NICET SOILS LEVEL 1 EXAM COMPLETE PRACTICE
QUESTION BANK 300 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
THIS YEAR
Question 1
Define ASTM C117.
A) Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Aggregates
B) Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral
Aggregates by Washing
C) Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil
D) Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates
Answer: B
Rationale: ASTM C117 specifically covers the determination of the amount of material
finer than a No. 200 (75-µm) sieve in mineral aggregates by washing. This test is critical
for assessing the cleanliness of aggregates used in construction.
Question 2
What is the significance of performing ASTM C117?
A) To determine the maximum dry density of soil
B) To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm in mineral
aggregate by washing
C) To measure the liquid limit of fine-grained soils
D) To determine the in-place density of compacted soils
Answer: B
Rationale: C117 provides an accurate determination of fine material (passing No. 200
sieve) in aggregates. This is important because excessive fines can affect the
performance of concrete, asphalt, and base courses.
Question 3
Which procedure should always be used unless otherwise specified in C117?
,A) Procedure A
B) Procedure B
C) Procedure C
D) Procedure D
Answer: A
Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117. Procedure
B is used only under special conditions when specified.
Question 4
What is an appropriate wetting agent to use for sieving through a No. 200 sieve in
C117?
A) Mineral oil
B) Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine materials
C) Ethanol
D) Acetone
Answer: B
Rationale: Water is the standard wetting agent. Dispersing agents help prevent
clumping of fine particles during washing, ensuring accurate separation of materials
finer than the No. 200 sieve.
Question 5
What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples according to C117?
A) 100°C ± 5°C
B) 110°C ± 5°C
C) 120°C ± 5°C
D) 130°C ± 5°C
Answer: B
Rationale: C117 specifies an oven temperature of 110°C ± 5°C for drying samples to
constant mass.
,Question 6
If used, how much wetting agent should be used in Procedure B of C117?
A) 100 mL
B) Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
C) 500 mL
D) 1 L
Answer: B
Rationale: Procedure B uses enough dispersing agent to produce a small amount of
suds when the sample is agitated, ensuring proper separation of fine particles.
Question 7
Report the amount retained by wash in C117 as follows:
A) <10% - report to the nearest 0.1%; >10% - report to the nearest whole number
B) Always report to the nearest 0.1%
C) Always report to the nearest whole number
D) Report to the nearest 0.01%
Answer: A
Rationale: C117 specifies that results of less than 10% are reported to the nearest 0.1%,
while results of 10% or greater are reported to the nearest whole number.
Question 8
How is the sample prepared for testing in C117?
A) Only dry sieving
B) Oven-dry the sample to constant mass before washing
C) Test in the as-received condition
D) Soak for 24 hours before testing
Answer: B
Rationale: The sample must be oven-dried to constant mass before washing to
establish the initial dry mass for calculating wash loss.
, Question 9
What is the maximum size aggregate that can be tested using C117?
A) No restriction
B) 1 inch maximum
C) 2 inches maximum
D) Dependent on the sample mass
Answer: D
Rationale: While C117 doesn't specify an absolute maximum particle size, the sample
mass must be sufficient to be representative. Larger aggregates require larger sample
masses.
Question 10
What type of sieve is used in C117 to separate fine materials?
A) No. 4 sieve
B) No. 10 sieve
C) No. 40 sieve
D) No. 200 sieve
Answer: D
Rationale: C117 uses a No. 200 (75-μm) sieve as the separating screen. Material passing
this sieve is considered "fines" or "wash loss."
Question 11
What is the purpose of using a dispersing agent in some washing procedures?
A) To dissolve organic matter
B) To prevent fine particles from adhering to coarse particles
C) To speed up the drying process
D) To sterilize the sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Dispersing agents help break surface tension and prevent fine particles from
sticking to larger aggregate particles, ensuring complete removal of fines.
QUESTION BANK 300 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
THIS YEAR
Question 1
Define ASTM C117.
A) Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Aggregates
B) Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral
Aggregates by Washing
C) Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil
D) Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates
Answer: B
Rationale: ASTM C117 specifically covers the determination of the amount of material
finer than a No. 200 (75-µm) sieve in mineral aggregates by washing. This test is critical
for assessing the cleanliness of aggregates used in construction.
Question 2
What is the significance of performing ASTM C117?
A) To determine the maximum dry density of soil
B) To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm in mineral
aggregate by washing
C) To measure the liquid limit of fine-grained soils
D) To determine the in-place density of compacted soils
Answer: B
Rationale: C117 provides an accurate determination of fine material (passing No. 200
sieve) in aggregates. This is important because excessive fines can affect the
performance of concrete, asphalt, and base courses.
Question 3
Which procedure should always be used unless otherwise specified in C117?
,A) Procedure A
B) Procedure B
C) Procedure C
D) Procedure D
Answer: A
Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117. Procedure
B is used only under special conditions when specified.
Question 4
What is an appropriate wetting agent to use for sieving through a No. 200 sieve in
C117?
A) Mineral oil
B) Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine materials
C) Ethanol
D) Acetone
Answer: B
Rationale: Water is the standard wetting agent. Dispersing agents help prevent
clumping of fine particles during washing, ensuring accurate separation of materials
finer than the No. 200 sieve.
Question 5
What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples according to C117?
A) 100°C ± 5°C
B) 110°C ± 5°C
C) 120°C ± 5°C
D) 130°C ± 5°C
Answer: B
Rationale: C117 specifies an oven temperature of 110°C ± 5°C for drying samples to
constant mass.
,Question 6
If used, how much wetting agent should be used in Procedure B of C117?
A) 100 mL
B) Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
C) 500 mL
D) 1 L
Answer: B
Rationale: Procedure B uses enough dispersing agent to produce a small amount of
suds when the sample is agitated, ensuring proper separation of fine particles.
Question 7
Report the amount retained by wash in C117 as follows:
A) <10% - report to the nearest 0.1%; >10% - report to the nearest whole number
B) Always report to the nearest 0.1%
C) Always report to the nearest whole number
D) Report to the nearest 0.01%
Answer: A
Rationale: C117 specifies that results of less than 10% are reported to the nearest 0.1%,
while results of 10% or greater are reported to the nearest whole number.
Question 8
How is the sample prepared for testing in C117?
A) Only dry sieving
B) Oven-dry the sample to constant mass before washing
C) Test in the as-received condition
D) Soak for 24 hours before testing
Answer: B
Rationale: The sample must be oven-dried to constant mass before washing to
establish the initial dry mass for calculating wash loss.
, Question 9
What is the maximum size aggregate that can be tested using C117?
A) No restriction
B) 1 inch maximum
C) 2 inches maximum
D) Dependent on the sample mass
Answer: D
Rationale: While C117 doesn't specify an absolute maximum particle size, the sample
mass must be sufficient to be representative. Larger aggregates require larger sample
masses.
Question 10
What type of sieve is used in C117 to separate fine materials?
A) No. 4 sieve
B) No. 10 sieve
C) No. 40 sieve
D) No. 200 sieve
Answer: D
Rationale: C117 uses a No. 200 (75-μm) sieve as the separating screen. Material passing
this sieve is considered "fines" or "wash loss."
Question 11
What is the purpose of using a dispersing agent in some washing procedures?
A) To dissolve organic matter
B) To prevent fine particles from adhering to coarse particles
C) To speed up the drying process
D) To sterilize the sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Dispersing agents help break surface tension and prevent fine particles from
sticking to larger aggregate particles, ensuring complete removal of fines.
