CNMI Concrete / Cement Technician
Certification Exam | Questions And
Answers [ plus Rationales] | Qs & Ans
2026/27 | Graded A
1. What is the primary purpose of cement in concrete?
A. Increase color
B. Reduce weight
C. Act as the binding material that holds aggregates together
D. Improve paint adhesion
Rationale: Cement hydrates and binds sand and gravel into a solid mass.
2. What is concrete primarily made of?
A. Cement and paint
B. Steel and water
C. Cement, water, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate
D. Sand only
Rationale: Concrete is a composite material made from these four main
ingredients.
3. What happens during cement hydration?
,A. Cement dries by evaporation
B. Cement melts
C. Chemical reaction between cement and water that causes hardening
D. Cement turns into gas
Rationale: Hydration is the chemical process that gives concrete strength.
4. What is the purpose of aggregates in concrete?
A. Increase cost
B. Reduce strength
C. Provide volume, strength, and stability
D. Change cement color
Rationale: Aggregates make up most of concrete’s volume and contribute
strength.
5. What is the most important factor affecting concrete strength?
A. Paint type
B. Cement color
C. Water-cement ratio
D. Air temperature only
Rationale: Too much water weakens concrete by increasing porosity.
6. What is slump testing used for?
,A. Measure cement color
B. Determine aggregate size
C. Measure concrete consistency and workability
D. Check steel strength
Rationale: Slump indicates how workable fresh concrete is.
7. What does a high slump value indicate?
A. Very dry concrete
B. High strength concrete
C. More fluid (wetter) concrete mix
D. No cement present
Rationale: High slump means higher water content and workability.
8. What is curing in concrete?
A. Painting concrete
B. Mixing aggregates
C. Maintaining moisture and temperature for strength development
D. Breaking hardened concrete
Rationale: Proper curing ensures full hydration and strength gain.
9. What is the standard curing time for concrete to gain most strength?
, A. 1 hour
B. 1 day
C. 28 days
D. 6 months
Rationale: Concrete reaches its design strength after about 28 days.
10. What is the purpose of air entrainment in concrete?
A. Increase weight
B. Reduce cement content
C. Improve freeze-thaw resistance and durability
D. Change color
Rationale: Air bubbles help prevent cracking in cold conditions.
11. What is segregation in concrete?
A. Proper mixing
B. Cement hydration
C. Separation of coarse aggregates from cement paste
D. Steel reinforcement placement
Rationale: Segregation weakens concrete uniformity.
12. What causes bleeding in concrete?
Certification Exam | Questions And
Answers [ plus Rationales] | Qs & Ans
2026/27 | Graded A
1. What is the primary purpose of cement in concrete?
A. Increase color
B. Reduce weight
C. Act as the binding material that holds aggregates together
D. Improve paint adhesion
Rationale: Cement hydrates and binds sand and gravel into a solid mass.
2. What is concrete primarily made of?
A. Cement and paint
B. Steel and water
C. Cement, water, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate
D. Sand only
Rationale: Concrete is a composite material made from these four main
ingredients.
3. What happens during cement hydration?
,A. Cement dries by evaporation
B. Cement melts
C. Chemical reaction between cement and water that causes hardening
D. Cement turns into gas
Rationale: Hydration is the chemical process that gives concrete strength.
4. What is the purpose of aggregates in concrete?
A. Increase cost
B. Reduce strength
C. Provide volume, strength, and stability
D. Change cement color
Rationale: Aggregates make up most of concrete’s volume and contribute
strength.
5. What is the most important factor affecting concrete strength?
A. Paint type
B. Cement color
C. Water-cement ratio
D. Air temperature only
Rationale: Too much water weakens concrete by increasing porosity.
6. What is slump testing used for?
,A. Measure cement color
B. Determine aggregate size
C. Measure concrete consistency and workability
D. Check steel strength
Rationale: Slump indicates how workable fresh concrete is.
7. What does a high slump value indicate?
A. Very dry concrete
B. High strength concrete
C. More fluid (wetter) concrete mix
D. No cement present
Rationale: High slump means higher water content and workability.
8. What is curing in concrete?
A. Painting concrete
B. Mixing aggregates
C. Maintaining moisture and temperature for strength development
D. Breaking hardened concrete
Rationale: Proper curing ensures full hydration and strength gain.
9. What is the standard curing time for concrete to gain most strength?
, A. 1 hour
B. 1 day
C. 28 days
D. 6 months
Rationale: Concrete reaches its design strength after about 28 days.
10. What is the purpose of air entrainment in concrete?
A. Increase weight
B. Reduce cement content
C. Improve freeze-thaw resistance and durability
D. Change color
Rationale: Air bubbles help prevent cracking in cold conditions.
11. What is segregation in concrete?
A. Proper mixing
B. Cement hydration
C. Separation of coarse aggregates from cement paste
D. Steel reinforcement placement
Rationale: Segregation weakens concrete uniformity.
12. What causes bleeding in concrete?
