PE CIVIL: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE
EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for
the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination in Civil:
Construction. It delivers a rigorous assessment of the engineering principles,
construction management practices, and field operations knowledge required for
professional licensure. The 100 questions cover the full breadth of the NCEES
specification, including earthwork, scheduling, cost estimating, temporary
structures, formwork design, concrete and steel construction, equipment selection,
safety regulations, quality control, and project administration. Each item is crafted
to mirror the complexity and analytical depth of the actual exam, blending
theoretical knowledge with real-world scenario-based problem-solving. Detailed
rationales, spanning four to five sentences, explain the correct answer and why
each alternative is incorrect. Updated for the 2026–2027 examination cycle, this
guide offers verified solutions and a publication-quality format, making it an
indispensable tool for final review and confident exam-day performance.
Table of Contents
I. Earthwork and Mass Excavation
II. Scheduling and Critical Path Method
III. Cost Estimating and Bid Preparation
IV. Temporary Structures and Formwork
V. Concrete Construction and Quality Control
VI. Steel Construction and Erection
VII. Equipment Selection and Production Analysis
VIII. Safety and OSHA Regulations
IX. Contracts and Project Administration
X. Soils and Foundations
, 1. A contractor is excavating a trench in Type C soil with a depth of 12 feet.
According to OSHA Subpart P, what is the maximum allowable slope for the
excavation walls?
A) 1/2:1 (26.5 degrees)
B) 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
C) 1:1 (45 degrees)
D) 1½:1 (34 degrees)
Correct Answer: D
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requires that excavations in Type C soil be sloped at a
maximum of 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees). Type C soil is the least stable
classification, and the 1½:1 slope provides a wider, safer bench. Options A and B
are for more stable soils (Type A and Type B, respectively). A 1:1 slope (C) is
insufficient for Type C soil and could lead to a trench collapse. Therefore, the
correct maximum allowable slope is 1½:1.
2. A project has the following activities: A (duration 4 days), B (duration 3 days,
depends on A), C (duration 2 days, depends on A), D (duration 5 days,
depends on B and C). What is the total project duration using the Critical
Path Method?
A) 9 days
B) 11 days
C) 12 days
D) 14 days
Correct Answer: C
The project network has two paths: A-B-D (4+3+5 = 12 days) and A-C-D (4+2+5 =
11 days). The critical path is the longest duration, which is A-B-D at 12 days,
determining the overall project duration. Option A incorrectly sums only A, B, and
C; option B uses the shorter path; option D adds all activity durations together.
Thus, the correct total project duration is 12 days.
3. A mass concrete pour requires 400 cubic yards of concrete. The concrete
delivery trucks each carry 10 cubic yards per trip. The plant can batch and
deliver 8 trucks per hour. Site conditions allow placing 50 cubic yards per
, hour. What is the estimated total time to place the entire pour, assuming
continuous delivery and no interruptions?
A) 4 hours
B) 5 hours
C) 8 hours
D) 10 hours
Correct Answer: C
The total volume to place is 400 cy. The site placement rate is 50 cy/hr, which is
the limiting factor. The delivery rate is 8 trucks/hr × 10 cy/truck = 80 cy/hr,
exceeding the placement rate. Therefore, the pour is placement-limited, and the
total time = 400 cy / 50 cy/hr = 8 hours. Options A and B underestimate the time
by using the delivery rate or a miscalculation; option D adds an unnecessary
buffer. Thus, C is correct.
4. A contractor needs to place a compacted fill of 50,000 cubic yards at a dry
density of 95 lb/ft³. The borrow soil has a bank density of 105 lb/ft³. What is
the required volume of borrow in bank cubic yards (BCY) to construct the
fill?
A) 45,238 BCY
B) 50,000 BCY
C) 55,882 BCY
D) 61,765 BCY
Correct Answer: A
The total mass of soil required in the fill is 50,000 cy × 95 lb/ft³ × 27 ft³/cy =
128,250,000 lb. The bank density is 105 lb/ft³; thus, the bank volume needed is
128,250,000 lb / (105 lb/ft³ × 27 ft³/cy) = 45,238 cy. Option B assumes a 1:1
bank-to-fill volume ratio, which ignores density differences. Options C and D use
the loose density or miscalculate the mass conversion. Therefore, the correct
required borrow volume is 45,238 BCY.
5. A crawler tractor with a dozer blade is operating on a 300-foot push. The
machine’s theoretical cycle time is 1.5 minutes per push. The job efficiency
factor is 50 minutes per hour. What is the estimated hourly production in
, loose cubic yards (LCY) if the blade capacity is 8 LCY?
A) 160 LCY/hr
B) 267 LCY/hr
C) 320 LCY/hr
D) 480 LCY/hr
Correct Answer: B
The number of cycles per hour = 50 minutes / 1.5 minutes per cycle = 33.33 cycles.
Hourly production = 33.33 cycles × 8 LCY/cycle = 267 LCY/hr. Option A uses a
60-minute hour without efficiency factor; option C uses a 1-minute cycle time;
option D doubles the capacity. Thus, the correct production rate is approximately
267 LCY/hr.
6. A steel wide-flange beam is to be erected using a mobile crane. The beam
weighs 4,000 pounds, and the rigging assembly weighs 400 pounds. The
crane’s load chart indicates a net capacity of 5,200 pounds at the required
radius. What is the minimum required capacity for the rigging?
A) 400 pounds
B) 4,400 pounds
C) 4,800 pounds
D) 5,200 pounds
Correct Answer: B
The total load to be lifted is the beam weight plus the rigging weight = 4,000 + 400
= 4,400 pounds. The crane capacity is 5,200 pounds, which is adequate. The
rigging must be capable of supporting the total load of 4,400 pounds. Option A
ignores the beam weight; option C adds only the beam weight but not rigging;
option D uses the crane capacity. Therefore, the rigging must be rated for at least
4,400 pounds.
7. In a construction contract, a unit price item for excavation is bid at $12 per
cubic yard. During the project, the actual quantity excavated is 8,500 cubic
yards, while the estimated quantity was 10,000 cubic yards. The
contractor’s actual cost to perform the work was $105,000. What is the
contractor’s payment for this item, assuming no price adjustments?
EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for
the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination in Civil:
Construction. It delivers a rigorous assessment of the engineering principles,
construction management practices, and field operations knowledge required for
professional licensure. The 100 questions cover the full breadth of the NCEES
specification, including earthwork, scheduling, cost estimating, temporary
structures, formwork design, concrete and steel construction, equipment selection,
safety regulations, quality control, and project administration. Each item is crafted
to mirror the complexity and analytical depth of the actual exam, blending
theoretical knowledge with real-world scenario-based problem-solving. Detailed
rationales, spanning four to five sentences, explain the correct answer and why
each alternative is incorrect. Updated for the 2026–2027 examination cycle, this
guide offers verified solutions and a publication-quality format, making it an
indispensable tool for final review and confident exam-day performance.
Table of Contents
I. Earthwork and Mass Excavation
II. Scheduling and Critical Path Method
III. Cost Estimating and Bid Preparation
IV. Temporary Structures and Formwork
V. Concrete Construction and Quality Control
VI. Steel Construction and Erection
VII. Equipment Selection and Production Analysis
VIII. Safety and OSHA Regulations
IX. Contracts and Project Administration
X. Soils and Foundations
, 1. A contractor is excavating a trench in Type C soil with a depth of 12 feet.
According to OSHA Subpart P, what is the maximum allowable slope for the
excavation walls?
A) 1/2:1 (26.5 degrees)
B) 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
C) 1:1 (45 degrees)
D) 1½:1 (34 degrees)
Correct Answer: D
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requires that excavations in Type C soil be sloped at a
maximum of 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees). Type C soil is the least stable
classification, and the 1½:1 slope provides a wider, safer bench. Options A and B
are for more stable soils (Type A and Type B, respectively). A 1:1 slope (C) is
insufficient for Type C soil and could lead to a trench collapse. Therefore, the
correct maximum allowable slope is 1½:1.
2. A project has the following activities: A (duration 4 days), B (duration 3 days,
depends on A), C (duration 2 days, depends on A), D (duration 5 days,
depends on B and C). What is the total project duration using the Critical
Path Method?
A) 9 days
B) 11 days
C) 12 days
D) 14 days
Correct Answer: C
The project network has two paths: A-B-D (4+3+5 = 12 days) and A-C-D (4+2+5 =
11 days). The critical path is the longest duration, which is A-B-D at 12 days,
determining the overall project duration. Option A incorrectly sums only A, B, and
C; option B uses the shorter path; option D adds all activity durations together.
Thus, the correct total project duration is 12 days.
3. A mass concrete pour requires 400 cubic yards of concrete. The concrete
delivery trucks each carry 10 cubic yards per trip. The plant can batch and
deliver 8 trucks per hour. Site conditions allow placing 50 cubic yards per
, hour. What is the estimated total time to place the entire pour, assuming
continuous delivery and no interruptions?
A) 4 hours
B) 5 hours
C) 8 hours
D) 10 hours
Correct Answer: C
The total volume to place is 400 cy. The site placement rate is 50 cy/hr, which is
the limiting factor. The delivery rate is 8 trucks/hr × 10 cy/truck = 80 cy/hr,
exceeding the placement rate. Therefore, the pour is placement-limited, and the
total time = 400 cy / 50 cy/hr = 8 hours. Options A and B underestimate the time
by using the delivery rate or a miscalculation; option D adds an unnecessary
buffer. Thus, C is correct.
4. A contractor needs to place a compacted fill of 50,000 cubic yards at a dry
density of 95 lb/ft³. The borrow soil has a bank density of 105 lb/ft³. What is
the required volume of borrow in bank cubic yards (BCY) to construct the
fill?
A) 45,238 BCY
B) 50,000 BCY
C) 55,882 BCY
D) 61,765 BCY
Correct Answer: A
The total mass of soil required in the fill is 50,000 cy × 95 lb/ft³ × 27 ft³/cy =
128,250,000 lb. The bank density is 105 lb/ft³; thus, the bank volume needed is
128,250,000 lb / (105 lb/ft³ × 27 ft³/cy) = 45,238 cy. Option B assumes a 1:1
bank-to-fill volume ratio, which ignores density differences. Options C and D use
the loose density or miscalculate the mass conversion. Therefore, the correct
required borrow volume is 45,238 BCY.
5. A crawler tractor with a dozer blade is operating on a 300-foot push. The
machine’s theoretical cycle time is 1.5 minutes per push. The job efficiency
factor is 50 minutes per hour. What is the estimated hourly production in
, loose cubic yards (LCY) if the blade capacity is 8 LCY?
A) 160 LCY/hr
B) 267 LCY/hr
C) 320 LCY/hr
D) 480 LCY/hr
Correct Answer: B
The number of cycles per hour = 50 minutes / 1.5 minutes per cycle = 33.33 cycles.
Hourly production = 33.33 cycles × 8 LCY/cycle = 267 LCY/hr. Option A uses a
60-minute hour without efficiency factor; option C uses a 1-minute cycle time;
option D doubles the capacity. Thus, the correct production rate is approximately
267 LCY/hr.
6. A steel wide-flange beam is to be erected using a mobile crane. The beam
weighs 4,000 pounds, and the rigging assembly weighs 400 pounds. The
crane’s load chart indicates a net capacity of 5,200 pounds at the required
radius. What is the minimum required capacity for the rigging?
A) 400 pounds
B) 4,400 pounds
C) 4,800 pounds
D) 5,200 pounds
Correct Answer: B
The total load to be lifted is the beam weight plus the rigging weight = 4,000 + 400
= 4,400 pounds. The crane capacity is 5,200 pounds, which is adequate. The
rigging must be capable of supporting the total load of 4,400 pounds. Option A
ignores the beam weight; option C adds only the beam weight but not rigging;
option D uses the crane capacity. Therefore, the rigging must be rated for at least
4,400 pounds.
7. In a construction contract, a unit price item for excavation is bid at $12 per
cubic yard. During the project, the actual quantity excavated is 8,500 cubic
yards, while the estimated quantity was 10,000 cubic yards. The
contractor’s actual cost to perform the work was $105,000. What is the
contractor’s payment for this item, assuming no price adjustments?
