NICET Construction Materials Testing –
Asphalt Level II Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1. Which ASTM standard governs the determination of asphalt binder
penetration?
A. ASTM D5
B. ASTM D36
C. ASTM D4402
D. ASTM D2872
Answer: A
ASTM D5 covers penetration of asphalt materials.
2. The main purpose of the gyrations in a Superpave gyratory compactor is to:
A. Melt the asphalt binder
B. Simulate field compaction
C. Determine binder viscosity
D. Determine aggregate gradation
Answer: B
Gyrations simulate traffic and roller compaction forces.
3. The primary function of a PG binder grade is to classify asphalt binders based
on:
A. Color
B. Viscosity only
C. Performance at specific temperatures
,D. Age of the binder
Answer: C
Performance grades relate to high/low pavement temperatures.
4. The asphalt content of a mix in an ignition oven is determined by:
A. Mass loss
B. Color change
C. Temperature rise
D. Air voids
Answer: A
Asphalt burns off and mass loss equals binder content.
5. For a Marshall test, stability is defined as:
A. The maximum deformation
B. Maximum load supported
C. Binder thickness
D. Sample temperature
Answer: B
Marshall stability measures peak load capacity.
6. Air voids in a hot-mix asphalt specimen are calculated using:
A. Bulk density and theoretical max density
B. Binder content only
C. Voids in mineral aggregate only
D. Gyration pressure
Answer: A
Air voids depend on bulk and theoretical maximum density.
7. VMA (Voids in Mineral Aggregate) represents:
, A. Voids filled with binder
B. Air voids only
C. Space between aggregate particles
D. Binder viscosity
Answer: C
VMA is the volume of intergranular voids.
8. Which device measures asphalt binder viscosity at high temperatures?
A. Gyratory compactor
B. Rotational viscometer
C. Marshall compactor
D. Penetrometer
Answer: B
Rotational viscometers measure high-temperature viscosity.
9. The purpose of reheating asphalt mixture samples is to:
A. Increase binder penetration
B. Remove moisture
C. Reach compaction temperature
D. Increase density
Answer: C
Samples must be at specified temperatures for compaction.
10. Maximum specific gravity of asphalt mixture is determined using:
A. Water displacement method
B. Vacuum pycnometer
C. Marshall stability machine
D. Gyratory compactor
Answer: B
The vacuum pycnometer determines Gmm.
Asphalt Level II Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1. Which ASTM standard governs the determination of asphalt binder
penetration?
A. ASTM D5
B. ASTM D36
C. ASTM D4402
D. ASTM D2872
Answer: A
ASTM D5 covers penetration of asphalt materials.
2. The main purpose of the gyrations in a Superpave gyratory compactor is to:
A. Melt the asphalt binder
B. Simulate field compaction
C. Determine binder viscosity
D. Determine aggregate gradation
Answer: B
Gyrations simulate traffic and roller compaction forces.
3. The primary function of a PG binder grade is to classify asphalt binders based
on:
A. Color
B. Viscosity only
C. Performance at specific temperatures
,D. Age of the binder
Answer: C
Performance grades relate to high/low pavement temperatures.
4. The asphalt content of a mix in an ignition oven is determined by:
A. Mass loss
B. Color change
C. Temperature rise
D. Air voids
Answer: A
Asphalt burns off and mass loss equals binder content.
5. For a Marshall test, stability is defined as:
A. The maximum deformation
B. Maximum load supported
C. Binder thickness
D. Sample temperature
Answer: B
Marshall stability measures peak load capacity.
6. Air voids in a hot-mix asphalt specimen are calculated using:
A. Bulk density and theoretical max density
B. Binder content only
C. Voids in mineral aggregate only
D. Gyration pressure
Answer: A
Air voids depend on bulk and theoretical maximum density.
7. VMA (Voids in Mineral Aggregate) represents:
, A. Voids filled with binder
B. Air voids only
C. Space between aggregate particles
D. Binder viscosity
Answer: C
VMA is the volume of intergranular voids.
8. Which device measures asphalt binder viscosity at high temperatures?
A. Gyratory compactor
B. Rotational viscometer
C. Marshall compactor
D. Penetrometer
Answer: B
Rotational viscometers measure high-temperature viscosity.
9. The purpose of reheating asphalt mixture samples is to:
A. Increase binder penetration
B. Remove moisture
C. Reach compaction temperature
D. Increase density
Answer: C
Samples must be at specified temperatures for compaction.
10. Maximum specific gravity of asphalt mixture is determined using:
A. Water displacement method
B. Vacuum pycnometer
C. Marshall stability machine
D. Gyratory compactor
Answer: B
The vacuum pycnometer determines Gmm.
