NICET Soils Level 1 – Actual Exam Practice 300
Questions And Correct Answers Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
About This Exam Guide
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare candidates
for the NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level I certification
exam. It follows the current NICET content outline and reflects the 2026
exam standards, covering all ASTM standards referenced in the exam.
The exam is organized into 10 domains with 300 questions, each including
the correct answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce understanding of key
concepts.
Domain 1: ASTM C117 – Materials Finer than No. 200 Sieve by Washing
(Questions 1-30)
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. Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200)
Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
*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 .*
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. To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm
in mineral aggregate by washing
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 .
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. Procedure A
Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117.
Procedure B is used only under special conditions when specified .
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. Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine
materials
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 .
5. What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples
according to C117?
,A. 90°C ± 5°C
B. 100°C ± 5°C
C. 110°C ± 5°C
D. 120°C ± 5°C
Answer: C. 110°C ± 5°C
Rationale: ASTM C117 specifies an oven temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F)
for drying aggregate samples. This temperature is sufficient to remove
moisture without altering the aggregate properties .
6. If a wetting agent is used in Procedure B of C117, how much should be
used?
A. Exactly 10 mL
B. Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
C. 50 mL per 1000 g of sample
D. Just enough to cover the sample
Answer: B. Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is
agitated
Rationale: The amount of wetting agent is determined by observation—
enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated,
indicating proper dispersion of fines .
7. How should the amount retained by wash be reported according to C117?
A. Always to the nearest 0.1%
B. Always to the nearest whole number
C. <10%: report to 0.1%; ≥10%: report to nearest whole number
D. <5%: report to 0.01%; ≥5%: report to 0.1%
Answer: C. <10%: report to 0.1%; ≥10%: report to nearest whole number
Rationale: Reporting requirements in C117 specify that results less than 10%
are reported to the nearest 0.1%, while results 10% or greater are reported to
the nearest whole number .
8. What is the purpose of washing the aggregate in C117?
A. To remove organic matter
B. To separate the fine particles from the coarse particles
, C. To clean the aggregate for visual inspection
D. To dissolve cementitious materials
Answer: B. To separate the fine particles from the coarse particles
Rationale: The washing process separates particles finer than the No. 200
sieve from the coarser aggregate particles. This allows for accurate
determination of the percentage of fines present .
9. 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. No. 200 sieve
*Rationale: C117 uses a No. 200 (75-µm) sieve as the separating screen.
Material passing this sieve is considered "fines" or "wash loss" .*
10. After washing and drying, what is calculated in C117?
A. The specific gravity of the aggregate
B. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve
C. The absorption capacity
D. The unit weight
Answer: B. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve
Rationale: The test calculates the percentage of material lost during washing,
which represents the amount of material finer than the No. 200 sieve .
11. 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. Dependent on the sample mass
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 .
Questions And Correct Answers Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
About This Exam Guide
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare candidates
for the NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level I certification
exam. It follows the current NICET content outline and reflects the 2026
exam standards, covering all ASTM standards referenced in the exam.
The exam is organized into 10 domains with 300 questions, each including
the correct answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce understanding of key
concepts.
Domain 1: ASTM C117 – Materials Finer than No. 200 Sieve by Washing
(Questions 1-30)
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. Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200)
Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
*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 .*
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. To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm
in mineral aggregate by washing
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 .
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. Procedure A
Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117.
Procedure B is used only under special conditions when specified .
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. Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine
materials
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 .
5. What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples
according to C117?
,A. 90°C ± 5°C
B. 100°C ± 5°C
C. 110°C ± 5°C
D. 120°C ± 5°C
Answer: C. 110°C ± 5°C
Rationale: ASTM C117 specifies an oven temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F)
for drying aggregate samples. This temperature is sufficient to remove
moisture without altering the aggregate properties .
6. If a wetting agent is used in Procedure B of C117, how much should be
used?
A. Exactly 10 mL
B. Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
C. 50 mL per 1000 g of sample
D. Just enough to cover the sample
Answer: B. Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is
agitated
Rationale: The amount of wetting agent is determined by observation—
enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated,
indicating proper dispersion of fines .
7. How should the amount retained by wash be reported according to C117?
A. Always to the nearest 0.1%
B. Always to the nearest whole number
C. <10%: report to 0.1%; ≥10%: report to nearest whole number
D. <5%: report to 0.01%; ≥5%: report to 0.1%
Answer: C. <10%: report to 0.1%; ≥10%: report to nearest whole number
Rationale: Reporting requirements in C117 specify that results less than 10%
are reported to the nearest 0.1%, while results 10% or greater are reported to
the nearest whole number .
8. What is the purpose of washing the aggregate in C117?
A. To remove organic matter
B. To separate the fine particles from the coarse particles
, C. To clean the aggregate for visual inspection
D. To dissolve cementitious materials
Answer: B. To separate the fine particles from the coarse particles
Rationale: The washing process separates particles finer than the No. 200
sieve from the coarser aggregate particles. This allows for accurate
determination of the percentage of fines present .
9. 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. No. 200 sieve
*Rationale: C117 uses a No. 200 (75-µm) sieve as the separating screen.
Material passing this sieve is considered "fines" or "wash loss" .*
10. After washing and drying, what is calculated in C117?
A. The specific gravity of the aggregate
B. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve
C. The absorption capacity
D. The unit weight
Answer: B. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve
Rationale: The test calculates the percentage of material lost during washing,
which represents the amount of material finer than the No. 200 sieve .
11. 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. Dependent on the sample mass
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 .
