APPENDIX C

Sample Written
Examination Questions*

*Answers to sample written examination

questions are included in Appendix D

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 SAMPLE WRITTEN EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
1. Is the following statement true or false?

The method of determining air content of concrete containing lightweight aggregate is the pressure
method.

A. True
B. False

2. Is the following statement true or false?

When making a test cylinder from concrete being used in construction, the field technician must also
measure the slump of the concrete.

A. True
B. False

3. While the technician is checking the slump of the concrete, there is a decided falling away or shearing
off of concrete from one side of the sample. What should the technician do?

A. Measure the slump directly over the center of the original base of the mold
B. Measure the slump at the average distance above the original center
C. Disregard the test and retest on another portion of the sample
D. None of the above

4. Preparation of specimens for transport includes:

A. Determination that at least 8 h has elapsed since final set

B. Ensuring specimens have not been demolded
C. Allowing the specimen to air dry for at least 4 h

5. If the aggregate correction factor for a given source of fine and coarse aggregate is found to be 0.2%
in a pressure air meter, and an air content value of 5.0% is read on the gage of the same air meter
containing concrete with the same aggregate, what is the correct air content?

A. 3.0%
B. 5.2%
C. 4.8%
D. 0.4%

6. Strength test specimens transported from the field to the testing laboratory must be:

A. Protected from jarring

B. Protected from moisture loss
C. Protected from freezing
D. A and B only
E. A, B, and C

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7. Tests for slump and air content must be started within _____after obtaining the final portion of the
composite sample.

A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes

8. The minimum size for samples to be used for strength tests is:

A. 14 L (1/2 ft3)
B. 28 L (1 ft3)
C. 57 L (2 ft3)
D. 85 L (3 ft3)

9. Is the following statement true or false?

After strike off of the measure used to determine density, a small quantity of concrete may be added
to correct a deficiency.

A. True
B. False

10. For normal strength concretes, what temperature range must be maintained for test cylinders during
initial curing?

A. 60-80 F [16-27 C]
B. 32-60 F [0-16 C]
C. 80-120 F [27-49 C]

11. Is the following statement true or false?

When the concrete contains large aggregate, the testing technician should wet-sieve the sample
before making density (unit weight) tests for use in yield computations.

A. True
B. False

12. When determining the temperature of fresh concrete, what is the minimum amount of concrete cover
in all directions around the sensor of the temperature measuring device?

A. 1 in. [25 mm]

B. 2 in. [50 mm]
C. 3 in. [75 mm]
D. 5 in. [130 mm]

13. Is the following statement true or false?

The sides of the slump mold should be lightly tapped to consolidate the concrete in the mold.

A. True
B. False

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14. Is the following statement true or false?

Unless specified otherwise, strength test specimens molded from concrete having a slump less than
1 in. (25 mm) must be consolidated by vibration.

A. True
B. False

15. Is the following statement true or false?

Test cylinders may be capped with a thin layer of portland cement paste which is permitted to harden
and cure with the specimen.

A. True
B. False

16. The tamping rod should be:

A. Flat
B. Tapered
C. Pointed
D. None of the above

17. Start molding strength test specimens within _____ after fabricating the composite sample.

A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes

18. Is the following statement true or false?

Representative samples are required for use in tests conducted for the purpose of determining
compliance with the specifications for concrete quality.

A. True
B. False

19. Is the following statement true or false?

ASTM C173 specifies a minimum time requirement for inverting and agitating the meter to free
concrete from the base.

A. True
B. False

20. Is the following statement true or false?

It is acceptable to fabricate a test specimen from the same concrete used for the air content test.

A. True
B. False

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21. According to ASTM C138, what is the air content (in percent) of the following concrete batch?

The theoretical density computed on an air-free basis is 168 lb/ft3

The density is 158 lb/ft3

A. 6.0% = [(168 158)/168] 100

B. 6.3% = [(168 158)/158] 100
C. Insufficient information provided

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