NICET SOILS LEVEL I PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(100% GUARANTEED PASS)
Section 1: General & Sampling (ASTM D75, D3665)
1. What is the primary purpose of ASTM D75?
A) To determine the moisture content of soil
B) To establish procedures for sampling aggregates
C) To perform sieve analysis on fine aggregates
D) To test the compaction characteristics of soil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASTM D75 is the standard practice for sampling aggregates. It provides guidance on obtaining
representative samples from various sources like stockpiles, conveyors, or haul units .
2. According to ASTM D75, who should investigate potential sample material?
A) Any available laborer on site
B) A responsible, trained, and experienced person
C) The project engineer via email only
D) The ready-mix truck driver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The standard explicitly states that the investigation of potential sample material should be
performed by a responsible, trained, and experienced person to ensure proper judgment is used .
3. When visually inspecting a stockpile for sampling, what should be the primary focus?
A) The color consistency
B) Discernible variations in the material
C) The height of the stockpile
D) The equipment used to build it
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASTM D75 requires visual inspection of a stockpile to identify discernible variations. If
variations are present, corrective action is needed to establish homogeneity before sampling, or
separate samples must be taken .
4. Where should a sample be obtained whenever practicable?
A) From the very bottom of the stockpile
B) From the top of the conveyor belt
C) From the finished product
D) From the waste pile
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To ensure the sample represents the material that will be used in construction, it should be
taken from the finished product .
Section 2: Laboratory Compaction (ASTM D698 & D1557)
5. What is the compactive effort for a Standard Proctor test (ASTM D698)?
A) 56,000 ft-lbf/ft³
B) 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³
C) 25,000 ft-lbf/ft³
D) 5,500 ft-lbf/ft³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard Proctor effort is defined as 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³. Modified Proctor effort is 56,000 ft-
lbf/ft³ .
6. For a Standard Proctor test using a 4-inch mold, how many layers and blows are required?
A) 5 layers, 25 blows per layer
B) 3 layers, 56 blows per layer
C) 3 layers, 25 blows per layer
D) 5 layers, 56 blows per layer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a 4-inch (101.6 mm) mold in D698, the soil is compacted in 3 equal layers, with 25 blows
of the rammer per layer .
7. What is the weight and drop height of the rammer for a Modified Proctor test (ASTM D1557)?
A) 5.5 lb, 12-inch drop
B) 10 lb, 18-inch drop
, C) 10 lb, 12-inch drop
D) 5.5 lb, 18-inch drop
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Modified Proctor uses a 10 lb (4.54 kg) rammer with a free fall of 18 inches (457 mm) .
8. When must a correction for oversize particles be applied in a compaction test?
A) When more than 5% of the sample is retained on the specified sieve
B) When more than 10% of the sample is retained on the No. 200 sieve
C) Whenever any oversize particles are present
D) Only when the soil is clay
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Both D698 and D1557 require that a correction be established when the test specimen
contains more than 5% of oversize fractions (material retained on the sieve for the method being used) .
9. What is the significance of the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC)?
A) The moisture content where the soil is easiest to excavate
B) The moisture content at which the soil can be compacted to its maximum dry unit weight
C) The moisture content where the soil becomes a liquid
D) The natural moisture content of the soil in the field
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OMC is the water content at which a specific compactive effort yields the maximum dry unit
weight, indicating the most efficient compaction .
10. When should a straight edge be used in a Proctor test?
A) To stir the soil sample
B) To trim the compacted soil flush with the top of the mold
C) To calibrate the rammer
D) To break up soil clods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After compacting each layer, and finally the last layer, a stiff metal straight edge is used to
strike off the excess soil so that the compacted specimen is exactly level with the top of the mold .
Section 3: Sieve Analysis (ASTM C136)
11. What is the primary purpose of performing a sieve analysis (ASTM C136)?
A) To determine the moisture content of the aggregate
B) To determine the particle size distribution of an aggregate sample
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(100% GUARANTEED PASS)
Section 1: General & Sampling (ASTM D75, D3665)
1. What is the primary purpose of ASTM D75?
A) To determine the moisture content of soil
B) To establish procedures for sampling aggregates
C) To perform sieve analysis on fine aggregates
D) To test the compaction characteristics of soil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASTM D75 is the standard practice for sampling aggregates. It provides guidance on obtaining
representative samples from various sources like stockpiles, conveyors, or haul units .
2. According to ASTM D75, who should investigate potential sample material?
A) Any available laborer on site
B) A responsible, trained, and experienced person
C) The project engineer via email only
D) The ready-mix truck driver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The standard explicitly states that the investigation of potential sample material should be
performed by a responsible, trained, and experienced person to ensure proper judgment is used .
3. When visually inspecting a stockpile for sampling, what should be the primary focus?
A) The color consistency
B) Discernible variations in the material
C) The height of the stockpile
D) The equipment used to build it
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASTM D75 requires visual inspection of a stockpile to identify discernible variations. If
variations are present, corrective action is needed to establish homogeneity before sampling, or
separate samples must be taken .
4. Where should a sample be obtained whenever practicable?
A) From the very bottom of the stockpile
B) From the top of the conveyor belt
C) From the finished product
D) From the waste pile
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To ensure the sample represents the material that will be used in construction, it should be
taken from the finished product .
Section 2: Laboratory Compaction (ASTM D698 & D1557)
5. What is the compactive effort for a Standard Proctor test (ASTM D698)?
A) 56,000 ft-lbf/ft³
B) 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³
C) 25,000 ft-lbf/ft³
D) 5,500 ft-lbf/ft³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard Proctor effort is defined as 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³. Modified Proctor effort is 56,000 ft-
lbf/ft³ .
6. For a Standard Proctor test using a 4-inch mold, how many layers and blows are required?
A) 5 layers, 25 blows per layer
B) 3 layers, 56 blows per layer
C) 3 layers, 25 blows per layer
D) 5 layers, 56 blows per layer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a 4-inch (101.6 mm) mold in D698, the soil is compacted in 3 equal layers, with 25 blows
of the rammer per layer .
7. What is the weight and drop height of the rammer for a Modified Proctor test (ASTM D1557)?
A) 5.5 lb, 12-inch drop
B) 10 lb, 18-inch drop
, C) 10 lb, 12-inch drop
D) 5.5 lb, 18-inch drop
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Modified Proctor uses a 10 lb (4.54 kg) rammer with a free fall of 18 inches (457 mm) .
8. When must a correction for oversize particles be applied in a compaction test?
A) When more than 5% of the sample is retained on the specified sieve
B) When more than 10% of the sample is retained on the No. 200 sieve
C) Whenever any oversize particles are present
D) Only when the soil is clay
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Both D698 and D1557 require that a correction be established when the test specimen
contains more than 5% of oversize fractions (material retained on the sieve for the method being used) .
9. What is the significance of the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC)?
A) The moisture content where the soil is easiest to excavate
B) The moisture content at which the soil can be compacted to its maximum dry unit weight
C) The moisture content where the soil becomes a liquid
D) The natural moisture content of the soil in the field
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OMC is the water content at which a specific compactive effort yields the maximum dry unit
weight, indicating the most efficient compaction .
10. When should a straight edge be used in a Proctor test?
A) To stir the soil sample
B) To trim the compacted soil flush with the top of the mold
C) To calibrate the rammer
D) To break up soil clods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After compacting each layer, and finally the last layer, a stiff metal straight edge is used to
strike off the excess soil so that the compacted specimen is exactly level with the top of the mold .
Section 3: Sieve Analysis (ASTM C136)
11. What is the primary purpose of performing a sieve analysis (ASTM C136)?
A) To determine the moisture content of the aggregate
B) To determine the particle size distribution of an aggregate sample
