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Exam Review

Key Facts: Esame di Stato Geologo Exam

DPR 328/2001

Governing Presidential Decree (Artt. 40-44)

Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana

OM 694/2026

MUR 2026 Examination Ordinance

Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca

Section A

Register Section in the Ordine dei Geologi

Consiglio Nazionale dei Geologi

6/10 per test

Minimum passing threshold for written/practical tests

D.M. 9 settembre 1957, Articles 13–14

2 written + 1 practical + 1 oral

Official examination structure

DPR 328/2001 Art. 42

NTC 2018

Italian Technical Construction Standards (Capitolo 6)

D.M. 17 gennaio 2018

€49.58 + Local Fee

National government tax plus host university contribution

MUR / University Notices

English MCQ adaptation

Independent study format, not the official assessment format

OpenExamPrep

The Esame di Stato per Geologo (Section A under DPR 328/2001 and MUR OM 694/2026) is the statutory qualification examination for geologists in Italy. Administered in person at Italian universities in two annual sessions, it comprises two written tests, a practical geological mapping test, and an oral examination. This independent English-language MCQ bank provides conceptual study and calculation practice in applied geotechnics, hydrogeology, geomorphology, NTC 2018 standards, and professional deontology.

Sample Esame di Stato Geologo Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Esame di Stato Geologo exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to Terzaghi's principle of effective stress in soil mechanics, how is the effective vertical stress (σ'v) calculated in a saturated soil deposit with total vertical stress σv and pore water pressure u?
A.σ'v = σv - u
B.σ'v = σv + u
C.σ'v = σv / u
D.σ'v = u - σv
Explanation: Terzaghi's fundamental principle of effective stress states that the effective stress σ' is the difference between the total stress σ and the pore water pressure u (σ' = σ - u). All measurable effects of a change of stress, such as compression, distortion, and a change of shearing resistance, are exclusively due to changes in the effective stress.
2In the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion for soils under effective stress conditions (τf = c' + σ' · tan φ'), what do the parameters c' and φ' represent?
A.c' is effective cohesion and φ' is the effective angle of internal friction
B.c' is undrained shear strength and φ' is the dilatancy angle
C.c' is the compression index and φ' is the Poisson's ratio
D.c' is total cohesion and φ' is the slope angle of the terrain
Explanation: In the Mohr-Coulomb shear strength criterion expressed in terms of effective stresses, c' represents the effective cohesion intercept (shear strength at zero effective normal stress) and φ' represents the effective internal friction angle (the slope of the failure envelope).
3In the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), what does the reported NSPT value represent?
A.The sum of the blow counts required to drive the split-barrel sampler through the second and third 15 cm increments (total 30 cm)
B.The total number of blows required to drive the sampler through the initial 15 cm seating interval
C.The sum of all blows recorded across all three 15 cm intervals (total 45 cm)
D.The continuous penetration resistance recorded per meter of advance
Explanation: The Standard Penetration Test (SPT, ASTM D1586 / EN ISO 22476-3) drives a standardized split-spoon sampler over three consecutive 15 cm intervals using a 63.5 kg hammer falling freely from 76 cm. The blows for the first 15 cm represent seating drive (N0-15) and are discarded. The NSPT value is the sum of blows for the second and third intervals: NSPT = N15-30 + N30-45.
4Under Italian Technical Construction Standards (NTC 2018, Capitolo 6), which professional is legally designated to prepare and sign the Relazione Geologica (Geological Report)?
A.The professional Geologist registered in the Ordine dei Geologi
B.The Structural Engineer exclusively
C.The General Contractor's site safety coordinator
D.The Municipal Chief Technical Officer
Explanation: Under NTC 2018 (par. 6.2.1), the Relazione Geologica must be prepared and signed by a qualified Geologist registered in Section A of the professional register. It defines the geological, stratigraphical, structural, hydrogeological, and geomorphological model of the site, including seismic hazard characterization and site amplification potential.
5Under Jaky's widely adopted empirical relationship for normally consolidated soils, what is the coefficient of earth pressure at rest (K0) as a function of the effective friction angle φ'?
A.K0 = 1 - sin φ'
B.K0 = 1 + sin φ'
C.K0 = tan²(45° - φ'/2)
D.K0 = tan²(45° + φ'/2)
Explanation: Jaky (1944) established the semi-empirical formula K0 = 1 - sin φ' for the coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest in normally consolidated granular soils and clays under zero lateral strain conditions.
6What does the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) index quantify during diamond core drilling in rock engineering?
A.The percentage of intact core pieces longer than 10 cm relative to the total core run length
B.The average compressive strength of the rock core in megapascals (MPa)
C.The ratio of the recovered core length to the total drilled length
D.The average spacing in millimeters between adjacent geological discontinuities
Explanation: Developed by Deere (1964), RQD is defined as the total cumulative length of sound, intact core pieces equal to or greater than 10 cm (4 inches) divided by the total drilled core run length, expressed as a percentage. RQD is a core parameter in both the RMR (Bieniawski) and Q-system (Barton) rock mass classifications.
7In a seismic Down-Hole test conducted in an instrumented borehole, which geotechnical parameter is directly calculated from the measured arrival times of shear waves at various depths?
A.The shear wave velocity profile (Vs) with depth
B.The static Young's modulus from unconfined compression
C.The effective cohesion c' of the soil skeleton
D.The coefficient of secondary compression Cα
Explanation: Down-Hole seismic testing measures the travel times of generated P-waves and polarized S-waves from a surface source to a receiver clamped at sequential depths in a borehole. Dividing distance increments by arrival time differences directly yields the shear wave velocity profile (Vs) and compression wave velocity (Vp). From Vs and soil density ρ, the small-strain shear modulus G0 = ρ · Vs² is obtained.
8In electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), what physical property of the subsurface is measured to detect faults, cavities, or groundwater tables?
A.Apparent electrical resistivity (in ohm-meters)
B.Electrochemical oxidation-reduction potential (in millivolts)
C.Magnetic susceptibility of ferromagnetic minerals
D.Relative dielectric permittivity in gigahertz
Explanation: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) injects direct or low-frequency alternating electrical current through pairs of electrodes and measures the resulting potential differences across other electrode pairs. It calculates the apparent resistivity (ρa, in Ω·m), which is subsequently inverted to yield 2D or 3D subsurface models of true electrical resistivity.
9Which limit equilibrium method of slope stability analysis satisfies both moment equilibrium and horizontal/vertical force equilibrium for circular and non-circular slip surfaces?
A.Morgenstern-Price method
B.Ordinary method of slices (Fellenius)
C.Bishop's simplified method
D.Janbu's simplified method
Explanation: The Morgenstern-Price method (1965) is a rigorous method of slices that satisfies complete equilibrium: horizontal force equilibrium, vertical force equilibrium, and moment equilibrium for each individual slice and for the entire sliding mass, using an arbitrary interslice force function f(x). Spencer's method also satisfies all equilibrium conditions but assumes constant interslice force inclinations.
10In a Cone Penetration Test (CPT), what does the Friction Ratio (Rf) represent, and what does a high Rf typically indicate?
A.The ratio of sleeve friction (fs) to cone resistance (qc), expressed as a percentage; high Rf indicates fine-grained cohesive soils (clays/silts)
B.The ratio of dynamic blow count to static resistance; high Rf indicates dense gravels
C.The ratio of pore pressure to total overburden stress; high Rf indicates liquefied sands
D.The ratio of cone tip area to rod cross-section; high Rf indicates hard bedrock
Explanation: In electric or mechanical CPT testing, the Friction Ratio is defined as Rf = (fs / qc) · 100%. Cohesive soils such as clays and organic silts exhibit relatively high sleeve friction compared to their low cone tip resistance, resulting in high friction ratios (typically Rf > 2% to 6%). In contrast, clean sands and gravels have high tip resistance and low sleeve friction, yielding low friction ratios (Rf < 1%).

About the Esame di Stato Geologo Exam

The Italian State Examination for the Profession of Geologist (Section A) is the national statutory licensing examination governed by Presidential Decree DPR 328/2001 (Articles 40–44) and annual ministerial ordinances issued by MUR, including Ordinanza Ministeriale n. 694 del 27 maggio 2026. Passing this examination confers the legally protected title of Geologo and permits enrollment in Section A of the Ordine dei Geologi. Conducted in person at designated Italian state universities across two annual sessions (July and November), the examination comprises: (1) a theoretical written examination on physical geography, geomorphology, applied geology, geophysics, and soil mechanics; (2) an applied written examination on slope stability, engineering geology, hydrogeology, and environmental remediation; (3) a practical examination on reading and interpreting geological maps, stratigraphic logs, and cross-sections; and (4) an oral examination on technical topics, professional law (L. 112/1963), and the CNG Code of Deontology. Italian is the ordinary assessment language; OM 694/2026 also provides a German-language route at Bologna for EU citizens resident in Italy who request it. This practice bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep; it is not an official translation or a substitute for cartographic, laboratory, or oral performance practice.

Exam sponsor: Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca (MUR) via the designated host university. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The official Esame di Stato per Geologo (Sezione A) under DPR 328/2001 comprises: (1) a first written test on theoretical geosciences, geotechnics, and geophysics; (2) a second written test on applied geosciences, slope stability, and engineering geology; (3) a practical test involving reading, interpreting, and drafting geological maps, stratigraphic columns, and structural cross-sections; and (4) an oral examination on the written/practical subjects, professional legislation, and ethics. Italian is the ordinary assessment language; under OM 694/2026, EU citizens resident in Italy who request German may apply for the geologist examination at the University of Bologna. This practice bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or format simulation.

Time Limit

Set by the host examination commission; there is no uniform national duration

Passing Score

At least 6/10 in each written and practical test to qualify for the oral, and at least 6/10 in the oral examination

Exam / Certification Fees

€49.58 state tax plus a registration contribution set by the host university

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Unweighted statutory scope

Applied Geology, Soil Mechanics & Geotechnics

Soil mechanics, rock mechanics, in-situ and laboratory testing (SPT, CPT, down-hole, seismic tomography), NTC 2018 geotechnical parameters, bearing capacity of foundations, settlement calculations, and slope stability analysis.

Unweighted statutory scope

Hydrogeology, Groundwater & Environmental Geology

Darcy's Law, aquifer hydraulics, well drawdown and pumping tests (Theis, Cooper-Jacob), groundwater vulnerability mapping (SINTACS), drinking water protection zones, and contaminated site remediation under D.Lgs. 152/2006 (CSC vs CSR).

Unweighted statutory scope

Structural Geology, Stratigraphy & Natural Hazards

Reading and interpreting geological maps and structural cross-sections, stratigraphy and sedimentology, fault mechanics, hydrogeological risk assessment under applicable basin plans, seismic microzonation, and seismic amplification under NTC 2018.

Unweighted statutory scope

Professional Legislation, Reporting & Deontology

Legge 112/1963 and DPR 328/2001 professional frameworks, CNG National Code of Deontology, mandatory continuing professional education (APC), compulsory professional liability insurance, Relazione Geologica statutory requirements, and EIA procedures.

Preparing for the Esame di Stato Geologo Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: At least 6/10 in each written and practical test to qualify for the oral, and at least 6/10 in the oral examination
  • Assessment: The official Esame di Stato per Geologo (Sezione A) under DPR 328/2001 comprises: (1) a first written test on theoretical geosciences, geotechnics, and geophysics; (2) a second written test on applied geosciences, slope stability, and engineering geology; (3) a practical test involving reading, interpreting, and drafting geological maps, stratigraphic columns, and structural cross-sections; and (4) an oral examination on the written/practical subjects, professional legislation, and ethics. Italian is the ordinary assessment language; under OM 694/2026, EU citizens resident in Italy who request German may apply for the geologist examination at the University of Bologna. This practice bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or format simulation.
  • Time limit: Set by the host examination commission; there is no uniform national duration
  • Exam / certification fees: €49.58 state tax plus a registration contribution set by the host university Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
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Esame di Stato Geologo: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master NTC 2018 (D.M. 17 gennaio 2018) Chapter 6 geotechnical requirements, particularly the distinction between the Geologist's Relazione Geologica and the Engineer's Relazione Geotecnica, as well as Design Approaches 1 and 2.
2Review soil mechanics calculations, including Mohr-Coulomb shear strength, active/passive earth pressure coefficients, effective stress profiles with groundwater tables, and 1D consolidation settlement.
3Thoroughly practice hydrogeological formulas: Darcy's Law, Dupuit unconfined well discharge, Cooper-Jacob logarithmic drawdown, and the regulatory criteria for drinking water protection zones under D.Lgs. 152/2006.
4Familiarize yourself with seismic microzonation guidelines (Livelli 1, 2, 3), Italian seismic soil categories A through E and the NTC 2018 equivalent-velocity parameter Vs,eq, and liquefaction triggering criteria (CSR vs CRR).
5Understand the statutory professional framework under Legge 112/1963, DPR 328/2001, and the CNG Codice Deontologico, including mandatory professional insurance and APC credit obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Esame di Stato per Geologo and why is it legally required in Italy?

The Esame di Stato per Geologo is Italy's national professional qualification examination regulated by DPR 328/2001 and annual MUR ordinances. Passing the examination is mandatory to obtain the protected professional title of Geologo and register in Section A of the Ordine dei Geologi, which is legally required to sign geological reports (Relazioni Geologiche), geotechnical characterizations, hydrogeological appraisals, and environmental impact assessments.

What is the difference between Section A (Geologo) and Section B (Geologo Iunior)?

Section A is open to graduates with a 5-year Master's degree (Laurea Magistrale in LM-74 Geology or LM-79 Geophysics) and grants full competency across all geological, geotechnical, geophysical, and environmental activities. Section B is open to holders of a 3-year Bachelor's degree (L-34 Earth Sciences) and confers the title of Geologo Iunior, with responsibilities restricted to standard field investigations, non-complex sampling, and assisting Section A professionals.

What is the official format and schedule of the examination in 2026?

Under MUR Ordinanza Ministeriale n. 694 del 27 maggio 2026, the examination is conducted in person at designated Italian state universities across two annual sessions: the first session begins in July 2026 and the second in November 2026. The official format established by DPR 328/2001 consists of two written tests, one practical geological cartography test, and one oral examination.

What fees are required to register for the examination?

Candidates must pay the statutory national government tax of €49.58 plus the local registration contribution established by the host university where the candidate registers. The local university contribution varies by institution.

Does this OpenExamPrep bank simulate the official Italian examination format?

No. This practice bank is an independent study aid developed by OpenExamPrep. The real examination consists of written technical papers, practical map drafting/interpretation, and an oral discussion in Italian or, for eligible applicants using the OM 694/2026 route at Bologna, German. This bank offers an English-language MCQ study adaptation designed for self-assessment of essential geological concepts, geotechnical calculations, Italian environmental laws, and deontological rules.