The open-book trap.
Ethan Notestine
•Apr 12, 2026
Half the people failing the Florida CGC exam are failing because they thought 'open book' meant 'no study needed.' Here's what open book actually gets you — and what it doesn't.
Posts tagged with #exam strategy
A collection of blog posts about exam strategy
#dbpr #open book #business and finance #exam strategy #study plan #exam prep #2026 #exam difficulty #pass rates #reference books #retake #career #cgc exam #tabbing #highlighting #study #tabs #21 day wait #second attempt #fail rate #mistakes #contractors manual #license cost #fees #application #how to #licensing #cgc #steps #study strategy #pass #worth it #earnings #license value #trades #college #three pass method #study guide
The 21-day retake window.
Ethan Notestine
•Apr 11, 2026
You have to wait 21 days to retake a failed Florida GC exam part. Here's exactly what to do during those three weeks to maximize your odds on the second attempt.
How to pass the Florida general contractor exam.
Ethan Notestine
•Mar 18, 2026
First-time pass rates hover at 50–55%. Here's the complete, current guide to passing all three parts of the Florida CGC exam — with the strategy that works.