VIRGINIA (VA) PAV ASPHALT PAVING &
SEALCOATING PRACTICE EXAM WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES GRADED A+
1. Which of the following asphalt mix types is most commonly used for
residential driveways?
A. Open-graded friction course
B. Dense-graded hot mix asphalt
C. Stone matrix asphalt
D. Cold mix asphalt
Answer: B. Dense-graded hot mix asphalt
Rationale: Dense-graded HMA is versatile, durable, and cost-effective, making it
the standard choice for residential driveways. Open-graded and stone matrix mixes
are specialty applications, while cold mix is temporary.
2. What is the primary purpose of sealcoating asphalt pavement?
A. To improve structural strength
B. To protect against UV rays, water, and chemical spills
C. To increase skid resistance permanently
D. To reduce asphalt thickness requirements
Answer: B. To protect against UV rays, water, and chemical spills
Rationale: Sealcoating acts as a protective barrier, preventing oxidation, weather
damage, and chemical penetration. It does not add structural strength or
permanently change skid resistance.
3. Which piece of equipment is typically used for final asphalt compaction?
A. Plate compactor
B. Pneumatic tire roller
C. Steel drum roller
D. Motor grader
,Answer: C. Steel drum roller
Rationale: Steel drum rollers provide smooth, dense compaction and are
commonly used in final rolling after breakdown and intermediate passes.
4. What minimum pavement slope is generally recommended to ensure proper
drainage?
A. 0.5%
B. 1%
C. 2%
D. 5%
Answer: C. 2%
Rationale: A 2% slope (¼ inch per foot) is the standard minimum for drainage.
Less slope risks ponding; too much slope may cause erosion.
5. Asphalt binder is primarily derived from which material?
A. Natural tar sands
B. Refined petroleum
C. Crushed limestone
D. Recycled plastics
Answer: B. Refined petroleum
Rationale: Asphalt binder is the heavy residue left after petroleum refining. It acts
as the glue in asphalt concrete.
6. Which of the following is a key indicator of insufficient compaction in
asphalt pavement?
A. Excessive shine
B. Low air voids
C. Rutting and shoving
D. Smooth surface texture
,Answer: C. Rutting and shoving
Rationale: Poor compaction leaves too many air voids, leading to deformation
under load (rutting/shoving). Proper compaction prevents this.
7. When should a newly paved asphalt surface typically be sealcoated?
A. Immediately after paving
B. After 30 days
C. After 6–12 months
D. After 2 years
Answer: C. After 6–12 months
Rationale: Asphalt needs time to cure and release oils before sealcoating.
Applying too early prevents bonding.
8. Which OSHA regulation covers respiratory protection during asphalt
application?
A. 29 CFR 1926.451
B. 29 CFR 1910.134
C. 29 CFR 1926.501
D. 29 CFR 1910.212
Answer: B. 29 CFR 1910.134
Rationale: This standard governs respirator use, critical for workers exposed to
asphalt fumes or dust.
9. What is the function of tack coat in asphalt paving?
A. To increase thickness of pavement
B. To bond new asphalt layers to existing surfaces
C. To waterproof the base layer
D. To reduce permeability of pavement
Answer: B. To bond new asphalt layers to existing surfaces
Rationale: Tack coat is a thin asphalt emulsion applied between layers for
adhesion and structural continuity.
, 10. Which soil type requires the most stabilization before paving?
A. Sandy soil
B. Clay soil
C. Gravelly soil
D. Silt soil
Answer: B. Clay soil
Rationale: Clay holds water, swells, and shrinks, making it unstable unless
stabilized or replaced before paving.
11. What is the main advantage of infrared asphalt repair?
A. Lower material costs
B. Seamless repair blending with existing pavement
C. Faster curing time than hot mix asphalt
D. Does not require compaction
Answer: B. Seamless repair blending with existing pavement
Rationale: Infrared heating softens existing asphalt, allowing repairs to blend
seamlessly. Compaction is still required.
12. Sealcoat typically contains which of the following materials?
A. Asphalt emulsion, water, and additives
B. Pure asphalt binder only
C. Portland cement and sand
D. Crushed aggregate and lime
Answer: A. Asphalt emulsion, water, and additives
Rationale: Sealcoat mixes asphalt emulsion with water, sand, and polymers to
create a protective surface coat.
SEALCOATING PRACTICE EXAM WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES GRADED A+
1. Which of the following asphalt mix types is most commonly used for
residential driveways?
A. Open-graded friction course
B. Dense-graded hot mix asphalt
C. Stone matrix asphalt
D. Cold mix asphalt
Answer: B. Dense-graded hot mix asphalt
Rationale: Dense-graded HMA is versatile, durable, and cost-effective, making it
the standard choice for residential driveways. Open-graded and stone matrix mixes
are specialty applications, while cold mix is temporary.
2. What is the primary purpose of sealcoating asphalt pavement?
A. To improve structural strength
B. To protect against UV rays, water, and chemical spills
C. To increase skid resistance permanently
D. To reduce asphalt thickness requirements
Answer: B. To protect against UV rays, water, and chemical spills
Rationale: Sealcoating acts as a protective barrier, preventing oxidation, weather
damage, and chemical penetration. It does not add structural strength or
permanently change skid resistance.
3. Which piece of equipment is typically used for final asphalt compaction?
A. Plate compactor
B. Pneumatic tire roller
C. Steel drum roller
D. Motor grader
,Answer: C. Steel drum roller
Rationale: Steel drum rollers provide smooth, dense compaction and are
commonly used in final rolling after breakdown and intermediate passes.
4. What minimum pavement slope is generally recommended to ensure proper
drainage?
A. 0.5%
B. 1%
C. 2%
D. 5%
Answer: C. 2%
Rationale: A 2% slope (¼ inch per foot) is the standard minimum for drainage.
Less slope risks ponding; too much slope may cause erosion.
5. Asphalt binder is primarily derived from which material?
A. Natural tar sands
B. Refined petroleum
C. Crushed limestone
D. Recycled plastics
Answer: B. Refined petroleum
Rationale: Asphalt binder is the heavy residue left after petroleum refining. It acts
as the glue in asphalt concrete.
6. Which of the following is a key indicator of insufficient compaction in
asphalt pavement?
A. Excessive shine
B. Low air voids
C. Rutting and shoving
D. Smooth surface texture
,Answer: C. Rutting and shoving
Rationale: Poor compaction leaves too many air voids, leading to deformation
under load (rutting/shoving). Proper compaction prevents this.
7. When should a newly paved asphalt surface typically be sealcoated?
A. Immediately after paving
B. After 30 days
C. After 6–12 months
D. After 2 years
Answer: C. After 6–12 months
Rationale: Asphalt needs time to cure and release oils before sealcoating.
Applying too early prevents bonding.
8. Which OSHA regulation covers respiratory protection during asphalt
application?
A. 29 CFR 1926.451
B. 29 CFR 1910.134
C. 29 CFR 1926.501
D. 29 CFR 1910.212
Answer: B. 29 CFR 1910.134
Rationale: This standard governs respirator use, critical for workers exposed to
asphalt fumes or dust.
9. What is the function of tack coat in asphalt paving?
A. To increase thickness of pavement
B. To bond new asphalt layers to existing surfaces
C. To waterproof the base layer
D. To reduce permeability of pavement
Answer: B. To bond new asphalt layers to existing surfaces
Rationale: Tack coat is a thin asphalt emulsion applied between layers for
adhesion and structural continuity.
, 10. Which soil type requires the most stabilization before paving?
A. Sandy soil
B. Clay soil
C. Gravelly soil
D. Silt soil
Answer: B. Clay soil
Rationale: Clay holds water, swells, and shrinks, making it unstable unless
stabilized or replaced before paving.
11. What is the main advantage of infrared asphalt repair?
A. Lower material costs
B. Seamless repair blending with existing pavement
C. Faster curing time than hot mix asphalt
D. Does not require compaction
Answer: B. Seamless repair blending with existing pavement
Rationale: Infrared heating softens existing asphalt, allowing repairs to blend
seamlessly. Compaction is still required.
12. Sealcoat typically contains which of the following materials?
A. Asphalt emulsion, water, and additives
B. Pure asphalt binder only
C. Portland cement and sand
D. Crushed aggregate and lime
Answer: A. Asphalt emulsion, water, and additives
Rationale: Sealcoat mixes asphalt emulsion with water, sand, and polymers to
create a protective surface coat.
