Sheet 46Prep options compared
Choosing STSC prep: what each option actually gives you
Four kinds of STSC prep have details you can check: BCSP's examCORE Online course, BCSP's Self-Assessment, the reference list BCSP publishes with the blueprint, and the free practice on this site, which is ours. Below is what each one includes as of October 2026, so you can match it to the gap you actually have.
- ExamSTSC
- UpdatedOct 12, 2026
What each option includes
| Detail | examCORE Online: STSC | BCSP Self-Assessment | BCSP reference list | Tailgate Brief (this site) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made by | BCSP | BCSP | BCSP | Tailgate Brief, independent of BCSP |
| Price | $499 | No standalone price published; included in the $325 Exam Bundle | Free list; the books are bought separately | Free |
| What it is | Self-paced course: 42 modules, about 13 to 14 hours of video | A practice assessment half the length of the exam | 21 titles BCSP used in writing the exam | Practice set, timed mock, flashcards and study sheets |
| Practice items | More than 500, filterable by blueprint domain, plus a pre-test, post-test and timed simulated exam | Yes, with references and calculations for each question | None | Yes, with a note on every answer option |
| Access | 6 months; 3-month extensions sold | 6 months, renewable; unlimited attempts | A PDF anyone can open | Open, no account |
| Real exam questions | No | No | None | No |
Sources: examCORE STSC course page, BCSP Self-Assessments page, STSC Blueprint References V.2021.05.28 and BCSP At-A-Glance V.2026.04.01, checked Oct 12, 2026.
≠ marks the rows where the columns are not all the same.
Where each one fits
examCORE Online is the full course. If you have never studied the five domains in an organized way, it walks through them on video. BCSP says its developers are independent of the exam development process and that the course "cannot and does not feature actual exam questions." It also states that completing it "does not guarantee a candidate will pass."
The Self-Assessment is a diagnostic. At half the exam's length it shows strong and weak subject areas, and you can retake it as often as you like during access. If the $325 Exam Bundle appeals for its second attempt, the Self-Assessment comes with it; the bundle math is on the STSC exam cost sheet.
The reference list is where answers are anchored. BCSP says every STSC question is supported by a published reference; the list includes the National Safety Council's Supervisors' Safety Manual, 11th edition, and BCSP adds that it is not a guaranteed means of passing.
This site is our own resource, so weigh that. It costs nothing: a practice set by domain, a timed mock at exam pace, and flashcards for the construction numbers. Tailgate Brief is independent and not affiliated with BCSP, and our cards are written for practice; they are not BCSP items.
examCORE, the Self-Assessment and free practice
Does examCORE use real STSC questions?
No. BCSP's examCORE page says the course "cannot and does not feature actual exam questions" and that its developers are independent from exam development (examcore.org, as of October 2026).
What does the BCSP Self-Assessment for the STSC cost?
BCSP does not post a standalone price as of October 2026; you buy it in My Profile. It is included in the $325 Exam Bundle (BCSP At-A-Glance V.2026.04.01).
Is free practice enough to prepare?
It depends on the gap. BCSP's own guide says simulated items are best used to show where you need more study, and that knowledge comes from the material itself. Free practice finds the weak domain; if a whole domain is new to you, a structured course may be worth the money.
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