ALABAMA TILE SETTER CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
1 Plan Reading & Estimating 20 2
2 Substrates & Surface 30 4
Preparation
3 Materials (Tile, Stone, Mortar, 30 7
Grout, Adhesives)
4 Layout & Planning 20 10
5 Ceramic Tile Installation 30 12
6 Marble & Stone Installation 20 15
7 Safety & Code Compliance 25 17
8 Tools, Equipment & 25 19
Maintenance
Section 1: Plan Reading & Estimating (Questions 1–20)
1. In a set of architectural blueprints, where would a tile setter most
likely find the specific manufacturer and color code for the tile to be
installed?
A. The floor plan
,B. The room finish schedule
C. The structural framing plan
D. The mechanical drawing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The room finish schedule is a table that lists the specific
materials, colors, and manufacturer information for each surface in a
room, including floors, walls, and ceilings.
2. When performing a quantity take-off for a floor tile installation, the
tile setter measures a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide. What
is the total square footage of the floor?
A. 22 sq ft
B. 44 sq ft
C. 100 sq ft
D. 120 sq ft
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Square footage is calculated by multiplying the length by the
width (12 ft x 10 ft = 120 sq ft).
3. To determine the cubic yards of sand needed for a mortar bed, the
tile setter must first calculate the volume in cubic feet and then divide
by:
A. 9
B. 27
C. 3
D. 12
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. To convert cubic
feet to cubic yards, you divide the total cubic feet by 27.
,4. A tile setter is reviewing a blueprint and sees a symbol that looks
like a solid line with a small circle in the middle. This symbol most
likely represents:
A. A light fixture
B. A floor drain
C. A column
D. A door
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A circle with a cross or a solid line through it is a standard
architectural symbol for a floor drain in tile installations.
5. When estimating the amount of thin-set mortar required for a job,
the tile setter must consider the trowel notch size, the tile size, and:
A. The color of the grout
B. The substrate porosity and flatness
C. The height of the ceiling
D. The number of workers on the job
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A porous or uneven substrate will require more mortar to
achieve proper coverage and bonding, affecting the overall quantity
needed.
6. In a commercial project, the tile setter is instructed to install tile
according to the "architectural" division of the specifications. This
division typically covers:
A. Plumbing fixtures
B. Electrical wiring
C. Finish materials like tile, stone, and paint
D. Structural steel
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The architectural division of specifications covers the finished
appearance and functional elements of a building, including tile, stone,
and other surface finishes.
7. A blueprint shows a detail drawing of a shower pan. Which of the
following is the most critical dimension to verify for proper tile
installation?
A. The height of the showerhead
B. The slope to the drain
C. The width of the shower door
D. The color of the curb
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The slope to the drain is critical for proper water drainage
and preventing standing water, which can lead to mold and substrate
damage.
8. When reading a blueprint, a tile setter sees a note that says "T.O.
SLAB = 100.00'". What does "T.O." stand for?
A. Tile Overlay
B. Top of
C. Thickness Of
D. Type Of
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In construction drawings, "T.O." is a standard abbreviation for
"Top of," commonly used with "SLAB" or "STEEL."
9. To calculate the number of tiles needed for a wall, the tile setter
divides the total wall area by the area of a single tile and then adds a
percentage for:
A. Grout lines
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
1 Plan Reading & Estimating 20 2
2 Substrates & Surface 30 4
Preparation
3 Materials (Tile, Stone, Mortar, 30 7
Grout, Adhesives)
4 Layout & Planning 20 10
5 Ceramic Tile Installation 30 12
6 Marble & Stone Installation 20 15
7 Safety & Code Compliance 25 17
8 Tools, Equipment & 25 19
Maintenance
Section 1: Plan Reading & Estimating (Questions 1–20)
1. In a set of architectural blueprints, where would a tile setter most
likely find the specific manufacturer and color code for the tile to be
installed?
A. The floor plan
,B. The room finish schedule
C. The structural framing plan
D. The mechanical drawing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The room finish schedule is a table that lists the specific
materials, colors, and manufacturer information for each surface in a
room, including floors, walls, and ceilings.
2. When performing a quantity take-off for a floor tile installation, the
tile setter measures a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide. What
is the total square footage of the floor?
A. 22 sq ft
B. 44 sq ft
C. 100 sq ft
D. 120 sq ft
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Square footage is calculated by multiplying the length by the
width (12 ft x 10 ft = 120 sq ft).
3. To determine the cubic yards of sand needed for a mortar bed, the
tile setter must first calculate the volume in cubic feet and then divide
by:
A. 9
B. 27
C. 3
D. 12
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. To convert cubic
feet to cubic yards, you divide the total cubic feet by 27.
,4. A tile setter is reviewing a blueprint and sees a symbol that looks
like a solid line with a small circle in the middle. This symbol most
likely represents:
A. A light fixture
B. A floor drain
C. A column
D. A door
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A circle with a cross or a solid line through it is a standard
architectural symbol for a floor drain in tile installations.
5. When estimating the amount of thin-set mortar required for a job,
the tile setter must consider the trowel notch size, the tile size, and:
A. The color of the grout
B. The substrate porosity and flatness
C. The height of the ceiling
D. The number of workers on the job
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A porous or uneven substrate will require more mortar to
achieve proper coverage and bonding, affecting the overall quantity
needed.
6. In a commercial project, the tile setter is instructed to install tile
according to the "architectural" division of the specifications. This
division typically covers:
A. Plumbing fixtures
B. Electrical wiring
C. Finish materials like tile, stone, and paint
D. Structural steel
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The architectural division of specifications covers the finished
appearance and functional elements of a building, including tile, stone,
and other surface finishes.
7. A blueprint shows a detail drawing of a shower pan. Which of the
following is the most critical dimension to verify for proper tile
installation?
A. The height of the showerhead
B. The slope to the drain
C. The width of the shower door
D. The color of the curb
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The slope to the drain is critical for proper water drainage
and preventing standing water, which can lead to mold and substrate
damage.
8. When reading a blueprint, a tile setter sees a note that says "T.O.
SLAB = 100.00'". What does "T.O." stand for?
A. Tile Overlay
B. Top of
C. Thickness Of
D. Type Of
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In construction drawings, "T.O." is a standard abbreviation for
"Top of," commonly used with "SLAB" or "STEEL."
9. To calculate the number of tiles needed for a wall, the tile setter
divides the total wall area by the area of a single tile and then adds a
percentage for:
A. Grout lines
