Sampling + Basic Tests
30%of exam
Density + Air
40%of exam
Specimens + Performance
30%of exam
Quick Facts
- Credential
- ACI Field Grade I
- Written
- 55 MCQ
- Time
- 1 hour
- Book
- Closed book
- Pass
- 70% overall
- Minimum
- 60% per method
- Performance
- 6 demos + C172
- Validity
- 5 years
Seven Standards
Sample, temp, slump, density, pressure, roll, specimens.
C172 sampleC1064 tempC143 slumpC138 densityC231 pressureC173 rollC31 specimens
Slump vs Air
Slump
- Workability
- Cone lift
- Nearest 1/4 in
Air
- Entrained air
- Meter reading
- Report percent
Shape vs voids
Method Picker
- Need representative sample→C172(Sampling)
- Need concrete temperature→C1064(Thermometer)
- Need workability→C143(Slump cone)
- Need unit weight→C138(Density)
- Need yield→C138(Batch volume)
- Need pressure air→C231(Normal aggregate)
- Need roll meter→C173(Volumetric)
- Need strength specimens→C31(Molds)
Exam Facts
- ACI
- Program owner
- JTA
- Task blueprint
- Written
- 55 multiple choice
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Questions
- 5-10 per method
- Overall pass
- 70% minimum
- Method pass
- 60% minimum
Slump Sequence
Three layers, twenty-five rods, lift steady.
3 layers25 strokes5 +/- 2 sec2-1/2 min
Sample vs Test
C172
- Obtain sample
- Protect sample
- Control timing
Test method
- Measure property
- Use apparatus
- Report result
Source before measurement
Timing Picker
- Composite portions→15 min(C172)
- Start slump→5 min(C172)
- Start air→5 min(C172)
- Start temperature→5 min(C172)
- Begin molding→15 min(C172)
- Temperature stabilizes→2-5 min(C1064)
- Lift slump cone→5 +/- 2 sec(C143)
- Finish slump test→2-1/2 min(C143)
Standards Map
- C1064
- Temperature
- C172
- Sampling
- C143
- Slump
- C138
- Density/yield
- C231
- Pressure air
- C173
- Volumetric air
- C31
- Field specimens
C172 Sampling
- Purpose
- Representative sample
- Composite span
- 15 min max
- Start tests
- 5 min max
- Mold strength
- 15 min max
- Protect sample
- Avoid contamination
- Remix
- Before testing
- Oversize aggregate
- Wet sieve
C1064 Temperature
- Sensor cover
- 3 in minimum
- Stabilize
- 2-5 min
- Read to
- 1 F
- Verify device
- Annual minimum
- Measure location
- Forms or sample
- Avoid sun
- Shield reading
- Report
- Concrete temperature
C143 Slump
- Mold
- Damp cone
- Layers
- 3 equal layers
- Rodding
- 25 strokes/layer
- Rod
- 5/8 in
- Lift
- 5 +/- 2 sec
- Total time
- 2-1/2 min max
- Measure
- Nearest 1/4 in
Air Choice
Pressure likes normal; rolls handle porous.
C231 normalC173 lightweightC173 porousCorrect readings
Pressure vs Volumetric
C231
- Pressure meter
- Normal aggregate
- Aggregate correction
C173
- Roll meter
- Any aggregate
- Alcohol correction
Pressure vs displacement
Air Picker
- Normal aggregate→C231(Pressure)
- Lightweight aggregate→C173(Volumetric)
- Porous aggregate→C173(Volumetric)
- Need correction factor→C231(Aggregate)
- Reading unstable→C173(Repeat roll)
- Bowl has concrete→Invalid(C173)
C138 Density
- Measure
- Known volume
- Mass empty
- Tare measure
- Mass full
- Filled measure
- Strike off
- Plane surface
- Clean rim
- Before weighing
- Density
- Mass/volume
- Yield
- Batch volume
C231 Pressure Air
- Meter
- Type A/B
- Use for
- Normal aggregate
- Avoid
- Lightweight aggregate
- Correction
- Aggregate factor
- Petcocks
- Expel air
- Gauge
- Read pressure
- Report
- Corrected air
C173 Volumetric Air
- Meter
- Roll-a-meter
- Use for
- Any aggregate
- Add water
- Then alcohol
- Invert
- Displace air
- Roll
- Agitate meter
- Stabilize
- Final reading
- Validate
- Check bowl
Specimen Care
Mold, mark, cover, cure, transport.
IdentifyPrevent moisture lossProtect temperatureAvoid vibration
Written vs Performance
Written
- 55 MCQ
- 1 hour
- 70% overall
Performance
- Six demos
- C172 verbal
- Observed steps
Knowledge vs hands-on
C31 Specimens
- Purpose
- Strength specimens
- Fresh tests
- Slump air temp
- Cylinder ID
- Mark clearly
- Finish
- Plane surface
- Moisture loss
- Prevent immediately
- Initial cure
- Protect specimens
- Transport
- Protect from damage
C138 vs C31
C138
- Density
- Yield
- Gravimetric air
C31
- Cylinders
- Beams
- Curing
Batch math vs specimens
Performance Exam
- Format
- Closed book
- Demos
- Six methods
- C172
- Verbal description
- Judged on
- Required steps
- Practice
- Use real apparatus
- Narrate
- State results
- Retest
- Local sponsor rules
Standard vs Field Cure
Standard cure
- Acceptance strength
- Controlled curing
- Lab transfer
Field cure
- Structure conditions
- In-place estimate
- Same exposure
Acceptance vs jobsite
Common Traps
Overall Pass Trap
70% overall ≠ 60% each method
Sampling Performance Trap
Six demonstrations ≠ C172 verbal only
Air Method Trap
C231 normal aggregate ≠ C173 lightweight aggregate
Slump Tap Trap
Rod slump layers ≠ Tap air measures
Temperature Depth Trap
3 in cover ≠ No exposed sensor
Specimen Timing Trap
Mold within 15 min ≠ Protect immediately
Last Minute
- 1.Seven ASTM methods memorized
- 2.C172 timing limits memorized
- 3.C1064: 3 in cover
- 4.C143: 3 layers, 25 rods
- 5.C138: density equals mass/volume
- 6.C231 needs aggregate correction
- 7.C173 validates empty bowl
- 8.C31 protects fresh specimens
- 9.Pass requires per-method minimum
- 10.Performance requires visible steps
Buy on AmazonSame family resources
Explore More ACI Concrete Certifications
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
More From This Family
Videos and articles for deeper review.
VideoACI Field Testing Grade I Exam Guide 2026: FREE Study PlanThis examArticleACI Field Testing Grade I Exam Guide 2026: FREE Study Plan28 min readArticleACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician Exam Guide 20269 min readArticleFREE ACI Tilt-Up Supervisor Exam Guide 2026: Requirements, Study Plan, and Practice9 min read