LOUISIANA AGGREGATE TESTER
AUTHORIZATION EXAMINATION WITH
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of an aggregate sieve analysis?
A. To determine the chemical composition of the aggregate
B. To determine the particle-size distribution of the aggregate
C. To determine the compressive strength of the aggregate
D. To determine the moisture content only
Answer: B. To determine the particle-size distribution of the
aggregate
Rationale: Sieve analysis separates an aggregate sample into particle-
size fractions and determines the percentage retained and passing each
specified sieve. The resulting gradation curve or tabulated gradation is
used to evaluate whether the aggregate conforms to the required
specification.
2. Before performing a sieve analysis, why must a representative
aggregate sample be obtained?
A. To make the aggregate appear cleaner
B. To ensure the test represents the entire material being evaluated
C. To eliminate the need for drying
D. To increase the percentage passing the No. 4 sieve
1
,Answer: B. To ensure the test represents the entire material being
evaluated
Rationale: A test result is only meaningful if the portion tested
accurately represents the material from which it was obtained.
Improper sampling can produce a biased gradation even when the
subsequent laboratory procedure is performed correctly.
3. What is the principal reason an aggregate sample is dried before
many gradation procedures?
A. To increase aggregate density
B. To remove surface moisture that could affect mass measurements and
particle separation
C. To change the aggregate mineralogy
D. To make particles larger
Answer: B. To remove surface moisture that could affect mass
measurements and particle separation
Rationale: Moisture contributes to measured mass and can cause fine
particles to adhere to larger particles or sieves. Drying to the required
condition allows the aggregate masses used in calculations to
accurately represent dry material.
4. During a sieve analysis, 1,000 g of aggregate is tested. If 250 g
remains on a particular sieve, what percentage of the original
sample is retained on that sieve?
A. 4%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 40%
2
,Answer: C. 25%
Rationale: Percentage retained is calculated as mass retained divided
by original dry sample mass multiplied by 100. Thus, (250 ÷ 1,000) ×
100 = 25%.
5. A sample has a total dry mass of 2,000 g. After sieving, 1,500 g has
passed a particular sieve. What percentage has passed?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 80%
Answer: C. 75%
Rationale: Percentage passing equals the mass passing divided by the
total dry sample mass multiplied by 100. Therefore, (1,500 ÷ 2,000) ×
100 = 75%.
6. What is meant by cumulative percentage retained?
A. The percentage retained on only the current sieve
B. The sum of the percentages retained on the current sieve and all
larger sieves
C. The percentage passing the smallest sieve
D. The moisture percentage of the sample
Answer: B. The sum of the percentages retained on the current sieve
and all larger sieves
Rationale: Cumulative retained is obtained by adding the individual
retained percentages from the largest sieve down through the sieve
being considered. Percentage passing can then be calculated as 100
minus cumulative percentage retained.
3
, 7. An aggregate gradation shows 18% retained cumulatively on a
particular sieve. What is the corresponding percentage passing?
A. 18%
B. 72%
C. 82%
D. 118%
Answer: C. 82%
Rationale: Percentage passing is 100% minus cumulative percentage
retained. Therefore, 100 − 18 = 82%.
8. Why is it important to maintain the correct order of sieves during
mechanical sieving?
A. To prevent the balance from overheating
B. To ensure particles are separated according to their specified size
ranges
C. To increase the sample's moisture content
D. To prevent the aggregate from becoming chemically contaminated
Answer: B. To ensure particles are separated according to their
specified size ranges
Rationale: Sieves are arranged from larger openings at the top to
progressively smaller openings below. Incorrect arrangement can
result in inaccurate particle-size distribution because particles may be
retained or passed at inappropriate sieve sizes.
9. What is the primary purpose of a sieve pan?
4
AUTHORIZATION EXAMINATION WITH
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of an aggregate sieve analysis?
A. To determine the chemical composition of the aggregate
B. To determine the particle-size distribution of the aggregate
C. To determine the compressive strength of the aggregate
D. To determine the moisture content only
Answer: B. To determine the particle-size distribution of the
aggregate
Rationale: Sieve analysis separates an aggregate sample into particle-
size fractions and determines the percentage retained and passing each
specified sieve. The resulting gradation curve or tabulated gradation is
used to evaluate whether the aggregate conforms to the required
specification.
2. Before performing a sieve analysis, why must a representative
aggregate sample be obtained?
A. To make the aggregate appear cleaner
B. To ensure the test represents the entire material being evaluated
C. To eliminate the need for drying
D. To increase the percentage passing the No. 4 sieve
1
,Answer: B. To ensure the test represents the entire material being
evaluated
Rationale: A test result is only meaningful if the portion tested
accurately represents the material from which it was obtained.
Improper sampling can produce a biased gradation even when the
subsequent laboratory procedure is performed correctly.
3. What is the principal reason an aggregate sample is dried before
many gradation procedures?
A. To increase aggregate density
B. To remove surface moisture that could affect mass measurements and
particle separation
C. To change the aggregate mineralogy
D. To make particles larger
Answer: B. To remove surface moisture that could affect mass
measurements and particle separation
Rationale: Moisture contributes to measured mass and can cause fine
particles to adhere to larger particles or sieves. Drying to the required
condition allows the aggregate masses used in calculations to
accurately represent dry material.
4. During a sieve analysis, 1,000 g of aggregate is tested. If 250 g
remains on a particular sieve, what percentage of the original
sample is retained on that sieve?
A. 4%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 40%
2
,Answer: C. 25%
Rationale: Percentage retained is calculated as mass retained divided
by original dry sample mass multiplied by 100. Thus, (250 ÷ 1,000) ×
100 = 25%.
5. A sample has a total dry mass of 2,000 g. After sieving, 1,500 g has
passed a particular sieve. What percentage has passed?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 80%
Answer: C. 75%
Rationale: Percentage passing equals the mass passing divided by the
total dry sample mass multiplied by 100. Therefore, (1,500 ÷ 2,000) ×
100 = 75%.
6. What is meant by cumulative percentage retained?
A. The percentage retained on only the current sieve
B. The sum of the percentages retained on the current sieve and all
larger sieves
C. The percentage passing the smallest sieve
D. The moisture percentage of the sample
Answer: B. The sum of the percentages retained on the current sieve
and all larger sieves
Rationale: Cumulative retained is obtained by adding the individual
retained percentages from the largest sieve down through the sieve
being considered. Percentage passing can then be calculated as 100
minus cumulative percentage retained.
3
, 7. An aggregate gradation shows 18% retained cumulatively on a
particular sieve. What is the corresponding percentage passing?
A. 18%
B. 72%
C. 82%
D. 118%
Answer: C. 82%
Rationale: Percentage passing is 100% minus cumulative percentage
retained. Therefore, 100 − 18 = 82%.
8. Why is it important to maintain the correct order of sieves during
mechanical sieving?
A. To prevent the balance from overheating
B. To ensure particles are separated according to their specified size
ranges
C. To increase the sample's moisture content
D. To prevent the aggregate from becoming chemically contaminated
Answer: B. To ensure particles are separated according to their
specified size ranges
Rationale: Sieves are arranged from larger openings at the top to
progressively smaller openings below. Incorrect arrangement can
result in inaccurate particle-size distribution because particles may be
retained or passed at inappropriate sieve sizes.
9. What is the primary purpose of a sieve pan?
4
