California Certified Engineering Geologist
Exam Practice Questions and Answers with
Rationales
1. Which of the following best describes an engineering geologist’s primary role?
A. Designing structural foundations
B. Identifying and evaluating geologic hazards
C. Conducting chemical soil tests
D. Preparing construction cost estimates
B. Identifying and evaluating geologic hazards
Engineering geologists specialize in assessing earth processes, hazards, and site
suitability for engineering works, not direct design or cost estimation.
2. In California, which state agency regulates Certified Engineering Geologists
(CEG)?
A. California Geological Survey (CGS)
B. California Department of Water Resources
C. Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
D. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
C. Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
The BPELSG regulates professional licensure, including geologists and
engineering geologists, within California.
3. The primary purpose of a fault hazard investigation for a building site in
California is to:
A. Estimate mineral resource potential
,B. Determine water infiltration rates
C. Avoid construction across active faults
D. Analyze slope stability under rainfall
C. Avoid construction across active faults
California law prohibits building directly on active faults to reduce seismic
hazard risks.
4. Which test is most commonly used to evaluate soil shear strength?
A. Permeability test
B. Unconfined compression test
C. Direct shear test
D. Grain size analysis
C. Direct shear test
The direct shear test is a standard method to evaluate soil shear strength,
especially for slope stability and foundation studies.
5. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires:
A. Liquefaction testing at all school sites
B. Mapping of areas susceptible to tsunamis
C. Special studies before building near active faults
D. Landslide susceptibility mapping by counties
C. Special studies before building near active faults
The Alquist-Priolo Act mandates fault hazard investigations for developments
near active fault traces.
6. Which of the following best defines “liquefaction”?
A. Increase in soil permeability due to fracturing
B. Sudden loss of soil strength due to saturation and shaking
C. Soil drying and compaction from heat
D. Transformation of clay into shale under pressure
, B. Sudden loss of soil strength due to saturation and shaking
Liquefaction occurs when saturated granular soils lose strength during strong
seismic shaking.
7. Which geophysical method is most effective for locating shallow groundwater?
A. Resistivity surveys
B. Seismic reflection
C. Magnetometer surveys
D. Gravity surveys
A. Resistivity surveys
Electrical resistivity methods are effective for detecting shallow groundwater
due to water’s influence on soil conductivity.
8. A geologic cross-section is primarily used to:
A. Estimate earthquake recurrence intervals
B. Show subsurface geologic relationships
C. Predict surface runoff patterns
D. Calculate slope angles
B. Show subsurface geologic relationships
Cross-sections illustrate the orientation of geologic units and structures below
the surface.
9. In slope stability analysis, the “factor of safety” is defined as:
A. Ratio of resisting forces to driving forces
B. Ratio of pore pressure to effective stress
C. Total slope height divided by failure depth
D. Difference between dry and saturated weights
A. Ratio of resisting forces to driving forces
Slope stability is expressed as a factor of safety: FS > 1 indicates stability, FS < 1
indicates failure risk.
Exam Practice Questions and Answers with
Rationales
1. Which of the following best describes an engineering geologist’s primary role?
A. Designing structural foundations
B. Identifying and evaluating geologic hazards
C. Conducting chemical soil tests
D. Preparing construction cost estimates
B. Identifying and evaluating geologic hazards
Engineering geologists specialize in assessing earth processes, hazards, and site
suitability for engineering works, not direct design or cost estimation.
2. In California, which state agency regulates Certified Engineering Geologists
(CEG)?
A. California Geological Survey (CGS)
B. California Department of Water Resources
C. Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
D. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
C. Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
The BPELSG regulates professional licensure, including geologists and
engineering geologists, within California.
3. The primary purpose of a fault hazard investigation for a building site in
California is to:
A. Estimate mineral resource potential
,B. Determine water infiltration rates
C. Avoid construction across active faults
D. Analyze slope stability under rainfall
C. Avoid construction across active faults
California law prohibits building directly on active faults to reduce seismic
hazard risks.
4. Which test is most commonly used to evaluate soil shear strength?
A. Permeability test
B. Unconfined compression test
C. Direct shear test
D. Grain size analysis
C. Direct shear test
The direct shear test is a standard method to evaluate soil shear strength,
especially for slope stability and foundation studies.
5. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires:
A. Liquefaction testing at all school sites
B. Mapping of areas susceptible to tsunamis
C. Special studies before building near active faults
D. Landslide susceptibility mapping by counties
C. Special studies before building near active faults
The Alquist-Priolo Act mandates fault hazard investigations for developments
near active fault traces.
6. Which of the following best defines “liquefaction”?
A. Increase in soil permeability due to fracturing
B. Sudden loss of soil strength due to saturation and shaking
C. Soil drying and compaction from heat
D. Transformation of clay into shale under pressure
, B. Sudden loss of soil strength due to saturation and shaking
Liquefaction occurs when saturated granular soils lose strength during strong
seismic shaking.
7. Which geophysical method is most effective for locating shallow groundwater?
A. Resistivity surveys
B. Seismic reflection
C. Magnetometer surveys
D. Gravity surveys
A. Resistivity surveys
Electrical resistivity methods are effective for detecting shallow groundwater
due to water’s influence on soil conductivity.
8. A geologic cross-section is primarily used to:
A. Estimate earthquake recurrence intervals
B. Show subsurface geologic relationships
C. Predict surface runoff patterns
D. Calculate slope angles
B. Show subsurface geologic relationships
Cross-sections illustrate the orientation of geologic units and structures below
the surface.
9. In slope stability analysis, the “factor of safety” is defined as:
A. Ratio of resisting forces to driving forces
B. Ratio of pore pressure to effective stress
C. Total slope height divided by failure depth
D. Difference between dry and saturated weights
A. Ratio of resisting forces to driving forces
Slope stability is expressed as a factor of safety: FS > 1 indicates stability, FS < 1
indicates failure risk.
