100+ Free TNPSC AE Civil Practice Questions

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Key Facts: TNPSC AE Civil Exam

200 Qs

Questions in Civil Engineering Subject Paper I

TNPSC Official Notification

3 hours

Duration of Paper I and Paper II individually

TNPSC Exam Pattern

135/450

Minimum qualifying marks for reserved categories

TNPSC Recruitment Rules

No Limit

Maximum age limit for SC/ST/MBC/BC candidates

TNPSC Eligibility Guidelines

₹200

Standard Examination Fee for the recruitment cycle

TNPSC Fee Details

TNPSC AE Civil is a state-level recruitment exam. The 3-hour Paper I has 200 Civil Engineering MCQs (300 marks). Candidates must also clear Paper II (Tamil + GS). Registration fee is ₹200 (+ ₹150 OTR).

Sample TNPSC AE Civil Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TNPSC AE Civil exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1For testing the soundness of cement, which of the following apparatus is used as per IS 269 guidelines to measure the expansion caused by free lime?

A.Vicat Apparatus

B.Le-Chatelier Apparatus

C.Blaine's Air Permeability Apparatus

D.Compressive Strength Testing Machine

Explanation: The Le-Chatelier apparatus is specifically designed to measure the expansion of cement paste, which indicates the soundness (presence of excess free lime). Vicat apparatus is used for consistency and setting times, Blaine's for fineness, and compression machine for strength.

2What is the minimum compressive strength required for a first-class brick after 24 hours of water immersion, as specified by Indian Standards (IS 1077)?

A.3.5 N/mm²

B.7.0 N/mm²

C.10.5 N/mm²

D.14.0 N/mm²

Explanation: According to IS 1077, first-class bricks must have a minimum compressive strength of 10.5 N/mm² (or MPa). Common second-class bricks require 7.0 N/mm², while the absolute minimum for any structural brick is 3.5 N/mm².

3As per IS 269:2015, what is the minimum initial setting time and maximum final setting time required for standard Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)?

A.15 minutes and 600 minutes

B.30 minutes and 600 minutes

C.30 minutes and 300 minutes

D.60 minutes and 600 minutes

Explanation: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) must have an initial setting time of not less than 30 minutes to allow mixing and placing, and a final setting time of not more than 600 minutes (10 hours) to ensure it hardens within a reasonable period.

4The bulking of sand, which is an increase in its volume due to moisture, reaches its maximum value at approximately what percentage of moisture content by weight?

A.1% to 2%

B.4% to 5%

C.8% to 10%

D.12% to 15%

Explanation: Bulking of sand occurs because moisture forms a thin film around sand particles, pushing them apart due to surface tension. This volume increase peaks (often up to 20-30% volume expansion) at a moisture content of about 4% to 5%. Further addition of water films causes the surface tension to break, and the volume drops back.

5Which dimension and part of the Vicat apparatus is used to determine the normal consistency of cement paste?

A.A needle of 1 mm square section

B.A plunger of 10 mm diameter and 40 to 50 mm length

C.A metal cone of 30 mm diameter

D.An annular collar of 10 mm depth

Explanation: Normal consistency of cement is determined using the Vicat plunger, which is a polished metal cylinder of 10 mm diameter and 50 mm length. It is allowed to sink into the paste; consistency is achieved when the plunger penetrates to a depth of 33-35 mm from the top (or 5-7 mm from the bottom).

6For low-workability concrete used in mass concrete foundations and lightly reinforced sections like pavements, what is the recommended slump range in a standard slump test?

A.0 to 10 mm

B.25 to 50 mm

C.75 to 100 mm

D.125 to 150 mm

Explanation: A slump of 25 to 50 mm is classified as low workability, which is ideal for road pavements, mass concrete foundations, and canal linings where compaction is done by vibration. Very low workability uses 0-25 mm slump, medium uses 50-100 mm, and high uses over 100 mm.

7Which chemical compound in Portland cement clinker reacts fastest with water and is primarily responsible for the flash setting behavior if gypsum is not added?

A.Tricalcium Silicate (C3S)

B.Dicalcium Silicate (C2S)

C.Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A)

D.Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite (C4AF)

Explanation: Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A) hydrates rapidly, generating high heat of hydration. It is responsible for the 'flash set' (rapid stiffening) of cement paste. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is added to clinker during grinding to retard this reaction by forming calcium sulfoaluminate (ettringite) on the surface of C3A particles.

8What are the standard dimensions (length x width x height) of a modular clay brick as recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)?

A.190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm

B.200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm

C.228 mm x 107 mm x 70 mm

D.190 mm x 90 mm x 40 mm

Explanation: The standard size of a modular clay brick is 190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm. When laid with 10 mm thick mortar joints, its nominal dimensions become 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm, which simplifies estimating wall volumes.

9According to Powers' formula for the theoretical compressive strength of concrete, if a concrete mix has a gel-space ratio (x) of 0.80, what is its estimated compressive strength in MPa (assuming the intrinsic strength constant is 240 MPa)?

A.122.9 MPa

B.192.0 MPa

C.153.6 MPa

D.98.3 MPa

Explanation: Powers' formula states that the compressive strength of concrete is S = 240 * x³ MPa, where x is the gel-space ratio. Calculating for x = 0.80: S = 240 * (0.80)³ = 240 * 0.512 = 122.88 MPa (rounded to 122.9 MPa).

10Which type of brick masonry bond features alternate headers and stretchers in the same course, requiring the use of a queen closer next to the quoin header to close the vertical joints?

A.English Bond

B.Flemish Bond

C.Stretcher Bond

D.Header Bond

Explanation: Flemish bond consists of alternate stretchers and headers in each course. A queen closer (a brick cut longitudinally in half) is inserted next to the corner quoin header to prevent vertical joints from aligning in successive courses. Flemish bond is more aesthetic but slightly weaker than English bond.

About the TNPSC AE Civil Exam

The TNPSC Assistant Engineer (Civil) Examination is conducted to recruit engineers into various Tamil Nadu state services, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Highways Department, and local municipal corporations. The recruitment consists of a written exam followed by certificate verification and counselling. The written stage comprises Paper I (Civil Engineering subject paper, 200 questions, 300 marks) and Paper II (Part A Tamil Eligibility Test, 100 questions, 150 marks; Part B General Studies & Aptitude, 100 questions, 150 marks). This mock test bank is specifically dedicated to the objective, technical Civil Engineering stage (Paper I), providing 100 hand-picked questions covering all 10 core units.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Paper I: 3 hours. Paper II: 3 hours.

Passing Score

Minimum qualifying marks: 135/450 for SC/ST/MBC/BC, 180/450 for Others in total score (Paper I + Paper II Part B). Mandatory 40% (60/150) in Tamil Eligibility paper.

Exam Fee

₹200 (plus ₹150 OTR fee if not registered) (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC))

TNPSC AE Civil Exam Content Outline

10%

Building Materials and Construction Practices

Testing and properties of stone, bricks, cement, concrete, and modern building materials.

10%

Engineering Survey

Traditional and modern surveying techniques including GPS, GIS, leveling, and triangulation.

10%

Strength of Materials and Engineering Mechanics

Centroid, moment of inertia, SFD, BMD, bending and shear stresses, trusses, and torsion.

10%

Structural Analysis

Analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures using slope deflection, moment distribution, and matrix methods.

10%

Geotechnical Engineering

Soil classification, consolidation, shear strength, earth pressure, and shallow/deep foundation design.

10%

Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control

Water quality, treatment plants, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and air/noise pollution controls.

10%

Design of Reinforced Concrete, Prestressed Concrete, and Steel Structures

Design criteria for beams, slabs, columns, prestressed concrete methods, and structural steel members.

10%

Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering

Fluid mechanics, open channel flows, pumps, turbines, water resources planning, hydrology, and irrigation layouts.

10%

Urban and Transportation Engineering

Highway planning, pavement design, traffic engineering, and urban transportation systems.

10%

Project Management and Estimating

Quantity estimation, costing, rate analysis, PERT/CPM networks, and project planning.

How to Pass the TNPSC AE Civil Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Minimum qualifying marks: 135/450 for SC/ST/MBC/BC, 180/450 for Others in total score (Paper I + Paper II Part B). Mandatory 40% (60/150) in Tamil Eligibility paper.
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Paper I: 3 hours. Paper II: 3 hours.
Exam fee: ₹200 (plus ₹150 OTR fee if not registered)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TNPSC AE Civil Study Tips from Top Performers

1Dedicate balanced time to all 10 technical units, as questions are evenly distributed across the topics.

2Solve previous years' TNPSC AE question papers to understand the depth of numerical questions.

3Focus heavily on Indian Standard codes (e.g., IS 456 for concrete, IS 800 for steel) as many factual questions are directly asked from them.

4Practice analytical calculations for Strength of Materials and Hydraulics; speed is critical during the 3-hour exam.

5Do not ignore Paper II; ensure you score at least 40% in the Tamil Eligibility Test to have your main papers evaluated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TNPSC AE Civil exam pattern?

The exam has two papers: Paper I covers Civil Engineering (200 questions, 300 marks) in 3 hours. Paper II has Part A (Tamil Eligibility Test, 100 questions, 150 marks) and Part B (General Studies & Aptitude, 100 questions, 150 marks). Part A is qualifying only.

Is there negative marking in the TNPSC AE exam?

Yes, there is a penalty of 1/3 mark for each incorrect response in the exam.

What is the application fee for the exam?

The examination fee is ₹200, and a one-time registration (OTR) fee of ₹150 is mandatory for candidates who haven't registered in the last 5 years. Fee concessions are available for SC/ST/MBC/BC categories.

What are the age limit rules?

The minimum age is 21 years. The maximum age for General category candidates is 32 years. There is no maximum age limit for reserved categories like SC, ST, MBC, BC, and BCM candidates.

What is the qualification required for TNPSC AE Civil?

Candidates must have a B.E. or B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from a university or institution recognized by the UGC or AICTE.

100+ Free TNPSC AE Civil Practice Questions

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