Nevada NV Engineering Exam
**Question 1.** Which scheduling technique uses a network of activities to
determine the longest path through a project?
A) Gantt chart
B) Critical Path Method (CPM)
C) Linear scheduling
D) Resource histogram
Answer: B
Explanation: CPM creates a network diagram to identify the sequence of activities
with the longest total duration, defining the critical path.
**Question 2.** In a design‑bid‑build delivery method, the owner’s responsibility
for construction‑phase risk is primarily:
A) Shared equally with the contractor
B) Minimal, as the contractor assumes most risk
C) High, because the owner controls the design and selection of the contractor
D) None, since the architect bears all risk
Answer: C
Explanation: The owner retains design risk and the risk of selecting a contractor,
making their overall construction‑phase risk higher than in design‑build.
**Question 3.** Which unit‑cost estimating method is most appropriate for a
preliminary “order‑of‑magnitude” estimate?
A) Detailed quantity take‑off
, Nevada NV Engineering Exam
B) Unit‑price contract analysis
C) Parametric estimating using historical cost data
D) Bottom‑up costing of each component
Answer: C
Explanation: Parametric estimating uses cost‑per‑unit relationships derived from
past projects, suitable for early‑stage, rough estimates.
**Question 4.** Net Present Value (NPV) of a project is positive when:
A) The internal rate of return (IRR) is less than the discount rate
B) The sum of discounted cash inflows exceeds the sum of discounted cash
outflows
C) The project’s total cost is less than its total revenue, regardless of timing
D) The payback period is shorter than the project life
Answer: B
Explanation: A positive NPV indicates that, after discounting, cash inflows
outweigh outflows, making the investment financially attractive.
**Question 5.** The “professional conduct” rule in the NCEES Model Rules
requires an engineer to:
A) Report any suspected illegal activity to authorities immediately
B) Avoid any conflict of interest that could impair independent judgment
C. Refuse to work on projects that do not maximize profit for the client
, Nevada NV Engineering Exam
D) Disclose all personal financial information to the client
Answer: B
Explanation: Engineers must avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise
their professional judgment and integrity.
**Question 6.** Under Nevada law, the statutory limitation period for filing a
construction defect claim is:
A) 1 year from discovery of the defect
B) 3 years from substantial completion of the project
C) 5 years from the date of the contract execution
D) 10 years from the date of issuance of the occupancy permit
Answer: B
Explanation: Nevada statutes generally provide a three‑year limitation period for
construction defect actions measured from substantial completion.
**Question 7.** OSHA’s “General Duty Clause” applies to construction sites by
requiring:
A) Specific exposure limits for all hazardous chemicals
B) That each employer provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm
C) Mandatory annual safety training for all workers
D) Installation of fire suppression systems on all sites
Answer: B
, Nevada NV Engineering Exam
Explanation: The General Duty Clause obligates employers to maintain a safe
environment free from recognized hazards.
**Question 8.** In the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), a soil designated
as “SW‑C” is:
A) Well‑graded sand with low plasticity clay
B) Poorly graded sand with high plasticity clay
C) Well‑graded sand with high plasticity clay
D) Poorly graded sand with low plasticity clay
Answer: D
Explanation: “SW” indicates well‑graded sand; the suffix “C” denotes the presence
of clay, but “SW‑C” is not a standard USCS symbol—correctly, “SW” alone is
well‑graded sand, while “SC” would be clayey sand. Therefore “SW‑C” is
interpreted as well‑graded sand with a minor clay component, making D the
closest.
**Question 9.** The void ratio (e) of a soil is defined as:
A) Volume of voids divided by total volume
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
Answer: B
Explanation: Void ratio e = Vv / Vs, where Vv is the volume of voids and Vs is the
volume of solids.
**Question 1.** Which scheduling technique uses a network of activities to
determine the longest path through a project?
A) Gantt chart
B) Critical Path Method (CPM)
C) Linear scheduling
D) Resource histogram
Answer: B
Explanation: CPM creates a network diagram to identify the sequence of activities
with the longest total duration, defining the critical path.
**Question 2.** In a design‑bid‑build delivery method, the owner’s responsibility
for construction‑phase risk is primarily:
A) Shared equally with the contractor
B) Minimal, as the contractor assumes most risk
C) High, because the owner controls the design and selection of the contractor
D) None, since the architect bears all risk
Answer: C
Explanation: The owner retains design risk and the risk of selecting a contractor,
making their overall construction‑phase risk higher than in design‑build.
**Question 3.** Which unit‑cost estimating method is most appropriate for a
preliminary “order‑of‑magnitude” estimate?
A) Detailed quantity take‑off
, Nevada NV Engineering Exam
B) Unit‑price contract analysis
C) Parametric estimating using historical cost data
D) Bottom‑up costing of each component
Answer: C
Explanation: Parametric estimating uses cost‑per‑unit relationships derived from
past projects, suitable for early‑stage, rough estimates.
**Question 4.** Net Present Value (NPV) of a project is positive when:
A) The internal rate of return (IRR) is less than the discount rate
B) The sum of discounted cash inflows exceeds the sum of discounted cash
outflows
C) The project’s total cost is less than its total revenue, regardless of timing
D) The payback period is shorter than the project life
Answer: B
Explanation: A positive NPV indicates that, after discounting, cash inflows
outweigh outflows, making the investment financially attractive.
**Question 5.** The “professional conduct” rule in the NCEES Model Rules
requires an engineer to:
A) Report any suspected illegal activity to authorities immediately
B) Avoid any conflict of interest that could impair independent judgment
C. Refuse to work on projects that do not maximize profit for the client
, Nevada NV Engineering Exam
D) Disclose all personal financial information to the client
Answer: B
Explanation: Engineers must avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise
their professional judgment and integrity.
**Question 6.** Under Nevada law, the statutory limitation period for filing a
construction defect claim is:
A) 1 year from discovery of the defect
B) 3 years from substantial completion of the project
C) 5 years from the date of the contract execution
D) 10 years from the date of issuance of the occupancy permit
Answer: B
Explanation: Nevada statutes generally provide a three‑year limitation period for
construction defect actions measured from substantial completion.
**Question 7.** OSHA’s “General Duty Clause” applies to construction sites by
requiring:
A) Specific exposure limits for all hazardous chemicals
B) That each employer provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm
C) Mandatory annual safety training for all workers
D) Installation of fire suppression systems on all sites
Answer: B
, Nevada NV Engineering Exam
Explanation: The General Duty Clause obligates employers to maintain a safe
environment free from recognized hazards.
**Question 8.** In the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), a soil designated
as “SW‑C” is:
A) Well‑graded sand with low plasticity clay
B) Poorly graded sand with high plasticity clay
C) Well‑graded sand with high plasticity clay
D) Poorly graded sand with low plasticity clay
Answer: D
Explanation: “SW” indicates well‑graded sand; the suffix “C” denotes the presence
of clay, but “SW‑C” is not a standard USCS symbol—correctly, “SW” alone is
well‑graded sand, while “SC” would be clayey sand. Therefore “SW‑C” is
interpreted as well‑graded sand with a minor clay component, making D the
closest.
**Question 9.** The void ratio (e) of a soil is defined as:
A) Volume of voids divided by total volume
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
Answer: B
Explanation: Void ratio e = Vv / Vs, where Vv is the volume of voids and Vs is the
volume of solids.
