Free NICET Construction Materials Testing - Asphalt Level II Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the NICET Construction Materials Testing - Asphalt Level II Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An asphalt technician is helping document the steps for a job hazard analysis of an aggregate testing operation. How should the initial job-step record be organized?

   1. A.In the sequence observed while the worker performs the operationCorrect answer: A
   2. B.In descending order of the estimated severity of each possible injury
   3. C.Grouped by the types of controls proposed for the hazards
   4. D.In descending order of the estimated likelihood of each incident

   Explanation: OSHA states: "When beginning a job hazard analysis, watch the employee perform the job and list each step as the worker takes it." The initial breakdown follows actual work order. Risk ranking and grouping controls are different analytical activities and do not replace that sequence.

   Reference: OSHA Job Hazard Analysis — Printed page 5 / Outline the steps or tasks

2. 2A technician plans testing for an airport project adopting the Marshall alternative in P-401 of AC 150/5370-10G. Which test determines both the load resistance and deformation of the compacted specimens?

   1. A.ASTM D2041
   2. B.ASTM D6927Correct answer: B
   3. C.ASTM D3665
   4. D.ASTM D979

   Explanation: The specification states, "Sample specimens shall be tested for stability and flow in accordance with ASTM D6927.". D6927 determines stability and flow. D2041 concerns theoretical maximum specific gravity, D3665 random sampling, and D979 sample collection.

   Reference: FAA Standards for Specifying Construction of Airports — Printed p. 239

3. 3A technician selects aggregate sampling sites for a lot. Which selection basis minimizes personal selection bias?

   1. A.Choose sites entirely by chanceCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Choose the easiest sites to reach
   3. C.Choose sites with the smoothest visible texture
   4. D.Choose sites having the most uniform appearance

   Explanation: The procedure states, "all testing and sampling locations be selected in an unbiased manner based entirely on chance". Choosing accessibility or appearance preferentially can systematically exclude parts of the material.

   Reference: WSDOT Random Sampling Locations — §A1

4. 4A coarse-aggregate sample has saturated internal pores but no visible water film. Which condition should the technician record?

   1. A.Oven-dry
   2. B.Air-dry
   3. C.Saturated surface-dryCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Wet with surface water

   Explanation: The condition is SSD. The definition states: "Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) – condition of an aggregate particle when the permeable voids are filled with water, but no water is present on exposed surfaces." Oven-dry and air-dry conditions lack full pore saturation; a wet-surface condition retains external water.

   Reference: WSDOT FOP for AASHTO T 85 — FOP T 85, Terminology, p. 1

5. 5A compacted asphalt specimen has Gmb=2.400 and its loose mixture has Gmm=2.500. What air-void content results?

   1. A.4.0%Correct answer: A
   2. B.4.2%
   3. C.10.0%
   4. D.96.0%

   Explanation: The displayed VTM equation is 100 × (Gmm − Gmb)/Gmm. Thus 100 × (2.500 − 2.400)/2.500 = 4.0%. Dividing by Gmb instead gives 4.2%; multiplying only the gravity difference by 100 gives 10%; reporting Gmb/Gmm gives 96%. The source states: "The air voids determination is a relationship between maximum specific gravity (Gmm) and Gyratory bulk specific gravity (Gmb @Ndes)."

   Reference: NCDOT QMS Asphalt Manual — Section 7.18.2(A), p. 7-57

6. 6An inspector is checking temperature in an uncompacted asphalt mat behind the paver. Where is the thermometer stem inserted for the described measurement?

   1. A.At the exposed surface
   2. B.At the mat's mid-depthCorrect answer: B
   3. C.At the base-to-mat interface
   4. D.At one-quarter of the mat depth

   Explanation: The measurement is taken within the mat at its midpoint, rather than at a surface that can cool more rapidly. The manual states: "inserting the thermometer stem into the uncompacted mat to the mid-point of the mat's thickness"

   Reference: FHWA Asphalt Pavement Inspection Manual — Printed p. 208

7. 7A coarse-aggregate specific-gravity calculation gives 2.6546. Using T 85's stated reporting precision, what value is entered in the report?

   1. A.2.65
   2. B.2.654
   3. C.2.655Correct answer: C
   4. D.2.66

   Explanation: The report requires "Specific gravity values to the nearest 0.001". The fourth decimal in 2.6546 is 6, so the third decimal rounds up: 2.655. Reporting 2.65 or 2.66 uses only two decimal places; 2.654 truncates rather than rounds.

   Reference: WSDOT FOP for AASHTO T 85 — Report, p. 5

8. 8A No. 200 sieve must be cleaned under the cited sieve-care procedure. Which implement is specified?

   1. A.A brass wire brush
   2. B.A stiff short-bristle stencil brush
   3. C.A small paintbrushCorrect answer: C
   4. D.A rounded wooden brush handle

   Explanation: The fine mesh is easily damaged, so the cited method specifies a small paintbrush. The other tools serve coarser meshes or different cleaning tasks. The source states: "No. 200 sieves: Clean only by brushing with a small paintbrush."

   Reference: Caltrans Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates — Section J.1(d), p. 8

9. 9During an asphalt laboratory JHA, a technician reports a recent near miss that caused neither injury nor equipment damage. What does that event indicate about the existing hazard controls?

   1. A.They merit closer scrutiny because the event may reveal inadequacyCorrect answer: A
   2. B.They merit a lower risk rating because the event caused no loss
   3. C.They merit acceptance as effective because the worker avoided injury
   4. D.They merit removal from the review because no repair was required

   Explanation: OSHA states, "These events are indicators that the existing hazard controls (if any) may not be adequate and deserve more scrutiny.". A near miss can reveal a control weakness even without an actual loss. Lack of injury or repair does not validate the controls.

   Reference: OSHA Job Hazard Analysis — Printed page 4 / Review your accident history

10. 10For an airport project using P-401 of AC 150/5370-10G, a technician needs the mixture property used with compacted bulk specific gravity to determine air voids. Which additional test is specified?

    1. A.Random sampling by ASTM D3665
    2. B.Thickness measurement by ASTM D3549
    3. C.Theoretical maximum specific gravity by ASTM D2041Correct answer: C
    4. D.Marshall stability and flow by ASTM D6927

    Explanation: The specification states, "For air voids determination, the theoretical maximum specific gravity of the mixture shall be measured one time for each sublot in accordance with ASTM D2041.". Theoretical maximum specific gravity supplies the no-air-void reference. Random sampling, thickness and load/deformation tests do not supply that reference.

    Reference: FAA Standards for Specifying Construction of Airports — Printed p. 240