Which is best: Mike Holt, Tom Henry, or JourneymanIQ?

Mike Holt is best for deep NEC foundation over months. Tom Henry is best for hand-calculation drilling. JourneymanIQ is best for a diagnostic-led 30 to 60 day window across all four DIR domains. Run a free diagnostic first and pick by your gaps.

Do I need more than one of them?

Often no. If you are short on time, one diagnostic-led tool is enough. If you have months and weak calculations, pairing a foundation or calc tool with adaptive practice in the final stretch works well.

Comparison · California

Mike Holt vs Tom Henry vs JourneymanIQ for the California exam

The three paid options most California General Electrician candidates weigh. They are not really competitors. They solve different stages of getting ready. Here is the honest head to head.

Last reviewed June 2026

Head to head

Feature	JourneymanIQ	Mike Holt	Tom Henry
Best for	30 to 60 day window	Foundation over months	Calculation drilling
Tuned to the DIR outline		NEC foundation	Calc focus
Free diagnostic
Adaptive to weak spots
Provided-reference speed		Teaches the code	Calc focus
Format	Adaptive app	Video + workbooks	Print workbooks
Price	$49/mo or $129/3mo	$400 to $600	$50 to $150

No single tool wins every row. Match the tool to your window and your weak domain.

Pick by your situation

Months to study, foundation from scratch

Mike Holt. Then sharpen with adaptive practice in the final stretch.

Calculations are your one clear weak spot

Tom Henry. Drill the math by hand, reinforce the patterns on JourneymanIQ.

Weeks, not months, and unsure where you stand

JourneymanIQ. The diagnostic finds the gaps, the plan fits your shift, and the practice trains provided-reference speed.

What you actually get

This isn’t another article. It’s the prep system.

Free diagnostic

15 questions, no signup. A domain-by-domain weakness map for the DIR General Electrician exam, so you study the gaps, not everything.

Take it free

Show-the-work calculators

Voltage drop, conduit fill, box fill, dwelling load. The math builds one step at a time, so you learn the pattern, not just the answer. Free, no login.

Open the calculators

Scaffolded lessons

Watch one worked, run one with help, then drill it cold. Every calculation type the exam tests, in plain language.

See the lessons

Drills that adapt

Original California questions and code-navigation drills. The platform resurfaces the calculation types you keep missing until they stick.

See plans

Find your path

If you failed it onceThe 60-day wait is the work window. Find your two weakest domains and attack those, not a re-read of what you already knew.Build a retake plan If you’re still checking the rulesWhat’s provided at the test center, the 8,000 hours, C-10 vs General Electrician. Get the current facts before you study the wrong thing.Check the requirements If codebook speed is the weak spotReferences are provided, so the exam rewards whoever finds the rule fastest. Train the lookup, not just the rule.Train codebook speed

Start here

See exactly where you stand on the California exam.

15 questions, about 15 minutes, no signup. You get a domain-by-domain weakness map for the DIR General Electrician exam, so you study the gaps instead of everything.

Take the free diagnostic