NICET CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING – SOILS LEVEL II
EXAM 2026 | ACTUAL AND CURRENTLY TESTING WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
The NICET Soils Level II exam focuses on safe field and lab testing procedures,
proper soil sampling and preservation, and soil identification using USCS and
AASHTO classification systems. Candidates must understand moisture content
determination, Atterberg limits, and Proctor compaction testing to determine
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Strong emphasis is placed on field density
testing using nuclear gauge and sand cone methods, calculation of
percent compaction, and decision-making when compaction results fail
specifications. The exam also covers gradation testing, permeability basics,
strength concepts like CBR, earthwork inspection practices, and accurate
reporting/documentation under QA/QC requirements.
SECTION 1: SOIL SAMPLING & PRESERVATION (Questions 1-35)
QUESTION 1
A field technician collects a bulk soil sample from a stockpile but only scoops
from the surface. What is the main issue with this sampling method?
A. Surface sampling produces better moisture consistency
B. The sample may not be representative of the full stockpile material
C. Surface material is always finer than deeper material
D. This method prevents contamination from equipment
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The primary concern with surface-only sampling is that it fails to
capture the variability and composition of the entire stockpile. Stockpiles can
have segregated materials, with coarser particles rolling to the bottom and
fines remaining on top, making surface sampling non-representative.
1
,QUESTION 2
Which of the following is the recommended minimum depth for sampling a soil
stockpile?
A. 2 inches
B. 6 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A minimum depth of 12 inches is recommended to obtain a
representative sample that includes material from below the surface layer,
which may have been affected by segregation, drying, or contamination.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of soil sampling preservation?
A. To prevent the sample from being stolen
B. To maintain the sample's in-situ moisture content and physical properties
C. To keep the sample at a constant temperature
D. To prevent the sample from freezing
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Preservation techniques are critical to maintain the sample's
natural moisture content and physical properties until testing can be
performed. Changes in moisture can significantly affect test results for
compaction, density, and Atterberg limits.
QUESTION 4
2
,Which container is best suited for preserving a soil sample for moisture
content determination?
A. Open paper bag
B. Cloth bag
C. Airtight metal or glass container
D. Cardboard box
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Airtight metal or glass containers prevent moisture loss or gain,
ensuring the sample's moisture content remains unchanged until testing. Paper
or cloth bags allow moisture to escape.
QUESTION 5
How should a bulk soil sample be collected from a stockpile according to
standard practice?
A. Collect only from the top 2 inches
B. Collect from multiple locations and depths using proper sampling tools
C. Collect only from the center of the pile
D. Collect only material that looks uniform
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Proper sampling requires collecting from multiple locations and
depths to obtain a representative sample that accounts for variability within
the stockpile.
QUESTION 6
What is a "disturbed" soil sample?
3
, A. A sample that has been frozen
B. A sample where the natural structure and in-situ conditions have been altered
C. A sample that has been dried in an oven
D. A sample that is contaminated with organic matter
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: A disturbed sample is one where the natural structure,
stratification, and in-situ conditions have been altered during collection.
While structure is lost, disturbed samples are still useful for classification
and compaction tests.
QUESTION 7
What is an "undisturbed" soil sample?
A. A sample taken from the surface
B. A sample that retains the natural structure and in-situ moisture content
C. A sample that has been air-dried
D. A sample taken from a stockpile
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Undisturbed samples preserve the natural soil structure, density,
and moisture content, which is essential for strength, consolidation, and
permeability testing.
QUESTION 8
What is the recommended maximum time between sampling and testing for
moisture
content?
4
EXAM 2026 | ACTUAL AND CURRENTLY TESTING WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
The NICET Soils Level II exam focuses on safe field and lab testing procedures,
proper soil sampling and preservation, and soil identification using USCS and
AASHTO classification systems. Candidates must understand moisture content
determination, Atterberg limits, and Proctor compaction testing to determine
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Strong emphasis is placed on field density
testing using nuclear gauge and sand cone methods, calculation of
percent compaction, and decision-making when compaction results fail
specifications. The exam also covers gradation testing, permeability basics,
strength concepts like CBR, earthwork inspection practices, and accurate
reporting/documentation under QA/QC requirements.
SECTION 1: SOIL SAMPLING & PRESERVATION (Questions 1-35)
QUESTION 1
A field technician collects a bulk soil sample from a stockpile but only scoops
from the surface. What is the main issue with this sampling method?
A. Surface sampling produces better moisture consistency
B. The sample may not be representative of the full stockpile material
C. Surface material is always finer than deeper material
D. This method prevents contamination from equipment
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The primary concern with surface-only sampling is that it fails to
capture the variability and composition of the entire stockpile. Stockpiles can
have segregated materials, with coarser particles rolling to the bottom and
fines remaining on top, making surface sampling non-representative.
1
,QUESTION 2
Which of the following is the recommended minimum depth for sampling a soil
stockpile?
A. 2 inches
B. 6 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A minimum depth of 12 inches is recommended to obtain a
representative sample that includes material from below the surface layer,
which may have been affected by segregation, drying, or contamination.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of soil sampling preservation?
A. To prevent the sample from being stolen
B. To maintain the sample's in-situ moisture content and physical properties
C. To keep the sample at a constant temperature
D. To prevent the sample from freezing
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Preservation techniques are critical to maintain the sample's
natural moisture content and physical properties until testing can be
performed. Changes in moisture can significantly affect test results for
compaction, density, and Atterberg limits.
QUESTION 4
2
,Which container is best suited for preserving a soil sample for moisture
content determination?
A. Open paper bag
B. Cloth bag
C. Airtight metal or glass container
D. Cardboard box
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Airtight metal or glass containers prevent moisture loss or gain,
ensuring the sample's moisture content remains unchanged until testing. Paper
or cloth bags allow moisture to escape.
QUESTION 5
How should a bulk soil sample be collected from a stockpile according to
standard practice?
A. Collect only from the top 2 inches
B. Collect from multiple locations and depths using proper sampling tools
C. Collect only from the center of the pile
D. Collect only material that looks uniform
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Proper sampling requires collecting from multiple locations and
depths to obtain a representative sample that accounts for variability within
the stockpile.
QUESTION 6
What is a "disturbed" soil sample?
3
, A. A sample that has been frozen
B. A sample where the natural structure and in-situ conditions have been altered
C. A sample that has been dried in an oven
D. A sample that is contaminated with organic matter
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: A disturbed sample is one where the natural structure,
stratification, and in-situ conditions have been altered during collection.
While structure is lost, disturbed samples are still useful for classification
and compaction tests.
QUESTION 7
What is an "undisturbed" soil sample?
A. A sample taken from the surface
B. A sample that retains the natural structure and in-situ moisture content
C. A sample that has been air-dried
D. A sample taken from a stockpile
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Undisturbed samples preserve the natural soil structure, density,
and moisture content, which is essential for strength, consolidation, and
permeability testing.
QUESTION 8
What is the recommended maximum time between sampling and testing for
moisture
content?
4
