CDT CORE EXAMS SET QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED
A+
✔✔13. Allowances, alternates, and unit prices are used to control all of the following
EXCEPT:
A - Indeterminate items
B - Postponement of decisions
C - Contractor selection
D - Construction costs
Reference: PDPG 13.8 and PDPG 13.4.2.13. Also see CSPG 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8. -
✔✔Answer: C - Contractor selection. Under the design-bid-build project delivery
method, Contractor selection is determined during the procurement (bidding) stage,
whether by competitive bidding or by soliciting proposals from prequalified prospective
bidders. In contrast, allowances, alternates, and unit prices are all ways of controlling
project variables relative to scope, cost, and deferred design decisions, as described in
PDPG 13.8.
✔✔14. In a specification section, all of the following are Articles in Part "1 - General"
EXCEPT:
A - References
B - Submittals
C - Source Quality Control
D - Sequencing and Scheduling
Reference: PDPG 11.3.8.5, and CSI SectionFormat. Also see CSPG 4.2.4, among
other parts of the CSPG.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: C - Source Quality Control; in particular see
either the "SectionFormat Outline" on pages SF-6 and SF-7 of SectionFormat, or CSPG
Figure 4.3. An example of source quality control is factory testing of an equipment item
such as a pump or blower, or testing of any other building material that is tested at the
manufacturer's shop or other testing facility before delivery to the construction Site for
installation. Such source quality control requirements are to be indicated in Part "2 -
Products". The inspection at the Project Site of erected steel is to be indicated in the
Part "3 - Execution" Article titled, "Field Quality Control".
✔✔17. An Advertisement for Bids:
A - Implies the Owner will be selective by inviting only certain bidders to submit bids
B - Should contain information necessary for actual preparation of a bid
C - Is most often used in Private work
D - Is a legal notice to all qualified bidders
Reference: PDPG 12.2.1
,-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: D - Is a legal notice to all qualified bidders.
Know the difference between "Advertisement for Bids" and "Invitation to Bid" (see
PDPG 12.2.1.1). The correct answer is not Answer "B", because information necessary
for actual preparation of a Bid belongs in the Instructions to Bidders.
✔✔18. For this question, select the entity which is generally assigned the following
duties and responsibilities by the Conditions of the Contract: Clarifying and interpreting
the construction documents:
A - Architect/Engineer
B - Owner
C - Contractor
D - Varies, as stated in the Supplementary Conditions
E - None of the above
Reference: PDPG 15.11.1; EJCDC C-700 Paras. 3.04 and 10.07; and AIA A201
Sections 4.2.11 and 4.2.12. Also see CCAPG 8.1. - ✔✔Answer: A - Architect/Engineer.
The A/E is typically the entity best-suited to interpret the construction documents,
whether during the procurement (bidding) stage or during the construction stage,
because the A/E, as the author of the construction documents and the design
professional in responsible charge, best-understands the construction documents and
the Project's design intent. Because of the A/E's ethical obligations as a licensed design
professional, the A/E also has an obligation to interpret the construction documents
impartially; this is an express requirement in EJCDC C-700.
For the procurement (bidding) stage, see EJCDC C-200 (Instructions to Bidders), Article
7 (e.g., Arcadis US Water Standard Construction Document "00 21 13, Instructions to
Bidders (CONS)") and, for the construction stage, see EJCDC C-700 Para. 3.04 and
10.07. For the procurement (bidding) stage, see AIA A701 (Instructions to Bidders)
Section 3.2, and for the construction stage see AIA A201 Section 4.2.11.
✔✔19. Marked-up or corrected contract Drawings that indicate changes incorporated in
the Work are called:
A - Bidding Requirements
B - Contract Forms
C - Conditions of the Contract
D - Record drawings
E - As-builts
Reference: PDPG 11.2.4.4, PDPG 15.11.14, and PDPG 16.8.3; EJCDC C-700 Para.
7.11, and AIA A201 Section 3.11. Also see CCAPG 6.14; CCAPG 9.15.5 and 9.15.6.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: D - Record drawings. Record drawings
incorporate all modifications made after the issuance of the Drawings and Specifications
for construction, and also indicate unanticipated field conditions encountered during
construction. Although the older term, "as-builts", is often used in the industry, the term
,"as-builts" is discouraged by CSI, EJCDC, AIA, and by many attorneys that represent
design professionals because the A/E is unable to certify the accuracy of field-recorded
information furnished by the Contractor.
As supplemental material, in the near future we will distribute an article on record
documents and conformed documents—both of which are commonly used in the
industry and often prepared by A/Es—but that have significant, attendant risk.
✔✔21. All of the following are AIA construction contract modifications EXCEPT:
A - Change Order
B - Architect's Supplemental Instructions
C - Field Order
D - Construction Change Directive
Reference: PDPG 15.11.2.1; EJCDC C-700 Paras. 1.01.A.21 and 11.01; AIA A201
Section 1.1.1. Also see CCAPG 8.2. Also see CSPG Chapter 9—particularly CSPG 9.6.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: C - Field Order. While a Field Order is not a
document used or recognized by the AIA, it is defined at EJCDC C-700 Para. 1.01.A.21.
EJCDC publishes a standard field order form, EJCDC C-941 ("Field Order"); CSI also
publishes a field order form. Both a Field Order (EJCDC, DBIA, CSI) and "Architect's
Supplemental Instructions" form (AIA G710) are used by the A/E to order minor
changes in the Work that do not result in changes in the Contract Price or the Contract
Times; although there are some minor differences between them, the use of both a
Field Order and AIA's "Architect's Supplemental Instructions" form are similar.
✔✔22. For this question, select the entity which is generally assigned the following
duties and responsibilities by the Conditions of the Contract: Furnishing property
insurance for the work under construction:
A - Architect/Engineer
B - Owner
C - Contractor
D - Varies, as stated in the Supplementary Conditions
E - None of the above
Reference: PDPG 12.5.2; AIA A201 Section 11.2.2; AIA A101 Insurance Exhibit Section
A.2.3 (AIA A101 and its related insurance exhibit document are not source materials for
the CDT exam). Also see CSPG 17.4, which is a comprehensive introduction to
property insurance. - ✔✔Answer: B - Owner. Construction property insurance is a
separate policy from the Contractor's and Owner's own general liability policies;
property insurance covers losses to the Work and other property at the Site. There are
two broad types of property insurance: (1) "normal" property insurance, maintain by the
property's owner, and (2) construction stage property insurance covering the materials
and equipment to be incorporated into the construction, typically called, "builder's risk"
insurance. Builder's risk insurance is typically in effect only through Substantial
, Completion of the construction, after which property insurance coverage should be
transitioned to the Owner's regular property insurance policy.
Builder's risk insurance is typically desirable when the Project includes construction of
or modifications to some type of structure or building. A special form of builder's risk
insurance—called an "installation floater"—can be obtained to cover materials to be
installed into construction that is not in a building or structure; for example, for protection
against loss to waterline pipe stored trench-side.
PDPG 12.5.2 presents a basic overview of property insurance, and indicates that the
Owner "typically" obtains the builder's risk insurance. AIA A201 implies, and AIA A101-
Insurance Exhibit states that the Owner furnishes the builder's risk insurance unless
expressly indicated otherwise in the Contract. In private work, it is perhaps most-
common for the Owner to furnish the builder's risk insurance, and thus the best answer
choice is "B - Owner".
That said, many projects, including most public works projects, require that the
Contractor furnish the builder's risk insurance. In fact, this is the default requirement of
EJCDC C-700 Para. 6.05.
The reality is that public owners typically desire to not procure bu
✔✔23. For this question, select the entity which is generally assigned the following
duties and responsibilities by the Conditions of the Contract: Protection of job site
workers and stored materials.
A - Architect/Engineer
B - Owner
C - Contractor
D - Varies, as stated in the Supplementary Conditions
E - None of the above
Reference: PDPG 5.4.1.7 and PDPG 15.12.11; EJCDC C-700 Paras. 7.12 through
7.15; AIA A201 Sections 10.1, 10.2, and 10.4. Also see CCAPG 6.8; CCPG 9.14.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: C - Contractor. Safety provisions in both
EJCDC and AIA documents clearly make safety and protection of persons and property
at the construction Site the sole responsibility of the Contractor.
However, it is worth understanding for actual practice that the regulations of the federal
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) require that each employer
working at a site be responsible for the safety of their own employees. Thus, while the
Contractor has contractual responsibility for safety at the Site, each individual
employer—whether they be a Subcontractor, Supplier, or the Owner, or the A/E, when
they have employees at the Site—is responsible for the safety of their own employees.
That said, if a question like this arises on the exam, remember that the Contractor has
contractual responsibility for safety of the workers at the construction Site.
A+
✔✔13. Allowances, alternates, and unit prices are used to control all of the following
EXCEPT:
A - Indeterminate items
B - Postponement of decisions
C - Contractor selection
D - Construction costs
Reference: PDPG 13.8 and PDPG 13.4.2.13. Also see CSPG 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8. -
✔✔Answer: C - Contractor selection. Under the design-bid-build project delivery
method, Contractor selection is determined during the procurement (bidding) stage,
whether by competitive bidding or by soliciting proposals from prequalified prospective
bidders. In contrast, allowances, alternates, and unit prices are all ways of controlling
project variables relative to scope, cost, and deferred design decisions, as described in
PDPG 13.8.
✔✔14. In a specification section, all of the following are Articles in Part "1 - General"
EXCEPT:
A - References
B - Submittals
C - Source Quality Control
D - Sequencing and Scheduling
Reference: PDPG 11.3.8.5, and CSI SectionFormat. Also see CSPG 4.2.4, among
other parts of the CSPG.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: C - Source Quality Control; in particular see
either the "SectionFormat Outline" on pages SF-6 and SF-7 of SectionFormat, or CSPG
Figure 4.3. An example of source quality control is factory testing of an equipment item
such as a pump or blower, or testing of any other building material that is tested at the
manufacturer's shop or other testing facility before delivery to the construction Site for
installation. Such source quality control requirements are to be indicated in Part "2 -
Products". The inspection at the Project Site of erected steel is to be indicated in the
Part "3 - Execution" Article titled, "Field Quality Control".
✔✔17. An Advertisement for Bids:
A - Implies the Owner will be selective by inviting only certain bidders to submit bids
B - Should contain information necessary for actual preparation of a bid
C - Is most often used in Private work
D - Is a legal notice to all qualified bidders
Reference: PDPG 12.2.1
,-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: D - Is a legal notice to all qualified bidders.
Know the difference between "Advertisement for Bids" and "Invitation to Bid" (see
PDPG 12.2.1.1). The correct answer is not Answer "B", because information necessary
for actual preparation of a Bid belongs in the Instructions to Bidders.
✔✔18. For this question, select the entity which is generally assigned the following
duties and responsibilities by the Conditions of the Contract: Clarifying and interpreting
the construction documents:
A - Architect/Engineer
B - Owner
C - Contractor
D - Varies, as stated in the Supplementary Conditions
E - None of the above
Reference: PDPG 15.11.1; EJCDC C-700 Paras. 3.04 and 10.07; and AIA A201
Sections 4.2.11 and 4.2.12. Also see CCAPG 8.1. - ✔✔Answer: A - Architect/Engineer.
The A/E is typically the entity best-suited to interpret the construction documents,
whether during the procurement (bidding) stage or during the construction stage,
because the A/E, as the author of the construction documents and the design
professional in responsible charge, best-understands the construction documents and
the Project's design intent. Because of the A/E's ethical obligations as a licensed design
professional, the A/E also has an obligation to interpret the construction documents
impartially; this is an express requirement in EJCDC C-700.
For the procurement (bidding) stage, see EJCDC C-200 (Instructions to Bidders), Article
7 (e.g., Arcadis US Water Standard Construction Document "00 21 13, Instructions to
Bidders (CONS)") and, for the construction stage, see EJCDC C-700 Para. 3.04 and
10.07. For the procurement (bidding) stage, see AIA A701 (Instructions to Bidders)
Section 3.2, and for the construction stage see AIA A201 Section 4.2.11.
✔✔19. Marked-up or corrected contract Drawings that indicate changes incorporated in
the Work are called:
A - Bidding Requirements
B - Contract Forms
C - Conditions of the Contract
D - Record drawings
E - As-builts
Reference: PDPG 11.2.4.4, PDPG 15.11.14, and PDPG 16.8.3; EJCDC C-700 Para.
7.11, and AIA A201 Section 3.11. Also see CCAPG 6.14; CCAPG 9.15.5 and 9.15.6.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: D - Record drawings. Record drawings
incorporate all modifications made after the issuance of the Drawings and Specifications
for construction, and also indicate unanticipated field conditions encountered during
construction. Although the older term, "as-builts", is often used in the industry, the term
,"as-builts" is discouraged by CSI, EJCDC, AIA, and by many attorneys that represent
design professionals because the A/E is unable to certify the accuracy of field-recorded
information furnished by the Contractor.
As supplemental material, in the near future we will distribute an article on record
documents and conformed documents—both of which are commonly used in the
industry and often prepared by A/Es—but that have significant, attendant risk.
✔✔21. All of the following are AIA construction contract modifications EXCEPT:
A - Change Order
B - Architect's Supplemental Instructions
C - Field Order
D - Construction Change Directive
Reference: PDPG 15.11.2.1; EJCDC C-700 Paras. 1.01.A.21 and 11.01; AIA A201
Section 1.1.1. Also see CCAPG 8.2. Also see CSPG Chapter 9—particularly CSPG 9.6.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: C - Field Order. While a Field Order is not a
document used or recognized by the AIA, it is defined at EJCDC C-700 Para. 1.01.A.21.
EJCDC publishes a standard field order form, EJCDC C-941 ("Field Order"); CSI also
publishes a field order form. Both a Field Order (EJCDC, DBIA, CSI) and "Architect's
Supplemental Instructions" form (AIA G710) are used by the A/E to order minor
changes in the Work that do not result in changes in the Contract Price or the Contract
Times; although there are some minor differences between them, the use of both a
Field Order and AIA's "Architect's Supplemental Instructions" form are similar.
✔✔22. For this question, select the entity which is generally assigned the following
duties and responsibilities by the Conditions of the Contract: Furnishing property
insurance for the work under construction:
A - Architect/Engineer
B - Owner
C - Contractor
D - Varies, as stated in the Supplementary Conditions
E - None of the above
Reference: PDPG 12.5.2; AIA A201 Section 11.2.2; AIA A101 Insurance Exhibit Section
A.2.3 (AIA A101 and its related insurance exhibit document are not source materials for
the CDT exam). Also see CSPG 17.4, which is a comprehensive introduction to
property insurance. - ✔✔Answer: B - Owner. Construction property insurance is a
separate policy from the Contractor's and Owner's own general liability policies;
property insurance covers losses to the Work and other property at the Site. There are
two broad types of property insurance: (1) "normal" property insurance, maintain by the
property's owner, and (2) construction stage property insurance covering the materials
and equipment to be incorporated into the construction, typically called, "builder's risk"
insurance. Builder's risk insurance is typically in effect only through Substantial
, Completion of the construction, after which property insurance coverage should be
transitioned to the Owner's regular property insurance policy.
Builder's risk insurance is typically desirable when the Project includes construction of
or modifications to some type of structure or building. A special form of builder's risk
insurance—called an "installation floater"—can be obtained to cover materials to be
installed into construction that is not in a building or structure; for example, for protection
against loss to waterline pipe stored trench-side.
PDPG 12.5.2 presents a basic overview of property insurance, and indicates that the
Owner "typically" obtains the builder's risk insurance. AIA A201 implies, and AIA A101-
Insurance Exhibit states that the Owner furnishes the builder's risk insurance unless
expressly indicated otherwise in the Contract. In private work, it is perhaps most-
common for the Owner to furnish the builder's risk insurance, and thus the best answer
choice is "B - Owner".
That said, many projects, including most public works projects, require that the
Contractor furnish the builder's risk insurance. In fact, this is the default requirement of
EJCDC C-700 Para. 6.05.
The reality is that public owners typically desire to not procure bu
✔✔23. For this question, select the entity which is generally assigned the following
duties and responsibilities by the Conditions of the Contract: Protection of job site
workers and stored materials.
A - Architect/Engineer
B - Owner
C - Contractor
D - Varies, as stated in the Supplementary Conditions
E - None of the above
Reference: PDPG 5.4.1.7 and PDPG 15.12.11; EJCDC C-700 Paras. 7.12 through
7.15; AIA A201 Sections 10.1, 10.2, and 10.4. Also see CCAPG 6.8; CCPG 9.14.
-------------------------------------- - ✔✔Answer: C - Contractor. Safety provisions in both
EJCDC and AIA documents clearly make safety and protection of persons and property
at the construction Site the sole responsibility of the Contractor.
However, it is worth understanding for actual practice that the regulations of the federal
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) require that each employer
working at a site be responsible for the safety of their own employees. Thus, while the
Contractor has contractual responsibility for safety at the Site, each individual
employer—whether they be a Subcontractor, Supplier, or the Owner, or the A/E, when
they have employees at the Site—is responsible for the safety of their own employees.
That said, if a question like this arises on the exam, remember that the Contractor has
contractual responsibility for safety of the workers at the construction Site.
