VIRGINIA HIC EXAM UPDATED
FINAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADE A+
◉ What is the diameter of #4 rebar?
Answer: 1/2 inch
◉ What is the diameter of #5 rebar?
Answer: 5/8 inch
◉ What is the diameter of #6 rebar?
Answer: 3/4 inch
◉ How long must concrete cure before installing wood floors?
Answer: 60 days
◉ What is the minimum compressive strength of concrete for a garage
floor in a severe exposure area?
Answer: 3,500 PSI
◉ What is the typical minimum PSI for footings?
Answer: 2,500 PSI
,◉ What is the typical PSI for driveways and sidewalks?
Answer: 3,500-4,000 PSI
◉ What slump is typically used for flatwork?
Answer: 4 inches
◉ What is the maximum spacing for ties on concrete walls?
Answer: 24 inches on center
◉ What is used to remove air pockets from plain concrete?
Answer: Vibration
◉ What is the first step in finishing concrete?
Answer: Screeding
◉ When is concrete ready for floating and troweling?
Answer: When thumbprints hard
◉ What happens when you increase the slump of concrete?
Answer: Increases wetness (decreases strength)
◉ To avoid hardening due to hydration, masonry materials should be
used within how many hours?
,Answer: 2½ hours
◉ What is the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints in feet?
Answer: 2½ times slab depth
◉ What is the minimum vertical reinforcement spacing for a 7-foot tall,
10-inch thick reinforced concrete foundation wall on SP soil?
Answer: 56 inches on center
◉ What is Type I Portland cement used for?
Answer: General use
◉ What is Type III Portland cement used for?
Answer: High early strength
◉ What is Type V Portland cement used for?
Answer: Sulfate resistance
◉ What is the minimum concrete cover when cast against earth?
Answer: 3 inches
◉ What is the minimum concrete cover when exposed to weather?
Answer: 2 inches
, ◉ What grade of rebar is most commonly used?
Answer: Grade 60
◉ How far does damp-proofing extend on below-grade masonry
foundation walls?
Answer: From top of footing to 6 inches above finished grade
◉ What are the five mortar types from strongest to weakest?
Answer: M, S, N, O, K
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type M mortar?
Answer: 2,500 psi
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type S mortar?
Answer: 1,800 psi
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type N mortar?
Answer: 750 psi
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type O mortar?
Answer: 350 psi
FINAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADE A+
◉ What is the diameter of #4 rebar?
Answer: 1/2 inch
◉ What is the diameter of #5 rebar?
Answer: 5/8 inch
◉ What is the diameter of #6 rebar?
Answer: 3/4 inch
◉ How long must concrete cure before installing wood floors?
Answer: 60 days
◉ What is the minimum compressive strength of concrete for a garage
floor in a severe exposure area?
Answer: 3,500 PSI
◉ What is the typical minimum PSI for footings?
Answer: 2,500 PSI
,◉ What is the typical PSI for driveways and sidewalks?
Answer: 3,500-4,000 PSI
◉ What slump is typically used for flatwork?
Answer: 4 inches
◉ What is the maximum spacing for ties on concrete walls?
Answer: 24 inches on center
◉ What is used to remove air pockets from plain concrete?
Answer: Vibration
◉ What is the first step in finishing concrete?
Answer: Screeding
◉ When is concrete ready for floating and troweling?
Answer: When thumbprints hard
◉ What happens when you increase the slump of concrete?
Answer: Increases wetness (decreases strength)
◉ To avoid hardening due to hydration, masonry materials should be
used within how many hours?
,Answer: 2½ hours
◉ What is the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints in feet?
Answer: 2½ times slab depth
◉ What is the minimum vertical reinforcement spacing for a 7-foot tall,
10-inch thick reinforced concrete foundation wall on SP soil?
Answer: 56 inches on center
◉ What is Type I Portland cement used for?
Answer: General use
◉ What is Type III Portland cement used for?
Answer: High early strength
◉ What is Type V Portland cement used for?
Answer: Sulfate resistance
◉ What is the minimum concrete cover when cast against earth?
Answer: 3 inches
◉ What is the minimum concrete cover when exposed to weather?
Answer: 2 inches
, ◉ What grade of rebar is most commonly used?
Answer: Grade 60
◉ How far does damp-proofing extend on below-grade masonry
foundation walls?
Answer: From top of footing to 6 inches above finished grade
◉ What are the five mortar types from strongest to weakest?
Answer: M, S, N, O, K
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type M mortar?
Answer: 2,500 psi
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type S mortar?
Answer: 1,800 psi
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type N mortar?
Answer: 750 psi
◉ What is the compressive strength of Type O mortar?
Answer: 350 psi
