AGMT Architectural Glass and Metal
Technician Certification Practice Exam
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a weep hole in a curtain wall system?
A) To allow for thermal expansion of the mullions
B) To provide a path for water drainage and pressure equalization
C) To serve as an attachment point for scaffolding
D) To allow for the injection of sealant after installation
Correct Answer: B) To provide a path for water drainage and pressure
equalization
Weep holes drain incidental water that enters the system and equalize air
pressure across the gasket, preventing water from being drawn into the
building.
2. Which type of glass is manufactured by rapidly cooling the surface to
create a compressive stress layer?
A) Annealed glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Wired glass
Correct Answer: C) Tempered glass
Tempered glass is heat-strengthened through rapid cooling (quenching),
placing the outer surfaces in compression and the inner core in tension,
making it significantly stronger than annealed glass.
,3. When installing structural silicone sealant, what is the most critical surface
preparation step?
A) Abrading the surface with sandpaper
B) Cleaning with a specialized solvent and allowing it to flash off
C) Priming the surface with a water-based primer
D) Wiping the surface with a damp cloth
Correct Answer: B) Cleaning with a specialized solvent and allowing it to flash
off
Proper surface preparation requires cleaning with a specific solvent (e.g.,
isopropyl alcohol or MEK) to remove dirt, oil, and moisture. The solvent must
fully evaporate before sealant application to ensure adhesion.
4. In a unitized curtain wall system, what is the function of the interlock?
A) To connect the vertical mullions to the structural slab
B) To provide a weather-tight seal between adjacent units
C) To anchor the glass lite into the frame
D) To lift the unit from the delivery truck
Correct Answer: B) To provide a weather-tight seal between adjacent units
The interlock is the engineered male/female connection between unitized
panels that provides the primary weather seal and structural continuity
across vertical joints.
5. Which aluminum alloy is most commonly used for extruded window
frames?
A) 1100 series
B) 2024 series
C) 6061 series
D) 6063 series
Correct Answer: D) 6063 series
6063 aluminum alloy is most commonly used for architectural extrusions due
to its excellent extrudability, good corrosion resistance, and ability to achieve
a high-quality anodized or painted finish.
6. What does the "U-factor" measure in a glazing system?
A) The rate of solar heat gain through the glass
,B) The resistance to thermal conduction
C) The rate of heat transfer through the entire assembly
D) The amount of visible light transmitted through the glass
Correct Answer: C) The rate of heat transfer through the entire assembly
The U-factor measures the overall rate of heat transfer (thermal
transmittance) through a building assembly, including glass, frame, and
spacers. A lower U-factor means better insulation.
7. What safety device is mandatory on all hydraulic aerial work platforms
(scissor lifts and boom lifts)?
A) A secondary braking system
B) An audible backup alarm
C) A pothole protection system
D) A fall arrest harness attachment point
Correct Answer: D) A fall arrest harness attachment point
OSHA and ANSI require that aerial lifts have designated anchor points for
lanyards and harnesses. The worker must be tied off at all times while in the
basket.
8. What is the primary cause of "stress cracks" in tempered glass?
A) Wind load exceeding the design pressure
B) Thermal shock from sudden temperature changes
C) Inclusions of nickel sulfide (NiS) in the glass
D) Impact from a hard object on the edge or corner
Correct Answer: C) Inclusions of nickel sulfide (NiS) in the glass
Nickel sulfide inclusions can expand over time, causing spontaneous breakage
in tempered glass. This is often called "spontaneous fracture," and a
characteristic "butterfly" pattern is visible at the fracture origin.
9. When reading blueprints, a dashed line with a "G" in a circle typically
represents:
A) A concealed electrical conduit
B) The centerline of a mullion
C) A glazing line or glazing reference
D) A grade beam in the foundation
, Correct Answer: C) A glazing line or glazing reference
In architectural glazing drawings, a "G" in a circle is a common notation for a
glazing line, indicating the outer face of the glass or the plane of the glazing
system.
10. A "wet seal" in a curtain wall refers to:
A) A seal that is applied underwater
B) A seal created with a pre-formed gasket
C) A seal created with a field-applied liquid sealant
D) A seal that is designed to be submerged in rain
Correct Answer: C) A seal created with a field-applied liquid sealant
A wet seal is a field-applied liquid sealant (such as silicone) that cures to form
a weathertight barrier. It is contrasted with a "dry seal," which uses
preformed gaskets or tape.
11. Which type of glass is composed of two or more lites bonded together
with an interlayer of PVB or SentryGlas?
A) Insulating glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Heat-strengthened glass
Correct Answer: B) Laminated glass
Laminated glass is a sandwich of glass and an interlayer. When broken, the
interlayer holds the glass fragments in place, providing safety, security, and
sound attenuation.
12. What is the purpose of a "setting block" in a glazing pocket?
A) To hold the glass in the center of the frame
B) To prevent the glass from contacting the frame and to distribute the glass
weight
C) To seal the joint between glass and frame
D) To allow for thermal expansion of the glass
Correct Answer: B) To prevent the glass from contacting the frame and to
distribute the glass weight
Technician Certification Practice Exam
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a weep hole in a curtain wall system?
A) To allow for thermal expansion of the mullions
B) To provide a path for water drainage and pressure equalization
C) To serve as an attachment point for scaffolding
D) To allow for the injection of sealant after installation
Correct Answer: B) To provide a path for water drainage and pressure
equalization
Weep holes drain incidental water that enters the system and equalize air
pressure across the gasket, preventing water from being drawn into the
building.
2. Which type of glass is manufactured by rapidly cooling the surface to
create a compressive stress layer?
A) Annealed glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Wired glass
Correct Answer: C) Tempered glass
Tempered glass is heat-strengthened through rapid cooling (quenching),
placing the outer surfaces in compression and the inner core in tension,
making it significantly stronger than annealed glass.
,3. When installing structural silicone sealant, what is the most critical surface
preparation step?
A) Abrading the surface with sandpaper
B) Cleaning with a specialized solvent and allowing it to flash off
C) Priming the surface with a water-based primer
D) Wiping the surface with a damp cloth
Correct Answer: B) Cleaning with a specialized solvent and allowing it to flash
off
Proper surface preparation requires cleaning with a specific solvent (e.g.,
isopropyl alcohol or MEK) to remove dirt, oil, and moisture. The solvent must
fully evaporate before sealant application to ensure adhesion.
4. In a unitized curtain wall system, what is the function of the interlock?
A) To connect the vertical mullions to the structural slab
B) To provide a weather-tight seal between adjacent units
C) To anchor the glass lite into the frame
D) To lift the unit from the delivery truck
Correct Answer: B) To provide a weather-tight seal between adjacent units
The interlock is the engineered male/female connection between unitized
panels that provides the primary weather seal and structural continuity
across vertical joints.
5. Which aluminum alloy is most commonly used for extruded window
frames?
A) 1100 series
B) 2024 series
C) 6061 series
D) 6063 series
Correct Answer: D) 6063 series
6063 aluminum alloy is most commonly used for architectural extrusions due
to its excellent extrudability, good corrosion resistance, and ability to achieve
a high-quality anodized or painted finish.
6. What does the "U-factor" measure in a glazing system?
A) The rate of solar heat gain through the glass
,B) The resistance to thermal conduction
C) The rate of heat transfer through the entire assembly
D) The amount of visible light transmitted through the glass
Correct Answer: C) The rate of heat transfer through the entire assembly
The U-factor measures the overall rate of heat transfer (thermal
transmittance) through a building assembly, including glass, frame, and
spacers. A lower U-factor means better insulation.
7. What safety device is mandatory on all hydraulic aerial work platforms
(scissor lifts and boom lifts)?
A) A secondary braking system
B) An audible backup alarm
C) A pothole protection system
D) A fall arrest harness attachment point
Correct Answer: D) A fall arrest harness attachment point
OSHA and ANSI require that aerial lifts have designated anchor points for
lanyards and harnesses. The worker must be tied off at all times while in the
basket.
8. What is the primary cause of "stress cracks" in tempered glass?
A) Wind load exceeding the design pressure
B) Thermal shock from sudden temperature changes
C) Inclusions of nickel sulfide (NiS) in the glass
D) Impact from a hard object on the edge or corner
Correct Answer: C) Inclusions of nickel sulfide (NiS) in the glass
Nickel sulfide inclusions can expand over time, causing spontaneous breakage
in tempered glass. This is often called "spontaneous fracture," and a
characteristic "butterfly" pattern is visible at the fracture origin.
9. When reading blueprints, a dashed line with a "G" in a circle typically
represents:
A) A concealed electrical conduit
B) The centerline of a mullion
C) A glazing line or glazing reference
D) A grade beam in the foundation
, Correct Answer: C) A glazing line or glazing reference
In architectural glazing drawings, a "G" in a circle is a common notation for a
glazing line, indicating the outer face of the glass or the plane of the glazing
system.
10. A "wet seal" in a curtain wall refers to:
A) A seal that is applied underwater
B) A seal created with a pre-formed gasket
C) A seal created with a field-applied liquid sealant
D) A seal that is designed to be submerged in rain
Correct Answer: C) A seal created with a field-applied liquid sealant
A wet seal is a field-applied liquid sealant (such as silicone) that cures to form
a weathertight barrier. It is contrasted with a "dry seal," which uses
preformed gaskets or tape.
11. Which type of glass is composed of two or more lites bonded together
with an interlayer of PVB or SentryGlas?
A) Insulating glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Heat-strengthened glass
Correct Answer: B) Laminated glass
Laminated glass is a sandwich of glass and an interlayer. When broken, the
interlayer holds the glass fragments in place, providing safety, security, and
sound attenuation.
12. What is the purpose of a "setting block" in a glazing pocket?
A) To hold the glass in the center of the frame
B) To prevent the glass from contacting the frame and to distribute the glass
weight
C) To seal the joint between glass and frame
D) To allow for thermal expansion of the glass
Correct Answer: B) To prevent the glass from contacting the frame and to
distribute the glass weight
