MASONRY CONTRACTOR LICENSE EXAM | REAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - CURRENT VERSION
1. What is the standard nominal size of a modular brick (including a mortar joint)?
A. 3-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 7-5/8 inches
B. 4 x 2-2/3 x 8 inches
C. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
D. 4 x 4 x 12 inches
2. What is the actual (manufactured) size of a standard modular brick?
A. 4 x 2-2/3 x 8 inches
B. 3-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 7-5/8 inches
C. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
D. 4 x 4 x 8 inches
3. Per ASTM C216, which grade of facing brick is rated for severe weathering
exposure?
A. Grade SW
B. Grade MW
C. Grade NW
D. Grade FBX
4. What does the designation "FBX" indicate when grading face brick?
A. A type with minimal size variation and high mechanical perfection
B. A general-use type with wider dimensional tolerances
C. Fire-brick exterior grade
D. A flexible, extra-thin brick type
5. What is the typical mortar joint thickness used in standard brick masonry?
A. 1/8 inch
B. 3/8 inch
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, C. 1 inch
D. 3/4 inch
6. Efflorescence on a brick wall surface is caused by:
A. Excessive admixture use in the brick clay
B. Water-soluble salts migrating to the surface as moisture evaporates
C. Overfiring of brick during manufacture
D. Poor color selection during manufacturing
7. In a common (American) bond brick wall, header courses are typically placed:
A. Every fifth, sixth, or seventh course
B. In every course
C. Only at the foundation level
D. Only at the top course
8. A "header" brick in a wall is laid:
A. With its long side exposed on the wall face
B. With its end exposed, perpendicular to the wall face
C. Standing vertically on edge
D. Diagonally to the wall face
9. A "rowlock" course consists of brick laid:
A. On edge so the end face is exposed, oriented vertically
B. Flat with the broad face exposed
C. As headers laid flat only
D. Diagonally across the wall face
10. Brick that did not reach full vitrification during firing, often used in unexposed
locations, is called:
A. Clinker brick
B. Salmon (underburned) brick
C. Fire brick
D. Glazed brick
11. The process of removing deteriorated mortar from joints and replacing it with
fresh mortar is called:
A. Parging
B. Tuckpointing
C. Pargeting
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, D. Flashing
12. The indentation ("frog") on the bed surface of many bricks primarily serves to:
A. Provide decoration only
B. Reduce weight and improve mortar key/bond
C. Allow water drainage through the brick
D. Display the manufacturer's logo only
13. Which ASTM standard covers test methods for determining the compressive
strength of brick?
A. ASTM C67
B. ASTM C270
C. ASTM C150
D. ASTM C404
14. Brick veneer is typically attached to its structural backup wall using:
A. Wire wall ties spaced per code requirements
B. Mortar bond alone with no mechanical ties
C. Construction adhesive only
D. Continuous welded steel angle only
15. The minimum air space commonly required behind brick veneer for drainage is
approximately:
A. 1 inch
B. 1/4 inch
C. 4 inches
D. No air space is required
MASONRY MATERIALS – CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS (CMU)
16. What is the standard nominal size of a typical concrete masonry unit (CMU)?
A. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
B. 4 x 4 x 8 inches
C. 6 x 6 x 12 inches
D. 12 x 12 x 24 inches
17. Accounting for a 3/8-inch mortar joint, the actual dimensions of a nominal 8-
inch CMU are approximately:
A. 7-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8 inches
B. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
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, C. 7-1/4 x 7-1/4 x 15-1/4 inches
D. 8-3/8 x 8-3/8 x 16-3/8 inches
18. A CMU manufactured with a recessed top, allowing horizontal reinforcement
and grout placement, is called a:
A. Sash block
B. Bond beam block
C. Header block
D. Pilaster block
19. Which ASTM standard covers test methods for sampling and testing concrete
masonry units?
A. ASTM C90
B. ASTM C140
C. ASTM C216
D. ASTM C270
20. Which ASTM standard is the standard specification governing CMU
manufacturing requirements?
A. ASTM C90
B. ASTM C150
C. ASTM C404
D. ASTM C652
21. A "lightweight" CMU typically uses which type of aggregate?
A. Normal-weight sand and gravel
B. Expanded shale, clay, or slag
C. Portland cement only, with no aggregate
D. Crushed granite only
22. The vertical hollow openings running through a CMU are called:
A. Webs
B. Cells
C. Flanges
D. Frogs
23. The solid sections that connect the face shells of a CMU are called:
A. Cells
B. Webs
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VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - CURRENT VERSION
1. What is the standard nominal size of a modular brick (including a mortar joint)?
A. 3-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 7-5/8 inches
B. 4 x 2-2/3 x 8 inches
C. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
D. 4 x 4 x 12 inches
2. What is the actual (manufactured) size of a standard modular brick?
A. 4 x 2-2/3 x 8 inches
B. 3-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 7-5/8 inches
C. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
D. 4 x 4 x 8 inches
3. Per ASTM C216, which grade of facing brick is rated for severe weathering
exposure?
A. Grade SW
B. Grade MW
C. Grade NW
D. Grade FBX
4. What does the designation "FBX" indicate when grading face brick?
A. A type with minimal size variation and high mechanical perfection
B. A general-use type with wider dimensional tolerances
C. Fire-brick exterior grade
D. A flexible, extra-thin brick type
5. What is the typical mortar joint thickness used in standard brick masonry?
A. 1/8 inch
B. 3/8 inch
Page 1 of 36
, C. 1 inch
D. 3/4 inch
6. Efflorescence on a brick wall surface is caused by:
A. Excessive admixture use in the brick clay
B. Water-soluble salts migrating to the surface as moisture evaporates
C. Overfiring of brick during manufacture
D. Poor color selection during manufacturing
7. In a common (American) bond brick wall, header courses are typically placed:
A. Every fifth, sixth, or seventh course
B. In every course
C. Only at the foundation level
D. Only at the top course
8. A "header" brick in a wall is laid:
A. With its long side exposed on the wall face
B. With its end exposed, perpendicular to the wall face
C. Standing vertically on edge
D. Diagonally to the wall face
9. A "rowlock" course consists of brick laid:
A. On edge so the end face is exposed, oriented vertically
B. Flat with the broad face exposed
C. As headers laid flat only
D. Diagonally across the wall face
10. Brick that did not reach full vitrification during firing, often used in unexposed
locations, is called:
A. Clinker brick
B. Salmon (underburned) brick
C. Fire brick
D. Glazed brick
11. The process of removing deteriorated mortar from joints and replacing it with
fresh mortar is called:
A. Parging
B. Tuckpointing
C. Pargeting
Page 2 of 36
, D. Flashing
12. The indentation ("frog") on the bed surface of many bricks primarily serves to:
A. Provide decoration only
B. Reduce weight and improve mortar key/bond
C. Allow water drainage through the brick
D. Display the manufacturer's logo only
13. Which ASTM standard covers test methods for determining the compressive
strength of brick?
A. ASTM C67
B. ASTM C270
C. ASTM C150
D. ASTM C404
14. Brick veneer is typically attached to its structural backup wall using:
A. Wire wall ties spaced per code requirements
B. Mortar bond alone with no mechanical ties
C. Construction adhesive only
D. Continuous welded steel angle only
15. The minimum air space commonly required behind brick veneer for drainage is
approximately:
A. 1 inch
B. 1/4 inch
C. 4 inches
D. No air space is required
MASONRY MATERIALS – CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS (CMU)
16. What is the standard nominal size of a typical concrete masonry unit (CMU)?
A. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
B. 4 x 4 x 8 inches
C. 6 x 6 x 12 inches
D. 12 x 12 x 24 inches
17. Accounting for a 3/8-inch mortar joint, the actual dimensions of a nominal 8-
inch CMU are approximately:
A. 7-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8 inches
B. 8 x 8 x 16 inches
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, C. 7-1/4 x 7-1/4 x 15-1/4 inches
D. 8-3/8 x 8-3/8 x 16-3/8 inches
18. A CMU manufactured with a recessed top, allowing horizontal reinforcement
and grout placement, is called a:
A. Sash block
B. Bond beam block
C. Header block
D. Pilaster block
19. Which ASTM standard covers test methods for sampling and testing concrete
masonry units?
A. ASTM C90
B. ASTM C140
C. ASTM C216
D. ASTM C270
20. Which ASTM standard is the standard specification governing CMU
manufacturing requirements?
A. ASTM C90
B. ASTM C150
C. ASTM C404
D. ASTM C652
21. A "lightweight" CMU typically uses which type of aggregate?
A. Normal-weight sand and gravel
B. Expanded shale, clay, or slag
C. Portland cement only, with no aggregate
D. Crushed granite only
22. The vertical hollow openings running through a CMU are called:
A. Webs
B. Cells
C. Flanges
D. Frogs
23. The solid sections that connect the face shells of a CMU are called:
A. Cells
B. Webs
Page 4 of 36
