North Carolina General Contractors Exam Prep – 150
Questions | Real Questions & Accurate Answers | Latest
2026 Edition
1. What is the primary purpose of water reducing admixtures in concrete?
To increase the strength of the concrete.
To enhance the color of the concrete.
To accelerate the curing process.
To decrease the amount of water needed for mixing.
2. If a wall requires 200 square feet of brickwork, how many bricks would you
need based on the quantity factor of 7.48 bricks per square foot?
1400 bricks
1496 bricks
1500 bricks
1600 bricks
3. Which of the following should not be used as a lintel in masonry
construction?
reinforced concrete
reinforced brick
wood (shrinks, burns, rots)
cut stone
4. Why is it important to have a minimum concrete cover for bars that are in
contact with exposed earth?
, To facilitate easier removal of the concrete formwork.
To protect the reinforcement from corrosion and ensure structural
integrity.
To improve the aesthetic appearance of the concrete.
To reduce the weight of the concrete structure.
5. What is the standard nominal size of a modular brick used in construction?
6 inches x 3 inches x 2 inches
7 inches x 3 inches x 2 inches
8 inches x 4 inches x 2 1/2 inches
7 5/8 inches x 3 5/8 inches x 2 1/4 inches
6. For permitting purposes, the seal of a professional is not required when the
building, structure, or project involved is one of the below, unless otherwise
required pursuant to the provisions of the General Statutes or technical
codes:
An institutional or commercial building if the total building area does
not exceed 2500 sq. ft. in gross floor area
A family residence, up to eight units attached with grade level exit
which is not part of of physically connected with any other buildings
or residential units
An institutional or commercial building if it does not have a total
value exceeding ninety thousand dollars ($90,000)
A building upon any farm for the use of any farmer, unless the building
is of such nature and intended for such use as to substantially involve
the health or safety of the public
Alterations, remodeling, or renovation of an existing building that is
exempt under this sections or alteration, remodeling, or renovation of
, an existing building or site that does not alter or affect the structural
system or the building; change the building's access or exit patter4 or
change the live or dead load on the building's structural system
7. Describe how water reducing admixtures affect the properties of concrete.
Water reducing admixtures are used to make concrete more colorful.
Water reducing admixtures only increase the setting time of concrete.
Water reducing admixtures improve the workability of concrete
while maintaining strength by reducing water content.
Water reducing admixtures have no significant effect on concrete
properties.
8. Concrete is made by combining the following four basic materials...
none of the above
lime, portland cement, sand, gravel
water, lime, sand, gravel
water, portland cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate
9. In most cases how much of the cloth used for a silt fence is buried
24 inches.
12 inches.
36 inches.
18 inches.
10. If a construction site has a slope of 100%, what implications does this have
for erosion control measures that need to be implemented?
Erosion control measures must be robust due to the steepness of
, the slope, which increases runoff and soil erosion risk.
Erosion control is unnecessary as a 100% slope is stable.
Erosion control measures can be minimal since a 100% slope does not
affect soil stability.
Erosion control measures should focus solely on vegetation without
considering slope steepness.
11. If a contractor is tasked with building a retaining wall, which type of masonry
unit would be most appropriate to use and why?
Steel panels, because they are resistant to weather conditions.
Concrete Masonry Units, because they offer strength and durability
for structural applications.
Bricks, since they are more aesthetically pleasing.
Wooden planks, as they are easier to work with and lighter.
12. If a contractor fails to file an erosion and sedimentation control plan on time,
what potential consequences might they face?
They will be required to redo the entire project.
They will automatically receive an extension for filing.
They will receive a warning but no penalties.
They could face fines and delays in project approval.
13. In a construction project, if the flanges of the CMUs are improperly aligned,
what potential issue could arise during the building process?
Compromised structural stability.
Improved thermal efficiency.
Questions | Real Questions & Accurate Answers | Latest
2026 Edition
1. What is the primary purpose of water reducing admixtures in concrete?
To increase the strength of the concrete.
To enhance the color of the concrete.
To accelerate the curing process.
To decrease the amount of water needed for mixing.
2. If a wall requires 200 square feet of brickwork, how many bricks would you
need based on the quantity factor of 7.48 bricks per square foot?
1400 bricks
1496 bricks
1500 bricks
1600 bricks
3. Which of the following should not be used as a lintel in masonry
construction?
reinforced concrete
reinforced brick
wood (shrinks, burns, rots)
cut stone
4. Why is it important to have a minimum concrete cover for bars that are in
contact with exposed earth?
, To facilitate easier removal of the concrete formwork.
To protect the reinforcement from corrosion and ensure structural
integrity.
To improve the aesthetic appearance of the concrete.
To reduce the weight of the concrete structure.
5. What is the standard nominal size of a modular brick used in construction?
6 inches x 3 inches x 2 inches
7 inches x 3 inches x 2 inches
8 inches x 4 inches x 2 1/2 inches
7 5/8 inches x 3 5/8 inches x 2 1/4 inches
6. For permitting purposes, the seal of a professional is not required when the
building, structure, or project involved is one of the below, unless otherwise
required pursuant to the provisions of the General Statutes or technical
codes:
An institutional or commercial building if the total building area does
not exceed 2500 sq. ft. in gross floor area
A family residence, up to eight units attached with grade level exit
which is not part of of physically connected with any other buildings
or residential units
An institutional or commercial building if it does not have a total
value exceeding ninety thousand dollars ($90,000)
A building upon any farm for the use of any farmer, unless the building
is of such nature and intended for such use as to substantially involve
the health or safety of the public
Alterations, remodeling, or renovation of an existing building that is
exempt under this sections or alteration, remodeling, or renovation of
, an existing building or site that does not alter or affect the structural
system or the building; change the building's access or exit patter4 or
change the live or dead load on the building's structural system
7. Describe how water reducing admixtures affect the properties of concrete.
Water reducing admixtures are used to make concrete more colorful.
Water reducing admixtures only increase the setting time of concrete.
Water reducing admixtures improve the workability of concrete
while maintaining strength by reducing water content.
Water reducing admixtures have no significant effect on concrete
properties.
8. Concrete is made by combining the following four basic materials...
none of the above
lime, portland cement, sand, gravel
water, lime, sand, gravel
water, portland cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate
9. In most cases how much of the cloth used for a silt fence is buried
24 inches.
12 inches.
36 inches.
18 inches.
10. If a construction site has a slope of 100%, what implications does this have
for erosion control measures that need to be implemented?
Erosion control measures must be robust due to the steepness of
, the slope, which increases runoff and soil erosion risk.
Erosion control is unnecessary as a 100% slope is stable.
Erosion control measures can be minimal since a 100% slope does not
affect soil stability.
Erosion control measures should focus solely on vegetation without
considering slope steepness.
11. If a contractor is tasked with building a retaining wall, which type of masonry
unit would be most appropriate to use and why?
Steel panels, because they are resistant to weather conditions.
Concrete Masonry Units, because they offer strength and durability
for structural applications.
Bricks, since they are more aesthetically pleasing.
Wooden planks, as they are easier to work with and lighter.
12. If a contractor fails to file an erosion and sedimentation control plan on time,
what potential consequences might they face?
They will be required to redo the entire project.
They will automatically receive an extension for filing.
They will receive a warning but no penalties.
They could face fines and delays in project approval.
13. In a construction project, if the flanges of the CMUs are improperly aligned,
what potential issue could arise during the building process?
Compromised structural stability.
Improved thermal efficiency.
