NICET Soils Level 1 – Actual Exam, Test
Questions and Verified Answers (100%
Guaranteed Pass)
DOMAIN 1: ASTM C117 – MATERIALS FINER THAN NO. 200 SIEVE BY
WASHING (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
What does ASTM C117 determine?
• A) The maximum dry density of soil
• B) The amount of material finer than a 75-µm (No. 200) sieve in mineral
aggregates by washing
• C) The liquid limit of fine-grained soils
• D) The in-place density of compacted soils
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: ASTM C117 is the Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm
(No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing. This test is critical for assessing
the cleanliness of aggregates used in construction.
Question 2
What is the significance of performing ASTM C117?
, • A) To determine the maximum dry density of soil
• B) To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm in
mineral aggregate by washing
• C) To measure the liquid limit of fine-grained soils
• D) To determine the in-place density of compacted soils
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: C117 provides an accurate determination of fine material passing the
No. 200 sieve. Excessive fines can affect the performance of concrete, asphalt, and
base courses.
Question 3
What procedure should always be used unless otherwise specified in C117?
• A) Procedure A
• B) Procedure B
• C) Procedure C
• D) Procedure D
,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117.
Procedure B is used only under special conditions when specified.
Question 4
What is an appropriate wetting agent to use for sieving through a No. 200 sieve in
C117?
• A) Mineral oil
, • B) Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine materials
• C) Acetone
• D) Ethanol
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Water or any dispersing agent that will promote separation of the fine
materials is appropriate.
Question 5
What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples in C117?
• A) 100 °C (±5)
• B) 105 °C (±5)
• C) 110 °C (±5)
• D) 120 °C (±5)
,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: The oven temperature for drying samples in C117 should be 110 °C
(±5).
Question 6
In C117, what should the results be rounded to if the amount retained by wash is
less than 10%?
• A) Nearest whole number
• B) Nearest 0.1%
• C) Nearest 1%
• D) Nearest 0.01%
, ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: If the amount retained by wash is less than 10%, report to the nearest
0.1%.
Question 7
In C117, what should the results be rounded to if the amount retained by wash is
greater than 10%?
• A) Nearest 0.1%
• B) Nearest whole number
• C) Nearest 0.01%
• D) Nearest 5%
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: If the amount retained by wash is greater than 10%, report to the
nearest whole number.
Question 8
If used, how much wetting agent should be used in Procedure B of C117?
• A) Exactly 10 mL
• B) Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
• C) 5% of the sample mass
• D) 1 mL per gram of sample
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Enough wetting agent should be used to produce a small amount of
suds when the sample is agitated.
Questions and Verified Answers (100%
Guaranteed Pass)
DOMAIN 1: ASTM C117 – MATERIALS FINER THAN NO. 200 SIEVE BY
WASHING (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
What does ASTM C117 determine?
• A) The maximum dry density of soil
• B) The amount of material finer than a 75-µm (No. 200) sieve in mineral
aggregates by washing
• C) The liquid limit of fine-grained soils
• D) The in-place density of compacted soils
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: ASTM C117 is the Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm
(No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing. This test is critical for assessing
the cleanliness of aggregates used in construction.
Question 2
What is the significance of performing ASTM C117?
, • A) To determine the maximum dry density of soil
• B) To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm in
mineral aggregate by washing
• C) To measure the liquid limit of fine-grained soils
• D) To determine the in-place density of compacted soils
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: C117 provides an accurate determination of fine material passing the
No. 200 sieve. Excessive fines can affect the performance of concrete, asphalt, and
base courses.
Question 3
What procedure should always be used unless otherwise specified in C117?
• A) Procedure A
• B) Procedure B
• C) Procedure C
• D) Procedure D
,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117.
Procedure B is used only under special conditions when specified.
Question 4
What is an appropriate wetting agent to use for sieving through a No. 200 sieve in
C117?
• A) Mineral oil
, • B) Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine materials
• C) Acetone
• D) Ethanol
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Water or any dispersing agent that will promote separation of the fine
materials is appropriate.
Question 5
What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples in C117?
• A) 100 °C (±5)
• B) 105 °C (±5)
• C) 110 °C (±5)
• D) 120 °C (±5)
,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: The oven temperature for drying samples in C117 should be 110 °C
(±5).
Question 6
In C117, what should the results be rounded to if the amount retained by wash is
less than 10%?
• A) Nearest whole number
• B) Nearest 0.1%
• C) Nearest 1%
• D) Nearest 0.01%
, ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: If the amount retained by wash is less than 10%, report to the nearest
0.1%.
Question 7
In C117, what should the results be rounded to if the amount retained by wash is
greater than 10%?
• A) Nearest 0.1%
• B) Nearest whole number
• C) Nearest 0.01%
• D) Nearest 5%
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: If the amount retained by wash is greater than 10%, report to the
nearest whole number.
Question 8
If used, how much wetting agent should be used in Procedure B of C117?
• A) Exactly 10 mL
• B) Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
• C) 5% of the sample mass
• D) 1 mL per gram of sample
,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Enough wetting agent should be used to produce a small amount of
suds when the sample is agitated.
