NICET CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING – SOILS LEVEL II PRACTICE EXAM –
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS*
• Soil Classification Systems*
• Field Sampling Procedures*
• Moisture and Density Testing*
• Atterberg Limits and Index Properties*
• Laboratory Compaction Methods*
• Site Safety and Quality Assurance*
, • ASTM and AASHTO Standards*
• Soil Exploration and Documentation*
• Earthwork Inspection and Control*
• Ethical and Professional Practices*
INTRODUCTION*
The NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exa
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–50
1. Which soil classification system is most commonly used in transportation and highway
construction projects in the United States?
A. Unified Soil Classification System
B. AASHTO Soil Classification System
C. USDA Soil Classification System
D. FAA Soil Classification System
,🟢 Correct Answer: B. AASHTO Soil Classification System
🔴 Explanation: The AASHTO classification system is widely used in highway and
transportation projects because it evaluates soils for pavement and roadway performance.
2. What is the primary purpose of performing a Proctor compaction test?
A. Determine shear strength
B. Determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry density
C. Measure liquid limit
D. Evaluate permeability
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry density
🔴 Explanation: The Proctor test establishes the relationship between moisture content
and dry density to identify optimum compaction conditions.
3. A technician obtains a moisture content of 12% from a soil sample. What does this
value represent?
A. Percentage of air voids
B. Ratio of dry density to wet density
C. Weight of water divided by dry soil weight
D. Percentage passing the No. 200 sieve
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Weight of water divided by dry soil weight
, 🔴 Explanation: Moisture content is calculated as the weight of water divided by the dry
weight of soil multiplied by 100.
4. Which ASTM standard covers laboratory compaction characteristics using standard
effort?
A. ASTM D698
B. ASTM D1557
C. ASTM D2487
D. ASTM D4318
🟢 Correct Answer: A. ASTM D698
🔴 Explanation: ASTM D698 is the standard Proctor test using standard compactive effort.
5. What is the main purpose of Atterberg limits testing?
A. Determine permeability
B. Measure compaction resistance
C. Evaluate consistency and plasticity characteristics
D. Determine particle density
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Evaluate consistency and plasticity characteristics
🔴 Explanation: Atterberg limits define moisture conditions where soil changes
consistency states and help classify fine-grained soils.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS*
• Soil Classification Systems*
• Field Sampling Procedures*
• Moisture and Density Testing*
• Atterberg Limits and Index Properties*
• Laboratory Compaction Methods*
• Site Safety and Quality Assurance*
, • ASTM and AASHTO Standards*
• Soil Exploration and Documentation*
• Earthwork Inspection and Control*
• Ethical and Professional Practices*
INTRODUCTION*
The NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exa
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–50
1. Which soil classification system is most commonly used in transportation and highway
construction projects in the United States?
A. Unified Soil Classification System
B. AASHTO Soil Classification System
C. USDA Soil Classification System
D. FAA Soil Classification System
,🟢 Correct Answer: B. AASHTO Soil Classification System
🔴 Explanation: The AASHTO classification system is widely used in highway and
transportation projects because it evaluates soils for pavement and roadway performance.
2. What is the primary purpose of performing a Proctor compaction test?
A. Determine shear strength
B. Determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry density
C. Measure liquid limit
D. Evaluate permeability
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry density
🔴 Explanation: The Proctor test establishes the relationship between moisture content
and dry density to identify optimum compaction conditions.
3. A technician obtains a moisture content of 12% from a soil sample. What does this
value represent?
A. Percentage of air voids
B. Ratio of dry density to wet density
C. Weight of water divided by dry soil weight
D. Percentage passing the No. 200 sieve
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Weight of water divided by dry soil weight
, 🔴 Explanation: Moisture content is calculated as the weight of water divided by the dry
weight of soil multiplied by 100.
4. Which ASTM standard covers laboratory compaction characteristics using standard
effort?
A. ASTM D698
B. ASTM D1557
C. ASTM D2487
D. ASTM D4318
🟢 Correct Answer: A. ASTM D698
🔴 Explanation: ASTM D698 is the standard Proctor test using standard compactive effort.
5. What is the main purpose of Atterberg limits testing?
A. Determine permeability
B. Measure compaction resistance
C. Evaluate consistency and plasticity characteristics
D. Determine particle density
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Evaluate consistency and plasticity characteristics
🔴 Explanation: Atterberg limits define moisture conditions where soil changes
consistency states and help classify fine-grained soils.
