FDOT EARTHWORK LEVEL 1 ACTUAL EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-50
1. According to the FDOT Standard Specifications, what is the primary basis for payment for earthwork
excavation?
A. The volume of material in its original position before excavation.
B. The volume of material after it has been loaded into hauling units.
C. The volume of material after compaction in the finished embankment.
D. The volume of material measured in the hauling units using a certified scale.
Correct Answer: A. The volume of material in its original position before excavation.
*Rationale: * FDOT earthwork payment is predominantly based on the "in-place" or "in-situ" volume of excavation as
determined from cross-sections taken before any work begins. This is known as "borrow" or "unclassified" excavation.
Options B, C, and D describe volumes that can change due to bulking, shrinkage, or compaction factors, making them
unreliable for initial payment calculations. *
2. A contractor excavates 1,000 cubic yards of common earth. The material has a swell factor of 25%. How many
loose cubic yards (LCY) will need to be hauled away?
A. 750 LCY
B. 1,000 LCY
,C. 1,250 LCY
D. 1,300 LCY
Correct Answer: C. 1,250 LCY
*Rationale: * Swell is the increase in volume when material is excavated from its natural state. To find the loose
volume, you multiply the in-situ bank cubic yards (BCY) by 1 plus the swell factor (as a decimal). 1,000 BCY * 1.25 =
1,250 LCY. Options A, B, and D represent incorrect calculations of the swell factor.
3. When performing earthwork grading for a new roadway, what is the first step a project engineer should take
to verify the contractor's layout?
A. Check the contractor's equipment calibration records.
B. Verify the location and elevation of the project baseline and benchmarks.
C. Review the contractor's daily production reports.
D. Perform a compaction test on the subgrade.
Correct Answer: B. Verify the location and elevation of the project baseline and benchmarks.
*Rationale: * All earthwork operations depend on accurate horizontal and vertical control. Before any grading begins,
the engineer must ensure the contractor has properly established and is working from the correct baseline and
benchmarks. Options A, C, and D are important but are subsequent steps in the quality control process.
,4. What does the term "unclassified excavation" mean in the context of FDOT earthwork specifications?
A. Excavation that is not yet categorized by soil type.
B. Excavation that includes all materials encountered, regardless of their type or condition.
C. Excavation that is performed without the use of heavy machinery.
D. Excavation that is classified as topsoil and organic material only.
Correct Answer: B. Excavation that includes all materials encountered, regardless of their type or condition.
*Rationale: * "Unclassified excavation" is a standard specification term indicating that the contractor is responsible for
excavating all materials, whether they are earth, rock, boulders, or other obstructions, at a single contract unit price. It
does not differentiate by material type. Options A, C, and D misrepresent the comprehensive nature of this term.
5. A contractor is placing fill for a new embankment. What is the most critical factor to monitor in the field to
ensure the fill will meet the specified density?
A. The color of the soil being placed.
B. The time of day the fill is being placed.
C. The moisture content of the soil relative to its optimum moisture content.
, D. The truck count for the material being delivered.
Correct Answer: C. The moisture content of the soil relative to its optimum moisture content.
*Rationale: * To achieve maximum compaction, the soil's moisture content must be within a specific range of the
optimum moisture content (OMC). Without proper moisture, the soil particles cannot be reoriented into a dense
configuration, regardless of the compactive effort applied. The other options are not primary controls for achieving
density.
6. Which of the following is the correct procedure for checking the horizontal alignment of a curb and gutter
after it has been formed?
A. Measure the width of the gutter with a tape measure at 50-foot intervals.
B. Sight along the forms to ensure they are straight and uniform.
C. Use a total station or GPS to verify the offset and stationing from the centerline.
D. Visually inspect the alignment and note any irregularities.
Correct Answer: C. Use a total station or GPS to verify the offset and stationing from the centerline.
*Rationale: * While visual inspections are helpful, verification of horizontal alignment requires precise measurement.
Using surveying equipment like a total station or GPS to check the offset and stationing against the design plans is the
professional and accurate method. Options A and B are less precise, and D is subjective.
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-50
1. According to the FDOT Standard Specifications, what is the primary basis for payment for earthwork
excavation?
A. The volume of material in its original position before excavation.
B. The volume of material after it has been loaded into hauling units.
C. The volume of material after compaction in the finished embankment.
D. The volume of material measured in the hauling units using a certified scale.
Correct Answer: A. The volume of material in its original position before excavation.
*Rationale: * FDOT earthwork payment is predominantly based on the "in-place" or "in-situ" volume of excavation as
determined from cross-sections taken before any work begins. This is known as "borrow" or "unclassified" excavation.
Options B, C, and D describe volumes that can change due to bulking, shrinkage, or compaction factors, making them
unreliable for initial payment calculations. *
2. A contractor excavates 1,000 cubic yards of common earth. The material has a swell factor of 25%. How many
loose cubic yards (LCY) will need to be hauled away?
A. 750 LCY
B. 1,000 LCY
,C. 1,250 LCY
D. 1,300 LCY
Correct Answer: C. 1,250 LCY
*Rationale: * Swell is the increase in volume when material is excavated from its natural state. To find the loose
volume, you multiply the in-situ bank cubic yards (BCY) by 1 plus the swell factor (as a decimal). 1,000 BCY * 1.25 =
1,250 LCY. Options A, B, and D represent incorrect calculations of the swell factor.
3. When performing earthwork grading for a new roadway, what is the first step a project engineer should take
to verify the contractor's layout?
A. Check the contractor's equipment calibration records.
B. Verify the location and elevation of the project baseline and benchmarks.
C. Review the contractor's daily production reports.
D. Perform a compaction test on the subgrade.
Correct Answer: B. Verify the location and elevation of the project baseline and benchmarks.
*Rationale: * All earthwork operations depend on accurate horizontal and vertical control. Before any grading begins,
the engineer must ensure the contractor has properly established and is working from the correct baseline and
benchmarks. Options A, C, and D are important but are subsequent steps in the quality control process.
,4. What does the term "unclassified excavation" mean in the context of FDOT earthwork specifications?
A. Excavation that is not yet categorized by soil type.
B. Excavation that includes all materials encountered, regardless of their type or condition.
C. Excavation that is performed without the use of heavy machinery.
D. Excavation that is classified as topsoil and organic material only.
Correct Answer: B. Excavation that includes all materials encountered, regardless of their type or condition.
*Rationale: * "Unclassified excavation" is a standard specification term indicating that the contractor is responsible for
excavating all materials, whether they are earth, rock, boulders, or other obstructions, at a single contract unit price. It
does not differentiate by material type. Options A, C, and D misrepresent the comprehensive nature of this term.
5. A contractor is placing fill for a new embankment. What is the most critical factor to monitor in the field to
ensure the fill will meet the specified density?
A. The color of the soil being placed.
B. The time of day the fill is being placed.
C. The moisture content of the soil relative to its optimum moisture content.
, D. The truck count for the material being delivered.
Correct Answer: C. The moisture content of the soil relative to its optimum moisture content.
*Rationale: * To achieve maximum compaction, the soil's moisture content must be within a specific range of the
optimum moisture content (OMC). Without proper moisture, the soil particles cannot be reoriented into a dense
configuration, regardless of the compactive effort applied. The other options are not primary controls for achieving
density.
6. Which of the following is the correct procedure for checking the horizontal alignment of a curb and gutter
after it has been formed?
A. Measure the width of the gutter with a tape measure at 50-foot intervals.
B. Sight along the forms to ensure they are straight and uniform.
C. Use a total station or GPS to verify the offset and stationing from the centerline.
D. Visually inspect the alignment and note any irregularities.
Correct Answer: C. Use a total station or GPS to verify the offset and stationing from the centerline.
*Rationale: * While visual inspections are helpful, verification of horizontal alignment requires precise measurement.
Using surveying equipment like a total station or GPS to check the offset and stationing against the design plans is the
professional and accurate method. Options A and B are less precise, and D is subjective.
