NICET Transportation/Highway
Construction Inspection – Level II
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of a
subgrade in highway construction?
A. Provides a drainage layer
B. Supports the pavement structure
C. Serves as a surface layer for traffic
D. Prevents vegetation growth
B
The subgrade provides foundational support for all layers of the
pavement structure above it, distributing loads to the soil
beneath.
2. When performing a soil density test in the field using a nuclear
gauge, what is the main purpose?
A. Determine moisture content
B. Measure compaction and density
C. Identify soil type
D. Test soil permeability
B
Nuclear gauges are primarily used to measure the density and
, moisture content of compacted soil in the field, ensuring it meets
specifications.
3. Which type of asphalt binder is most commonly used for flexible
pavements in high-temperature regions?
A. AC-5
B. PG 64-22
C. AC-20
D. PG 76-10
B
PG 64-22 is a Performance-Graded asphalt binder suitable for a
wide range of temperatures, commonly used in flexible
pavements.
4. What is the purpose of a prime coat in highway construction?
A. To seal the surface
B. To bond the subgrade and base course
C. To provide skid resistance
D. To waterproof the subbase
B
A prime coat penetrates the surface of the base course, improving
adhesion between the base and the asphalt layer.
5. During aggregate gradation testing, which sieve size is NOT
typically used in standard specifications?
A. No. 4
B. No. 200
C. No. 10
D. No. 500
D
Standard aggregate gradation tests typically include sieves
ranging from No. 4 to No. 200; No. 500 is not standard.
,6. What is the primary purpose of a tack coat in pavement
construction?
A. Strengthen the subgrade
B. Bond layers of asphalt
C. Provide a protective surface
D. Improve drainage
B
Tack coats are applied to existing surfaces to bond the new
asphalt overlay to the old pavement.
7. Which method is typically used to test in-place density of asphalt
pavements?
A. Proctor test
B. Nuclear gauge test
C. Sieve analysis
D. Marshall stability test
B
Nuclear density gauges measure the compaction of asphalt in-
place, ensuring the pavement meets density requirements.
8. When inspecting concrete pavement, cracks less than 0.25 mm
are usually classified as:
A. Structural cracks
B. Shrinkage cracks
C. Reflection cracks
D. Fatigue cracks
B
Small cracks under 0.25 mm are generally considered shrinkage
cracks due to drying of the concrete.
9. During highway construction, the term “subbase” refers to:
A. The top layer of asphalt
, B. A layer beneath the base course providing structural support
C. Soil compacted to subgrade level
D. A drainage layer only
B
The subbase is a layer placed above the subgrade to provide
structural support and improve load distribution.
10. What is the standard maximum lift thickness for
mechanically compacted granular base courses?
A. 2 inches
B. 6 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
B
Granular base courses are usually placed in lifts of 6 inches or less
to ensure proper compaction.
11. In highway inspection, which device is commonly used to
determine pavement smoothness?
A. Dynamic cone penetrometer
B. Profilograph
C. Nuclear gauge
D. Thermometer
B
Profilographs measure the surface smoothness of pavement,
which is critical for ride quality.
12. Which of the following is a common defect in asphalt paving
that appears as longitudinal depressions along wheel paths?
A. Rutting
B. Alligator cracking
C. Shoving
Construction Inspection – Level II
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of a
subgrade in highway construction?
A. Provides a drainage layer
B. Supports the pavement structure
C. Serves as a surface layer for traffic
D. Prevents vegetation growth
B
The subgrade provides foundational support for all layers of the
pavement structure above it, distributing loads to the soil
beneath.
2. When performing a soil density test in the field using a nuclear
gauge, what is the main purpose?
A. Determine moisture content
B. Measure compaction and density
C. Identify soil type
D. Test soil permeability
B
Nuclear gauges are primarily used to measure the density and
, moisture content of compacted soil in the field, ensuring it meets
specifications.
3. Which type of asphalt binder is most commonly used for flexible
pavements in high-temperature regions?
A. AC-5
B. PG 64-22
C. AC-20
D. PG 76-10
B
PG 64-22 is a Performance-Graded asphalt binder suitable for a
wide range of temperatures, commonly used in flexible
pavements.
4. What is the purpose of a prime coat in highway construction?
A. To seal the surface
B. To bond the subgrade and base course
C. To provide skid resistance
D. To waterproof the subbase
B
A prime coat penetrates the surface of the base course, improving
adhesion between the base and the asphalt layer.
5. During aggregate gradation testing, which sieve size is NOT
typically used in standard specifications?
A. No. 4
B. No. 200
C. No. 10
D. No. 500
D
Standard aggregate gradation tests typically include sieves
ranging from No. 4 to No. 200; No. 500 is not standard.
,6. What is the primary purpose of a tack coat in pavement
construction?
A. Strengthen the subgrade
B. Bond layers of asphalt
C. Provide a protective surface
D. Improve drainage
B
Tack coats are applied to existing surfaces to bond the new
asphalt overlay to the old pavement.
7. Which method is typically used to test in-place density of asphalt
pavements?
A. Proctor test
B. Nuclear gauge test
C. Sieve analysis
D. Marshall stability test
B
Nuclear density gauges measure the compaction of asphalt in-
place, ensuring the pavement meets density requirements.
8. When inspecting concrete pavement, cracks less than 0.25 mm
are usually classified as:
A. Structural cracks
B. Shrinkage cracks
C. Reflection cracks
D. Fatigue cracks
B
Small cracks under 0.25 mm are generally considered shrinkage
cracks due to drying of the concrete.
9. During highway construction, the term “subbase” refers to:
A. The top layer of asphalt
, B. A layer beneath the base course providing structural support
C. Soil compacted to subgrade level
D. A drainage layer only
B
The subbase is a layer placed above the subgrade to provide
structural support and improve load distribution.
10. What is the standard maximum lift thickness for
mechanically compacted granular base courses?
A. 2 inches
B. 6 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
B
Granular base courses are usually placed in lifts of 6 inches or less
to ensure proper compaction.
11. In highway inspection, which device is commonly used to
determine pavement smoothness?
A. Dynamic cone penetrometer
B. Profilograph
C. Nuclear gauge
D. Thermometer
B
Profilographs measure the surface smoothness of pavement,
which is critical for ride quality.
12. Which of the following is a common defect in asphalt paving
that appears as longitudinal depressions along wheel paths?
A. Rutting
B. Alligator cracking
C. Shoving
