NICET Construction Materials Testing –
Soils (Level I) Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1. The primary purpose of soil sampling in construction is to:
A. Determine future settlement only
B. Identify soil type and engineering properties
C. Ensure representative material for laboratory testing
D. Measure project boundaries
*Rationale: * Level I techs collect samples so the lab receives soil that
accurately represents site conditions.
2. A “disturbed sample” means the soil:
A. Has all voids removed
B. Has had its natural structure altered
C. Is fully saturated
D. Cannot be tested
*Rationale: * Disturbed samples lose natural structure but still provide
index property data.
3. A “grab sample” is best described as:
A. A compacted field sample
B. A single scoop of soil without preservation of structure
,C. A core sample
D. A moisture-controlled sample
*Rationale: * Grab samples are general-purpose disturbed samples.
4. The tool most commonly used to obtain field moisture content
samples is:
A. Nuclear gauge
B. Dynamic cone penetrometer
C. Shovel or hand scoop
D. Sieve stack
*Rationale: * Level I techs typically collect moisture samples manually.
5. Moisture content samples must be placed in:
A. Plastic bags
B. Open buckets
C. Airtight containers
D. Paper envelopes
*Rationale: * Airtight containers prevent loss of moisture before lab
testing.
6. Soil classification in the field at Level I is typically:
A. Fully detailed engineering classification
B. A basic description of soil type
C. A chemical breakdown
D. Not allowed
*Rationale: * Level I describes basic characteristics but does not
perform advanced classification.
, 7. The standard sieve opening for the #200 sieve is:
A. 2.00 mm
B. 1.00 mm
C. 0.42 mm
D. 0.075 mm
*Rationale: * The #200 sieve corresponds to 0.075 mm.
8. The primary purpose of a Proctor test is to determine:
A. Soil permeability
B. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture
C. Particle shape
D. Shear strength
*Rationale: * Compaction control requires these two values.
9. Compaction tests in the field verify:
A. Soil chemistry
B. Water table level
C. Density relative to Proctor values
D. Sieve analysis results
*Rationale: * Field density is compared to lab Proctor density.
10. A nuclear density gauge measures:
A. Soil plasticity
B. Grain size distribution
C. In-place density and moisture
Soils (Level I) Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1. The primary purpose of soil sampling in construction is to:
A. Determine future settlement only
B. Identify soil type and engineering properties
C. Ensure representative material for laboratory testing
D. Measure project boundaries
*Rationale: * Level I techs collect samples so the lab receives soil that
accurately represents site conditions.
2. A “disturbed sample” means the soil:
A. Has all voids removed
B. Has had its natural structure altered
C. Is fully saturated
D. Cannot be tested
*Rationale: * Disturbed samples lose natural structure but still provide
index property data.
3. A “grab sample” is best described as:
A. A compacted field sample
B. A single scoop of soil without preservation of structure
,C. A core sample
D. A moisture-controlled sample
*Rationale: * Grab samples are general-purpose disturbed samples.
4. The tool most commonly used to obtain field moisture content
samples is:
A. Nuclear gauge
B. Dynamic cone penetrometer
C. Shovel or hand scoop
D. Sieve stack
*Rationale: * Level I techs typically collect moisture samples manually.
5. Moisture content samples must be placed in:
A. Plastic bags
B. Open buckets
C. Airtight containers
D. Paper envelopes
*Rationale: * Airtight containers prevent loss of moisture before lab
testing.
6. Soil classification in the field at Level I is typically:
A. Fully detailed engineering classification
B. A basic description of soil type
C. A chemical breakdown
D. Not allowed
*Rationale: * Level I describes basic characteristics but does not
perform advanced classification.
, 7. The standard sieve opening for the #200 sieve is:
A. 2.00 mm
B. 1.00 mm
C. 0.42 mm
D. 0.075 mm
*Rationale: * The #200 sieve corresponds to 0.075 mm.
8. The primary purpose of a Proctor test is to determine:
A. Soil permeability
B. Maximum dry density and optimum moisture
C. Particle shape
D. Shear strength
*Rationale: * Compaction control requires these two values.
9. Compaction tests in the field verify:
A. Soil chemistry
B. Water table level
C. Density relative to Proctor values
D. Sieve analysis results
*Rationale: * Field density is compared to lab Proctor density.
10. A nuclear density gauge measures:
A. Soil plasticity
B. Grain size distribution
C. In-place density and moisture
