NICET Construction Materials Testing –
Soils Level III practice exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download PDF
1. Which of the following tests is used to determine the liquid limit of
a soil?
A. Standard Proctor Test
B. Casagrande Method
C. Atterberg Shrinkage Test
D. Direct Shear Test
The Casagrande method is the standard procedure for determining the
liquid limit of cohesive soils.
2. The optimum moisture content (OMC) of a soil is determined using
which test?
A. CBR Test
B. Direct Shear Test
C. Standard Proctor Compaction Test
D. Cone Penetration Test
OMC is found during compaction testing to achieve maximum dry
density, typically using the Standard Proctor test.
,3. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is primarily used to evaluate:
A. Soil permeability
B. Shear strength
C. Subgrade strength for pavement design
D. Soil compressibility
CBR measures the support value of subgrade and base materials for
pavements.
4. Which soil type is most likely to exhibit high plasticity?
A. Sand
B. Gravel
C. Clay
D. Silt
Clays contain fine particles that retain water and exhibit high plasticity.
5. During sieve analysis, the 4.75 mm sieve is used to separate:
A. Sand and silt
B. Gravel and sand
C. Silt and clay
D. Clay and organic material
The 4.75 mm sieve is the standard boundary between gravel (>4.75
mm) and sand (<4.75 mm).
6. Which of the following best describes a well-graded soil?
A. Soil with uniform particle size
B. Soil with a variety of particle sizes
,C. Soil with high organic content
D. Soil with high permeability
Well-graded soil contains a good mix of sizes, which improves
compaction and strength.
7. The Atterberg Limits are used to classify:
A. Gravel and sand
B. Organic soils
C. Fine-grained soils
D. Rock fragments
Atterberg Limits, including liquid and plastic limits, are applicable to
silts and clays.
8. A soil has a liquid limit of 60% and a plastic limit of 25%. Its
plasticity index (PI) is:
A. 85%
B. 35%
C. 25%
D. 35%
PI = Liquid Limit – Plastic Limit = 60 – 25 = 35%.
9. Which test measures the lateral stress and cohesion of soil under
triaxial conditions?
A. Standard Proctor Test
B. CBR Test
C. Triaxial Compression Test
D. Sieve Analysis
, The triaxial test applies controlled stresses to determine shear strength
parameters.
10. Soil permeability is most commonly determined using:
A. Proctor Compaction Test
B. Constant Head or Falling Head Permeability Test
C. Direct Shear Test
D. Hydrometer Analysis
Permeability tests measure the ease with which water flows through
soil.
11. Which type of soil exhibits the highest cohesion?
A. Sand
B. Clay
C. Gravel
D. Silt
Clay particles attract each other and retain water, creating high
cohesive strength.
12. The field test used to estimate soil density with a sand cone is
called:
A. Nuclear Density Test
B. Sand Cone Test
C. Core Cutter Test
D. CBR Test
The sand cone test is a traditional field method to determine in-place
soil density.
Soils Level III practice exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download PDF
1. Which of the following tests is used to determine the liquid limit of
a soil?
A. Standard Proctor Test
B. Casagrande Method
C. Atterberg Shrinkage Test
D. Direct Shear Test
The Casagrande method is the standard procedure for determining the
liquid limit of cohesive soils.
2. The optimum moisture content (OMC) of a soil is determined using
which test?
A. CBR Test
B. Direct Shear Test
C. Standard Proctor Compaction Test
D. Cone Penetration Test
OMC is found during compaction testing to achieve maximum dry
density, typically using the Standard Proctor test.
,3. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is primarily used to evaluate:
A. Soil permeability
B. Shear strength
C. Subgrade strength for pavement design
D. Soil compressibility
CBR measures the support value of subgrade and base materials for
pavements.
4. Which soil type is most likely to exhibit high plasticity?
A. Sand
B. Gravel
C. Clay
D. Silt
Clays contain fine particles that retain water and exhibit high plasticity.
5. During sieve analysis, the 4.75 mm sieve is used to separate:
A. Sand and silt
B. Gravel and sand
C. Silt and clay
D. Clay and organic material
The 4.75 mm sieve is the standard boundary between gravel (>4.75
mm) and sand (<4.75 mm).
6. Which of the following best describes a well-graded soil?
A. Soil with uniform particle size
B. Soil with a variety of particle sizes
,C. Soil with high organic content
D. Soil with high permeability
Well-graded soil contains a good mix of sizes, which improves
compaction and strength.
7. The Atterberg Limits are used to classify:
A. Gravel and sand
B. Organic soils
C. Fine-grained soils
D. Rock fragments
Atterberg Limits, including liquid and plastic limits, are applicable to
silts and clays.
8. A soil has a liquid limit of 60% and a plastic limit of 25%. Its
plasticity index (PI) is:
A. 85%
B. 35%
C. 25%
D. 35%
PI = Liquid Limit – Plastic Limit = 60 – 25 = 35%.
9. Which test measures the lateral stress and cohesion of soil under
triaxial conditions?
A. Standard Proctor Test
B. CBR Test
C. Triaxial Compression Test
D. Sieve Analysis
, The triaxial test applies controlled stresses to determine shear strength
parameters.
10. Soil permeability is most commonly determined using:
A. Proctor Compaction Test
B. Constant Head or Falling Head Permeability Test
C. Direct Shear Test
D. Hydrometer Analysis
Permeability tests measure the ease with which water flows through
soil.
11. Which type of soil exhibits the highest cohesion?
A. Sand
B. Clay
C. Gravel
D. Silt
Clay particles attract each other and retain water, creating high
cohesive strength.
12. The field test used to estimate soil density with a sand cone is
called:
A. Nuclear Density Test
B. Sand Cone Test
C. Core Cutter Test
D. CBR Test
The sand cone test is a traditional field method to determine in-place
soil density.
