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100+ Free AL Building Under 4 Stories Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AL Building Under 4 Stories Exam

70%

Passing Score

PSI AL GC Bulletin

90 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI AL GC Bulletin

3 hr 50 min

Time Allowed

PSI AL GC Bulletin

$96

PSI Exam Fee

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Open book

Exam Format

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Alabama AL Building Under 4 Stories trade exam via PSI: 90 questions, 70% pass, 3 hr 50 min, fee $96. Open-book specialty classification under the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (bulletin 1/23/26).

Sample AL Building Under 4 Stories Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AL Building Under 4 Stories exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per typical IRC/IBC frost-protection practice, footings must extend to which of the following depths?
A.Six inches below finished grade in all climates
B.At or below the local frost line, and not less than 12 inches below undisturbed ground surface
C.Twenty-four inches below grade regardless of frost depth
D.Only to the top of the undisturbed native soil
Explanation: Codes require footings to reach at or below the frost line so frost heave does not lift the foundation, and they also set a minimum embedment of 12 inches into undisturbed ground. Local frost depth is set by the jurisdiction and often appears on the approved plans or local amendments. Always verify the controlling depth for the Alabama project location.
2A continuous strip footing is 40 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are required (ignore waste)?
A.2.0 cubic yards
B.3.0 cubic yards
C.4.0 cubic yards
D.8.0 cubic yards
Explanation: Volume in cubic feet is length × width × thickness: 40 × 2 × 1 = 80 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards: 80 ÷ 27 ≈ 2.96, which rounds to about 3.0 cubic yards. Estimating always converts to cubic yards for ready-mix orders.
3What is the primary purpose of a vapor retarder under an interior concrete slab-on-grade?
A.To increase the slab's compressive strength
B.To reduce moisture vapor transmission from the soil into the building
C.To act as the sole reinforcement for the slab
D.To eliminate the need for a granular base course
Explanation: A vapor retarder (typically 6-mil or thicker polyethylene, often thicker per modern practice) is placed under slabs to limit ground moisture and vapor from migrating into the interior. It protects floor finishes and indoor air quality. Codes and best practice still require a proper base and do not substitute the retarder for structural reinforcement.
4Compaction of structural fill under footings and slabs is typically verified by which field method?
A.Visual estimation of moisture only
B.Nuclear density gauge or sand-cone test compared to laboratory Proctor density
C.Counting roller passes without density testing
D.Measuring only the color of the soil
Explanation: Structural fill is accepted when in-place dry density meets a specified percentage of maximum dry density from a Proctor test (often 95% of Modified or Standard Proctor). Nuclear density gauges and sand-cone tests are common field methods. Pass counts and visual checks alone are not proof of specified compaction.
5On a site with a 2% positive drainage slope away from the foundation, how much vertical drop occurs over a horizontal run of 10 feet?
A.1.2 inches
B.2.4 inches
C.3.6 inches
D.4.8 inches
Explanation: A 2% slope means a 0.02 foot drop per foot of run. Over 10 feet: 10 × 0.02 = 0.20 feet. Convert to inches: 0.20 × 12 = 2.4 inches. Codes commonly require a minimum slope (often about 5% for the first 10 feet in residential work, or other local values) so know both the calculation method and the specified grade.
6What is the main function of a footing key or keyway between a footing and a foundation wall?
A.To create a decorative reveal on the exterior face
B.To provide a mechanical interlock that resists lateral sliding of the wall on the footing
C.To eliminate the need for vertical reinforcement
D.To serve as a conduit for electrical raceways
Explanation: A key or keyway is a longitudinal groove or formed projection that locks the wall to the footing, improving resistance to horizontal shear from soil pressure and other lateral loads. Vertical reinforcement and proper bearing still matter; the key does not replace rebar design.
7Which soil condition most commonly requires dewatering or sumps before placing footings?
A.Dry, well-drained granular soil above the water table
B.Groundwater or perched water in the excavation that would soften the bearing surface
C.Slightly moist clay that has been properly compacted
D.Frozen soil at the surface only
Explanation: Standing or seeping water in the excavation softens the bearing soils, washes fines, and contaminates concrete. Dewatering, sumps, or temporary drainage keeps the bottom dry and firm until concrete is placed. Specs typically prohibit placing footings on mud, frozen ground, or loose disturbed soil.
8Anchor bolts embedding a wood sill plate to a concrete foundation are primarily intended to resist which force?
A.Only gravity dead load of the roof
B.Uplift and lateral (shear) forces trying to separate or slide the wood frame from the foundation
C.Thermal expansion of the concrete only
D.Hydrostatic pressure under the slab
Explanation: Sill anchors (J-bolts, cast-in bolts, or approved post-installed anchors) connect the sill plate to the foundation so wind and seismic uplift and shear are transferred into the foundation. Spacing, edge distance, and embedment follow the approved plans and code tables. Pressure-treated sill plates are used where wood contacts concrete.
9A rectangular excavation for a mat footing measures 30 ft by 20 ft by 4 ft deep. Approximately how many cubic yards of soil will be removed (bank measure, ignore swell)?
A.59 cubic yards
B.89 cubic yards
C.120 cubic yards
D.240 cubic yards
Explanation: Volume = 30 × 20 × 4 = 2,400 cubic feet. Convert: 2,400 ÷ 27 = 88.9 cubic yards, about 89 cubic yards bank measure. Estimating for haulage often multiplies by a swell factor, but the question asks for bank (in-place) volume.
10What does the "w/c ratio" refer to in concrete mix design?
A.Weight of cement divided by weight of coarse aggregate
B.Weight of water divided by weight of cementitious materials
C.Volume of water divided by volume of air
D.Weight of sand divided by weight of water
Explanation: The water-cement (or water-cementitious materials) ratio is the weight of mix water divided by the weight of cementitious materials. Lower w/c generally increases strength and durability when the mix is properly placed and cured. Excess water raises the ratio and weakens concrete even if workability improves.

About the AL Building Under 4 Stories Exam

The Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories Examination is a classification trade examination administered by PSI for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The official open-book exam has 90 questions, a 70% (63 of 90 correct) passing standard, and 230 minutes allowed. PSI examination fee is $96 per attempt (bulletin updated 1/23/26). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid for the trade knowledge on the official content outline; it is not an official PSI form, does not replace the required Business & Law exam for primes, and is not a substitute for board-approved experience or the official open-book examination.

Questions

90 scored questions

Time Limit

230 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$96 (PSI Services LLC (for Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors))

AL Building Under 4 Stories Exam Content Outline

9%

Sitework, Footings and Foundation

Sitework, footing design, and foundation construction

9%

Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement

Concrete placement and reinforcement

6%

Metals

Structural and miscellaneous metals

7%

Masonry

Masonry materials and construction

18%

Carpentry

Rough carpentry and framing systems

11%

Roofing

Roof assemblies and weather protection

22%

General Code and Construction Knowledge

IBC/IRC construction code knowledge

11%

Associated Trades

Coordination with related trades

8%

OSHA Safety

29 CFR 1926 jobsite safety

How to Pass the AL Building Under 4 Stories Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 90 questions
  • Time limit: 230 minutes
  • Exam fee: $96

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

AL Building Under 4 Stories Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study only the approved references listed for your classification in the current PSI Alabama General Contractors bulletin
2Practice open-book navigation with permanent tabs and indexes before test day
3Drill OSHA 29 CFR 1926 topics that appear across nearly every trade outline
4Work quantity takeoff and plan-reading problems under timed conditions
5Confirm Board eligibility and classification scope on genconbd.alabama.gov before scheduling with PSI

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AL Building Under 4 Stories exam?

The official PSI trade examination has 90 scored questions (plus possible experimental items). Passing is 70% (63 of 90 correct) within 230 minutes.

How much does the AL Building Under 4 Stories exam cost?

PSI lists $96 per examination registration for this Alabama general contractor classification exam (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 1/23/26). License application fees to the Board are separate.

Is the Alabama specialty contractor exam open book?

Yes. PSI administers these classification exams as open book. Only the bulletin-listed approved references are allowed; temporary tabs like Post-it notes are prohibited.

Do I still need the Business and Law exam?

Prime contractor applicants must also pass the Alabama Business & Law examination (50 questions, 70%, 120 minutes). Reciprocity may waive a trade exam in some cases but does not waive Business & Law.