Builder Assessment Review (BAR) Sample Questions
Building Technology
- Which of these statements accurately describes laying out a foundation for a rectangular building?
- Corner stakes should be driven 8' to 10' behind the building corner stake.
- Batter boards usually are set inside building corner stakes.
- Equal diagonal measures between corners of building lines indicate that the building is square.
- Building lines should be set even with the excavation wall to allow room to construct forms.
- Sealing a house against infiltration may result in which of these?
- Increased outdoor airflow through a house
- Reduced outdoor airflow into a house
- Lower humidity levels in a house in the winter
- Higher humidity level in a house in the summer
- Which statement is correct?
- Performance codes describe exactly which methods and materials are to be used in building a house.
- Prescriptive codes generally allow engineering professionals to select the best methods and materials to construct a house.
- Residential dwellings should never include both engineered and conventional building products.
- Stud walls and floor joists are examples of conventional building components.
- Window U-values can be improved in which of these ways?
- Installing storm windows
- Using low-e glass
- Increasing the air space between the glass
- All of the above
Business Finance
- Which statement is correct?
- Combining several short-term loans into a single long-term loan would most likely reduce loan fees.
- The low fee and high rate loan is preferred over a high fee and low rate loan for short-term residential mortgages.
- The longer the term, the less a loan costs.
- Loan origination fees are calculated as an annual interest rate that increases with the length of the term.
- Which of these is LEAST likely to reduce liability problems for a builder?
- Hire an attorney to write a separate contract for each new house.
- Respond to all punch lists and callbacks as quickly as possible.
- Allow time for interruptions or bad weather in all scheduling.
- Review brochures and advertising to eliminate unintended promises.
- Which of these is best determined from a cash flow statement?
- The net worth of the business
- A comparison of sales and revenue to net income
- The sources of income during the last accounting period
- A picture of what occurred financially over a period of time
- Which statement is correct?
- Computerized estimating applications require relevant and accurate data.
- A computerized estimating application does not require the initial input of historical data in order to generate quantity takeoffs.
- Manual estimating never requires as much time as computer-based estimating.
- Computerized-based applications have limited reporting capabilities.
- Which statement is correct?
- Estimating software can be used to interface with accounting.
- In a checklist takeoff system items such as joists or other framing lumber are individually selected to be included in an estimate.
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
- If a customer and builder cannot agree upon a price for a written change order, which of these is most likely to occur first?
- The change order will be completed on a fixed price basis
- The agreement between the builder and customer will be terminated
- The difference between the price of the change order will be paid by the builder
- The difference must be negotiated between the customer and builder before work is continued
Project Management
- All of these are safety management issues EXCEPT:
- clean work site
- liability insurance
- control of work area
- ceilings and floors
- Which of these is most likely to contain a record of an accident at a job site?
- Lead sheet
- Project log
- Communications schedule
- Any of the above
- Which of these statements accurately describe off-site management?
- A pre-construction conference checklist includes job site considerations such as parking, materials storage, temporary utilities and so on.
- A pre-estimate checklist includes job site information such as soil conditions, drainage, lot condition and so on.
- A scope of work describes in detail all tasks to be completed.
- All of the above
- Which of these should be considered when developing a production schedule?
- “Slack time”
- Value engineering
- Door and window schedule
- Loan approval date
- Which of these schedules is LEAST likely to provide information for adjusting tasks to complete a job on time?
- A critical path
- A Gault chart
- A bar chart
- A calendar
Sales and Marketing
- Which statement is correct?
- Marketing focuses on the needs of the seller.
- Marketing focuses on the needs of the buyer.
- A market-driven builder focuses on the product.
- A market-driven builder focuses on customer-oriented decisions
- Which of these control land use?
- Land surveys
- Zoning ordinances
- Performance standards
- National building codes
- Which of these is an effective strategy for controlling excessive warranty costs?
- Carefully defining warranty standards for buyers
- Setting a ceiling on warranty costs at settlement
- Setting up appointments with suppliers to review warranty standards
- Informing the buyer about warranty costs they are responsible for
- Which of these is LEAST commonly found in a homeowner’s manual?
- Steps in the home-buying process
- List of the responsibilities of new homeowners for warranties
- Copy of the building permit
- List of all suppliers and subcontractors
- Who among these is responsible for disclosure of warranties?
- Buyer
- Seller
- Lender
- Manufacturer
Safety
- Which of these is NOT required in OSHA’s definition of a “competent person”?
- The ability to identify predictable hazards and working conditions
- The onsite authority to correct any known hazards promptly
- Completion of at least two OSHA-approved training courses
- Knowledge and experience supporting safe work practices
- Which of these is a recommended safe ladder practice?
- Job-made ladders must meet OSHA and ANSI standards
- Fold ladders when they are used as short extension ladders
- Use the cross bracing on the back of stepladders for climbing.
- Aluminum ladders should be used when working near energized electrical lines
Answers
- C
- B
- D
- D
- A
- A
- C
- A
- C
- D
- B
- B
- D
- A
- B
- D
- B
- A
- A
- B
- C
- A