NICET Transportation/Highway
Construction Inspection – Level I Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a construction inspector?
A. Design highways
B. Supervise the contractor
C. Ensure work meets project specifications
D. Perform soil compaction tests
C
The primary role of a construction inspector is to ensure that the work being
performed conforms to contract plans, specifications, and standards.
2. What is the standard thickness of a typical asphalt concrete surface course
on a highway?
A. 2–4 inches
B. 6–8 inches
C. 1–2 inches
D. 10–12 inches
A
Most surface courses for highways are 2–4 inches thick, depending on
traffic load and design specifications.
3. When inspecting a roadway subgrade, which test is commonly performed?
A. Slump test
B. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
C. Proctor compaction
, D. Both B and C
D
CBR and Proctor compaction tests are commonly used to evaluate subgrade
strength and density.
4. Which document contains the detailed requirements for materials,
workmanship, and testing?
A. Project plans
B. Construction specifications
C. Shop drawings
D. Traffic control plan
B
Construction specifications define the standards for materials,
workmanship, and testing for a project.
5. What is the minimum acceptable density of a compacted granular subbase
for a roadway?
A. 85% of standard Proctor
B. 90% of standard Proctor
C. 95% of standard Proctor
D. 100% of standard Proctor
B
Typically, a compacted subbase must achieve at least 90% of the maximum
dry density per the standard Proctor test.
6. When performing asphalt paving inspection, the temperature of the asphalt
at the paver should be checked:
A. Only at the start of the day
B. Every 30 minutes
C. At the beginning and periodically during paving
D. After compaction
C
Checking the asphalt temperature periodically ensures proper compaction
and prevents segregation.
7. A construction inspector notices rutting in freshly laid asphalt. What is the
likely cause?
, A. Low asphalt temperature
B. Over-compaction
C. High traffic before cooling
D. Excessive tack coat
C
Rutting often occurs when traffic is allowed on asphalt before it has
adequately cooled and hardened.
8. What is the typical method for verifying the thickness of a newly
compacted base course?
A. Visual inspection
B. Core sampling
C. Nuclear gauge density test
D. Both B and C
D
Thickness can be verified by coring or by using non-destructive nuclear
density and thickness gauges.
9. During concrete pavement inspection, the slump test is performed to:
A. Measure compressive strength
B. Measure workability
C. Measure air content
D. Measure curing rate
B
The slump test evaluates the workability or consistency of fresh concrete
before placement.
10.What is the primary purpose of a tack coat in asphalt pavement
construction?
A. Improve surface friction
B. Provide waterproofing
C. Ensure bond between layers
D. Prevent rutting
C
Tack coats are applied to bind asphalt layers together for structural
integrity.
Construction Inspection – Level I Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a construction inspector?
A. Design highways
B. Supervise the contractor
C. Ensure work meets project specifications
D. Perform soil compaction tests
C
The primary role of a construction inspector is to ensure that the work being
performed conforms to contract plans, specifications, and standards.
2. What is the standard thickness of a typical asphalt concrete surface course
on a highway?
A. 2–4 inches
B. 6–8 inches
C. 1–2 inches
D. 10–12 inches
A
Most surface courses for highways are 2–4 inches thick, depending on
traffic load and design specifications.
3. When inspecting a roadway subgrade, which test is commonly performed?
A. Slump test
B. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
C. Proctor compaction
, D. Both B and C
D
CBR and Proctor compaction tests are commonly used to evaluate subgrade
strength and density.
4. Which document contains the detailed requirements for materials,
workmanship, and testing?
A. Project plans
B. Construction specifications
C. Shop drawings
D. Traffic control plan
B
Construction specifications define the standards for materials,
workmanship, and testing for a project.
5. What is the minimum acceptable density of a compacted granular subbase
for a roadway?
A. 85% of standard Proctor
B. 90% of standard Proctor
C. 95% of standard Proctor
D. 100% of standard Proctor
B
Typically, a compacted subbase must achieve at least 90% of the maximum
dry density per the standard Proctor test.
6. When performing asphalt paving inspection, the temperature of the asphalt
at the paver should be checked:
A. Only at the start of the day
B. Every 30 minutes
C. At the beginning and periodically during paving
D. After compaction
C
Checking the asphalt temperature periodically ensures proper compaction
and prevents segregation.
7. A construction inspector notices rutting in freshly laid asphalt. What is the
likely cause?
, A. Low asphalt temperature
B. Over-compaction
C. High traffic before cooling
D. Excessive tack coat
C
Rutting often occurs when traffic is allowed on asphalt before it has
adequately cooled and hardened.
8. What is the typical method for verifying the thickness of a newly
compacted base course?
A. Visual inspection
B. Core sampling
C. Nuclear gauge density test
D. Both B and C
D
Thickness can be verified by coring or by using non-destructive nuclear
density and thickness gauges.
9. During concrete pavement inspection, the slump test is performed to:
A. Measure compressive strength
B. Measure workability
C. Measure air content
D. Measure curing rate
B
The slump test evaluates the workability or consistency of fresh concrete
before placement.
10.What is the primary purpose of a tack coat in asphalt pavement
construction?
A. Improve surface friction
B. Provide waterproofing
C. Ensure bond between layers
D. Prevent rutting
C
Tack coats are applied to bind asphalt layers together for structural
integrity.
