UUS Practice Tests⌕ Search
Engineering Technician

NICET Construction Materials Testing Concrete Level II Exam Practice Test

Concrete materials testing involves obtaining representative samples, measuring fresh-concrete properties, preparing specimens, and evaluating hardened concrete. This practice page addresses procedures and measurement concepts that arise in field and laboratory work, including unit weight, air content, cylinder casting, and length-change measurements. It also includes related materials-testing concepts such as aggregate sieve analysis and soil bulk density.

Exam overview

Exam providerNational Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
Exam codeNot listed
CategoryEngineering Technician

About the NICET Construction Materials Testing Concrete Level II Exam

Questions use practical testing situations to examine how technicians protect the accuracy and usefulness of measurements. They address selecting a representative concrete sample, keeping sample-contact equipment clean, using a calibrated unit-weight measure, and understanding what a pressure-type air meter measures. Specimen work includes placing cylinder molds on a firm, level surface and establishing a controlled initial comparator reading before measuring length change. Other scenarios concern drying aggregate to the specified condition before sieve analysis, distinguishing bulk density from other soil measurements, and documenting test methods and specimen details with reported results. These tasks call for attention to procedure, equipment condition, sample handling, measurement meaning, and records that allow results to be interpreted in context.

Sample Practice Questions

Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.

Question 1

When preparing a concrete cylinder specimen in the field, why should the mold be placed on a firm, level surface during casting?

  1. ATo reduce the chance of mold movement and uneven specimen geometry during placement and consolidation.
  2. BTo increase the specimen's water-cement ratio near its base.
  3. CTo make the concrete set faster at the top of the mold.
  4. DTo ensure the cylinder has a rougher surface for compression testing.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A stable, level base helps the mold remain in position and supports consistent specimen dimensions while the concrete is placed and consolidated. Uneven or moving molds can produce defective specimens.

Question 2

When testing freshly mixed concrete with a unit-weight measure, why is the measure calibrated and its volume known?

  1. AThe concrete density is calculated from the net sample mass divided by the measure's volume
  2. BThe calibration determines the concrete's cement content without a mix ticket
  3. CThe measure volume is used to set the concrete's curing temperature
  4. DThe known volume eliminates the need to weigh the filled measure
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Unit weight, or density, is calculated using the net mass of concrete occupying a known volume. A calibrated measure provides the volume needed for that calculation.

Question 3

A technician is measuring the length change of a hardened concrete specimen with a comparator. What is the purpose of taking an initial comparator reading under controlled conditions?

  1. ATo establish a reference length for comparison with later readings
  2. BTo determine the specimen's compressive strength without loading it
  3. CTo calculate the fresh concrete slump
  4. DTo measure the specimen's total cement content
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Length-change measurements compare later readings with a baseline reading. Consistent instrument setup and controlled measurement conditions help make the comparison meaningful.

Question 4

A field technician is determining the mass per unit volume of freshly mixed concrete using a calibrated measure. Which procedure best supports a representative density result?

  1. AFill the measure without consolidation and strike the surface level.
  2. BPlace concrete in the required layers, consolidate each layer appropriately, then strike off and weigh.
  3. CFill the measure with mortar only and estimate the coarse aggregate contribution.
  4. DAdd water until the concrete flows freely, then weigh the measure.
Show answerCorrect answer: B

Fresh-concrete density is determined from a known-volume measure filled and consolidated according to the applicable procedure. Proper consolidation and strike-off help ensure the measured mass represents the concrete occupying the measure's volume.

Question 5

A technician is preparing an aggregate sample for a sieve analysis. Why is it important to dry the sample to the condition specified by the test procedure before sieving?

  1. ATo make the aggregate particles more angular
  2. BTo reduce particle sticking and obtain reliable separation and mass measurements
  3. CTo remove all particles smaller than the finest sieve
  4. DTo increase the sample’s bulk specific gravity
Show answerCorrect answer: B

Excess moisture can cause fine particles to adhere to larger particles or to each other, interfering with sieving and mass determination. Following the specified drying condition helps produce a representative gradation result.

Question 6

When a field technician uses a pressure-type air meter on freshly mixed concrete, what does the meter determine?

  1. AThe concrete's air content from a pressure change related to the volume of entrained and entrapped air
  2. BThe concrete's unit weight from the mass of the sample alone
  3. CThe concrete's water-cementitious materials ratio directly
  4. DThe concrete's compressive strength from the pressure applied to the sample
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A pressure-type air meter estimates air content by applying pressure to a known concrete sample and measuring the response, with appropriate aggregate correction where required by the method. It does not directly measure strength or water-cementitious materials ratio.

Question 7

A technician is determining the bulk density of a compacted soil specimen in the laboratory. What does bulk density include?

  1. AThe mass of soil solids and water per total specimen volume
  2. BThe mass of soil solids only per volume of soil solids
  3. CThe mass of water only per volume of voids
  4. DThe mass of soil solids per volume of voids only
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Bulk density uses the total specimen mass, including water present, divided by the specimen’s total volume, which includes solids and voids. Dry density excludes the mass of water.

How to use this practice test

The free practice bank contains 50 questions, and a session presents up to 20 randomly selected questions. Work through the scenarios as testing decisions: identify the measurement, the relevant procedure, and how sampling or equipment affects the result. Results appear after the session, so use them to identify concepts to revisit.

Preparation tips

  • For fresh-concrete questions, distinguish sampling a representative batch portion from testing only the first discharge, and connect each measurement to its purpose.
  • Review how calibrated measure volume supports a unit-weight calculation and what a pressure-type air meter indicates.
  • Practice the steps that protect specimen measurements: stable cylinder molds during casting and controlled initial conditions for comparator readings.
  • For aggregate sieve analysis, identify why the specified drying condition matters before sieving; separately review what soil bulk density includes.
  • When interpreting test reports, check that the method and specimen details accompany the numerical result.
Official sourceOfficial exam page ↗