NICET Construction Materials Testing –
Soils Level IV Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
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1. Which laboratory test is primarily used to determine the plasticity characteristics of fine-grained
soils?
A. Proctor compaction test
B. Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
C. Atterberg limits test
D. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
The Atterberg limits test determines the liquid limit, plastic limit, and
plasticity index of fine-grained soils, which are critical for classification
and behavior predictions.
2. A soil sample has a liquid limit of 55% and a plastic limit of 25%. What is the plasticity index?
A. 25%
B. 30%
C. 30%
D. 80%
Plasticity Index (PI) = Liquid Limit – Plastic Limit; here 55 – 25 = 30%.
3. The purpose of a sieve analysis is to:
A. Determine soil moisture content
B. Evaluate soil shear strength
C. Determine soil particle size distribution
D. Measure compaction density
,Sieve analysis separates soil into particle size ranges to classify soils and
evaluate gradation.
4. What is the primary use of a Standard Penetration Test (SPT) in the field?
A. Determine soil color
B. Estimate soil density and strength
C. Measure soil plasticity
D. Evaluate chemical composition
SPT measures the number of blows required to drive a sampler into soil,
providing an indication of density and relative strength.
5. Which soil type is most susceptible to significant volume changes with moisture variation?
A. Sand
B. Gravel
C. Clay
D. Silt
Clay minerals expand and shrink with moisture changes, making them
highly susceptible to volumetric changes.
6. What is the main purpose of a consolidation test?
A. Determine permeability
B. Measure settlement potential under load
C. Classify soil type
D. Measure compaction
A consolidation test measures soil compression over time under applied
load, predicting settlement in structures.
7. In a proctor compaction test, what does the optimum moisture content (OMC) represent?
A. Maximum water absorption
B. Moisture content at maximum dry density
C. Minimum soil permeability
D. Soil plastic limit
, OMC is the moisture content at which a soil achieves its maximum dry
density during compaction.
8. Which of the following is a correct relationship for Darcy’s law in saturated soil?
A. Q = k * i / A
B. Q = k * A * i
C. Q = k * A * i
D. Q = A / k
Darcy’s law: Q (flow) = k (hydraulic conductivity) × A (cross-sectional
area) × i (hydraulic gradient).
9. A soil has a coefficient of uniformity (Cu) of 2 and a coefficient of curvature (Cc) of 0.9. How is it
classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)?
A. Well-graded
B. Gap-graded
C. Poorly graded
D. Silty
For well-graded soils, Cu > 4 (coarse) or >6 (fine) and 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3; here, Cu
is too low → poorly graded.
10. Which field test is most commonly used to evaluate the relative density of granular soils?
A. Cone penetration test
B. Standard penetration test (SPT)
C. Direct shear test
D. Atterberg limits test
SPT blow counts provide an estimate of relative density for sands and
gravels.
11. What is the main reason to perform a hydrometer analysis on a soil sample?
A. Measure moisture content
B. Determine particle size distribution of fine soils
C. Measure permeability
D. Determine compaction characteristics
Soils Level IV Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. Which laboratory test is primarily used to determine the plasticity characteristics of fine-grained
soils?
A. Proctor compaction test
B. Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
C. Atterberg limits test
D. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
The Atterberg limits test determines the liquid limit, plastic limit, and
plasticity index of fine-grained soils, which are critical for classification
and behavior predictions.
2. A soil sample has a liquid limit of 55% and a plastic limit of 25%. What is the plasticity index?
A. 25%
B. 30%
C. 30%
D. 80%
Plasticity Index (PI) = Liquid Limit – Plastic Limit; here 55 – 25 = 30%.
3. The purpose of a sieve analysis is to:
A. Determine soil moisture content
B. Evaluate soil shear strength
C. Determine soil particle size distribution
D. Measure compaction density
,Sieve analysis separates soil into particle size ranges to classify soils and
evaluate gradation.
4. What is the primary use of a Standard Penetration Test (SPT) in the field?
A. Determine soil color
B. Estimate soil density and strength
C. Measure soil plasticity
D. Evaluate chemical composition
SPT measures the number of blows required to drive a sampler into soil,
providing an indication of density and relative strength.
5. Which soil type is most susceptible to significant volume changes with moisture variation?
A. Sand
B. Gravel
C. Clay
D. Silt
Clay minerals expand and shrink with moisture changes, making them
highly susceptible to volumetric changes.
6. What is the main purpose of a consolidation test?
A. Determine permeability
B. Measure settlement potential under load
C. Classify soil type
D. Measure compaction
A consolidation test measures soil compression over time under applied
load, predicting settlement in structures.
7. In a proctor compaction test, what does the optimum moisture content (OMC) represent?
A. Maximum water absorption
B. Moisture content at maximum dry density
C. Minimum soil permeability
D. Soil plastic limit
, OMC is the moisture content at which a soil achieves its maximum dry
density during compaction.
8. Which of the following is a correct relationship for Darcy’s law in saturated soil?
A. Q = k * i / A
B. Q = k * A * i
C. Q = k * A * i
D. Q = A / k
Darcy’s law: Q (flow) = k (hydraulic conductivity) × A (cross-sectional
area) × i (hydraulic gradient).
9. A soil has a coefficient of uniformity (Cu) of 2 and a coefficient of curvature (Cc) of 0.9. How is it
classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)?
A. Well-graded
B. Gap-graded
C. Poorly graded
D. Silty
For well-graded soils, Cu > 4 (coarse) or >6 (fine) and 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3; here, Cu
is too low → poorly graded.
10. Which field test is most commonly used to evaluate the relative density of granular soils?
A. Cone penetration test
B. Standard penetration test (SPT)
C. Direct shear test
D. Atterberg limits test
SPT blow counts provide an estimate of relative density for sands and
gravels.
11. What is the main reason to perform a hydrometer analysis on a soil sample?
A. Measure moisture content
B. Determine particle size distribution of fine soils
C. Measure permeability
D. Determine compaction characteristics
