NICET CMT – SOILS LEVEL II Exam | Complete Questions with
Verified Correct Answers & Detailed Explanations –2026/2027
Update | Graded A+
Question 1
During a field density test, why is it important to determine the moisture
content of the soil being tested?
A. Moisture content helps determine dry density and evaluate compaction
B. Moisture content determines the soil color only
C. Moisture content eliminates the need for density testing
D. Moisture content determines the maximum particle size
Correct Answer: A. Moisture content helps determine dry density and
evaluate compaction
Explanation:
Field density measurements commonly involve determining both wet density
and moisture content. The moisture content is used to calculate dry density,
which can then be compared with the laboratory-established maximum dry
density to evaluate the degree of compaction achieved in the field.
Question 2
The standard Proctor compaction test is primarily used to determine which
two soil properties?
A. Liquid limit and plastic limit
B. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content
C. Specific gravity and permeability
D. Shrinkage limit and plasticity index
Correct Answer: B. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content
Explanation:
The Proctor test establishes the relationship between moisture content and
dry unit weight for a soil under a specified compactive effort. The peak of the
1
,resulting compaction curve represents the maximum dry density, while the
corresponding moisture content is the optimum moisture content.
Question 3
A soil sample has a wet mass of 1,850 g and a dry mass of 1,600 g. What is its
approximate moisture content?
A. 10.5%
B. 12.5%
C. 15.6%
D. 18.5%
Correct Answer: C. 15.6%
Explanation:
Moisture content is calculated as:
w = [(wet mass − dry mass) ÷ dry mass] × 100
Therefore:
(1,850 − 1,600) ÷ 1,600 × 100 = 15.625%
The moisture content is approximately 15.6%.
Question 4
What does the optimum moisture content represent on a soil compaction
curve?
A. The moisture content at which the soil reaches its maximum dry density for
the specified compactive effort
B. The moisture content at which the soil becomes saturated
C. The minimum possible water content
D. The moisture content corresponding to zero air voids in every case
2
,Correct Answer: A. The moisture content at which the soil reaches its
maximum dry density for the specified compactive effort
Explanation:
As water is added to a relatively dry soil, particles can rearrange more
efficiently, causing dry density to increase. Beyond the optimum moisture
content, additional water occupies space that could otherwise contribute to
greater soil density, causing dry density to decrease.
Question 5
What generally happens to the maximum dry density when the compactive
effort is increased?
A. It generally increases while optimum moisture content generally decreases
B. It always decreases while optimum moisture content increases
C. Both values remain exactly unchanged
D. Maximum dry density becomes zero
Correct Answer: A. It generally increases while optimum moisture
content generally decreases
Explanation:
Increasing compactive effort generally allows soil particles to pack more
closely, increasing maximum dry density. The corresponding optimum
moisture content commonly shifts somewhat lower, although the exact
relationship depends on the soil and test method.
Question 6
A field test gives a wet density of 122 pcf and a moisture content of 8%. What
is the approximate dry density?
A. 105.6 pcf
B. 112.9 pcf
C. 117.0 pcf
D. 131.8 pcf
3
, Correct Answer: B. 112.9 pcf
Explanation:
Dry density can be calculated using:
γd = γwet ÷ (1 + w)
where moisture content is expressed as a decimal.
122 ÷ 1.08 = 112.96 pcf
Therefore, the dry density is approximately 112.9 pcf.
Question 7
A laboratory maximum dry density is 118 pcf. A field test produces a dry
density of 112.1 pcf. What is the approximate relative compaction?
A. 90.0%
B. 92.5%
C. 95.0%
D. 98.5%
Correct Answer: C. 95.0%
Explanation:
Relative compaction is:
RC = field dry density ÷ laboratory maximum dry density × 100
112.1 ÷ 118 × 100 ≈ 95.0%
This value can then be compared with the project specification to determine
whether the material meets the required compaction level.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of a field density test?
4
Verified Correct Answers & Detailed Explanations –2026/2027
Update | Graded A+
Question 1
During a field density test, why is it important to determine the moisture
content of the soil being tested?
A. Moisture content helps determine dry density and evaluate compaction
B. Moisture content determines the soil color only
C. Moisture content eliminates the need for density testing
D. Moisture content determines the maximum particle size
Correct Answer: A. Moisture content helps determine dry density and
evaluate compaction
Explanation:
Field density measurements commonly involve determining both wet density
and moisture content. The moisture content is used to calculate dry density,
which can then be compared with the laboratory-established maximum dry
density to evaluate the degree of compaction achieved in the field.
Question 2
The standard Proctor compaction test is primarily used to determine which
two soil properties?
A. Liquid limit and plastic limit
B. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content
C. Specific gravity and permeability
D. Shrinkage limit and plasticity index
Correct Answer: B. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content
Explanation:
The Proctor test establishes the relationship between moisture content and
dry unit weight for a soil under a specified compactive effort. The peak of the
1
,resulting compaction curve represents the maximum dry density, while the
corresponding moisture content is the optimum moisture content.
Question 3
A soil sample has a wet mass of 1,850 g and a dry mass of 1,600 g. What is its
approximate moisture content?
A. 10.5%
B. 12.5%
C. 15.6%
D. 18.5%
Correct Answer: C. 15.6%
Explanation:
Moisture content is calculated as:
w = [(wet mass − dry mass) ÷ dry mass] × 100
Therefore:
(1,850 − 1,600) ÷ 1,600 × 100 = 15.625%
The moisture content is approximately 15.6%.
Question 4
What does the optimum moisture content represent on a soil compaction
curve?
A. The moisture content at which the soil reaches its maximum dry density for
the specified compactive effort
B. The moisture content at which the soil becomes saturated
C. The minimum possible water content
D. The moisture content corresponding to zero air voids in every case
2
,Correct Answer: A. The moisture content at which the soil reaches its
maximum dry density for the specified compactive effort
Explanation:
As water is added to a relatively dry soil, particles can rearrange more
efficiently, causing dry density to increase. Beyond the optimum moisture
content, additional water occupies space that could otherwise contribute to
greater soil density, causing dry density to decrease.
Question 5
What generally happens to the maximum dry density when the compactive
effort is increased?
A. It generally increases while optimum moisture content generally decreases
B. It always decreases while optimum moisture content increases
C. Both values remain exactly unchanged
D. Maximum dry density becomes zero
Correct Answer: A. It generally increases while optimum moisture
content generally decreases
Explanation:
Increasing compactive effort generally allows soil particles to pack more
closely, increasing maximum dry density. The corresponding optimum
moisture content commonly shifts somewhat lower, although the exact
relationship depends on the soil and test method.
Question 6
A field test gives a wet density of 122 pcf and a moisture content of 8%. What
is the approximate dry density?
A. 105.6 pcf
B. 112.9 pcf
C. 117.0 pcf
D. 131.8 pcf
3
, Correct Answer: B. 112.9 pcf
Explanation:
Dry density can be calculated using:
γd = γwet ÷ (1 + w)
where moisture content is expressed as a decimal.
122 ÷ 1.08 = 112.96 pcf
Therefore, the dry density is approximately 112.9 pcf.
Question 7
A laboratory maximum dry density is 118 pcf. A field test produces a dry
density of 112.1 pcf. What is the approximate relative compaction?
A. 90.0%
B. 92.5%
C. 95.0%
D. 98.5%
Correct Answer: C. 95.0%
Explanation:
Relative compaction is:
RC = field dry density ÷ laboratory maximum dry density × 100
112.1 ÷ 118 × 100 ≈ 95.0%
This value can then be compared with the project specification to determine
whether the material meets the required compaction level.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of a field density test?
4
