4-Week Study Plan

A structured, realistic study schedule to help you pass the Master Electrician exam. Each task tells you exactly what to do — skim, read, memorize, or practice. Total time investment: ~52 hours over 4 weeks.

Your Progress

Completed

Remaining

Complete

4 Weeks

Total Duration

~52 Hours

Study Time

~2 Hrs/Day

Daily Commitment

100% Free

All Resources

Week 1

NEC Orientation & Code Navigation

Total: 14 hours

0/20 tasks

Monday

2 hours

SKIM Art. 90 (15 min): Understand what the NEC is, what it covers, and what it doesn't — it's not a design manualTAB Art. 100 key definitions (45 min): Don't read every word — find and tab: Accessible, Ampacity, Branch Circuit, Feeder, Ground, Grounded Conductor, Grounding Electrode, Overcurrent, Service, Separately Derived SystemREAD Art. 110.3, 110.9, 110.10, 110.14 (30 min): These four sections are exam favorites — listed vs. labeled equipment, interrupting ratings, termination tempsWatch Mike Holt 'Purpose of NEC' free video on YouTube (20 min): Reinforces what you just read

Tuesday

2 hours

Take the diagnostic quiz on this site (free topics): Don't study first — just see where you standWrite down every topic you missed — this is your personal weak-area listMEMORIZE the Ohm's Law triangle: V = I × R, P = I × V, I = V/R — these show up in multiple forms on the exam

Wednesday-Thursday

4 hours

Watch 2 YouTube load calculation videos (search: 'NEC Article 220 load calculation explained') — 1 hourREAD Art. 220.12 (lighting loads) and Art. 220.14 (receptacle loads) — these are the foundation of residential load calcsMEMORIZE: 3 VA per sq ft for general lighting (Art. 220.12, Table 220.12) — this number appears on almost every load calc questionWork 3 load calculation problems on paper: 1,200 sq ft house, 1,800 sq ft house, 2,400 sq ft house — calculate general lighting load for eachREAD Art. 220.52: Small appliance circuits (1,500 VA each, minimum 2 required) and laundry circuit (1,500 VA)

Friday-Saturday

4 hours

Watch 1 YouTube video on motor circuits (search: 'NEC Article 430 motor circuit explained') — 45 minREAD Art. 430.6 and Table 430.248: How to find full-load current (FLC) for single-phase motors — use the TABLE, not the nameplate, for calculationsREAD Art. 430.52 and Table 430.52: Overcurrent protection sizing for motors (inverse time breaker = 250% of FLC)MEMORIZE the motor calculation sequence: FLC from table → conductor = 125% of FLC (430.22) → OCP = 250% of FLC (430.52)Work 3 motor problems: Find conductor size and breaker size for a 5 HP, 10 HP, and 20 HP 240V single-phase motor

Sunday

2 hours

Retake the Ohm's Law and Load Calculations quizzes on this siteFor every wrong answer: open your NEC, find the section referenced, read it, and write one sentence in your own wordsUpdate your weak-area list — circle anything you missed twice

Week 2

Grounding, Conductors & Services

Total: 14 hours

0/21 tasks

Monday

2 hours

Watch YouTube: 'NEC Article 250 grounding and bonding explained' — 45 min (Mike Holt or Tom Henry recommended)READ Art. 250.4: The purpose of grounding vs. bonding — understand the difference, it's tested directlyREAD Art. 250.50–250.68: Grounding electrode system — what qualifies as a grounding electrode (rebar, water pipe, ground rod, etc.)MEMORIZE: Ground rod must be at least 8 ft long (250.52(A)(5)) and driven to 8 ft depth, or two rods required if resistance exceeds 25 ohms

Tuesday

2 hours

READ Art. 250.102 and 250.122: How to size equipment grounding conductors (EGC) and grounding electrode conductors (GEC) — use Table 250.122MEMORIZE: EGC is sized from Table 250.122 based on the overcurrent device rating — not the loadTake the Grounding & Bonding quiz on this siteFor every wrong answer: find the NEC section, read it, write one sentence

Wednesday-Thursday

4 hours

READ Table 310.16 (1 hour): This is the most-used table on the exam — find the 60°C, 75°C, and 90°C columns, understand which column to use for terminationsMEMORIZE: Most equipment is rated 75°C — use the 75°C column for conductor ampacity unless told otherwiseREAD Art. 310.15(B): Ampacity correction factors (temperature) and adjustment factors (conduit fill) — understand when to apply eachWork 3 conductor sizing problems: Size the conductor for a 60A load, 100A load, and 150A load at 75°CREAD Art. 230.42 and 230.79: Service entrance conductor sizing and minimum service size (100A for single-family dwellings)

Friday-Saturday

4 hours

Watch YouTube: 'NEC conduit fill and box fill calculations' — 45 minREAD Chapter 9, Table 1: Maximum conduit fill percentages (40% for 3+ conductors, 31% for 2, 53% for 1)READ Chapter 9, Table 4 and Table 5: Conduit dimensions and conductor cross-sectional areasREAD Art. 314.16: Box fill calculations — understand how to count conductors, devices, clamps, and fittingsWork 2 conduit fill problems and 2 box fill problems using the Chapter 9 tables

Sunday

2 hours

Take the Conduit & Box Fill and NEC Code Navigation quizzes on this siteReview all wrong answers with your NECSpeed drill: Practice finding 5 random NEC sections in under 3 minutes each — use the index

Week 3

Practice Exams & Weak Area Drilling

Total: 14 hours

0/16 tasks

Monday

2 hours

Take the full 80-question Practice Exam on this site (timed, 4 hours available — aim to finish in 3)Review your results page: note your score by topicWrite down your 3 weakest topics from the results

Tuesday

2 hours

Deep dive on weak topic #1: Re-read the NEC sections for every question you missed, look up each oneRetake the topic quiz for weak topic #1 on this site

Wednesday-Thursday

4 hours

Deep dive on weak topics #2 and #3: Same process — NEC sections, then retake the quizSpeed drill: Set a timer for 3 minutes and practice finding each of these sections in your NEC: 110.14, 220.12, 250.122, 310.16, 430.52, 314.16, Chapter 9 Table 1Review the Formulas page on this site — make sure you can work every formula without looking it upWork 5 mixed calculation problems: 2 load calcs, 2 motor calcs, 1 conduit fill

Friday-Saturday

4 hours

Take the full 80-question Practice Exam again (timed) — your score should be higher than MondayFor every wrong answer: open your NEC, find the section, read it out loudWatch YouTube: 'Texas Master Electrician exam tips' or 'open book exam strategy' — 30 minPractice the 3-minute rule: If you can't find an answer in 3 minutes, mark it and move on — never get stuck

Sunday

2 hours

Take a free practice test on Tests.com or similar site (different questions = better preparation)Review all wrong answersUpdate your weak-area list one final time

Week 4

Final Sharpening & Exam Day

Total: 10 hours

0/14 tasks

Monday-Tuesday

4 hours

Review your weak-area list ONLY — don't re-study everything, focus on what still trips you upRe-read the NEC sections for your top 5 missed topics — read them slowly and carefullyMEMORIZE these 5 numbers: 3 VA/sq ft (lighting), 125% (motor conductor), 250% (motor OCP), 75°C (termination column), 40% (conduit fill for 3+ conductors)Work 10 mixed calculation problems from memory, then check with your NEC

Wednesday

3 hours

Take the full 80-question Practice Exam one final time (timed) — this is your confidence checkIf you score 75% or higher: you are ready. If below 75%: spend Thursday on your lowest-scoring topic only

Thursday

2 hours

Light review only — no new topics, no crammingVerify your exam appointment, location, and what ID you need to bringPrepare your NEC: confirm it's the 2023 edition, tabs are secure, no loose papers or handwritten notes inside

Friday-Saturday

1 hours

REST — no studying. Your brain needs time to consolidate everything you've learnedGet good sleep both nights. Sleep is when memory is locked in — this is not optional

Sunday

0 hours

REST completely — light walk, good meal, early bedtime

Monday — Exam Day

0 hours

Eat a real breakfast. Bring your 2023 NEC, your ID, and a calculator. Arrive 15 minutes early.TAKE THE EXAM — you've put in the work. Trust your preparation.

Study Tips for Success

Consistency is key: 2 hours per day is better than 14 hours on Sunday. Short, regular sessions improve retention.

Practice finding answers: The exam is open book. Speed matters — aim for 3 minutes per question.

Focus on high-value topics: Load calculations (20-30%), grounding (15-20%), motors (10-15%), service entrance (10-15%).

Use multiple sources: Don't rely on one practice test. Cross-check answers in the NEC and watch multiple video explanations.

Join study groups: Connect with others on Reddit r/electricians, Facebook groups, or local trade schools.