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NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exam.
Summarized Exam Topics Covered (Point Form)
• Soil classification systems (USCS, AASHTO)
• Moisture-density relationships (Proctor: standard vs. modified)
• Field density testing (nuclear gauge, sand cone, rubber balloon)
• Compaction control (relative compaction, % moisture, oversize correction)
• Atterberg limits (LL, PL, PI) and plasticity chart
• Gradation analysis (sieve, hydrometer)
• Specific gravity of soils
• Soil moisture content (oven-dry method)
• In-place density specs and acceptance criteria
• Calibration of field density equipment
• One-point Proctor and moisture adjustment
• Soil sampling (disturbed, undisturbed)
• Subgrade preparation and proof rolling
• Laboratory vs. field compaction relationship
• Swell and shrinkage factors
• Organic content and deleterious materials
• Nuclear gauge safety, licensing, and procedures (NRC/Agreement State)
• Test frequency and random location selection
• Reporting and non-conformance documentation
1. A project specification requires 95% of modified Proctor maximum dry density. The lab modified
Proctor MDD is 125 pcf. What is the required field dry density?
A) 115.0 pcf
B) 118.8 pcf
C) 120.0 pcf
D) 125.0 pcf
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Answer: B
Rationale: 125 × 0.95 = 118.75, rounded to 118.8 pcf.
2. During a nuclear density test on a granular base course, the gauge reads wet density 135 pcf and
moisture 12%. Compute dry density.
A) 118.5 pcf
B) 120.5 pcf
C) 122.0 pcf
D) 135.0 pcf
Answer: B
Rationale: Dry density = wet density / (1 + moisture/100) = .12 = 120.54 pcf.
3. A sand cone test yields dry density of 115 pcf. Lab Proctor MDD is 120 pcf. What is relative
compaction?
A) 91.7%
B) 94.2%
C) 95.8%
D) 96.5%
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Answer: C
Rationale: (115/120) × 100 = 95.8%.
4. You dig a hole for a sand cone test: wet soil mass = 3200 g, dry mass = 2800 g. What is the moisture
percentage?
A) 12.5%
B) 14.3%
C) 15.0%
D) 16.2%
Answer: B
Rationale: (3200-2800)/2800 × 100 = 14.29%.
5. A soil has a liquid limit of 45 and a plastic limit of 25. What is the plasticity index?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
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Answer: C
Rationale: PI = LL – PL = 45 – 25 = 20.
6. During proof rolling, a soft spot deflects more than 1 inch under a loaded dump truck. What is the
most appropriate action?
A) Ignore it and continue rolling
B) Mark area for removal and replacement, then retest compaction
C) Add water and recompact immediately
D) Cover with geotextile and place next lift
Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive deflection indicates inadequate support or oversaturation requiring removal and
replacement.
7. What is the approximate compaction energy of a standard Proctor test?
A) 5,600 ft-lbf/ft³
B) 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³
C) 25,000 ft-lbf/ft³
D) 56,000 ft-lbf/ft³
NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
NICET Construction Materials Testing – Soils Level II exam.
Summarized Exam Topics Covered (Point Form)
• Soil classification systems (USCS, AASHTO)
• Moisture-density relationships (Proctor: standard vs. modified)
• Field density testing (nuclear gauge, sand cone, rubber balloon)
• Compaction control (relative compaction, % moisture, oversize correction)
• Atterberg limits (LL, PL, PI) and plasticity chart
• Gradation analysis (sieve, hydrometer)
• Specific gravity of soils
• Soil moisture content (oven-dry method)
• In-place density specs and acceptance criteria
• Calibration of field density equipment
• One-point Proctor and moisture adjustment
• Soil sampling (disturbed, undisturbed)
• Subgrade preparation and proof rolling
• Laboratory vs. field compaction relationship
• Swell and shrinkage factors
• Organic content and deleterious materials
• Nuclear gauge safety, licensing, and procedures (NRC/Agreement State)
• Test frequency and random location selection
• Reporting and non-conformance documentation
1. A project specification requires 95% of modified Proctor maximum dry density. The lab modified
Proctor MDD is 125 pcf. What is the required field dry density?
A) 115.0 pcf
B) 118.8 pcf
C) 120.0 pcf
D) 125.0 pcf
, Page 2 of 116
Answer: B
Rationale: 125 × 0.95 = 118.75, rounded to 118.8 pcf.
2. During a nuclear density test on a granular base course, the gauge reads wet density 135 pcf and
moisture 12%. Compute dry density.
A) 118.5 pcf
B) 120.5 pcf
C) 122.0 pcf
D) 135.0 pcf
Answer: B
Rationale: Dry density = wet density / (1 + moisture/100) = .12 = 120.54 pcf.
3. A sand cone test yields dry density of 115 pcf. Lab Proctor MDD is 120 pcf. What is relative
compaction?
A) 91.7%
B) 94.2%
C) 95.8%
D) 96.5%
, Page 3 of 116
Answer: C
Rationale: (115/120) × 100 = 95.8%.
4. You dig a hole for a sand cone test: wet soil mass = 3200 g, dry mass = 2800 g. What is the moisture
percentage?
A) 12.5%
B) 14.3%
C) 15.0%
D) 16.2%
Answer: B
Rationale: (3200-2800)/2800 × 100 = 14.29%.
5. A soil has a liquid limit of 45 and a plastic limit of 25. What is the plasticity index?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
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Answer: C
Rationale: PI = LL – PL = 45 – 25 = 20.
6. During proof rolling, a soft spot deflects more than 1 inch under a loaded dump truck. What is the
most appropriate action?
A) Ignore it and continue rolling
B) Mark area for removal and replacement, then retest compaction
C) Add water and recompact immediately
D) Cover with geotextile and place next lift
Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive deflection indicates inadequate support or oversaturation requiring removal and
replacement.
7. What is the approximate compaction energy of a standard Proctor test?
A) 5,600 ft-lbf/ft³
B) 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³
C) 25,000 ft-lbf/ft³
D) 56,000 ft-lbf/ft³
