Texas Master Electrician Calculations Practice Exam

Let me break this down for you. The exam tests your ability to handle:

• Ohm’s Law and Power Formulas – Can you calculate current, voltage drop, and power in your sleep?
• AC Circuit Analysis – How’s your understanding of power factor and reactive loads?
• Motor Calculations – FLA, overload protection, breaker sizing… the works!
• Service & Feeder Sizing – This is where demand factors and NEC Articles 220/230/250 come into play.
• Branch Circuit Requirements – You’ll need to distinguish between continuous and non-continuous loads.
• Conduit Fill & Derating – Those NEC Chapter 9 tables better be your best friends.

The Texas Master Electrician Calculations portion covers 10 main areas:

• Calculations and Theory
• Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems
• Electrical Feeders
• Branch Circuit Calculations and Conductors
• Electrical Wiring Methods and Materials
• Electrical Equipment and Devices
• Motors and Generators
• Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means
• Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
• Renewable Energy Technologies

Sounds straightforward enough, right? But the devil’s in the details—or in this case, in the specific calculations you’ll need to master.

For more information, check out the Texas PSI Electrician Bulletin.

Before you even think about the exam, make sure you’re eligible. To apply for a Texas Master Electrician license, you need:

• A Journeyman Electrician license held for at least two years (note: Industrial Journeyman experience doesn’t count)
• Documentation of 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed Texas Master Electrician
• Completed Experience Verification Forms signed by each supervising Master Electrician

You can apply through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website.

Can’t track down your old supervisors? The TDLR license search might help you find their contact info. Remember, the department may contact these individuals to verify your experience, so honesty is non-negotiable here.

Let’s get real for a second. That 19% pass rate from the TDLR exam statistics isn’t just a number—it represents a lot of frustrated electricians who thought they were ready.

The exam costs $78. Not a fortune, but those retake fees add up quickly. I’ve seen people take this exam four or five times before passing. That’s over $300 in fees, not counting the lost work time and stress.

So what separates the 19% who pass from everyone else?

1. They Know How to Use Their Resources

This is an open-book exam, but having the 2023 NEC with self-adhesive tabs isn’t enough. You need to know exactly where to find information quickly.

Honestly, I’ve seen people with years of field experience fail because they couldn’t navigate the codebook efficiently. It’s not just about knowing—it’s about finding the right information fast.

2. They Practice Realistic Calculations

Many test-takers study theory but don’t practice enough actual calculations. The exam doesn’t care if you understand the concept of voltage drop—it wants to know if you can calculate it correctly for a specific scenario.

3. They Simulate Exam Conditions

Taking practice tests in a quiet room with unlimited time doesn’t prepare you for the real thing. The successful 19% practice under time constraints, with the pressure on.

Static PDFs with practice questions are fine, but they don’t replicate the exam experience. What really helps is an online practice exam that:

1. Randomizes questions from a large bank (just like the real exam)
2. Times you at 170 minutes
3. Draws from the same 10 categories as the real exam
4. Gives you immediate feedback on wrong answers

We’ve developed an exam with over 280 questions that mirrors the PSI testing format. Unlike static PDFs, this online format adapts to your performance, helping you identify weak areas.

When test day arrives, these strategies can make all the difference:

1. Tab Your NEC Strategically

Those self-adhesive tabs aren’t just for show. Organize them logically and consistently so you can flip to commonly used sections instantly.

Sections you’ll reference most:

• Article 210 – Branch Circuits
• Article 220 – Branch Circuit and Feeder Calculations
• Article 230 – Services
• Article 250 – Grounding
• Article 310 – Conductors for General Wiring
• Article 430 – Motors and Motor Controllers
• Chapter 9, Tables 1-9

2. Time Management Is Everything

With 33 questions in 170 minutes, you have about 5 minutes per question. But some questions will take 30 seconds, while others might need 10 minutes.

My recommendation? Take a first pass through all questions, answering the easy ones immediately. Flag the tough ones for a second pass. This prevents you from spending too much time on a single difficult question.

3. Show Your Work

For calculations, write out your steps clearly. Even if you make a small arithmetic error, you might get partial credit if your approach is correct.

4. Use the Right Formulas

Some key formulas you must know:

• Single-phase power: P = V × I × PF
• Three-phase power: P = V × I × 1.732 × PF
• Voltage drop: Vd = 2 × K × L × I / CM (single-phase)
• Voltage drop: Vd = 1.732 × K × L × I / CM (three-phase)
• Conduit fill calculations using Chapter 9, Table 1

What is the pass rate for the Texas master electrician exam?

The 2024 pass rate for the Texas Master Electrician calculations portion is just 19%, making it one of the most challenging trade exams in the state.

How many questions are on the master electrician exam in Texas?

The calculations portion contains 33 questions with a 170-minute time limit. The exam is open-book, and you need 70% (23 correct answers) to pass.

What formulas should I know for the electrical journeyman exam?

While this article focuses on the Master exam, Journeyman candidates should master Ohm’s Law, power calculations, voltage drop, conduit fill, and motor load calculations—many of the same formulas needed at the Master level, just with less complex applications.

What states recognize a Texas master electrician license?

Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas have various levels of reciprocity with Texas, though additional exams or requirements may apply depending on the state.

You know what? PDFs can feel like reading a textbook back in high school—static, stiff, not exactly thrilling. But the real exam environment tests you with random questions, timed sections, and NEC lookup skills under pressure.

An online practice exam that mimics this—like the one with over 280 questions and 33 random questions per test, all timed and instantly scored—is a game changer[Context]. It’s the closest you’ll get to the real face-off versus just flipping pages. Plus, it helps you:

• Spot weak spots by NEC topic
• Manage test anxiety with time limits
• Get immediate feedback with NEC article references
• Build confidence by repeated real-scenario drills

Grab your NEC 2023 codebook, hit the practice exam, and start drilling. That 19% pass rate? You’re about to leave it in the dust.

Need the official details? Here’s the Texas TDLR application link.