California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
Newest Exam – 200 Questions with Answers &
Rationales (2026 Edition) PDF
1. During initial project planning, the first step in assessing geologic
hazards is to:
A) Conduct subsurface borings
B) Review existing geologic and seismic maps
C) Prepare grading plans
D) Collect groundwater samples
Answer: B) Review existing geologic and seismic maps
Rationale: 👀*** : Initial planning focuses on gathering available data to identify
potential hazards before fieldwork. Maps provide regional context efficiently.
2. Which of the following is a primary purpose of a site reconnaissance?
A) Perform laboratory testing
B) Verify existing geologic interpretations
C) Design retaining walls
D) Drill exploratory wells
Answer: B) Verify existing geologic interpretations
Rationale: 👀*** : Reconnaissance helps confirm data from literature and maps
and identify site-specific conditions before detailed investigations.
3. An engineering geologist is tasked with evaluating landslide potential.
Which factor is most critical to assess first?
,A) Soil color
B) Slope gradient and material type
C) Ambient temperature
D) Precipitation forecasts
Answer: B) Slope gradient and material type
Rationale: 👀*** : Steep slopes and weak materials are the main drivers of
landslide risk; other factors are secondary considerations.
4. Which of the following documents is MOST useful for preliminary
seismic hazard assessment in California?
A) A local building permit
B) CGS Special Publication 117
C) ASTM soil compaction standards
D) California Water Quality Control Plan
Answer: B) CGS Special Publication 117
Rationale: 👀*** : SP 117 provides guidance on seismic hazards including fault
zones and liquefaction potential.
5. The term “critical review of geotechnical reports” primarily refers to:
A) Conducting new laboratory tests
B) Evaluating data for completeness, accuracy, and applicability
C) Approving contractor’s grading plans
D) Writing environmental impact statements
Answer: B) Evaluating data for completeness, accuracy, and applicability
Rationale: 👀*** : A CEG must critically assess existing reports to ensure
reliable interpretations for project design.
,6. Which factor is LEAST relevant in preliminary foundation assessment?
A) Bedrock depth
B) Slope stability
C) Soil bearing capacity
D) Roof color of nearby buildings
Answer: D) Roof color of nearby buildings
Rationale: 👀*** : Structural aesthetics are unrelated to geotechnical or
engineering geological assessments.
7. When planning exploratory borings, the first step is to:
A) Schedule drilling equipment
B) Select locations based on geologic mapping and reconnaissance
C) Begin laboratory testing
D) Prepare final grading plans
Answer: B) Select locations based on geologic mapping and
reconnaissance
Rationale: 👀*** : Borings should target areas of potential hazard or uncertainty
identified during preliminary review.
8. Which of the following best describes “engineering geologic mapping”?
A) Mapping only topography
B) Mapping geologic units and structures relevant to engineering decisions
C) Mapping property boundaries
D) Mapping vegetation types
Answer: B) Mapping geologic units and structures relevant to engineering
decisions
, Rationale: 👀*** : Engineering geologic maps focus on features that affect
construction, slope stability, and foundation design.
9. A reconnaissance shows evidence of prior landslides. The geologist
should:
A) Ignore them if the slope is vegetated
B) Flag them for detailed investigation
C) Immediately recommend deep foundations
D) Prescribe soil stabilization
Answer: B) Flag them for detailed investigation
Rationale: 👀*** : Prior landslides indicate potential instability; further analysis
is required before design recommendations.
10. Which of the following is considered a secondary data source in
project planning?
A) On-site borings
B) USGS maps and aerial photos
C) Laboratory test results
D) CPT soundings
Answer: B) USGS maps and aerial photos
Rationale: 👀*** : Secondary sources provide background information, while
primary sources (borings, tests) provide direct site data.
11. During site reconnaissance, you notice small cracks forming on a
slope after heavy rainfall. The geologic significance is that:
A) The slope is stable
B) The cracks may indicate shallow landslide initiation
Newest Exam – 200 Questions with Answers &
Rationales (2026 Edition) PDF
1. During initial project planning, the first step in assessing geologic
hazards is to:
A) Conduct subsurface borings
B) Review existing geologic and seismic maps
C) Prepare grading plans
D) Collect groundwater samples
Answer: B) Review existing geologic and seismic maps
Rationale: 👀*** : Initial planning focuses on gathering available data to identify
potential hazards before fieldwork. Maps provide regional context efficiently.
2. Which of the following is a primary purpose of a site reconnaissance?
A) Perform laboratory testing
B) Verify existing geologic interpretations
C) Design retaining walls
D) Drill exploratory wells
Answer: B) Verify existing geologic interpretations
Rationale: 👀*** : Reconnaissance helps confirm data from literature and maps
and identify site-specific conditions before detailed investigations.
3. An engineering geologist is tasked with evaluating landslide potential.
Which factor is most critical to assess first?
,A) Soil color
B) Slope gradient and material type
C) Ambient temperature
D) Precipitation forecasts
Answer: B) Slope gradient and material type
Rationale: 👀*** : Steep slopes and weak materials are the main drivers of
landslide risk; other factors are secondary considerations.
4. Which of the following documents is MOST useful for preliminary
seismic hazard assessment in California?
A) A local building permit
B) CGS Special Publication 117
C) ASTM soil compaction standards
D) California Water Quality Control Plan
Answer: B) CGS Special Publication 117
Rationale: 👀*** : SP 117 provides guidance on seismic hazards including fault
zones and liquefaction potential.
5. The term “critical review of geotechnical reports” primarily refers to:
A) Conducting new laboratory tests
B) Evaluating data for completeness, accuracy, and applicability
C) Approving contractor’s grading plans
D) Writing environmental impact statements
Answer: B) Evaluating data for completeness, accuracy, and applicability
Rationale: 👀*** : A CEG must critically assess existing reports to ensure
reliable interpretations for project design.
,6. Which factor is LEAST relevant in preliminary foundation assessment?
A) Bedrock depth
B) Slope stability
C) Soil bearing capacity
D) Roof color of nearby buildings
Answer: D) Roof color of nearby buildings
Rationale: 👀*** : Structural aesthetics are unrelated to geotechnical or
engineering geological assessments.
7. When planning exploratory borings, the first step is to:
A) Schedule drilling equipment
B) Select locations based on geologic mapping and reconnaissance
C) Begin laboratory testing
D) Prepare final grading plans
Answer: B) Select locations based on geologic mapping and
reconnaissance
Rationale: 👀*** : Borings should target areas of potential hazard or uncertainty
identified during preliminary review.
8. Which of the following best describes “engineering geologic mapping”?
A) Mapping only topography
B) Mapping geologic units and structures relevant to engineering decisions
C) Mapping property boundaries
D) Mapping vegetation types
Answer: B) Mapping geologic units and structures relevant to engineering
decisions
, Rationale: 👀*** : Engineering geologic maps focus on features that affect
construction, slope stability, and foundation design.
9. A reconnaissance shows evidence of prior landslides. The geologist
should:
A) Ignore them if the slope is vegetated
B) Flag them for detailed investigation
C) Immediately recommend deep foundations
D) Prescribe soil stabilization
Answer: B) Flag them for detailed investigation
Rationale: 👀*** : Prior landslides indicate potential instability; further analysis
is required before design recommendations.
10. Which of the following is considered a secondary data source in
project planning?
A) On-site borings
B) USGS maps and aerial photos
C) Laboratory test results
D) CPT soundings
Answer: B) USGS maps and aerial photos
Rationale: 👀*** : Secondary sources provide background information, while
primary sources (borings, tests) provide direct site data.
11. During site reconnaissance, you notice small cracks forming on a
slope after heavy rainfall. The geologic significance is that:
A) The slope is stable
B) The cracks may indicate shallow landslide initiation
