Open-book exams reward candidates who can locate information quickly. A strong online prep plan helps you practice the lookup process, recognize question patterns, and use your study time efficiently—especially when you’re balancing work and scheduling demands.