Free Practice Questions for NEC Civil Engineering

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Key Facts: NEC Civil Engineering Exam

100 MCQs

Total Questions (1 mark each)

NEC exam procedure, 2082

2 hours

Exam Duration

NEC exam procedure, 2082

50%

Pass Mark

NEC exam procedure, 2082

NPR 2,500

Exam Fee (double if late)

NEC notice, 2083/05/16

10 Chapters

Syllabus Structure (10 questions each)

NEC ACiE syllabus

NPR 5,000

Registration Fee After Passing

NEC Regulations, 2057 (Rule 8)

Civil engineering graduates in Nepal must pass the Nepal Engineering Council registration exam before they can practise. The ACiE paper has 100 one-mark multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, 10 from each syllabus chapter, and the pass mark is 50%. The exam fee is NPR 2,500 (double in the late-application window), and passing candidates pay NPR 5,000 to be registered.

Sample NEC Civil Engineering Practice Questions

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

1Under the Indian Standard and Nepal Standard specifications for ordinary Portland cement (OPC), what is the minimum initial setting time measured with the Vicat apparatus?

A.15 minutes

B.45 minutes

C.30 minutes

D.60 minutes

Explanation: IS 269 and the Nepal Standard for OPC require an initial setting time of not less than 30 minutes (and a final setting time of not more than 600 minutes). The minimum gives enough time to mix, transport, place and compact concrete before the paste starts to stiffen.

2Which compound of ordinary Portland cement is mainly responsible for strength development during the first 7 to 14 days of hydration?

A.Tricalcium silicate (C3S)

B.Dicalcium silicate (C2S)

C.Tricalcium aluminate (C3A)

D.Tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF)

Explanation: Tricalcium silicate (alite, C3S) hydrates quickly and supplies most of the early strength in the first one to two weeks. Dicalcium silicate (belite, C2S) hydrates slowly and contributes mainly to later-age strength.

3In the flakiness index test on coarse aggregate (IS 2386 Part 1), a particle is classed as flaky when its least dimension (thickness) is less than what fraction of its mean sieve size?

A.0.4 times

B.0.8 times

C.1.8 times

D.0.6 times

Explanation: A particle is flaky when its thickness is less than 0.6 (three-fifths) of its mean sieve size, which is checked with the thickness gauge. Flaky particles break easily and reduce the workability and strength of concrete and road layers.

4In plane surveying, what is the whole circle bearing (WCB) of a line whose reduced (quadrantal) bearing is S 42° 30' W?

A.222° 30'

B.137° 30'

C.317° 30'

D.42° 30'

Explanation: A south-west bearing lies in the third quadrant, where WCB = 180° + reduced bearing. So WCB = 180° + 42° 30' = 222° 30'.

5A closed theodolite traverse has a sum of latitudes of +0.32 m and a sum of departures of −0.24 m. What is the linear closing error?

A.0.08 m

B.0.56 m

C.0.16 m

D.0.40 m

Explanation: The closing error is the resultant of the latitude and departure misclosures: e = √(ΣL² + ΣD²) = √(0.32² + 0.24²) = √(0.1024 + 0.0576) = √0.16 = 0.40 m.

6In differential levelling, a backsight of 1.850 m is taken on a benchmark of RL 1250.500 m and a foresight of 0.650 m is taken on point B. What is the reduced level of B?

A.1249.300 m

B.1253.000 m

C.1251.700 m

D.1248.000 m

Explanation: Height of instrument = RL of BM + BS = 1250.500 + 1.850 = 1252.350 m. RL of B = HI − FS = 1252.350 − 0.650 = 1251.700 m.

7In a two-peg test, the true level difference between pegs A and B, 60 m apart, is 0.500 m with B the higher peg. With the level set up close to B, the staff readings are 2.850 m on A and 2.300 m on B. What is the collimation error in the reading on A over 60 m?

A.−0.050 m

B.+0.050 m

C.+0.100 m

D.+0.550 m

Explanation: With the instrument beside B, the reading on B (2.300 m) is effectively error-free. Because B is 0.500 m higher, the correct reading on A should be 2.300 + 0.500 = 2.800 m. The observed reading is 2.850 m, so the error over 60 m is +0.050 m: the line of collimation is inclined upward.

8In rate analysis and quantity estimating, what volume is normally taken for one 50 kg bag of cement?

A.0.025 m³

B.0.045 m³

C.0.050 m³

D.0.035 m³

Explanation: Using a loose bulk density of about 1440 kg/m³, a 50 kg bag occupies 50 / 1440 ≈ 0.0347 m³. This is rounded to 0.035 m³ (about 1.25 ft³) in mix proportioning and rate analysis.

9In valuation, a sinking fund is built up by equal annual deposits to replace a building after n years. Which factor converts the required future sum into the annual deposit at interest rate i?

A.[(1 + i)^n − 1] / i

B.i / [(1 + i)^n − 1]

C.i(1 + i)^n / [(1 + i)^n − 1]

D.1 / (1 + i)^n

Explanation: The annual deposit R needed to accumulate a sum S in n years is R = S × i / [(1 + i)^n − 1]. This is the sinking fund factor (A/F, i, n).

10A foundation pit is 12 m × 8 m at the top, 8 m × 6 m at the bottom and 3 m deep. Using the prismoidal formula, what is the volume of excavation?

A.210 m³

B.216 m³

C.212 m³

D.288 m³

Explanation: Prismoidal formula: V = (H/6)(A1 + 4Am + A2). Top area A1 = 96 m², bottom area A2 = 48 m², and mid-depth section 10 m × 7 m gives Am = 70 m². V = (3/6)(96 + 280 + 48) = 0.5 × 424 = 212 m³.

About the NEC Civil Engineering Exam

The Nepal Engineering Council Registration Examination for civil engineering (syllabus code ACiE) is the statutory licensure examination required for civil engineering graduates to practice in Nepal under the Nepal Engineering Council Act, 2055 (amended 2079). The paper consists of 100 one-mark multiple-choice questions covering materials, geotechnical engineering, water resources, structural analysis and design, water supply and sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, transportation, and project management. This page offers independent practice by OpenExamPrep.

Exam sponsor: Nepal Engineering Council (NEC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each (full marks 100) in 2 hours. Each of the 10 syllabus chapters contributes 10 questions, with at least one question from each of its 6 sub-chapters. The pass mark is 50%.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

50%

Exam / Certification Fees

NPR 2,500

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

10%

Basic Civil Engineering

Engineering materials and their NS/IS tests, building technology and bylaws, geometric properties of sections, surveying and levelling, and estimating, costing and valuation.

10%

Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

Soil properties and classification, effective stress and seepage, shear strength and slope stability, earth pressure and retaining structures, foundations, bearing capacity and settlement.

10%

Basic Water Resources Engineering

Fluid properties, hydrostatics, fluid kinematics and dynamics, pipe flow, open channel flow and hydraulic jump, and hydrology.

10%

Structural Mechanics

Shear force and bending moment, stress and strain, flexure and columns, determinate and indeterminate structures, influence lines and moment distribution.

10%

Design of Structures

Loads, concrete technology, RCC design of beams, slabs, columns and footings, steel connections and members, and timber and masonry design under NS/IS codes.

10%

Water Supply, Sanitation and Environment

Water sources, quality and demand, intakes and distribution, water treatment, sewer design, wastewater treatment and disposal, and BES/IEE/EIA.

10%

Irrigation and Drainage

Crop water requirement, canal design (Kennedy and Lacey), diversion headworks, river training, regulators and cross-drainage works, and land drainage.

10%

Hydropower

Hydropower planning and potential in Nepal, power studies, storage and run-of-river headworks, water conveyance structures, turbines and powerhouses.

10%

Transportation

Highway planning and Nepal Road Standards, geometric design, highway materials, traffic engineering and safety, pavement design (DoR guidelines), construction and maintenance.

10%

Project Planning, Design and Implementation

Engineering drawing, engineering economics, project planning and scheduling (CPM/PERT), project management and tendering, professional practice, and the NEC Act and Regulations.

Preparing for the NEC Civil Engineering Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each (full marks 100) in 2 hours. Each of the 10 syllabus chapters contributes 10 questions, with at least one question from each of its 6 sub-chapters. The pass mark is 50%.
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: NPR 2,500 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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NEC Civil Engineering: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the fundamentals in Chapters 1–4, especially surveying calculations, soil mechanics classification, and bending moment equations.

2Review design code principles from IS 456, IS 800, and the Nepal National Building Code (NBC).

3Practice numerical problems in hydraulic jump, pipe friction (Darcy-Weisbach), crop water delta/duty, and highway stopping sight distance.

4Familiarize yourself with Nepalese regulatory frameworks: the Public Procurement Act, 2063, Public Procurement Rules, 2064, and the Nepal Engineering Council Act, 2055.

5Allocate time evenly: each of the 10 chapters contributes 10 questions, so do not neglect irrigation, hydropower, or project management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format and passing score of the NEC Civil Engineering exam?

Under NEC's 2082 marking scheme, the paper has 100 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each (full marks 100), takes 2 hours and needs 50% to pass. It replaced the earlier mix of 60 one-mark and 20 two-mark questions. The official marking scheme does not mention negative marking.

How are questions distributed across the ACiE syllabus?

The ACiE syllabus has 10 chapters, each with 6 sub-chapters. NEC sets 10 questions from each chapter, including at least one from every sub-chapter, so each chapter carries 10% of the marks.

What is the fee for the NEC Civil Engineering exam?

The exam fee is NPR 2,500, paid with the online application at register.nec.gov.np. Applications in the late window, up to seven days after the deadline, cost double. After passing, the NEC Regulations set a registration fee of NPR 5,000 for entry in the register as a general registered engineer.

Who is eligible to take the NEC ACiE exam?

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an institution recognized by the Nepal Engineering Council. The application includes certified copies of the degree and the Nepali citizenship certificate, plus an equivalence certificate where one is required.

How often is the NEC registration exam held?

The NEC Act requires the Council to hold the registration exam at least twice a year, and NEC publishes an annual exam calendar. The 14th exam was held in Asoj 2083 (October 2026) at centres in Lalitpur (IOE Pulchowk) and Pokhara.

In what language is the NEC Civil Engineering exam conducted?

The official ACiE syllabus and NEC's model questions are in English, and this practice bank is also in English.

Is this practice bank official?

No. These are independent practice questions by OpenExamPrep for studying the ACiE syllabus topics. They are not NEC questions, and NEC's notices on nec.gov.np remain the authority on exam dates, fees and rules.