Arkansas AR-MC Masonry
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of a mortar joint in
masonry construction?
A. To make the wall completely waterproof
B. To increase the weight of the wall
C. To bond masonry units together and distribute loads
D. To eliminate the need for reinforcement
Answer: To bond masonry units together and distribute
loads
Rationale: Mortar provides bedding, bonding, load
distribution, and accommodates minor irregularities
between masonry units.
2. Which masonry unit is commonly manufactured from
Portland cement, aggregates, and water?
A. Face brick
B. Clay tile
C. Concrete masonry unit (CMU)
D. Slate
Answer: Concrete masonry unit (CMU)
,Rationale: CMUs are manufactured using cementitious
materials and aggregates and are commonly called
concrete block.
3. What is the primary function of a brick's frog?
A. To prevent efflorescence
B. To increase brick color
C. To provide a depression that can improve mortar
keying and reduce unit weight
D. To eliminate the need for mortar
Answer: To provide a depression that can improve
mortar keying and reduce unit weight
Rationale: The frog is a depression in some brick units
that can reduce weight and provide a surface that helps
mortar bond.
4. Which bond pattern is characterized by all bricks
being laid with their long faces showing?
A. English bond
B. Flemish bond
C. Stack bond
D. Running bond
Answer: Running bond
Rationale: Running bond consists primarily of
stretchers, with vertical joints offset from one course to
the next.
5. What is the main purpose of staggering vertical
mortar joints?
A. To make the wall heavier
B. To eliminate horizontal joints
C. To improve continuity and distribute loads through
,the wall
D. To increase mortar consumption
Answer: To improve continuity and distribute loads
through the wall
Rationale: Staggered joints help create a more
integrated masonry assembly and avoid continuous
vertical planes of weakness.
6. What tool is commonly used to spread and shape
mortar when laying brick?
A. Cold chisel
B. Plumb bob
C. Mason's trowel
D. Pipe wrench
Answer: Mason's trowel
Rationale: A mason's trowel is designed to pick up,
spread, cut, and manipulate mortar during masonry
installation.
7. What is the primary purpose of a mason's line?
A. Measuring moisture
B. Cutting brick
C. Maintaining alignment and course position
D. Testing mortar strength
Answer: Maintaining alignment and course position
Rationale: The line provides a visual and physical
reference for keeping masonry courses straight and
properly aligned.
8. What instrument is commonly used to check whether
a wall is vertically aligned?
, A. Framing square
B. Level
C. Chalk reel
D. Trowel
Answer: Level
Rationale: A level is used to check plumb and level
conditions in masonry construction.
9. What does "plumb" mean in masonry work?
A. Perfectly horizontal
B. Properly bonded
C. Vertically true
D. Properly cured
Answer: Vertically true
Rationale: A plumb surface is vertically aligned relative
to a true vertical reference.
10. What does "level" mean?
A. Vertically aligned
B. Horizontally true
C. Fully cured
D. Structurally reinforced
Answer: Horizontally true
Rationale: Level refers to a horizontal plane or surface.
11. Why are masonry units sometimes dampened before
installation?
A. To make them heavier
B. To remove their color
C. To control excessive absorption of water from mortar
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of a mortar joint in
masonry construction?
A. To make the wall completely waterproof
B. To increase the weight of the wall
C. To bond masonry units together and distribute loads
D. To eliminate the need for reinforcement
Answer: To bond masonry units together and distribute
loads
Rationale: Mortar provides bedding, bonding, load
distribution, and accommodates minor irregularities
between masonry units.
2. Which masonry unit is commonly manufactured from
Portland cement, aggregates, and water?
A. Face brick
B. Clay tile
C. Concrete masonry unit (CMU)
D. Slate
Answer: Concrete masonry unit (CMU)
,Rationale: CMUs are manufactured using cementitious
materials and aggregates and are commonly called
concrete block.
3. What is the primary function of a brick's frog?
A. To prevent efflorescence
B. To increase brick color
C. To provide a depression that can improve mortar
keying and reduce unit weight
D. To eliminate the need for mortar
Answer: To provide a depression that can improve
mortar keying and reduce unit weight
Rationale: The frog is a depression in some brick units
that can reduce weight and provide a surface that helps
mortar bond.
4. Which bond pattern is characterized by all bricks
being laid with their long faces showing?
A. English bond
B. Flemish bond
C. Stack bond
D. Running bond
Answer: Running bond
Rationale: Running bond consists primarily of
stretchers, with vertical joints offset from one course to
the next.
5. What is the main purpose of staggering vertical
mortar joints?
A. To make the wall heavier
B. To eliminate horizontal joints
C. To improve continuity and distribute loads through
,the wall
D. To increase mortar consumption
Answer: To improve continuity and distribute loads
through the wall
Rationale: Staggered joints help create a more
integrated masonry assembly and avoid continuous
vertical planes of weakness.
6. What tool is commonly used to spread and shape
mortar when laying brick?
A. Cold chisel
B. Plumb bob
C. Mason's trowel
D. Pipe wrench
Answer: Mason's trowel
Rationale: A mason's trowel is designed to pick up,
spread, cut, and manipulate mortar during masonry
installation.
7. What is the primary purpose of a mason's line?
A. Measuring moisture
B. Cutting brick
C. Maintaining alignment and course position
D. Testing mortar strength
Answer: Maintaining alignment and course position
Rationale: The line provides a visual and physical
reference for keeping masonry courses straight and
properly aligned.
8. What instrument is commonly used to check whether
a wall is vertically aligned?
, A. Framing square
B. Level
C. Chalk reel
D. Trowel
Answer: Level
Rationale: A level is used to check plumb and level
conditions in masonry construction.
9. What does "plumb" mean in masonry work?
A. Perfectly horizontal
B. Properly bonded
C. Vertically true
D. Properly cured
Answer: Vertically true
Rationale: A plumb surface is vertically aligned relative
to a true vertical reference.
10. What does "level" mean?
A. Vertically aligned
B. Horizontally true
C. Fully cured
D. Structurally reinforced
Answer: Horizontally true
Rationale: Level refers to a horizontal plane or surface.
11. Why are masonry units sometimes dampened before
installation?
A. To make them heavier
B. To remove their color
C. To control excessive absorption of water from mortar
