100+ Free Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Practice Questions

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Key Facts: Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Exam

F45S005

National Competency Standard Code

TVEC

40%

Written Pass Mark

TVEC Assessment Guidelines

Minimum Age Requirement

DTET Admission Criteria

Grade 9

Minimum Education Level

DTET Admission Criteria

LKR 1,000 - 3,000

Typical Private/RPL Fee

NAITA/VTA Registration

The Sri Lanka NVQ Level 3 Construction Craftsman (Masonry) Written Exam tests theoretical knowledge of brickwork, blockwork, concrete technology, plastering, building materials, tools, and workshop safety. Regulated by TVEC under standard F45S005, it typically features multiple-choice and structured questions, with a 40% written passing score required alongside practical assessment to receive the Level 3 certificate.

Sample Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Sri Lanka Standard SLS 39, what is the standard dimension of a common burnt clay building brick?

A.220 mm x 105 mm x 65 mm

B.190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm

C.205 mm x 95 mm x 75 mm

D.225 mm x 112 mm x 75 mm

Explanation: Under Sri Lanka Standard SLS 39 (Common burnt clay building bricks), the specified non-modular single size of a common burnt clay building brick is 205 mm x 95 mm x 75 mm. This is the official baseline dimension used for material estimation in Sri Lankan masonry practice.

2What is the primary function of a queen closer in a brick wall?

A.To provide a decorative finish to the wall face

B.To close the bond at the end of a course and prevent vertical joints from aligning

C.To act as a load-bearing lintel over door openings

D.To reinforce the corners against thermal expansion

Explanation: A queen closer is a brick cut lengthwise into two halves. It is placed next to the quoin header at the end of a course to create a half-brick lap, ensuring that vertical joints in successive courses do not align, thereby maintaining structural bond integrity.

3Which of the following describes an English bond in brick masonry?

A.A bond consisting of alternate headers and stretchers in the same course

B.A bond consisting of only stretchers throughout the wall

C.A bond consisting of alternate courses of headers and stretchers

D.A bond where bricks are laid diagonally to the wall face

Explanation: English bond is composed of alternate courses of headers and stretchers. It is considered one of the strongest bonds in brick masonry and is widely used in Sri Lanka for load-bearing walls of one-brick thickness or more.

4In Flemish bond, what is the arrangement of bricks in each course?

A.Only stretchers are laid with no headers

B.Alternate headers and stretchers are laid in the same course

C.Three courses of stretchers followed by one course of headers

D.Bricks are laid vertically on their ends

Explanation: Flemish bond consists of alternate headers and stretchers laid in the same course. It gives a more pleasing aesthetic appearance compared to English bond, although it requires greater skill to lay and is slightly weaker structurally.

5According to CIDA (Construction Industry Development Authority) guidelines in Sri Lanka, what is the standard recommended thickness of a mortar joint in brick masonry?

A.5 mm

B.10 mm

C.20 mm

D.15 mm

Explanation: CIDA specifications state that the standard thickness of mortar joints in brick masonry should be 10 mm. Excessively thick joints reduce the compressive strength of the wall, while joints that are too thin do not provide sufficient bond strength.

6What is the concave indentation on the top surface of a clay brick called, and how should it be positioned when laid?

A.Called a frog, and it must face downwards to shed water

B.Called a groove, and it must face sideways to lock with plaster

C.Called a frog, and it must face upwards to receive mortar and form a key

D.Called a socket, and it must face inwards toward the cavity

Explanation: The indentation on the top surface of a brick is called a 'frog'. Bricks should be laid with the frog facing upwards so that it is completely filled with mortar, which forms a structural 'key' that increases the shear strength of the joint.

7Calculate the approximate number of standard bricks (205 mm x 95 mm x 75 mm) required to construct 1 cubic meter of brick masonry, assuming a 10 mm mortar joint thickness.

A.350 bricks

B.520 bricks

C.650 bricks

D.400 bricks

Explanation: With a 10 mm mortar joint, the nominal dimension of the brick becomes 215 mm x 105 mm x 85 mm (0.215 m x 0.105 m x 0.085 m). The volume of one nominal brick is 0.001919 m3. Therefore, the number of bricks in 1 m3 is 1 / 0.001919 ≈ 521 bricks. In Sri Lankan practice, 520 bricks is the standard baseline estimation per cubic meter.

8What is a king closer in brick masonry?

A.A brick cut in half across its width

B.A brick cut such that one header face is half-width and the adjacent stretcher face is half-length

C.A special decorative brick used only at the top course of a wall

D.A brick cut lengthwise to reduce its thickness by half

Explanation: A king closer is created by cutting off a triangular corner of a brick such that one header face is half-width (approx 47.5 mm) and the adjacent stretcher face is half-length. It is used at door/window jambs and corners to maintain the bond pattern.

9For a wall constructed entirely of stretchers (stretcher bond), what is the maximum structural thickness of the wall?

A.One full brick thickness (205 mm)

B.Half-brick thickness (95 mm)

C.One and a half brick thickness (310 mm)

D.Two full brick thickness (420 mm)

Explanation: Stretcher bond consists of only stretchers on the wall face and can only be used for walls of half-brick thickness (95 mm). If a wall is thicker, headers are required to tie the front and back leaves of the wall together.

10What is the practice of leaving stepped projections at the end of a brick wall to allow for future horizontal extension called?

A.Raking back

B.Toothing

C.Joggling

D.Bedding

Explanation: Stepping back the masonry courses at an angle to allow new work to join later is called 'raking back' (or sometimes racking back). 'Toothing' is leaving alternate bricks projecting, but raking back is structurally preferred because it is easier to compact mortar into the joints and avoids voids.

About the Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Exam

The Sri Lanka NVQ Level 3 Construction Craftsman (Masonry) Written Examination is the theoretical assessment component of the F45S005 national competency standard. Regulated by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and conducted through government training centers like NAITA, VTA, and DTET, the written paper tests candidate knowledge of brickwork and bonds (English, Flemish, Stretcher), hollow concrete blockwork, concrete mix ratios, curing, clear cover, internal and external plastering, precision measuring tools, and construction site safety. Candidates must also demonstrate practical hands-on competencies in a workshop setting to be awarded the National Certificate.

Assessment

Written theory exam consisting of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, administered at accredited TVEC testing centers across Sri Lanka.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

40% for the written component

Exam Fee

LKR 1,000 to LKR 3,000 for standard assessments; may be subsidized or free for full-time public institutional students (Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) of Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Exam Content Outline

25%

Brickwork & Bonds

English and Flemish bonds, Stretcher and Header bonds, queen and king closers, mortar joint limits, and scaffolding safety.

20%

Blockwork Masonry

Concrete hollow blocks, laying techniques, lintels, damp proof course (DPC) installation, and wall ties.

20%

Concrete Technology

Structural concrete mix ratios (1:2:4), lean concrete (1:3:6), slump test for workability, curing guidelines, and clear reinforcement cover.

20%

Plastering & Rendering

Mortar mix ratios (1:3, 1:4), plaster thickness for internal and external walls, wooden and steel floats, and checking flatness.

15%

Building Materials & Safety

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), river sand, M-sand properties, aggregates, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

How to Pass the Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 40% for the written component
Assessment: Written theory exam consisting of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, administered at accredited TVEC testing centers across Sri Lanka.
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: LKR 1,000 to LKR 3,000 for standard assessments; may be subsidized or free for full-time public institutional students

Keys to Passing

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

Sri Lanka NVQ L3 Mason Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the layout and brick patterns of English and Flemish bonds, paying close attention to header and stretcher placement in alternate courses.

2Understand the properties and correct mix ratios for mortar and concrete (such as 1:2:4 for slabs and 1:3 for plastering undercoat).

3Learn how to read and use the slump cone test to measure concrete workability, noting standard slump values for columns vs slabs.

4Familiarize yourself with typical clear cover requirements for reinforcement: 15-20mm for slabs, 25mm for beams, and 40mm for columns.

5Practice calculations for estimating bricks, hollow blocks, and cement bags required for specific wall areas and concrete volumes.

6Memorize the safety rules for scaffolding, including the use of guardrails, toe boards, and wearing safety harnesses at heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NVQ Level 3 Construction Craftsman (Masonry) standard code in Sri Lanka?

The official National Competency Standard code established by TVEC is F45S005.

What does the NVQ Level 3 written exam cover?

The written exam covers five main technical areas: Brickwork & Bonds, Blockwork Masonry, Concrete Technology, Plastering & Rendering, and Building Materials, Tools, & Safety.

What is the passing score for the NVQ written exam in Sri Lanka?

For the written theory paper, a minimum score of 40% is generally required to pass. However, to obtain the full certificate, you must also be judged 'Competent' in all practical competencies during the summative workshop assessment.

How can I register for the NVQ Level 3 assessment?

You can register through accredited government institutes (VTA, NAITA, DTET) upon completing a training course, or apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you have extensive workplace experience as a mason.

What is the fee for the NVQ Level 3 assessment?

The fee typically ranges between LKR 1,000 and LKR 3,000 for private or RPL applicants. It is often fully subsidized (free) for candidates enrolled in government-sponsored training courses.