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NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
✅ SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (NICET Soils Level II)
The NICET Soils Level II exam focuses on safe field and lab testing procedures, proper soil sampling and
preservation, and soil identification using USCS and AASHTO classification systems. Candidates must
understand moisture content determination, Atterberg limits, and Proctor compaction testing to
determine maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Strong emphasis is placed on field
density testing using nuclear gauge and sand cone methods, calculation of percent compaction, and
decision-making when compaction results fail specifications. The exam also covers gradation testing,
permeability basics, strength concepts like CBR, earthwork inspection practices, and accurate
reporting/documentation under QA/QC requirements.
1.
A field technician collects a bulk soil sample from a stockpile but only scoops from the surface. What is
the main issue with this sampling method?
A. Surface sampling produces better moisture consistency
B. The sample may not be representative of the full stockpile material
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C. Surface soil always contains more gravel than deeper material
D. Soil classification is unaffected by where the sample is collected
Answer: B
Rationale: Bulk samples must represent the entire stockpile; surface material may be segregated or
weathered.
2.
A contractor requests compaction acceptance based on 95% of Standard Proctor, but the project
specifications reference Modified Proctor. What should the technician do?
A. Use Standard Proctor because it is easier and faster
B. Follow the project specification and use Modified Proctor for acceptance
C. Average both Standard and Modified Proctor values
D. Use whichever Proctor produces higher density results
Answer: B
Rationale: Acceptance must follow the project specifications, and Modified Proctor typically yields
higher density requirements.
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3.
A soil moisture content test shows wet soil mass of 520 g and dry soil mass of 480 g. What is the
moisture content?
A. 6.25%
B. 8.33%
C. 10.00%
D. 12.50%
Answer: B
Rationale: Moisture content = (520–480)/480 × 100 = 40/480 × 100 = 8.33%.
4.
A technician performs a nuclear gauge test and obtains wet density and moisture content. Which value
must be calculated to compare to Proctor results?
A. Specific gravity of soil solids
B. Dry density of the in-place soil
C. Liquid limit of the soil
D. Percent passing No. 200 sieve
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Answer: B
Rationale: Proctor curves are based on dry density, so field wet density must be converted to dry
density.
5.
A soil has a liquid limit of 42 and a plastic limit of 22. What is the plasticity index?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 64
Answer: C
Rationale: PI = LL – PL = 42 – 22 = 20.
6.
A technician is drying soil in an oven for ASTM D2216 moisture content testing. What is the standard
drying temperature range?
NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
✅ SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (NICET Soils Level II)
The NICET Soils Level II exam focuses on safe field and lab testing procedures, proper soil sampling and
preservation, and soil identification using USCS and AASHTO classification systems. Candidates must
understand moisture content determination, Atterberg limits, and Proctor compaction testing to
determine maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Strong emphasis is placed on field
density testing using nuclear gauge and sand cone methods, calculation of percent compaction, and
decision-making when compaction results fail specifications. The exam also covers gradation testing,
permeability basics, strength concepts like CBR, earthwork inspection practices, and accurate
reporting/documentation under QA/QC requirements.
1.
A field technician collects a bulk soil sample from a stockpile but only scoops from the surface. What is
the main issue with this sampling method?
A. Surface sampling produces better moisture consistency
B. The sample may not be representative of the full stockpile material
, Page 2 of 125
C. Surface soil always contains more gravel than deeper material
D. Soil classification is unaffected by where the sample is collected
Answer: B
Rationale: Bulk samples must represent the entire stockpile; surface material may be segregated or
weathered.
2.
A contractor requests compaction acceptance based on 95% of Standard Proctor, but the project
specifications reference Modified Proctor. What should the technician do?
A. Use Standard Proctor because it is easier and faster
B. Follow the project specification and use Modified Proctor for acceptance
C. Average both Standard and Modified Proctor values
D. Use whichever Proctor produces higher density results
Answer: B
Rationale: Acceptance must follow the project specifications, and Modified Proctor typically yields
higher density requirements.
, Page 3 of 125
3.
A soil moisture content test shows wet soil mass of 520 g and dry soil mass of 480 g. What is the
moisture content?
A. 6.25%
B. 8.33%
C. 10.00%
D. 12.50%
Answer: B
Rationale: Moisture content = (520–480)/480 × 100 = 40/480 × 100 = 8.33%.
4.
A technician performs a nuclear gauge test and obtains wet density and moisture content. Which value
must be calculated to compare to Proctor results?
A. Specific gravity of soil solids
B. Dry density of the in-place soil
C. Liquid limit of the soil
D. Percent passing No. 200 sieve
, Page 4 of 125
Answer: B
Rationale: Proctor curves are based on dry density, so field wet density must be converted to dry
density.
5.
A soil has a liquid limit of 42 and a plastic limit of 22. What is the plasticity index?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 64
Answer: C
Rationale: PI = LL – PL = 42 – 22 = 20.
6.
A technician is drying soil in an oven for ASTM D2216 moisture content testing. What is the standard
drying temperature range?
