NICET Soils Level 1 – Actual Exam Practice 300 Questions And Correct Answers Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.

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
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for the NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level I certification
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exam. It follows the current NICET content outline and reflects the 2026
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exam standards, covering all ASTM standards referenced in the exam.
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The exam is organized into 10 domains with 300 questions, each including
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the correct answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce understanding of
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key concepts.
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Domain 1: ASTM C117 – Materials Finer than No. 200 Sieve by Washing
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(Questions 1-30)
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1. Define ASTM C117. k k


A. Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Aggregates
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B. Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve
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kin Mineral Aggregates by Washing
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C. Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil
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D. Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates k k k k


Answer: B. Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200)
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kSieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
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*Rationale: ASTM C117 specifically covers the determination of the
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kamount of material finer than a No. 200 (75-µm) sieve in mineral
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kaggregates by washing. This test is critical for assessing the cleanliness of
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kaggregates used in construction .* k k k k




2. What is the significance of performing ASTM C117?
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A. To determine the maximum dry density of soil
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,B. To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm
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in mineral aggregate by washing
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C. To measure the liquid limit of fine-grained soils
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D. To determine the in-place density of compacted soils
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Answer: B. To accurately determine the amount of material finer than 75-µm
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in mineral aggregate by washing
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Rationale: C117 provides an accurate determination of fine material (passing
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No. 200 sieve) in aggregates. This is important because excessive fines can
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affect the performance of concrete, asphalt, and base courses .
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3. Which procedure should always be used unless otherwise specified in
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C117?
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A. Procedure A k


B. Procedure B k


C. Procedure C k


D. Procedure D k


kAnswer: A. Procedure k k


A
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Rationale: Procedure A is the standard washing procedure specified in C117.
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Procedure B is used only under special conditions when specified .
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4. What is an appropriate wetting agent to use for sieving through a No.
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200 sieve in C117?
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A. Mineral oil k


B. Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine materials
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C. Ethanol
D. Acetone
Answer: B. Water or any dispersing agent that promotes separation of fine
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materials
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Rationale: Water is the standard wetting agent. Dispersing agents help
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prevent clumping of fine particles during washing, ensuring accurate
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separation of materials finer than the No. 200 sieve .
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5. What should the temperature of the oven be when drying samples
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according to C117?
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,A. 90°C ± 5°C k k


B. 100°C ± 5°C k k


C. 110°C ± 5°C k k


D. 120°C ± 5°C k k


Answer: C. 110°C ±
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5°C
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Rationale: ASTM C117 specifies an oven temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F)
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for drying aggregate samples. This temperature is sufficient to remove
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moisture without altering the aggregate properties .
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6. If a wetting agent is used in Procedure B of C117, how much should
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be used?
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A. Exactly 10 mL k k


B. Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is agitated
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C. 50 mL per 1000 g of sample
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D. Just enough to cover the sample
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Answer: B. Enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is
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agitated
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Rationale: The amount of wetting agent is determined by observation—
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enough to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is
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agitated, indicating proper dispersion of fines .
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7. How should the amount retained by wash be reported according to C117?
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A. Always to the nearest 0.1% k k k k


B. Always to the nearest whole number k k k k k


C. <10%: report to 0.1%; ≥10%: report to nearest whole number
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D. <5%: report to 0.01%; ≥5%: report to 0.1%
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Answer: C. <10%: report to 0.1%; ≥10%: report to nearest whole number
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Rationale: Reporting requirements in C117 specify that results less than 10%
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are reported to the nearest 0.1%, while results 10% or greater are reported to
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the nearest whole number .
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8. What is the purpose of washing the aggregate in C117?
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A. To remove organic matter
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B. To separate the fine particles from the coarse particles
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, C. To clean the aggregate for visual inspection
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D. To dissolve cementitious materials
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Answer: B. To separate the fine particles from the coarse particles
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Rationale: The washing process separates particles finer than the No. 200
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sieve from the coarser aggregate particles. This allows for accurate
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determination of the percentage of fines present .
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9. What type of sieve is used in C117 to separate fine materials?
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A. No. 4 sieve k k


B. No. 10 sieve k k


C. No. 40 sieve k k


D. No. 200 sievek k


kAnswer: D. No. 200 k k k


sieve
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*Rationale: C117 uses a No. 200 (75-µm) sieve as the separating screen.
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Material passing this sieve is considered "fines" or "wash loss" .*
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10. After washing and drying, what is calculated in C117?
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A. The specific gravity of the aggregate
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B. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve
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C. The absorption capacity
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D. The unit weight k k


Answer: B. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve
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Rationale: The test calculates the percentage of material lost during washing,
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kwhich represents the amount of material finer than the No. 200 sieve .
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11. What is the maximum size aggregate that can be tested using C117?
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A. No restriction
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B. 1 inch maximum
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C. 2 inches maximum
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D. Dependent on the sample mass k k k k


k Answer: D. Dependent on the samplek k k k k


kmass
Rationale: While C117 doesn't specify an absolute maximum particle size, the
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ksample mass must be sufficient to be representative. Larger aggregates
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krequire larger sample masses .
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