New Mexico EE-98J Exam Day: What to Expect at PSI

New Mexico EE-98J Exam Day: What to Expect

The EE-98J written exam is given by PSI on a computer: Part 1, Code (50 questions, 145 minutes, open book) and Part 2, Theory (50 questions, 120 minutes, closed book). You need 75% on each. Everything below comes from PSI's New Mexico journeyman bulletin.

Where you test

PSI's New Mexico centers are in Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Santa Fe, with nearby centers in Durango, Colorado, and Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock and Midland, Texas. You must test within six months of CID's approval.

Your books, part by part

• Part 1 (open book): bring your own bound 2020 NEC and the New Mexico Electrical Code. Highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs are allowed; handwritten notes and loose papers are not.
• Part 2 (closed book): no books at all. You may bring a silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator.

On the screen

One question per screen, and you can change answers while time remains. PSI may add up to ten unscored questions, and their time is added to yours. Your written score appears on screen at the end.

Pacing

Part 1 gives you almost 3 minutes per question, which is time to look things up if you know where they are. Part 2 gives you about 2½ minutes per question with no book, so the theory problems are the place to spend it.

Scoring and retakes

Each part is scored separately, and you retake only the part you failed. You may test at most twice in any 30-day period; after two failures, wait 30 days from the first attempt. Cancel at least two days ahead to keep your fee.

The practical

The practical is scored out of 100 points, 75 to pass, over 120 minutes: motor control, transformers, a doorbell circuit, lighting, simple and complex conduit bending, and materials identification. The practical score report is mailed within seven business days.

Practice first

Our EE-98J practice test has a separate practice exam for each written part. For the content breakdown, see what is on the EE-98J.