If you sit down prior to the test and become familiar with where everything is in the D1.1 code then you will not need to flip through a lot of pages. For example, you get a test question that deals with joint fitup for a fillet weld where the separation at the root opening of the joint is measured at 1/8". You don't have to know the answer; you just need to know where to go. This is too detailed for Chapter 1, Chapter 2 is design so no it won't be there, Chapter 3 is prequalified WPS so no again, Chapter 4 is qualifying procedures again no, Chapter 5 is fabrication...bingo. The text portion of Chapter 5 is only 24 pages long. Somewhere in those 24 pages will be your answer, but you spent 2 months scanning through the code, and you remember the sections on tolerances and fitup are near the back of Chapter 5....like 5.20 or on, so you flip to near the end of Chapter 5. Section 5.20 (Splices in Cyclically Loaded Structures) no, Section 5.21 (Control of Distortion and Shrinkage) no, Section 5.22 (Tolerance of Joint Dimensions) there it is. So you start reading through it quickly and before you finishing the first subsection of 5.22 you have your answer. If you are properly prepared for the test, it should take about a minute or less to read the question and find the answer in the code.

Memorize and be very familiar with the structure of the code and where everything is. Also understand how the code is used. Understand that Chapter 2 (Design) is broken into four parts depending on member shape and the type of loading. Understand that production inspection criteria is in Section 6, Part C and that procedure test acceptance criteria is in Section 4, Part B. You DO NOT need to memorize what the acceptance criteria is for either, only where in the code it is located.

A lot of the information and questions will lead you to several figures and tables. Be very familiar with how to read these tables. For example, it takes a few minutes for most individuals to understand how Table 4.1 must be used; it is not intuitive for everyone. Once you unlock that initial understanding of how to use that table, then it gives up its information rather easily. You do not want to be spending time during the test trying to understand how a table is setup; this should definitely be done prior to the test. There are several other tables and figures just the same. In other words, spend extra time studying the complex tables and figures to determine how to use them.

Test to whichever code you are more familiar with. If neither, then test to whichever code you will likely use more often in your job. The time you take studying the code prior to the test can used in your real life job.

If your boss insists that you test to a code you are not familiar with and will rarely or never use in your real job then I guess you have to do what the boss man says, but chances are with orders like that he may not be the boss man very long.