How to Tab the NBC 2020 for the ExAC

Section 2 of the ExAC is the open-book section. You're permitted to bring your printed copy of the National Building Code of Canada 2020 and the National Energy Code for Buildings 2020 into the exam room. However, the open-book format only helps you if you can find anything in the code as fast as possible. Tabbing well is what makes that possible. Once your code is tabbed, pressure-test it against free ExAC Section 2 mock exam questions so you know your tabs actually work under exam time.

This is a complete guide to tabbing your NBC 2020 in a way that will actually save you time during the exam, not the cosmetic tabbing some candidates do that ends up cluttering the binder and slowing them down.

One important thing to note is that you can also markup, highlight and add notes within your code books! However, you cannot add additional pages. What helped us was for areas of the code where there are typically multiple steps such as determining an alternative solution.

The materials you need

• A printed copy of the NBC 2020. The full version, not the highlights. If you don't already have one, order it from NRC well in advance; it ships, it's not a same-day purchase. If you order the textbook, they ship it to you with the binder and the pages separate! What a treat! Regardless, we recommend the textbook because it is easier to flip through as well as take sheets out. More on that later.
• Thin Post-It Tabs. Use the thin multi-colour tabs to highlight key sections.
• 4–5 colours. No more. Too many colours becomes noise instead of signal.
• A fine-tip permanent marker. Sharpie Fine; labels stay legible and the ink doesn't bleed.

What to tab in Part 3 (the most-tested)

Tabbing Volume 1:

Have one colour across the top. This will be for all major sections, terms, objectives. Feel free to add any major parts of the code you feel is important to know.

Then along the right side of the code, tab core sections you feel you need help finding during the exam. What worked for us was tabbing the following sections:

• Table 3.1.3.1 – Major Occupancy Fire Separations
• 3.1.13.2 – Interior Finishes – Flame-Spread Rating
• 3.1.17 – Occupant Load Factors
• 3.2.2.4 – Multiple Major Occupancy

We highly recommend tabbing where each Group requirement begins within 3.2.2.

• 3.2.2.20 – (The beginning of Group A)
• 3.2.2.36 – (The beginning of Group B)
• 3.2.2.47 – (The beginning of Group C)
• 3.2.2.56 – (The beginning of Group D)
• 3.2.2.66 – (The beginning of Group E)
• 3.2.2.72 – (The beginning of Group F)

Note: To save yourself some time during the exam. Memorize what group applies to what type of building. Alternatively, just pull out A-3.1.2.1.(1) and have it easily accessible on your table for a quick reference. While we are talking about pulling things out…. Also pull out your index. More on that later.

• 3.2.3.1 – Limiting Distance
• 3.2.3.7 – Minimum Construction Requirements for Exposed Building Faces
• 3.2.5 – Provisions for Firefighting
• 3.2.8 – Mezzanines and Openings through Floor Assemblies
• 3.3.1.5 – Egress Doorways
• 3.3.1.9 – Corridors
• 3.3.1.18 – Guards
• 3.4.2.4 – Travel Distance
• 3.4.3 – Width and Height of Exits
• 3.4.4 – Fire Separation of Exits
• 3.4.6.5 – Handrails

Now we get that is a lot of stuff to tab along the side of your textbook. So feel free to go through this list critically and remove stuff and add stuff you feel makes sense to you. During the exam, the time pressure can really mess with you so it is very important to not get too caught up on one question. If you find yourself stuck, fill in an answer (guess), flag it on your scrap paper and come back to it if you have time in the end.

Along the bottom of the textbook, here are some tabs we found useful:

• NBC Objectives
• Division Explanation
• The Explanation of the numbering system
• 1.3.3.2 – Application of Parts 3, 4, 5 and 6
• A-1.2.1.1.(1)(b) – Code Compliance via Alternative Solutions

Here we wrote the following note on the page:

• 3.1.13.7 – Flame Spread Ratings in High Buildings
• 3.2.6 – High Buildings
• 3.8.2.3 – Areas Requiring a Barrier-Free Path of Travel
• 3.8.3.2 – Barrier-Free Path of Travel

Do yourself a favor and memorize as much of this as you can to save yourself time during the exam.

Also we wrote the following note:

• A-3.8.3.5.(1)(c) – Just Memorize this.
• The same goes for A-3.8.3.6.(11)
• And this A-3.8.3.12.(1)(d)(v)

Note there are some sneaky aspects of the exam where it may reference parts 4, 8 and so on. Although not super prevalent, it is still important to become familiar with this part of the code and know how to navigate it.

What to tab in Part 9

The same principles used in Volume 1 apply to Volume 2. Tab all major sections across the top, then tab specific references along the sides and then finally, add miscellaneous tabs along the bottom.

However, along the side there are two sets of tabs that are useful. Tabs for Division B Part 9, tab Fire and Sound Resistance Tables, Tab Span Tables, and finally, tab Notes to Part 9.

A lot of time can be saved if you know how to quickly navigate the various tables within Volume 2.

Part 9 covers houses and small buildings. Key articles:

• 9.5: Design of areas and spaces.
• 9.7: Windows, doors, and skylights.
• 9.10: Fire protection. Subset most often tested.
• 9.32: Ventilation.
• 9.36: Energy efficiency. Tied directly to NECB.

The single biggest time-saver: pull the index loose

The alphabetical index at the back of the NBC is the most underused tool on exam day. It is the fastest path to anything you can't immediately locate by Part. Detach the index from the binding so it sits flat as a separate reference. Now you can keep it open beside the open code, scanning the index without flipping back and forth.

This acts as a fallback when you come across a question asking you something you have never seen before. Try to pick keywords from the question you are stuck on, find them in the index and the index will take you to parts of the code where that word is mentioned. For example, if a question involves treads but you are struggling to find what the question is asking for. Find the word Treads within the index and start hunting! Although this will eat into your time, it is probably the best way to get an answer you would've otherwise never have found.

How to practice with your tabbed NBC

Tabbing is only half the work. The other half is muscle memory. In the final two weeks before your exam:

1. Pick 20 random NBC questions per study session.
2. Time yourself looking up each one.
3. Anything over 30 seconds, mark it. Add a tab if needed, or shift its location.
4. Repeat the same questions a week later. They should be faster the second time.

By exam day, you want the act of opening to a topic to feel automatic. The tabs are training wheels; the real goal is intuitive familiarity with the layout.

If you find yourself repeatedly struggling to find something specific. Give it a tab.

Frequently asked questions