Free CSLB General Engineering (A) Trade Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the CSLB General Engineering (A) Trade Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1On a Caltrans contract adopting the 2026 Standard Specifications, a project-plan detail conflicts with a standard-plan detail. No special provision addresses the conflict. Which document has priority?

   1. A.Project plansCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Standard specifications
   3. C.Revised standard plans
   4. D.Standard plans

   Explanation: Caltrans Standard Specifications states: "1.2. Project plans 1.3. Standard specifications 1.4. Revised standard plans 1.5. Standard plans" The descending ranking places project plans above the other three documents.

   Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — p. 39, Contract Components

2. 2A Caltrans bridge uses continuous steel girders. In the concrete deck placement sequence, which portion must be placed last?

   1. A.The portion at midspan
   2. B.The portion at quarter points
   3. C.The portion over the supportsCorrect answer: C
   4. D.The portion along the deck edges

   Explanation: The source states: "For concrete decks placed on bridges composed of continuous steel girders, place the portion of deck over the supports last." The specified deck sequence places the support regions last, rather than selecting another real deck region.

   Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — §51-1.03D(2)

3. 3A grading crew reads a Caltrans stake showing superelevation across the pavement. In what form are these cross-slope grades marked?

   1. A.PercentagesCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Decimal degrees
   3. C.Horizontal-to-vertical ratios
   4. D.Feet per station

   Explanation: The source states: "Superelevation grades (pavement cross-slopes) are marked as percentages" The manual uses percent, meaning vertical rise or fall per one hundred horizontal feet, rather than an angle or another slope notation.

   Reference: Caltrans Surveys Manual, Chapter 12 — p. 12-22, Stake Types and Markings

4. 4A California trench uses the generic Option 1 sloping method under §1541.1(b)(1), with no alternate design option. What is the steepest permitted slope?

   1. A.0.5 horizontal to 1 vertical
   2. B.1 horizontal to 1 vertical
   3. C.1.5 horizontal to 1 verticalCorrect answer: C
   4. D.2 horizontal to 1 vertical

   Explanation: The source states: "Excavations shall be sloped at an angle not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical" The steepest generic slope is 1.5H:1V. A 2H:1V slope is flatter and may satisfy the limit, but is not the steepest permitted slope.

   Reference: California Construction Safety Orders §1541.1 — §1541.1(b)(1)(A)

5. 5During Caltrans concrete placement, measured falsework settlement differs from the shop-drawing value. What variance threshold, when exceeded, requires stopping placement and corrective measures under §48-2.03A?

   1. A.1/8 inch
   2. B.1/4 inch
   3. C.3/8 inchCorrect answer: C
   4. D.1/2 inch

   Explanation: Caltrans states: "settlement variance is greater than 3/8-inch from the values shown on shop drawings, stop concrete placement and apply corrective measures." The trigger is a variance greater than three-eighths inch from the predicted value, not total settlement alone.

   Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — §48-2.03A

6. 6A contractor installs pressure gauges on Caltrans pumping equipment under §74-2.03A. In what orientation must the gauges be mounted?

   1. A.VerticallyCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Horizontally
   3. C.At a 30-degree inclination
   4. D.At a 45-degree inclination

   Explanation: The source states: "Install pressure gauges with gauge guards and gauge cocks. Mount the gauges vertically." The mechanical installation requires vertical mounting; the other orientations do not meet that direction.

   Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — §74-2.03A

7. 7A Caltrans aggregate-base layer is ready for acceptance testing. What minimum relative compaction is specified by §26-1.03E?

   1. A.90%
   2. B.92%
   3. C.95%Correct answer: C
   4. D.98%

   Explanation: The source states: "Compact each AB layer to at least 95 percent relative compaction." The specified minimum is 95%, not the distinct requirements used for other earthwork or pavement materials.

   Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — §26-1.03E

8. 8Employees will enter a California trench 5 feet deep. When the ladder layout is planned, what is the maximum lateral travel allowed to a safe means of egress?

   1. A.15 feet
   2. B.20 feet
   3. C.25 feetCorrect answer: C
   4. D.30 feet

   Explanation: The source states: "A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees." This trench exceeds the four-foot depth trigger, so each employee must have safe egress within twenty-five feet of lateral travel.

   Reference: California Construction Safety Orders §1541 — §1541(c)(2)

9. 9A general engineering contractor finds contradictory dimensions in the Caltrans contract documents and cannot determine the intended installation. What document should the contractor submit to obtain clarification?

   1. A.A certificate of compliance
   2. B.A request for informationCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A construction staking request
   4. D.A material source notice

   Explanation: Caltrans Standard Specifications states: "If a discrepancy is found or confusion arises, submit an RFI." An RFI addresses the discrepancy; the other real project documents address material certification, staking or source identification.

   Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — p. 39, Contract Components

10. 10Before placing a Caltrans concrete frame's horizontal members, the supporting vertical members have been consolidated. Which process must also be complete under §51-1.03D(1)?

    1. A.Drying shrinkage
    2. B.Long-term creep
    3. C.Settlement due to bleedingCorrect answer: C
    4. D.Autogenous shrinkage

    Explanation: The source states: "Do not place concrete for horizontal members until the concrete in supporting vertical members has been consolidated and settlement due to bleeding is complete." Completion of bleeding settlement is the specified placement prerequisite; the other time-dependent concrete processes are not that prerequisite.

    Reference: Caltrans Standard Specifications — §51-1.03D(1)