Hello everyone, this is DIY Renova.

This time, I will be discussing the "Second Class Electrician Study Method" myself, including my own experiences I have put into practice and the experiences of people who have actually passed.For those who are trying the Second Class Electrician exam for the first time, the first hurdle may be "where should I start?"However, if you efficiently narrow the scope and prepare for this exam, which is the goal of "scoring more than 60%," there is a good chance that even those with no knowledge of electricity will be able to pass.

In this article, we will focus on both written and practical exams, and will delve into detail into "how to make effective use of past questions," "introducing usable apps," "how to write wiring diagrams and practice tips," and "criteria for deciding whether to collect or not to collect teaching materials."Along the way, we will also be talking about famous reference books such as "Ohm's "Sui-All-All" and "Denki Shoin", as well as recommended apps and sites such as "My Denki Works 2" and "HOZAN Site", so be sure to check it out until the end.

In this article, the words you want to emphasize are surrounded by ", not bold.We have made efforts to make it easier to look at keywords and phrases that interest you, so we hope you will use them.Also, at the end of this article, we will provide links and respect to books, videos, and social media accounts that we used as references, so please check that if you are interested.

Now let's take a look at specific study methods and tips.If you keep a close eye on what is being discussed here, your efficiency in studying for the exam will increase dramatically and you will be able to steadily pass even within a limited amount of time.

Understanding the exam overview and passing line

The second-class electrician exam can be broadly divided into two categories: "written exam" and "skill test (practical exam)."First, if you pass the written exam, you will be able to take the skill exam, and if you pass the skill exam, you will be given a license from a second-class electrician.

The number of test takers is large every year, making it easy for people who do not have electricity-related jobs to take on the challenge.Written exams generally focus on selective questions, while skills exams involve wiring work and drawing double-ray diagrams.Another common thing is that "if you score more than 60% of the points, you will pass."

What's important is that you don't try to make everything perfect in a blind way.There are limited time and motivation, so it is important to first focus on areas where you can score points and secure 60% of your goals.

First, start by acquiring basic knowledge: What are voltage, current, and resistance?

Many people start by asking, "What is Ω? What is voltage and current?"At first, I also vaguely remembered, "Ohm's Law? I should have learned it in junior high school."

When studying as an electrician, the first step is to thoroughly disrupt basic electrical terms such as "voltage", "current", "resistance", "direct current", and "alternating current".In particular, in the field of electrical theory, there is no need to memorize very complicated formulas, but Ohm's law and basic calculations regarding power are essential.Also, understanding the meaning of symbols on a circuit diagram will be the first hurdle.

If you really want to relearn from scratch, try checking the basics, just to get started with your elementary school-level science knowledge.Reference books from Ohm's "Suitt-Suit Pass" series" and "Denki Shoin" often provide easy-to-understand explanations of the basics, so it's easy to understand what to do and how much you need to understand.

You should just get 60%, so make sure to set the minimum range where you can score points.

It is said that "if you get 60% of the exam, it's OK."In other words, if the overall score is out of 100, the passing line is 60.However, although the number of actual questions varies from year to year, it is roughly around 50 questions.It is said that there are many questions that can almost certainly be scored if you carefully understand the basics, which are about 30 to 40% of these questions.

The key here is to think about which field to prioritize studying to secure 60% of the students.For example, reading wiring diagrams and using parts tends to have a large number of questions, making it easy to take measures.Furthermore, if you prioritize areas that are likely to become "candidate questions," you can efficiently score points.

• Electrical theory: Basic calculation problems such as Ohm's law are high frequency
• Wiring diagram symbols and parts names and uses: Highly frequently asked questions based on practical reasons
• Electrical equipment technical standards and construction methods: Question patterns are fixed to some degree

Just by keeping these areas in mind, there is a high chance that you will be able to reach the passing line without forcing yourself to pursue difficult fields in depth.

Of course, if you have the time to spare, you won't be disappointed by studying deeper areas, but first, be aware of what you can get "points that will definitely get points."

Do I have to buy past questions?

A common question is, "Should I buy past questions?"The commercially available past exam questions are packed with explanations, and many people find it easier to remember if they study on paper, but for some people, you may not necessarily need to buy a book.

The reason for this is that there are many sites on the Internet that publish past questions in PDF format and services that provide explanatory videos.For example, "HOZAN's Denko Tiger Site" has a wealth of past questions as well as explanatory videos, allowing you to quickly check out any parts you don't understand using video.Furthermore, they are often offered free of charge, making them a great item for those who want to keep financial costs down.

Of course, for those who want to study calmly on paper, having past exam questions from Ohmsha and Denki Shoin on hand will be a great benefit.The best way to choose a method that suits your learning style is to use, but at least it doesn't mean that you will never be able to pass the exam unless you buy past questions.In fact, some people who passed the second half of 2024 exams say, "I passed the written text without any teaching materials."

Use your smartphone app

We recommend studying the app for those who want to make effective use of their spare time or studying when commuting to work or school.Recently, there have been several apps specializing in second-class electricians, and among them, the app "My Electrical Engineer 2" is often talked about.There are practice questions available for each category, and the appeal of this is that you can easily practice past questions on just one smartphone.There are few explanations, so it would be effective to acquire some basic knowledge before using it.

There are also apps provided by companies with official websites and YouTube channels, as well as online services that feature problem exercises.The important thing when preparing for writing is to "increase the number of rotations of the problem exercises" as much as possible.As you complete the number of questions, you will naturally come to mind the questions patterns and points to keep in mind.

In any case, it is effective to record "parts that are difficult to memorize" and "parts that you make mistakes every time" using memos or screenshots, and review them all at once later.Studying using the app may seem easy, but it is surprisingly easy to leave false answers alone, so make sure you make some effort to make your own ideas and check them out.

The process of writing

Here we will introduce recommended study procedures for those who want to "learning the basics properly and quickly solve past questions."

1. "A rough understanding of basic knowledge"
   It covers Ohm's law, power calculations, and basic relationships between voltage and current.If you have the time, take a quick look at the overview of the electrical equipment technical standards.
2. "Understanding the use of symbols and parts in wiring diagrams"
   A characteristic of second-class electricians is that they often ask questions about wiring diagrams and parts identification questions.Many people get stuck here, so it is recommended to thoroughly memorize the parts using diagrams and photos.Using the HOZAN site and YouTube short videos such as "Two types of electricians in one minute" will make it easier to remember with diagrams.
3. "Past Question Exercises + Explanation Check"
   Try solving past questions and check your understanding.For questions you may not understand or have any confidence in, your knowledge will be established by reading the explanations thoroughly.
4. "Learn again and finish the areas you're not good at"
   As you solve past questions many times, your weaknesses will become clear.If you focus on this, and then try to solve all the past questions again just before the actual exam, as a finishing touch to the end, you will gain confidence.

If you continue this process over several weeks or months, you can create an efficient learning style of "founding basics + past exam exercises."Rather than doing it for a long time at once, the key is to keep working hard and keep continuing.

Preparation for practical exams (skill tests): Get used to the double-line diagrams and wiring work

Once you pass the written exam, it's finally time for the practical exam.

The practical exams will publish "candidate questions," and one question will be asked on the day of the actual exam.If you practice in advance, you will almost certainly be able to respond, which will greatly increase your chances of passing.

Get used to drawing double-lined diagrams

Double-tracked diagrams may seem complicated at first glance, but once you memorize the patterns, they are actually not difficult.The reason why many people say they are "not good at double-ray diagrams" is because they don't fully understand the rules of writing at the beginning.It would be best if you had an environment where you can learn from seniors or experienced people, but even if that's not the case, you can learn it on your own by using "HOZAN's commentary video," "Youtube short commentary," and "Denko no Tiger Site."

The trick to a double-ray diagram is to make sure you understand through logical logic "which devices connect to which lines" and "whether the outlets and switches are in series or parallel."If you repeat the process of writing it anyway and correcting it immediately if you make a mistake, the speed will gradually increase.

Reconfirmed the identification photos of the parts and their uses

In practical exams, the work is done by looking at the actual parts, so it is more important to "whether you can accurately tell the differences between the parts" than in written exams.For example, some have similar shapes, such as ring sleeves, plug connectors, and terminal blocks, while others use slightly different situations.If you confuse this, you will be greatly deducted in the exam.

Therefore, it is essential to "memorize photos and uses as a set."Create a document that lists photos of the parts, or use the parts introduction section such as HOZAN and apps to thoroughly check them out with your eyes and mind.

Don't be stingy with practical skills, and get the tools and training materials properly.

In order to pass the practical exam, the most important thing is to "actually work with your hands."It is ideal to "not be stingy" with the tools you will use, the cables and equipment you will be using for practice, and if possible, practice repeatedly with the tools and cables you plan to use in the test.

I often hear about "HOZAN's practical set."It's convenient because you can purchase all the parts that are actually expected in the test in bulk.Additionally, if you stock a variety of quality items that can be used on-site, such as electric knives, strippers, and crimping tools, you can use them for a long time in future DIY and practical work.

During the practice stage, if you keep the same amount of time as the actual performance, you can reduce the anxiety on the day.Even if it takes a lot of time at first, you will definitely improve your speed by completing one task every day.

Additional points to keep in mind

Be prepared for the day of the exam

In the written exam, it is recommended that you start by starting with "questions that you can solve" or "easy questions" when you look at the question paper.In order to secure 60% of the exam time within the limited time, it is best to pick up the points from where you can score.

During the practical exam, make sure you have not forgotten to bring tools, and make sure you check what you need, including the electric detector.All you have to do is calm down and do the work that follows the candidate questions one by one.

Is it self-study or a lesson?

Many people pass the exam on their own, but if you just can't be confident or want to learn efficiently, you can also consider a "qualifying school course" or a "correspondence course."In particular, last-minute preparation courses for practical exams have great benefits as the instructors actually watch and teach you the work.However, it costs money, so choose a choice while consulting with your time and budget.

How much should I study?

It depends on the person, but if a complete beginner is aiming to pass the exam on their own, it's safer to watch it for at least 1-3 months.If the time until the written exam is short, you will need to make full use of apps and video learning to improve your efficiency.People who can do it little by little each day will gain knowledge, so the chances of success will increase.

How to maintain motivation

Studying for qualification exams tends to cause a slacking in between.Even if you start by being enthusiastic about buying a reference book and studying, your motivation may drop halfway through and you may want to give up and say, "Maybe it's not possible after all."

In such cases, we recommend "seeing successful experiences on social media and YouTube to inspire you."For example, you can watch "Understanding Type 2 Electric Works in One Minute", "My Electric Works 2" and "HOZAN Official Explanation Video", and when you hear stories of successful people, you'll feel motivated and say, "I might be able to do it myself!"Also, if you can find study friends on Twitter (X), you can also report on your progress and encourage each other.

Personally, I recommend reporting how many minutes you've done on the app.Study PlusIt might be a good idea to use study reporting such as SNS!

First Steps to Be a Professional: How to Use a Class 2 Electrician

If you pass the exam successfully and obtain a license, the scope of your own work will expand in electrical work.Specifically, it is now possible to legally do simple indoor wiring, installation of lighting fixtures, and additional outlets, which will expand the range of DIY.Even if you are going to be examining a Class 1 Electrician or a Class 1 Electrician in the future, the foundations you cultivated as Class 2 Electrician will definitely be useful.

It is also not uncommon to have a "qualified electrician" when looking for a job or changing jobs.This qualification is easily evaluated not only in construction and equipment management-related jobs, but also in the maintenance department of the manufacturing industry, so it can be expected to be a stepping stone for your career advancement.

Conclusion

With the theme of "Second Class Electrician Study Method," we have introduced the entire process, from writing preparation to practical preparation.The key points are to "use past questions efficiently and study efficiently with a goal of 60%," and "in practical exams, practice using tools and thoroughly repeat the identification of double-track diagrams and parts."To pass, it is not necessarily a high level of knowledge about electrical theory, but rather "finishing the basic knowledge required by the exam to a level that is sure to use."

Even beginners can use apps and videos to steadily improve their skills in the spare time they spend commuting or school, and if you do the work repeatedly using the practical practice set, you will be able to calmly take the exam on the day.If you have any questions along the way, you can ask questions on social media.Don't give up until you pass the exam, try it out.

It's been a long post, but thank you for reading to the end.I sincerely support you in passing.

Reference materials and respect

YouTube channel "Japan-ems"

• Ohm's "Suitt Pass" Series
  This is a reference book series that is well-known for its writing and practical preparation by second-class electricians.
• Denki Shoin "Second Class Electrician Series"
  There are detailed explanations for each field, covering a wide range of topics, from basics to practical use.
• App "My Electric Works 2 Types"
  A smartphone app that is useful for studying past questions by category and for studying past questions.There are few explanations, so it is effective to use it once the basic knowledge has been solidified.
• HOZAN "Electronic Tiger Site"
  It has a wealth of past questions and explanatory videos, allowing you to learn how to draw a wiring diagram and key points for practical work.
  (Official website)

I sincerely hope that we can learn from these information and experiences and that many examinees will pass the exam efficiently.If you're interested, please check out the videos and social media linked below.You may find friends to study together.