NICET CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING – SOILS LEVEL II EXAM –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
• Personal and Equipment Safety
• Laboratory Testing (Atterberg Limits, Proctor, Sieve Analysis)
• Field Testing and Inspection (Nuclear Density, Sand Cone, Proofrolling)
• Soil Classification (USCS and AASHTO)
• Standard Specification Compliance (ASTM and AASHTO)
• Calibration and Maintenance of Equipment
• Reporting and Record Keeping
• Basic Geosynthetics and Soil Stabilization
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the proficiency and technical knowledge required for the
NICET Level II certification in Construction Materials Testing for Soils. The purpose of this exam is to ensure that
technicians possess the necessary skills to perform advanced laboratory and field procedures independently while
adhering to rigorous safety and quality standards. The assessment consists of multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions that require the application of ASTM and AASHTO standards to real-world construction
challenges. Emphasis is placed on technical decision-making, accurate data interpretation, and the ability to
identify and correct procedural deviations in professional testing environments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. When performing a grain-size analysis, which sieve is typically used to separate the coarse-grained portion
from the fine-grained portion of a soil sample?
,A. No. 4
B. No. 40
C. No. 100
🟢 D. No. 200
🔴 RATIONALE: According to both USCS and AASHTO systems, the No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm) is the standard
boundary that separates sand from silt and clay particles.
2. Which of the following is a primary safety requirement when operating a nuclear density gauge on a job
site?
🟢 A. Maintaining a minimum distance from the gauge when not taking a measurement
B. Wearing steel-toed boots while handling the radioactive source
C. Calibrating the gauge every four hours during use
D. Storing the gauge in the front seat of the transport vehicle
🔴 RATIONALE: ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles dictate that technicians should minimize
time near the source and maximize distance to reduce radiation exposure.
3. In the context of a Modified Proctor test (ASTM D1557), what is the weight of the rammer and the drop
height?
A. 5.5 lb rammer, 12-inch drop
🟢 B. 10.0 lb rammer, 18-inch drop
C. 10.0 lb rammer, 12-inch drop
D. 12.5 lb rammer, 18-inch drop
🔴 RATIONALE: ASTM D1557 specifies a 10 lb rammer falling 18 inches to provide the higher compactive effort
compared to the Standard Proctor.
4. A soil sample has a Liquid Limit of 45 and a Plastic Limit of 20. What is the Plasticity Index (PI)?
,A. 65
🟢 B. 25
C. 2.25
D. 15
🔴 RATIONALE: The Plasticity Index is calculated by subtracting the Plastic Limit (PL) from the Liquid Limit (LL);
45 - 20 = 25.
5. While performing a field density test, the technician notices the soil is pumping and weaving under the
weight of the compaction equipment. This is a primary indicator of:
A. Excessively dry soil conditions
B. High organic content
🟢 C. Excessive moisture or high pore water pressure
D. Properly compacted base course
🔴 RATIONALE: Pumping and weaving are classic signs of unstable soil usually caused by moisture content
significantly above optimum, preventing effective compaction.
6. Which ASTM standard covers the classification of soils for engineering purposes using the Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS)?
A. ASTM D698
B. ASTM D1556
🟢 C. ASTM D2487
D. ASTM D4318
🔴 RATIONALE: ASTM D2487 provides the formal methodology for classifying soils based on laboratory tests of
particle size and plasticity.
, 7. What is the minimum required temperature for drying soil samples to a constant mass in a laboratory
oven?
A. 50°C ± 5°C
🟢 B. 110°C ± 5°C
C. 140°C ± 5°C
D. 212°C ± 5°C
🔴 RATIONALE: Standard laboratory practice (ASTM D2216) requires 110°C ± 5°C (230°F ± 9°F) to ensure all
free water is removed without burning off organic matter.
8. When using a nuclear density gauge in "backscatter" mode, the probe is:
🟢 A. Locked in the position just above or at the surface of the soil
B. Inserted 2 inches into the ground
C. Inserted to the full depth of the lift
D. Removed from the gauge entirely
🔴 RATIONALE: Backscatter mode involves placing the source and detector near the surface; it is typically used
for asphalt or thin layers where driving a pin is not feasible.
9. A soil classified as "CL" under the USCS system is described as:
A. Clayey gravel
B. Silty clay
🟢 C. Lean clay
D. Fat clay
🔴 RATIONALE: "CL" stands for Inorganic Clay of Low to Medium Plasticity, commonly referred to as lean clay.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
• Personal and Equipment Safety
• Laboratory Testing (Atterberg Limits, Proctor, Sieve Analysis)
• Field Testing and Inspection (Nuclear Density, Sand Cone, Proofrolling)
• Soil Classification (USCS and AASHTO)
• Standard Specification Compliance (ASTM and AASHTO)
• Calibration and Maintenance of Equipment
• Reporting and Record Keeping
• Basic Geosynthetics and Soil Stabilization
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the proficiency and technical knowledge required for the
NICET Level II certification in Construction Materials Testing for Soils. The purpose of this exam is to ensure that
technicians possess the necessary skills to perform advanced laboratory and field procedures independently while
adhering to rigorous safety and quality standards. The assessment consists of multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions that require the application of ASTM and AASHTO standards to real-world construction
challenges. Emphasis is placed on technical decision-making, accurate data interpretation, and the ability to
identify and correct procedural deviations in professional testing environments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. When performing a grain-size analysis, which sieve is typically used to separate the coarse-grained portion
from the fine-grained portion of a soil sample?
,A. No. 4
B. No. 40
C. No. 100
🟢 D. No. 200
🔴 RATIONALE: According to both USCS and AASHTO systems, the No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm) is the standard
boundary that separates sand from silt and clay particles.
2. Which of the following is a primary safety requirement when operating a nuclear density gauge on a job
site?
🟢 A. Maintaining a minimum distance from the gauge when not taking a measurement
B. Wearing steel-toed boots while handling the radioactive source
C. Calibrating the gauge every four hours during use
D. Storing the gauge in the front seat of the transport vehicle
🔴 RATIONALE: ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles dictate that technicians should minimize
time near the source and maximize distance to reduce radiation exposure.
3. In the context of a Modified Proctor test (ASTM D1557), what is the weight of the rammer and the drop
height?
A. 5.5 lb rammer, 12-inch drop
🟢 B. 10.0 lb rammer, 18-inch drop
C. 10.0 lb rammer, 12-inch drop
D. 12.5 lb rammer, 18-inch drop
🔴 RATIONALE: ASTM D1557 specifies a 10 lb rammer falling 18 inches to provide the higher compactive effort
compared to the Standard Proctor.
4. A soil sample has a Liquid Limit of 45 and a Plastic Limit of 20. What is the Plasticity Index (PI)?
,A. 65
🟢 B. 25
C. 2.25
D. 15
🔴 RATIONALE: The Plasticity Index is calculated by subtracting the Plastic Limit (PL) from the Liquid Limit (LL);
45 - 20 = 25.
5. While performing a field density test, the technician notices the soil is pumping and weaving under the
weight of the compaction equipment. This is a primary indicator of:
A. Excessively dry soil conditions
B. High organic content
🟢 C. Excessive moisture or high pore water pressure
D. Properly compacted base course
🔴 RATIONALE: Pumping and weaving are classic signs of unstable soil usually caused by moisture content
significantly above optimum, preventing effective compaction.
6. Which ASTM standard covers the classification of soils for engineering purposes using the Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS)?
A. ASTM D698
B. ASTM D1556
🟢 C. ASTM D2487
D. ASTM D4318
🔴 RATIONALE: ASTM D2487 provides the formal methodology for classifying soils based on laboratory tests of
particle size and plasticity.
, 7. What is the minimum required temperature for drying soil samples to a constant mass in a laboratory
oven?
A. 50°C ± 5°C
🟢 B. 110°C ± 5°C
C. 140°C ± 5°C
D. 212°C ± 5°C
🔴 RATIONALE: Standard laboratory practice (ASTM D2216) requires 110°C ± 5°C (230°F ± 9°F) to ensure all
free water is removed without burning off organic matter.
8. When using a nuclear density gauge in "backscatter" mode, the probe is:
🟢 A. Locked in the position just above or at the surface of the soil
B. Inserted 2 inches into the ground
C. Inserted to the full depth of the lift
D. Removed from the gauge entirely
🔴 RATIONALE: Backscatter mode involves placing the source and detector near the surface; it is typically used
for asphalt or thin layers where driving a pin is not feasible.
9. A soil classified as "CL" under the USCS system is described as:
A. Clayey gravel
B. Silty clay
🟢 C. Lean clay
D. Fat clay
🔴 RATIONALE: "CL" stands for Inorganic Clay of Low to Medium Plasticity, commonly referred to as lean clay.
