Page 1 of 54
NRMCA CONCRETE TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL 2
CERTIFICATION PREPARATION COURSE |
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
ALREADY GRADED A+ | Plus RATIONALES (3
SECTIONS)
Course Name: NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 2 Certification
Preparation Course
Subject: Advanced Concrete Technology, Quality Control, and
Construction Practices
NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 2 Certification Exam Practice
Section 1: Questions 1–50
1. A concrete mix design is required for a bridge pier in a deicing salt
environment. Which of the following maximum water-to-cementitious
material (w/cm) ratios is most appropriate for ensuring durability
against corrosion?
A) 0.50
B) 0.45
C) 0.40
D) 0.35
Rationale: ACI 318 requires a maximum w/cm of 0.40 for concrete
exposed to deicing chemicals or other aggressive corrosive
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environments to ensure adequate permeability and protect the
reinforcing steel.
2. A concrete producer receives a shipment of cement. Which ASTM
standard governs the sampling and testing of hydraulic cement in its
packaged and bulk form?
A) ASTM C33
B) ASTM C183
C) ASTM C150
D) ASTM C94
Rationale: ASTM C183 is the standard practice for sampling and the
amount of testing of hydraulic cement. ASTM C33 covers aggregates,
C150 covers cement specifications, and C94 covers ready-mixed
concrete.
3. A concrete batch plant is experiencing significant variation in slump.
Upon investigation, the moisture content of the fine aggregate is
found to be fluctuating between 4% and 8%. What is the most critical
corrective action to maintain consistent slump and w/cm?
A) Increase the mixing time.
B) Add more water to the batch.
C) Adjust the batch water based on a real-time moisture meter.
D) Reduce the amount of coarse aggregate.
Rationale: Variations in aggregate moisture directly affect the amount
of free water added to the mix. A real-time moisture meter allows for
continuous, automatic adjustments to batch water, ensuring the target
slump and w/cm are maintained.
4. What is the primary purpose of using a high-range water-reducing
admixture (HRWRA) in a concrete mix?
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A) To accelerate the setting time.
B) To improve freeze-thaw resistance.
C) To produce high-slump concrete with a low w/cm.
D) To reduce the amount of air-entraining agent needed.
Rationale: HRWRAs, or superplasticizers, are used to create a highly
fluid, workable concrete (high slump) while maintaining a very low
w/cm, which is essential for high-strength and high-durability mixes.
5. A concrete test cylinder for a 28-day compressive strength test is
found to have a mass of 10.5 kg and a volume of 0.0049 m³. What is
the approximate unit weight of the concrete?
A) 2140 kg/m³
B) 2180 kg/m³
C) 2240 kg/m³
D) 2310 kg/m³
Rationale: Unit weight is calculated by dividing mass by volume: 10.5 kg
/ 0.0049 m³ = 2142.86 kg/m³. The closest answer is 2140 kg/m³.
6. A construction site requires 150 cubic yards of concrete. The
concrete plant's mixer has a rated capacity of 10 cubic yards. How
many truckloads are needed, assuming no waste?
A) 14
B) 15
C) 16
D) 18
Rationale: The number of loads is calculated by total volume required
divided by the capacity per load: 150 yd³ / 10 yd³/load = 15 loads.
7. The slump test is performed and the concrete subsides evenly,
leaving a distinct, well-formed cone. Which of the following best
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describes this type of slump?
A) Shear slump
B) Collapse slump
C) True slump
D) Zero slump
Rationale: A true slump is characterized by the concrete subsiding
evenly while maintaining its general shape. This indicates a well-
proportioned, cohesive mix. Shear and collapse slumps indicate a lack of
cohesion or excessive water, respectively.
8. Which of the following is a primary benefit of using supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag in concrete?
A) Decreased setting time.
B) Increased heat of hydration.
C) Reduced permeability and improved long-term strength.
D) Increased water demand for a given slump.
Rationale: SCMs react pozzolanically to form additional cementitious
compounds, which fill pores and refine the microstructure. This leads to
reduced permeability, increased long-term strength, and improved
durability.
9. An aggregate sample is being tested for its resistance to abrasion.
Which ASTM standard is used for this test?
A) ASTM C127
B) ASTM C131
C) ASTM C136
D) ASTM C29
Rationale: ASTM C131 is the standard test method for resistance to
degradation of small-size coarse aggregate by abrasion and impact in
NRMCA CONCRETE TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL 2
CERTIFICATION PREPARATION COURSE |
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
ALREADY GRADED A+ | Plus RATIONALES (3
SECTIONS)
Course Name: NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 2 Certification
Preparation Course
Subject: Advanced Concrete Technology, Quality Control, and
Construction Practices
NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 2 Certification Exam Practice
Section 1: Questions 1–50
1. A concrete mix design is required for a bridge pier in a deicing salt
environment. Which of the following maximum water-to-cementitious
material (w/cm) ratios is most appropriate for ensuring durability
against corrosion?
A) 0.50
B) 0.45
C) 0.40
D) 0.35
Rationale: ACI 318 requires a maximum w/cm of 0.40 for concrete
exposed to deicing chemicals or other aggressive corrosive
,Page 2 of 54
environments to ensure adequate permeability and protect the
reinforcing steel.
2. A concrete producer receives a shipment of cement. Which ASTM
standard governs the sampling and testing of hydraulic cement in its
packaged and bulk form?
A) ASTM C33
B) ASTM C183
C) ASTM C150
D) ASTM C94
Rationale: ASTM C183 is the standard practice for sampling and the
amount of testing of hydraulic cement. ASTM C33 covers aggregates,
C150 covers cement specifications, and C94 covers ready-mixed
concrete.
3. A concrete batch plant is experiencing significant variation in slump.
Upon investigation, the moisture content of the fine aggregate is
found to be fluctuating between 4% and 8%. What is the most critical
corrective action to maintain consistent slump and w/cm?
A) Increase the mixing time.
B) Add more water to the batch.
C) Adjust the batch water based on a real-time moisture meter.
D) Reduce the amount of coarse aggregate.
Rationale: Variations in aggregate moisture directly affect the amount
of free water added to the mix. A real-time moisture meter allows for
continuous, automatic adjustments to batch water, ensuring the target
slump and w/cm are maintained.
4. What is the primary purpose of using a high-range water-reducing
admixture (HRWRA) in a concrete mix?
,Page 3 of 54
A) To accelerate the setting time.
B) To improve freeze-thaw resistance.
C) To produce high-slump concrete with a low w/cm.
D) To reduce the amount of air-entraining agent needed.
Rationale: HRWRAs, or superplasticizers, are used to create a highly
fluid, workable concrete (high slump) while maintaining a very low
w/cm, which is essential for high-strength and high-durability mixes.
5. A concrete test cylinder for a 28-day compressive strength test is
found to have a mass of 10.5 kg and a volume of 0.0049 m³. What is
the approximate unit weight of the concrete?
A) 2140 kg/m³
B) 2180 kg/m³
C) 2240 kg/m³
D) 2310 kg/m³
Rationale: Unit weight is calculated by dividing mass by volume: 10.5 kg
/ 0.0049 m³ = 2142.86 kg/m³. The closest answer is 2140 kg/m³.
6. A construction site requires 150 cubic yards of concrete. The
concrete plant's mixer has a rated capacity of 10 cubic yards. How
many truckloads are needed, assuming no waste?
A) 14
B) 15
C) 16
D) 18
Rationale: The number of loads is calculated by total volume required
divided by the capacity per load: 150 yd³ / 10 yd³/load = 15 loads.
7. The slump test is performed and the concrete subsides evenly,
leaving a distinct, well-formed cone. Which of the following best
, Page 4 of 54
describes this type of slump?
A) Shear slump
B) Collapse slump
C) True slump
D) Zero slump
Rationale: A true slump is characterized by the concrete subsiding
evenly while maintaining its general shape. This indicates a well-
proportioned, cohesive mix. Shear and collapse slumps indicate a lack of
cohesion or excessive water, respectively.
8. Which of the following is a primary benefit of using supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag in concrete?
A) Decreased setting time.
B) Increased heat of hydration.
C) Reduced permeability and improved long-term strength.
D) Increased water demand for a given slump.
Rationale: SCMs react pozzolanically to form additional cementitious
compounds, which fill pores and refine the microstructure. This leads to
reduced permeability, increased long-term strength, and improved
durability.
9. An aggregate sample is being tested for its resistance to abrasion.
Which ASTM standard is used for this test?
A) ASTM C127
B) ASTM C131
C) ASTM C136
D) ASTM C29
Rationale: ASTM C131 is the standard test method for resistance to
degradation of small-size coarse aggregate by abrasion and impact in
