CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 Exam
CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 Exam
Exam Coverage – 10 Most Tested Areas
1. Laboratory Safety and Hazardous Materials Handling – Personal protective
equipment, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical spill response, fire
extinguisher classes, fume hood operation, and emergency first aid
procedures. 7 9
2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) – Accuracy versus precision,
blanks, duplicates, spike recovery, calibration curves, control charts, method
detection limits, and relative percent difference. 16 10
3. Sample Collection, Preservation, and Holding Times – Container types,
chemical preservation, refrigeration requirements, maximum holding times for
ammonia, nitrate, BOD, COD, and bacteriological samples. 1 3 14
,4. Analytical Chemistry and Wet Chemistry Methods – Titrations (COD, Winkler,
chloride, alkalinity), gravimetric analysis (TSS, TDS), pH measurement,
spectrophotometry, and nutrient analysis. 1 3 13
5. Microbiology and Bacteriological Testing – Coliform analysis (MPN,
membrane filtration), heterotrophic plate count, incubation temperatures,
media preparation, and indicator organism characteristics. 9 13 20
6. Laboratory Instrumentation and Calibration – Spectrophotometer, pH meter,
turbidimeter, analytical balance, dissolved oxygen meter, and conductivity
meter operation and calibration. 3 13 16
7. Wastewater Process Control Calculations – MLSS, SVI, MCRT, F/M ratio,
volatile acids/alkalinity ratio, chlorination/dechlorination calculations, and
loading calculations. 6 9
8. Data Analysis, Calculations, and Reporting – Significant figures, unit
conversions, dilution calculations, standard deviation, reporting limits, and
proper data correction procedures. 5 16
, 9. Regulatory Compliance and Standards – NPDES permits, EPA methods, ELAP
certification, Standard Methods, and Clean Water Act requirements. 2 9 20
10. Chain of Custody and Documentation – Sample receiving logs, chain of
custody forms, legal defensibility of data, and proper record-keeping
procedures. 8 10
CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 Exam
200 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
Question 1
Which piece of personal protective equipment is considered essential when
handling corrosive chemicals in the wastewater laboratory environment?
, A) Safety glasses only
B) Nitrile gloves and safety goggles
C) Cotton lab coat only
D) Steel-toed boots
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When handling corrosive chemicals, chemical-resistant gloves and
safety goggles or a face shield are essential to protect against splashes and
burns. Safety glasses alone do not provide sufficient splash protection. 7
Question 2
What comprehensive information is typically found on a Safety Data Sheet for
chemical substances used in laboratory analysis?
A) Only the chemical name and formula
B) Physical and chemical properties, health hazards, first aid measures, and
CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 Exam
Exam Coverage – 10 Most Tested Areas
1. Laboratory Safety and Hazardous Materials Handling – Personal protective
equipment, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical spill response, fire
extinguisher classes, fume hood operation, and emergency first aid
procedures. 7 9
2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) – Accuracy versus precision,
blanks, duplicates, spike recovery, calibration curves, control charts, method
detection limits, and relative percent difference. 16 10
3. Sample Collection, Preservation, and Holding Times – Container types,
chemical preservation, refrigeration requirements, maximum holding times for
ammonia, nitrate, BOD, COD, and bacteriological samples. 1 3 14
,4. Analytical Chemistry and Wet Chemistry Methods – Titrations (COD, Winkler,
chloride, alkalinity), gravimetric analysis (TSS, TDS), pH measurement,
spectrophotometry, and nutrient analysis. 1 3 13
5. Microbiology and Bacteriological Testing – Coliform analysis (MPN,
membrane filtration), heterotrophic plate count, incubation temperatures,
media preparation, and indicator organism characteristics. 9 13 20
6. Laboratory Instrumentation and Calibration – Spectrophotometer, pH meter,
turbidimeter, analytical balance, dissolved oxygen meter, and conductivity
meter operation and calibration. 3 13 16
7. Wastewater Process Control Calculations – MLSS, SVI, MCRT, F/M ratio,
volatile acids/alkalinity ratio, chlorination/dechlorination calculations, and
loading calculations. 6 9
8. Data Analysis, Calculations, and Reporting – Significant figures, unit
conversions, dilution calculations, standard deviation, reporting limits, and
proper data correction procedures. 5 16
, 9. Regulatory Compliance and Standards – NPDES permits, EPA methods, ELAP
certification, Standard Methods, and Clean Water Act requirements. 2 9 20
10. Chain of Custody and Documentation – Sample receiving logs, chain of
custody forms, legal defensibility of data, and proper record-keeping
procedures. 8 10
CWEA Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 Exam
200 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
Question 1
Which piece of personal protective equipment is considered essential when
handling corrosive chemicals in the wastewater laboratory environment?
, A) Safety glasses only
B) Nitrile gloves and safety goggles
C) Cotton lab coat only
D) Steel-toed boots
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When handling corrosive chemicals, chemical-resistant gloves and
safety goggles or a face shield are essential to protect against splashes and
burns. Safety glasses alone do not provide sufficient splash protection. 7
Question 2
What comprehensive information is typically found on a Safety Data Sheet for
chemical substances used in laboratory analysis?
A) Only the chemical name and formula
B) Physical and chemical properties, health hazards, first aid measures, and
