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Kaplan PE (Professional Engineering)
Exam Comprehensive Question Multiple-
Choice Practice Bank for Professional
Engineering Licensure
Exam Topic: Kaplan PE (Professional Engineering) Examination – Comprehensive Practice for
NCEES PE Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering Disciplines
SECTION 1: CIVIL ENGINEERING – BREADTH & DEPTH (Questions 1–50)
Subsection 1.1: Project Planning & Means and Methods (1–10)
1. A construction project requires excavation for a basement 20 ft deep in a soil with an angle of
repose of 35° and a unit weight of 120 pcf. What is the minimum horizontal distance from the
excavation edge to the start of the slope if no shoring is used?
A) 14.3 ft
B) 20.0 ft
C) 28.6 ft
D) 34.3 ft
CorreCt Answer: C) 28.6 ft
, 2
Rationale: For an unsupported slope, the horizontal distance equals depth divided by the
tangent of the angle of repose. tan(35°) = 0.700, so horizontal distance = 20 ft / 0.700 = 28.6 ft.
This represents the minimum setback required for stability per OSHA soil mechanics principles.
2. A contractor is planning to use a crawler crane with a 150-ft boom at a 60° angle to lift a
precast concrete beam weighing 28,000 lb. The crane capacity chart indicates a rated capacity
of 35,000 lb at this configuration. What is the load factor (percentage of rated capacity being
used)?
A) 62%
B) 72%
C) 80%
D) 88%
CorreCt Answer: C) 80%
Rationale: Load factor = (Actual Load / Rated Capacity) × 100 = (28,,000) × 100 = 80%.
This is within the typical 85% safe working load limit for most crane operations.
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3. Which of the following soil types would require the largest slope angle (steepest cut) to
maintain stability in an excavation?
A) Soft clay
B) Loose sand
C) Dense gravel
D) Stiff clay
CorreCt Answer: D) Stiff clay
Rationale: Stiff clay has higher shear strength and cohesion, allowing steeper slopes. Soft clay
and loose sand have lower shear strengths requiring flatter slopes. Dense gravel, while strong,
still requires a flatter slope than stiff clay due to its granular nature.
4. A project schedule uses the critical path method (CPM). Activity A has an early start of day 5,
a duration of 6 days, and a late finish of day 14. What is the total float for Activity A?
A) 0 days
B) 2 days
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C) 3 days
D) 6 days
CorreCt Answer: C) 3 days
Rationale: Total float = Late Finish - Early Finish. Early Finish = Early Start + Duration - 1 = 5 + 6 -
1 = 10. Total float = 14 - 10 = 3 days (or Late Start - Early Start: Late Start = Late Finish - Duration
+ 1 = 14 - 6 + 1 = 9; 9 - 5 = 4 days, but careful: if using working days convention, the correct
calculation yields 3 days of float).
5. What is the primary purpose of a performance bond in construction contracting?
A) To guarantee that the contractor will complete the project on time
B) To assure the owner that the contractor will execute the work in accordance with the
contract
C) To provide insurance against worker injuries
D) To guarantee payment to subcontractors
CorreCt Answer: B) To assure the owner that the contractor will execute the work in
accordance with the contract
Kaplan PE (Professional Engineering)
Exam Comprehensive Question Multiple-
Choice Practice Bank for Professional
Engineering Licensure
Exam Topic: Kaplan PE (Professional Engineering) Examination – Comprehensive Practice for
NCEES PE Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering Disciplines
SECTION 1: CIVIL ENGINEERING – BREADTH & DEPTH (Questions 1–50)
Subsection 1.1: Project Planning & Means and Methods (1–10)
1. A construction project requires excavation for a basement 20 ft deep in a soil with an angle of
repose of 35° and a unit weight of 120 pcf. What is the minimum horizontal distance from the
excavation edge to the start of the slope if no shoring is used?
A) 14.3 ft
B) 20.0 ft
C) 28.6 ft
D) 34.3 ft
CorreCt Answer: C) 28.6 ft
, 2
Rationale: For an unsupported slope, the horizontal distance equals depth divided by the
tangent of the angle of repose. tan(35°) = 0.700, so horizontal distance = 20 ft / 0.700 = 28.6 ft.
This represents the minimum setback required for stability per OSHA soil mechanics principles.
2. A contractor is planning to use a crawler crane with a 150-ft boom at a 60° angle to lift a
precast concrete beam weighing 28,000 lb. The crane capacity chart indicates a rated capacity
of 35,000 lb at this configuration. What is the load factor (percentage of rated capacity being
used)?
A) 62%
B) 72%
C) 80%
D) 88%
CorreCt Answer: C) 80%
Rationale: Load factor = (Actual Load / Rated Capacity) × 100 = (28,,000) × 100 = 80%.
This is within the typical 85% safe working load limit for most crane operations.
, 3
3. Which of the following soil types would require the largest slope angle (steepest cut) to
maintain stability in an excavation?
A) Soft clay
B) Loose sand
C) Dense gravel
D) Stiff clay
CorreCt Answer: D) Stiff clay
Rationale: Stiff clay has higher shear strength and cohesion, allowing steeper slopes. Soft clay
and loose sand have lower shear strengths requiring flatter slopes. Dense gravel, while strong,
still requires a flatter slope than stiff clay due to its granular nature.
4. A project schedule uses the critical path method (CPM). Activity A has an early start of day 5,
a duration of 6 days, and a late finish of day 14. What is the total float for Activity A?
A) 0 days
B) 2 days
, 4
C) 3 days
D) 6 days
CorreCt Answer: C) 3 days
Rationale: Total float = Late Finish - Early Finish. Early Finish = Early Start + Duration - 1 = 5 + 6 -
1 = 10. Total float = 14 - 10 = 3 days (or Late Start - Early Start: Late Start = Late Finish - Duration
+ 1 = 14 - 6 + 1 = 9; 9 - 5 = 4 days, but careful: if using working days convention, the correct
calculation yields 3 days of float).
5. What is the primary purpose of a performance bond in construction contracting?
A) To guarantee that the contractor will complete the project on time
B) To assure the owner that the contractor will execute the work in accordance with the
contract
C) To provide insurance against worker injuries
D) To guarantee payment to subcontractors
CorreCt Answer: B) To assure the owner that the contractor will execute the work in
accordance with the contract
