100+ Free NICET CMT Soils Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NICET CMT Soils Exam

Certification Levels

NICET CMT-Soils

90-165

Published Question Counts

By level

230-410 min

Published Exam Times

NICET CMT-Soils

$230-$425

2026 NICET CMT Exam Fees

NICET fee schedule

3 years

Recertification Cycle

NICET CPD

90 CPD

Points per Recertification

NICET Recertify

Pearson VUE

Test Delivery

NICET scheduling

6-120 mo

Experience Range

Level I to IV

AASHTO / ASTM

Reference Families

CMT-Soils outline

NICET's CMT-Soils program spans field and laboratory work from Level I technician tasks through Level IV senior responsibilities. The current exams are 110 questions/230 minutes (Level I), 165/395 (Level II), 138/410 (Level III), and 90 items/315 minutes (Level IV). The Level II and III durations include a scheduled 30-minute break, which NICET says is not part of the allotted time to answer exam questions. Level I may be scheduled online or in person, while Levels II-IV are in person. Candidates should map the official level outline to the current NICET reference list rather than assume this 100-question practice bank is a replica of one level.

Sample NICET CMT Soils Practice Questions

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

1The standard Proctor compaction test (AASHTO T 99) uses a rammer of what weight and drop height?

A.5.5 lb rammer, 12-inch drop

B.10 lb rammer, 18-inch drop

C.15 lb rammer, 24-inch drop

D.2.5 kg rammer, 0.5 m drop

Explanation: AASHTO T 99 (standard Proctor) uses a 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) rammer dropped 12 in. (305 mm). The standard-effort procedures compact the specimen in three layers; five layers belong to the modified-effort procedure in T 180.

2Modified Proctor (AASHTO T 180) uses what rammer weight and drop height?

A.5.5 lb rammer with a 12-inch drop

B.10 lb, 18 in.

C.8 lb rammer with a 12-inch drop

D.15 lb rammer with a 24-inch drop

Explanation: AASHTO T 180 (modified Proctor) uses a 10 lb rammer dropped 18 in. in 5 layers. The higher energy produces higher maximum dry density and lower optimum moisture than standard Proctor.

3The moisture-density curve from a Proctor test is used to determine:

A.Maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC)

B.Specific gravity of the soil solids

C.Undrained shear strength derived from a separate compression or triaxial test

D.California Bearing Ratio at penetration

Explanation: Proctor results plot dry density vs. moisture content, peaking at OMC with MDD. Field compaction is controlled to a percentage of MDD at moisture content in a defined band around OMC.

4If field dry density is 115 pcf and MDD (T 99) is 120 pcf, relative compaction is:

A.90 percent

B.94 percent

C.96 percent

D.100 percent

Explanation: Relative compaction = (field dry density / reference maximum dry density) x 100 = 115/120 x 100 = 95.83 percent, which rounds to 96 percent.

5California Bearing Ratio (CBR) is determined per:

A.AASHTO T 193 / ASTM D1883

B.AASHTO T 99 for moisture-density relations

C.AASHTO T 209 for asphalt-mixture maximum density

D.ASTM C39 for concrete compressive strength

Explanation: AASHTO T 193 and ASTM D1883 address laboratory CBR. A piston penetrates a prepared specimen, and measured loads at specified penetrations are compared with standard loads; preparation, surcharge, and soaking conditions follow the governing procedure.

6Atterberg limits for a soil are determined per:

A.AASHTO T 89 (LL) and T 90 (PL), and plasticity index (PI = LL - PL)

B.AASHTO T 27 sieve analysis of aggregate

C.AASHTO T 11 wash test for material finer than No. 200, followed by mass calculations

D.AASHTO T 85 coarse-aggregate specific gravity

Explanation: AASHTO T 89 covers liquid-limit determination with the specified liquid-limit device, while T 90 determines the plastic limit by rolling soil threads. The plasticity index is LL minus PL.

7A soil with LL = 40 and PL = 20 has a plasticity index of:

A.0

B.10

C.20

D.60

Explanation: PI = LL - PL = 40 - 20 = 20. Clays with higher PI are more compressible and have lower shear strength at high moisture. USCS and AASHTO classification rely on PI and gradation.

8Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) group symbol 'SW' represents:

A.Well-graded sand

B.Poorly graded silty clay

C.Highly organic soil

D.Well-graded gravel

Explanation: SW is well-graded sand (>50 percent retained on the No. 200 sieve, >50 percent of coarse fraction passes No. 4, well-graded with Cu >= 6 and 1 <= Cc <= 3).

9AASHTO soil classification A-7-6 indicates:

A.Silty sand containing less than 35% fines and assigned to a granular AASHTO group

B.Clay soil with plasticity index affecting subgrade rating (typically poor to fair)

C.Coarse granular soil

D.Rock fragments

Explanation: AASHTO M 145 group A-7-6 is a clay soil with LL >= 41 and PI >= 11, where PI > LL-30. A-7-6 soils are generally poor as subgrade.

10The nuclear density gauge for soils uses direct transmission to measure density at depth typically up to:

A.A 2-inch maximum depth in every direct-transmission probe position

B.4 in.

C.12 in. (using probe insertion)

D.36 in.

Explanation: Nuclear density gauges in direct transmission mode commonly measure to depths of about 12 in. via a probe inserted into a pre-pilot hole. This is the usual mode for soil lift density.

About the NICET CMT Soils Exam

NICET Construction Materials Testing - Soils is a four-level field and laboratory certification for technicians who sample soils, run Proctor and index tests, operate nuclear density gauges, and - at higher levels - design sampling programs, interpret geotechnical data, resolve field problems, train lower-level technicians, and manage lab accreditation.

Assessment

Four level-specific computer-based exams. NICET publishes 110 questions for Level I, 165 for Level II, 138 for Level III, and 90 items for Level IV.

Time Limit

230 minutes (Level I); 395 minutes including a scheduled 30-minute break (Level II); 410 minutes including a scheduled 30-minute break (Level III); 315 minutes (Level IV). NICET states that scheduled breaks are not part of the allotted time to answer exam questions

Passing Score

500 on NICET's 0-700 scaled-score range; scores of 500 or above are reported as Pass

Exam Fee

$230 Level I, $315 Level II, $370 Level III, $425 Level IV (2026 NICET CMT fees) (NICET / Pearson VUE)

NICET CMT Soils Exam Content Outline

1-9% across levels

Personal and Worksite Safety

OSHA 1926 Subpart P trenching and excavation protection, Competent Person duties, confined space entry, overhead utility approach distances, nuclear gauge radiation safety, and DOT 49 CFR source transport.

Levels I-III 5-15%, Level IV 10-20%

Plans and Specifications

Relating plans to field conditions, locations and elevations; calculating quantities; and developing Level IV project budgets and estimates.

Level I 15-25%, Level II 5-15%, Levels III-IV 1-9%

Sampling of Soils and Stockpiles

Composite stockpile sampling, borehole sample handling, labeling and chain of custody, sampling program design at Level III and complex program design at Level IV.

Levels I-III 5-15%, Level IV 1-9%

Soil Sample Preparation

Splitting samples for multiple tests, moisture preservation, oversight of Level I/II preparation at Level IV, and lab reception procedures per R 18 / D3740.

Field testing across levels

Field Testing of Soils

Nuclear density gauge (D6938), sand cone (T 191), rubber balloon (T 205), Speedy moisture (T 217), SPT (T 206 / D1586), CPT (D5778), proof rolling, pile load tests (D1143/D3966), and shear tests at higher levels.

Lab testing across levels

Laboratory Testing of Soils

Proctor (T 99 standard, T 180 modified), CBR (T 193), sieve analysis (T 27), hydrometer (T 88), Atterberg limits (T 89, T 90), specific gravity (T 100), unconfined compression (T 208), triaxial (UU/CU/CD), consolidation (D2435), permeability, swell (D4546), and min/max index density (D4253/D4254).

Levels II-III 5-15%, Level IV 1-9%

Field Observation of Soils Construction

Lift thickness control, moisture conditioning, roller selection (sheepsfoot, pad-foot, vibratory smooth drum), proof rolling, test strips, compaction near retaining walls, and stabilization (lime, cement, fly ash).

Levels II-III 5-15%, Level IV 10-20%

Evaluation of Soils Test Results

Preliminary interpretation, comparison to design assumptions, identification of suspect/outlier data, reconciliation of moisture bias, control charts, and recommendations to the Engineer in Charge.

Level IV: Quality System 15-25%, Reporting/Supervision 5-15%, Training 5-15%; Level III Training 1-9%

Quality System, Reporting, Training, and Ethics

AASHTO R 18 / ASTM D3740 accreditation, equipment calibration, proficiency testing, corrective action, records retention, Level I-III training, NICET Code of Ethics, chain of custody, and geotechnical report preparation.

How to Pass the NICET CMT Soils Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 500 on NICET's 0-700 scaled-score range; scores of 500 or above are reported as Pass
Assessment: Four level-specific computer-based exams. NICET publishes 110 questions for Level I, 165 for Level II, 138 for Level III, and 90 items for Level IV.
Time limit: 230 minutes (Level I); 395 minutes including a scheduled 30-minute break (Level II); 410 minutes including a scheduled 30-minute break (Level III); 315 minutes (Level IV). NICET states that scheduled breaks are not part of the allotted time to answer exam questions
Exam fee: $230 Level I, $315 Level II, $370 Level III, $425 Level IV (2026 NICET CMT fees)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NICET CMT Soils Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize Proctor details: standard (T 99) uses 5.5 lb rammer / 12-in. drop; modified (T 180) uses 10 lb / 18-in. drop. Know layer counts and number of drops per layer.

2Drill density math: gamma_d = gamma_wet / (1 + w); relative compaction = field dry / MDD. These calcs appear on every level.

3Study USCS and AASHTO soil classification flowcharts and the LL/PI thresholds that separate groups like CL vs CH or A-7-5 vs A-7-6.

4Know nuclear gauge modes (backscatter vs direct transmission), daily standard counts, moisture bias in organic/gypsum soils, and site-specific moisture correction factors.

5Understand OSHA 1926 Subpart P trenching rules and Competent Person duties; these underpin many field-safety exam questions.

6For Level III and IV, study sampling program design, test-data evaluation, proof rolling, subgrade acceptance, and lime/cement stabilization.

7Get comfortable with SPT N-value interpretation (loose/medium dense/dense/very dense) and CPT qc/fs readings.

8Practice the NICET Code of Ethics scenarios - pressure to release non-compliant lifts, falsification, chain-of-custody breaks - because they appear at every level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NICET CMT-Soils exam?

NICET publishes 110 questions in 230 minutes for Level I, 165 in 395 minutes for Level II, 138 in 410 minutes for Level III, and 90 items in 315 minutes for Level IV. The Level II and III durations include a scheduled 30-minute break; NICET states that scheduled breaks are not part of the allotted time to answer exam questions.

How much does the CMT-Soils exam cost in 2026?

Per NICET's standard-model CMT fee schedule, exam fees are $230 (Level I), $315 (Level II), $370 (Level III), and $425 (Level IV). Rescheduling more than 24 hours before the appointment within the testing window is generally free.

Who delivers the CMT-Soils exam?

NICET owns the certification and Pearson VUE delivers the computer-based exam at approved test centers. Register with NICET, receive an eligibility notice, and then schedule the session through Pearson VUE.

What work experience is required for each level?

Per NICET's CMT-Soils certification requirements, Level I needs 6 months of CMT experience (3 in soils), Level II 24 months (12 in soils), Level III 60 months (36 in soils) with a personal recommendation, and Level IV 120 months (60 in soils) with a senior-level recommendation.

Which AASHTO and ASTM standards should I focus on?

High-frequency standards include AASHTO T 99/T 180 (Proctor), T 191 (sand cone), T 193 (CBR), T 89/T 90 (Atterberg), T 265 (oven-dry moisture), T 88 (hydrometer), and ASTM D6938 (nuclear gauge), D2216 (moisture), D4318 (Atterberg), D1883 (CBR), and D1586 (SPT).

How is in-place soil density usually verified?

Most sites use nuclear density gauges in direct-transmission mode for soil lifts, verified periodically by sand cone or oven-dry moisture comparisons to check for moisture bias in soils containing organics or hydrated minerals.

What makes the Level IV soils exam different?

Level IV is a senior engineering technician role: complex sampling programs, test data interpretation, lab accreditation management, safety program ownership, training Level III technicians, and preparing final geotechnical reports under a PE's guidance.

How often do I recertify NICET CMT-Soils?

Every three years through Continuing Professional Development. NICET currently requires 90 CPD points for each certification being continued, documented through the candidate portal under its category limits.

100+ Free NICET CMT Soils Practice Questions

NICET Construction Materials Testing: Soils

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