NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II
practice exam Questions and Correct Answers
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1. Which soil type has the highest capillary rise?
a) Gravel
b) Sand
c) Silt
d) Clay
Fine-grained soils like silt have smaller pores, which allow water to
rise higher by capillarity.
2. The liquid limit of a soil is defined as the water content at which:
a) Soil crumbles when rolled into threads
b) Soil exhibits maximum shrinkage
c) Soil changes from plastic to liquid behavior
d) Soil has zero cohesion
The liquid limit is the water content at which soil behavior changes
from plastic to liquid.
3. What is the primary purpose of performing a Proctor compaction
test?
a) Determine soil shear strength
b) Measure soil permeability
c) Determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry
density
, d) Classify soil type
The Proctor test establishes the moisture content at which soil can
achieve maximum dry density.
4. A soil sample is classified as CL under the Unified Soil Classification
System (USCS). What does CL represent?
a) Low-plasticity clay
b) Lean clay
c) Low-plasticity clay
d) Silty clay
CL indicates a low-plasticity clay under USCS.
5. Which field test measures the relative density of cohesionless
soils?
a) Standard Penetration Test
b) Sand Cone Test
c) Vane Shear Test
d) Atterberg Limit Test
The sand cone test determines the in-place density, which can be
used to calculate relative density.
6. The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) N-value represents:
a) Soil permeability
b) Shear strength
c) Number of blows required to drive a sampler 12 inches after
seating
d) Soil compressibility
SPT N-value is the number of hammer blows required to drive a
split-spoon sampler 12 inches.
, 7. Which soil property most influences frost heave potential?
a) Color
b) Grain size and plasticity
c) Density
d) Organic content
Frost heave is largely influenced by fine-grained soils with high
water retention.
8. What is the purpose of a hydrometer test?
a) Determine shear strength
b) Measure compaction
c) Determine particle size distribution of fine-grained soils
d) Measure moisture content
The hydrometer test is used to determine the particle size
distribution of silt and clay.
9. When performing a direct shear test, which parameter is directly
measured?
a) Shear strength
b) Cohesion only
c) Permeability
d) Density
The direct shear test measures the shear strength of the soil under
controlled normal stress.
10. Which is a characteristic of organic soils?
a) High density
b) High strength
c) High compressibility
d) Low water content
practice exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which soil type has the highest capillary rise?
a) Gravel
b) Sand
c) Silt
d) Clay
Fine-grained soils like silt have smaller pores, which allow water to
rise higher by capillarity.
2. The liquid limit of a soil is defined as the water content at which:
a) Soil crumbles when rolled into threads
b) Soil exhibits maximum shrinkage
c) Soil changes from plastic to liquid behavior
d) Soil has zero cohesion
The liquid limit is the water content at which soil behavior changes
from plastic to liquid.
3. What is the primary purpose of performing a Proctor compaction
test?
a) Determine soil shear strength
b) Measure soil permeability
c) Determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry
density
, d) Classify soil type
The Proctor test establishes the moisture content at which soil can
achieve maximum dry density.
4. A soil sample is classified as CL under the Unified Soil Classification
System (USCS). What does CL represent?
a) Low-plasticity clay
b) Lean clay
c) Low-plasticity clay
d) Silty clay
CL indicates a low-plasticity clay under USCS.
5. Which field test measures the relative density of cohesionless
soils?
a) Standard Penetration Test
b) Sand Cone Test
c) Vane Shear Test
d) Atterberg Limit Test
The sand cone test determines the in-place density, which can be
used to calculate relative density.
6. The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) N-value represents:
a) Soil permeability
b) Shear strength
c) Number of blows required to drive a sampler 12 inches after
seating
d) Soil compressibility
SPT N-value is the number of hammer blows required to drive a
split-spoon sampler 12 inches.
, 7. Which soil property most influences frost heave potential?
a) Color
b) Grain size and plasticity
c) Density
d) Organic content
Frost heave is largely influenced by fine-grained soils with high
water retention.
8. What is the purpose of a hydrometer test?
a) Determine shear strength
b) Measure compaction
c) Determine particle size distribution of fine-grained soils
d) Measure moisture content
The hydrometer test is used to determine the particle size
distribution of silt and clay.
9. When performing a direct shear test, which parameter is directly
measured?
a) Shear strength
b) Cohesion only
c) Permeability
d) Density
The direct shear test measures the shear strength of the soil under
controlled normal stress.
10. Which is a characteristic of organic soils?
a) High density
b) High strength
c) High compressibility
d) Low water content
