Free General Building (B) practice test
25 original questions from all five sections of the General Building exam. After each answer you'll see a short explanation and the source. At the end you get a score for every section.
- About 20 minutes
- No sign-up
- Calculator allowed, like at the test center
What is in this practice test
25 multiple-choice questions with four choices and one best answer, the same format as the CSLB B – General Building trade exam. The questions are spread over the exam's five sections in the proportions CSLB publishes, so nearly a third of them are on Core Trades, as on the exam.
| Section | Share of the exam | Questions in this test |
|---|---|---|
| Core Trades | 30% | 7 |
| Framing and Structural Components | 20% | 5 |
| Finish Trades | 20% | 5 |
| Planning and Estimating | 15% | 4 |
| Safety | 15% | 4 |
| Total | 100% | 25 |
Approximate weights from the CSLB General Building (B) Study Guide (03-2026).
The questions are our own. CSLB does not release its exam questions, so nobody can sell or show you the real ones. Each of ours is written from the official outline and from the codes and references CSLB lists for the exam, and names its source.
How it is scored
- After each answer you see whether it was right, a short explanation and the source it comes from.
- At the end you get an overall percentage and a score for each of the five sections, for example 5/7 in Core Trades, sorted from your strongest section to your weakest.
- Sections where you scored under 60% are named as the ones to study first, three at most.
- There is no pass or fail. CSLB does not publish a fixed passing percentage, so we do not invent one. As a working target we treat 80% or more as a strong result.
- There is no clock. The real exam gives you 3½ hours; these 25 questions take about 20 minutes, because trade questions are longer and several need a calculation.
- Your answers are kept in this browser. Close the page and you can continue later on the same device. There is no sign-up and we do not ask for an email.
What to do with your result
Start with your weakest sections. What is on the B exam explains the format and each section, the two-week and four-week study plan for B turns the weights into hours, and estimating math on the B exam works through the calculations step by step. For more practice without paying, there are sample questions with answers.
How hard is the exam? In fiscal year 2022/23, 44% of B – General Building exams were passes, according to CSLB. The figures are on CSLB pass rates.
CSLB requires the Law and Business exam from almost every applicant as well: take the free Law and Business test.
The full General Building course has 1,182 practice questions across the five sections, 300 flashcards and timed mock exams, in English and Spanish. It costs $79 for 90 days or $109 for 180 days, one payment, no subscription; both exams together are $129 or $169. See plans and pricing.
Common questions about the free test
Is the General Building practice test really free?
Yes. All 25 questions, the explanations and the score by section are free, with no sign-up, no email and no card. The paid course is separate and starts at $79.
Are these questions from the actual CSLB B exam?
No. CSLB does not release its test questions or answer keys. We write original questions from the official B outline and the codes and references CSLB lists, and every answer names its source so you can check it.
How long does the free B test take, and can I stop halfway?
About 20 minutes for 25 questions. There is no timer, and your answers are saved in your browser, so you can close the page and continue later on the same device.
What score should I aim for on the B practice test?
CSLB does not publish a fixed passing percentage, so the test gives no pass or fail. We treat 80% or more as a strong result, and any section under 60% as one to study first.
Can I take the B practice test in Spanish?
Yes. Every question and explanation is also in Spanish: prueba gratis de Construcción General. B – General Building is one of the CSLB exams offered in Spanish.