Construction Documents

Drawings, specifications, project manual. The contract instruments that translate design into construction.

References

The books behind these questions.

Every Construction Documents practice question links back to the reference you'd use in the real exam.

What you'll be tested on

The skills behind Construction Documents questions.

Examitect drills each of these areas. The list below maps to the question categories you'll see inside.

  • Understand the components of construction documents (drawings, specs, project manual)
  • Apply graphic conventions for drawings: line weights, dimensioning, scales
  • Coordinate drawings across disciplines (architectural, structural, MEP)
  • Use MasterFormat and UniFormat to organize specifications
  • Apply BIM and digital documentation principles
  • Document code compliance within the construction documents

Why this topic matters. Construction document questions test whether you can produce documents a contractor can actually build from. Examiners reward candidates who separate drawing content from spec content correctly.

Study Notes on Construction Documents

CD basics

Construction documents are the contract instruments. The drawings show what and where; the specifications describe quality and quantity. Together they form the contract documents that the contractor builds from. The project manual bundles bidding requirements, contract forms, general conditions, and specifications.

What this topic covers

Six areas: drawing organization (architectural set, structural set, MEP sets), graphic conventions (line weights, layers, scales, dimensioning), schedules (door, window, finish, equipment), the project manual structure, BIM coordination, and code compliance summary.

Numbers worth memorizing

Common drawing scales: 1:50 for plans, 1:20 for wall sections, 1:5 to 1:10 for details. Typical sheet sizes: ANSI D (24 x 36) or ARCH D (24 x 36) for most projects. MasterFormat has 50 divisions (00 to 49). Division 01 covers general requirements applicable across the project.

Common ExAC traps

Watch for distractors that duplicate information on drawings and in specifications. The rule is: drawings show graphics, specs describe quality. If a contractor finds a conflict between drawings and specs, specs typically govern under CCDC 2. Schedules belong on the drawings.

Placeholder notes. Full Construction Documents notes (with diagrams, worked examples, and references) ship with paid access.

Estimated study time. Most candidates spend 10 to 15 hours on Construction Documents. Adjust up if you don't see this work in your day job, down if you do.

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FAQ

Construction Documents questions.

Drawings show what and where (geometry, location, schedule). Specs describe quality and quantity (materials, workmanship, products). Don't duplicate.

The 50-division system for organizing construction specifications, maintained by CSI/CSC. Division 01 covers general requirements; Divisions 02 to 48 cover the work; Division 49 covers commissioning.

MasterFormat organizes by trade or material (used for specs). UniFormat organizes by element or system (used for estimating and early design).

10 to 15 hours. Time spent on a real CD set from any office is worth twice as much as reading.