NICET Construction Materials Testing –
Asphalt, Level IV Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. At Level IV, the primary responsibility when overseeing complex
asphalt mixture design validation is to:
A. Record field temperatures only
B. Approve sampling locations
C. Supervise Level I technicians
D. Provide final technical direction and sign-off on mixture design
conformance
Level IV technicians are responsible for advanced oversight and final
acceptance of complex design-related work.
2. When validating an asphalt mixture’s volumetric properties, the
Level IV technician must ensure the Gmm determination follows:
A. AASHTO T11
B. AASHTO T30
C. AASHTO T209
D. AASHTO T166
T209 governs theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm), critical in
Level IV volumetric evaluation.
,3. A Level IV technician must intervene if a contractor proposes a
compaction temperature outside:
A. ±20°F of plant discharge
B. The allowable mixing/compaction range in the approved job mix
formula (JMF)
C. ±30°F tolerance
D. 250°F minimum
Compaction temperature must match the JMF’s specified range to
ensure performance.
4. The most critical parameter when verifying asphalt binder grade for
performance testing at Level IV is:
A. Viscosity at ambient temperature
B. Performance grade (PG) based on climate
C. Binder color
D. Storage tank pressure
Binder performance grade aligns with climate and distress-related
needs.
5. During plant inspection, inconsistent stockpile moisture primarily
affects:
A. Rut resistance
B. Binder content
C. Aggregate gradation and volumetrics
D. Tack coat thickness
, Variable moisture impacts mass measurements and gradation during
dryer operation.
6. A Level IV technician oversees failure analysis of field cores. The
most appropriate test to verify in-place density accuracy is:
A. AASHTO T30
B. AASHTO R47
C. AASHTO T166
D. ASTM D2041
T166 measures bulk specific gravity of compacted specimens.
7. When a mix shows persistent segregation, a Level IV technician’s
first step should be:
A. Reject the material immediately
B. Increase binder content
C. Investigate cold feed calibration and material handling at the plant
D. Reduce roller passes
Segregation often originates from poor feed/handling.
8. The main reason for requiring a minimum number of gyrations in
Superpave mix design is to:
A. Maximize binder absorption
B. Reduce VMA
C. Simulate anticipated traffic loading
D. Increase dust ratio
Superpave gyrations correlate with design ESALs.
Asphalt, Level IV Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download PDF
1. At Level IV, the primary responsibility when overseeing complex
asphalt mixture design validation is to:
A. Record field temperatures only
B. Approve sampling locations
C. Supervise Level I technicians
D. Provide final technical direction and sign-off on mixture design
conformance
Level IV technicians are responsible for advanced oversight and final
acceptance of complex design-related work.
2. When validating an asphalt mixture’s volumetric properties, the
Level IV technician must ensure the Gmm determination follows:
A. AASHTO T11
B. AASHTO T30
C. AASHTO T209
D. AASHTO T166
T209 governs theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm), critical in
Level IV volumetric evaluation.
,3. A Level IV technician must intervene if a contractor proposes a
compaction temperature outside:
A. ±20°F of plant discharge
B. The allowable mixing/compaction range in the approved job mix
formula (JMF)
C. ±30°F tolerance
D. 250°F minimum
Compaction temperature must match the JMF’s specified range to
ensure performance.
4. The most critical parameter when verifying asphalt binder grade for
performance testing at Level IV is:
A. Viscosity at ambient temperature
B. Performance grade (PG) based on climate
C. Binder color
D. Storage tank pressure
Binder performance grade aligns with climate and distress-related
needs.
5. During plant inspection, inconsistent stockpile moisture primarily
affects:
A. Rut resistance
B. Binder content
C. Aggregate gradation and volumetrics
D. Tack coat thickness
, Variable moisture impacts mass measurements and gradation during
dryer operation.
6. A Level IV technician oversees failure analysis of field cores. The
most appropriate test to verify in-place density accuracy is:
A. AASHTO T30
B. AASHTO R47
C. AASHTO T166
D. ASTM D2041
T166 measures bulk specific gravity of compacted specimens.
7. When a mix shows persistent segregation, a Level IV technician’s
first step should be:
A. Reject the material immediately
B. Increase binder content
C. Investigate cold feed calibration and material handling at the plant
D. Reduce roller passes
Segregation often originates from poor feed/handling.
8. The main reason for requiring a minimum number of gyrations in
Superpave mix design is to:
A. Maximize binder absorption
B. Reduce VMA
C. Simulate anticipated traffic loading
D. Increase dust ratio
Superpave gyrations correlate with design ESALs.
