NRMCA CONCRETE TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL 2
CERTIFICATION EXAM – 200 LATEST QUESTIONS &
DETAILED SOLUTIONS (2026/2027)
1. Which type of portland cement is specified for general-purpose
concrete construction where special properties such as high early
strength or low heat of hydration are not required?
A. Type IV
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type II
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I portland cement is the general-purpose cement
suitable for most applications. Type III is for high early strength, Type IV
is for low heat of hydration, and Type II offers moderate sulfate
resistance.
2. What is the primary function of a water-reducing admixture when
added to a concrete mixture?
A. To accelerate the setting time of the concrete
B. To reduce the required water content while maintaining workability
C. To increase the air content of the mixture
D. To eliminate the need for any curing
,Answer: B
Rationale: Water-reducing admixtures allow the same workability to be
achieved with less mixing water, which generally improves strength and
durability by lowering the water-cementitious materials ratio.
3. Which ASTM standard governs the test method for determining the
slump of hydraulic-cement concrete?
A. ASTM C143
B. ASTM C231
C. ASTM C138
D. ASTM C39
Answer: A
Rationale: ASTM C143 covers the standard test method for slump of
hydraulic-cement concrete. ASTM C231 covers air content, C138 covers
unit weight and yield, and C39 covers compressive strength.
4. In concrete mix design per ACI 211, what is the primary factor that
determines the selection of the water-cementitious materials ratio?
A. The color of the aggregates
B. The required strength and durability requirements
C. The brand of the cement
D. The ambient temperature at the time of batching
Answer: B
Rationale: The water-cementitious materials ratio is selected primarily
based on the required compressive strength and durability
,requirements such as resistance to freezing and thawing or sulfate
attack.
5. What is the nominal maximum size of an aggregate defined as?
A. The smallest sieve through which all the aggregate particles pass
B. The average size of the aggregate particles
C. The largest sieve through which 50% of the aggregate passes
D. The sieve size that retains 10% of the aggregate
Answer: A
Rationale: Nominal maximum size refers to the smallest sieve opening
through which the entire amount of aggregate is required to pass,
which influences concrete workability and gradation.
6. What is the typical maximum water-cementitious materials ratio
commonly specified to minimize shrinkage and cracking in normal-
strength concrete?
A. 0.75
B. 0.45
C. 0.60
D. 0.30
Answer: B
Rationale: A water-cementitious materials ratio of 0.45 or less is
commonly recommended to maintain durability, minimize shrinkage,
and reduce the potential for cracking.
, 7. What is the principal purpose of air-entraining admixtures in
concrete that will be exposed to repeated freezing and thawing
cycles?
A. To increase the compressive strength of the concrete
B. To improve the freeze-thaw durability by creating microscopic air
voids
C. To accelerate the setting time of the concrete
D. To reduce the amount of cement required in the mixture
Answer: B
Rationale: Air-entraining admixtures create microscopic air bubbles that
provide space for water to expand upon freezing, thereby preventing
internal cracking and improving freeze-thaw resistance.
8. According to ASTM C94, what is the maximum allowable discharge
time for ready-mixed concrete from the time of batching?
A. 1.5 hours
B. 2 hours
C. 45 minutes
D. 3 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: ASTM C94 specifies a maximum discharge time of 1.5 hours
after batching unless otherwise specified, though this can be adjusted
based on temperature and admixture usage.
9. Which aggregate property has the greatest influence on the
workability of a concrete mixture?
CERTIFICATION EXAM – 200 LATEST QUESTIONS &
DETAILED SOLUTIONS (2026/2027)
1. Which type of portland cement is specified for general-purpose
concrete construction where special properties such as high early
strength or low heat of hydration are not required?
A. Type IV
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type II
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I portland cement is the general-purpose cement
suitable for most applications. Type III is for high early strength, Type IV
is for low heat of hydration, and Type II offers moderate sulfate
resistance.
2. What is the primary function of a water-reducing admixture when
added to a concrete mixture?
A. To accelerate the setting time of the concrete
B. To reduce the required water content while maintaining workability
C. To increase the air content of the mixture
D. To eliminate the need for any curing
,Answer: B
Rationale: Water-reducing admixtures allow the same workability to be
achieved with less mixing water, which generally improves strength and
durability by lowering the water-cementitious materials ratio.
3. Which ASTM standard governs the test method for determining the
slump of hydraulic-cement concrete?
A. ASTM C143
B. ASTM C231
C. ASTM C138
D. ASTM C39
Answer: A
Rationale: ASTM C143 covers the standard test method for slump of
hydraulic-cement concrete. ASTM C231 covers air content, C138 covers
unit weight and yield, and C39 covers compressive strength.
4. In concrete mix design per ACI 211, what is the primary factor that
determines the selection of the water-cementitious materials ratio?
A. The color of the aggregates
B. The required strength and durability requirements
C. The brand of the cement
D. The ambient temperature at the time of batching
Answer: B
Rationale: The water-cementitious materials ratio is selected primarily
based on the required compressive strength and durability
,requirements such as resistance to freezing and thawing or sulfate
attack.
5. What is the nominal maximum size of an aggregate defined as?
A. The smallest sieve through which all the aggregate particles pass
B. The average size of the aggregate particles
C. The largest sieve through which 50% of the aggregate passes
D. The sieve size that retains 10% of the aggregate
Answer: A
Rationale: Nominal maximum size refers to the smallest sieve opening
through which the entire amount of aggregate is required to pass,
which influences concrete workability and gradation.
6. What is the typical maximum water-cementitious materials ratio
commonly specified to minimize shrinkage and cracking in normal-
strength concrete?
A. 0.75
B. 0.45
C. 0.60
D. 0.30
Answer: B
Rationale: A water-cementitious materials ratio of 0.45 or less is
commonly recommended to maintain durability, minimize shrinkage,
and reduce the potential for cracking.
, 7. What is the principal purpose of air-entraining admixtures in
concrete that will be exposed to repeated freezing and thawing
cycles?
A. To increase the compressive strength of the concrete
B. To improve the freeze-thaw durability by creating microscopic air
voids
C. To accelerate the setting time of the concrete
D. To reduce the amount of cement required in the mixture
Answer: B
Rationale: Air-entraining admixtures create microscopic air bubbles that
provide space for water to expand upon freezing, thereby preventing
internal cracking and improving freeze-thaw resistance.
8. According to ASTM C94, what is the maximum allowable discharge
time for ready-mixed concrete from the time of batching?
A. 1.5 hours
B. 2 hours
C. 45 minutes
D. 3 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: ASTM C94 specifies a maximum discharge time of 1.5 hours
after batching unless otherwise specified, though this can be adjusted
based on temperature and admixture usage.
9. Which aggregate property has the greatest influence on the
workability of a concrete mixture?
