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PODCAST

Trades Exam Prep

Ran Chen, EA, CFP®

Trades Exam Prep is a free, daily podcast by OpenExamPrep covering the most in-demand skilled trades licensing and certification exams — including EPA 608 (HVAC refrigerant), FAA Part 107 (drone), Master Electrician, Plumber, General Contractor, ASE automotive, NATE, OSHA 10/30, Welder Certification, and more. Each 5-minute episode breaks down one exam topic with concrete examples, common exam traps, code references, and field-ready memory tricks to help you pass on your first attempt. No fluff, no

education courses

All Episodes

04:40

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 48, Preventive Maintenance that...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/10/05

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - The distinction between visual checklist maintenance and quantitative measured proof of performance on NATE exams. - How to accurately evaluate electrical health

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04:03

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 47, Gas Furnace Service and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/10/04

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Understanding the exact step-by-step sequence of operation for gas furnaces on the NATE exam - Identifying why pressure switches must start open before inducer

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03:53

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 46, Heat Pump Service and Defrost...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/10/03

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to diagnose reversing valve internal leakage using temperature differential checks across valve bodies. - The operational differences between time-temperature

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03:43

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 45, Diagnosing Electrical and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/10/02

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to isolate step-down transformer failures and identify secondary short circuits on the NATE HVAC exam - How to differentiate between mechanical causes and

en

03:06

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 44, Airflow Problems versus...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/10/01

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to differentiate between low indoor airflow and low refrigerant charge using superheat and subcooling readings on the NATE HVAC exam. - Why verifying airflow,

en

03:55

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 43, Refrigerant Circuit...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/30

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to analyze suction pressure, discharge pressure, superheat, and subcooling together to diagnose NATE refrigerant circuit faults. - The critical diagnostic

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03:40

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 42, Turning Customer Complaints...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/29

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to convert vague HVAC customer complaints into testable observations for NATE exam questions - Diagnostic techniques for evaluating timing, weather conditions,

en

03:36

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 41, The Professional HVAC Service...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/28

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - The eleven-step chronological service call workflow required for NATE certification scenario questions. - Why safety inspections and customer interviews must always

en

04:08

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 40, Commissioning and Customer...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/27

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to measure Total External Static Pressure and compare it against manufacturer blower charts before setting refrigerant charge. - Key differences between TXV

en

03:54

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 39, Evacuation Charging and Startup

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/26

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Why dry nitrogen pressure testing and low-PSI purging during brazing are required before system evacuation on NATE exams. - How to evaluate a vacuum decay test at

en

04:08

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 38, Fuel Gas Combustion Air and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/25

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Gas shutoff valves must be installed within 6 feet of appliances, with sediment traps placed downstream of the shutoff valve and as close to the inlet as possible. -

en

03:34

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 37, Condensate Drain Installation

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/24

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Why negative pressure draw-through coils require a P-trap with seal depth exceeding total static pressure to prevent overflow. - The critical rule for placing vent

en

03:43

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 36, Installation Wiring Controls...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/23

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to properly calculate wire gauge and breaker sizing using Minimum Circuit Ampacity (MCA) and Maximum Overcurrent Protection Device (MOPD) per NEC Article 440. -

en

03:33

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 35, Duct Installation Sealing and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/22

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Duct layout transition slope limits and the critical role of turning vanes in rectangular elbows - Flexible duct support spacing, sag limits, and proper mechanical

en

03:59

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 34, Installing Refrigerant Lines...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/21

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How line sizing and pitch dictate proper oil return and prevent compressor failure on NATE exam questions - The critical requirement of purging dry nitrogen at 1 to

en

03:50

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 33, Equipment Location Clearances...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/20

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How NATE exam questions test NEC 2023 Article 110.26 electrical working space requirements of thirty inches wide by thirty-six inches deep for service panels. - Why

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03:17

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 32, Load Calculations Equipment...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/19

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Why rule-of-thumb square-footage sizing is strictly rejected on NATE HVAC exams - The core differences between ACCA Manual J load calculations and ACCA Manual S

en

03:15

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 31, Pre Installation Planning and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/18

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to resolve conflicts between local building codes, project specifications, and manufacturer installation instructions on the NATE exam. - Critical

en

03:47

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 30, Air Balancing and Comfort...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/17

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to systematically diagnose room-to-room comfort complaints and thermostat placement issues on the NATE exam. - How to measure and interpret Total External Static

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04:09

NATE HVAC Exam Prep 29, Comfort Loads and Equipment...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/09/16

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - The distinction between ACCA Manual J load calculations and ACCA Manual S equipment selection. - How heat gain, solar radiation, internal loads, and infiltration

en

138 results

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