Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following is the most appropriate method to
determine the critical path in a construction schedule?
A) Monte Carlo simulation
B) Critical Path Method (CPM)
C) Earned Value Management (EVM)
D) Linear programming
Answer: B
Explanation: CPM identifies the longest sequence of activities (critical path) that
determines the minimum project duration.
**Question 2.** In a life‑cycle cost analysis, which cost is typically excluded from
the analysis?
A) Initial capital cost
B) Operating and maintenance cost
C) Salvage value
D) Personal expenses of the owner
Answer: D
Explanation: Personal expenses of the owner are not part of the project's
economic evaluation; LCCA includes capital, O&M, and salvage values.
**Question 3.** According to the Mississippi Model Rules of Professional
Conduct, an engineer must refuse to:
A) Perform work for a client who cannot pay
, Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
B) Accept a gift that could influence professional judgment
C) Disclose confidential information to a colleague
D) Work on a project outside the engineer’s license class
Answer: B
Explanation: Accepting a gift that may influence judgment is a conflict of interest
and is prohibited.
**Question 4.** The most common soil classification system used in the United
States for engineering purposes is:
A) Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
B) AASHTO Soil Classification System
C) USDA Soil Taxonomy
D) International Society for Soil Mechanics (ISSM) system
Answer: A
Explanation: USCS is widely used for describing soil behavior in engineering.
**Question 5.** The term “void ratio” (e) is defined as:
A) Volume of voids divided by total volume of soil
B) Volume of voids divided by volume of solids
C) Volume of solids divided by volume of voids
D) Volume of water divided by volume of voids
, Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: Void ratio is the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids.
**Question 6.** In a bearing capacity calculation for a shallow footing, the term
“Nc” represents:
A) Bearing capacity factor for cohesionless soils
B) Bearing capacity factor for cohesive soils
C) Net allowable bearing pressure
D) Effective overburden pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Nc is the bearing capacity factor for the contribution of soil cohesion.
**Question 7.** The most appropriate method to increase the lateral load
capacity of a drilled shaft is:
A) Increase shaft diameter
B) Use a larger drilling rig
C) Reduce concrete strength
D) Install a larger cap beam
Answer: A
Explanation: Larger shaft diameter provides greater lateral resistance due to
increased surface area.
, Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
**Question 8.** The Rankine theory for earth pressure assumes:
A) No wall friction and a planar failure surface
B) Wall friction and a curved failure surface
C) Cohesive soil with zero surcharge
D) Active pressure only for retaining walls
Answer: A
Explanation: Rankine assumes smooth wall (no friction) and a planar failure
surface.
**Question 9.** Which of the following dewatering methods is most suitable for a
low‑permeability clayey soil?
A) Well points
B) Deep well system
C) Sump pumping
D) Horizontal drains
Answer: D
Explanation: Horizontal drains (wick drains) are effective for low‑permeability soils
by providing a path for consolidation.
**Question 10.** In steel design using LRFD, the nominal strength (ϕRn) is
multiplied by a resistance factor (ϕ). Which of the following is the correct typical
value of ϕ for flexure?
A) 0.75
**Question 1.** Which of the following is the most appropriate method to
determine the critical path in a construction schedule?
A) Monte Carlo simulation
B) Critical Path Method (CPM)
C) Earned Value Management (EVM)
D) Linear programming
Answer: B
Explanation: CPM identifies the longest sequence of activities (critical path) that
determines the minimum project duration.
**Question 2.** In a life‑cycle cost analysis, which cost is typically excluded from
the analysis?
A) Initial capital cost
B) Operating and maintenance cost
C) Salvage value
D) Personal expenses of the owner
Answer: D
Explanation: Personal expenses of the owner are not part of the project's
economic evaluation; LCCA includes capital, O&M, and salvage values.
**Question 3.** According to the Mississippi Model Rules of Professional
Conduct, an engineer must refuse to:
A) Perform work for a client who cannot pay
, Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
B) Accept a gift that could influence professional judgment
C) Disclose confidential information to a colleague
D) Work on a project outside the engineer’s license class
Answer: B
Explanation: Accepting a gift that may influence judgment is a conflict of interest
and is prohibited.
**Question 4.** The most common soil classification system used in the United
States for engineering purposes is:
A) Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
B) AASHTO Soil Classification System
C) USDA Soil Taxonomy
D) International Society for Soil Mechanics (ISSM) system
Answer: A
Explanation: USCS is widely used for describing soil behavior in engineering.
**Question 5.** The term “void ratio” (e) is defined as:
A) Volume of voids divided by total volume of soil
B) Volume of voids divided by volume of solids
C) Volume of solids divided by volume of voids
D) Volume of water divided by volume of voids
, Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: Void ratio is the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids.
**Question 6.** In a bearing capacity calculation for a shallow footing, the term
“Nc” represents:
A) Bearing capacity factor for cohesionless soils
B) Bearing capacity factor for cohesive soils
C) Net allowable bearing pressure
D) Effective overburden pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Nc is the bearing capacity factor for the contribution of soil cohesion.
**Question 7.** The most appropriate method to increase the lateral load
capacity of a drilled shaft is:
A) Increase shaft diameter
B) Use a larger drilling rig
C) Reduce concrete strength
D) Install a larger cap beam
Answer: A
Explanation: Larger shaft diameter provides greater lateral resistance due to
increased surface area.
, Mississippi MS Engineering Exam
**Question 8.** The Rankine theory for earth pressure assumes:
A) No wall friction and a planar failure surface
B) Wall friction and a curved failure surface
C) Cohesive soil with zero surcharge
D) Active pressure only for retaining walls
Answer: A
Explanation: Rankine assumes smooth wall (no friction) and a planar failure
surface.
**Question 9.** Which of the following dewatering methods is most suitable for a
low‑permeability clayey soil?
A) Well points
B) Deep well system
C) Sump pumping
D) Horizontal drains
Answer: D
Explanation: Horizontal drains (wick drains) are effective for low‑permeability soils
by providing a path for consolidation.
**Question 10.** In steel design using LRFD, the nominal strength (ϕRn) is
multiplied by a resistance factor (ϕ). Which of the following is the correct typical
value of ϕ for flexure?
A) 0.75
