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100+ Free AL Drainage Irrigation Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AL Drainage Irrigation Exam

70%

Passing Score

PSI AL GC Bulletin

45 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI AL GC Bulletin

2 hours

Time Allowed

PSI AL GC Bulletin

$96

PSI Exam Fee

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Open book

Exam Format

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Alabama AL Drainage Irrigation trade exam via PSI: 45 questions, 70% pass, 2 hours, fee $96. Open-book specialty classification under the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (bulletin 1/23/26).

Sample AL Drainage Irrigation Practice Questions

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

1In grading for surface drainage, what is the primary purpose of establishing a positive grade away from structures?
A.To increase soil compaction density near foundations
B.To direct stormwater runoff away from buildings and prevent ponding
C.To reduce the need for underground utilities
D.To maximize infiltration under the building footprint
Explanation: Positive grade slopes the finished ground surface so runoff flows away from structures. This limits ponding against foundations, reduces seepage into basements or crawl spaces, and protects structural materials from prolonged wetting.
2What does a 1% grade mean on a drainage channel invert?
A.A 1-foot vertical rise or fall for every 1 foot of horizontal distance
B.A 1-foot vertical rise or fall for every 100 feet of horizontal distance
C.A 1-inch vertical rise or fall for every 1 foot of horizontal distance
D.A 10-foot vertical rise or fall for every 100 feet of horizontal distance
Explanation: Percent grade equals (rise/run) × 100. A 1% grade is 1 foot of vertical change per 100 feet of horizontal distance (or 0.01 ft/ft). Drainage plans commonly express invert slopes this way.
3During earthwork, when is a proof roll typically performed?
A.Only after final landscaping is complete
B.On subgrade or base to detect soft, yielding, or unstable areas before placing pavement or structures
C.Only when the engineer requests a concrete cylinder test
D.After asphalt has fully cooled
Explanation: A proof roll uses a loaded truck or similar equipment to drive over prepared subgrade or base. Deflection, pumping, or cracking indicates soft spots that need undercut, drying, or recompaction before pavement or structural work continues.
4What is the main purpose of a silt fence on a drainage or flood-control construction site?
A.To permanently replace a storm sewer system
B.To intercept and filter sediment-laden sheet flow and keep sediment on site
C.To provide structural support for trench walls
D.To mark the permanent right-of-way boundary only
Explanation: Silt fence is a temporary best management practice (BMP). Fabric slows sheet flow, allowing sediment to settle before runoff leaves the disturbed area. It is not a permanent drainage structure and must be maintained and removed after stabilization.
5Using the Rational Method, peak runoff Q is calculated as Q = CiA. What does the variable i represent?
A.Infiltration rate of the soil in inches per hour
B.Rainfall intensity for the design storm in inches per hour
C.Invert elevation of the outfall structure
D.Irrigation application rate in gallons per minute
Explanation: In the Rational Method, Q = CiA where C is the runoff coefficient, i is design rainfall intensity (in/hr) for a duration equal to the time of concentration, and A is drainage area (acres). The product gives peak discharge in cubic feet per second for small watersheds.
6A drainage area of 2.0 acres has a runoff coefficient C of 0.70. Design intensity i is 3.0 in/hr. What is the Rational Method peak discharge Q?
A.2.1 cfs
B.4.2 cfs
C.5.7 cfs
D.8.4 cfs
Explanation: Q = CiA = 0.70 × 3.0 × 2.0 = 4.2 cfs. When A is in acres and i is in inches per hour, Q is in cubic feet per second without an extra conversion factor.
7What is cut and fill balance trying to achieve on a sitework project?
A.Equal numbers of trees planted and removed
B.Minimizing imported fill and exported spoil by matching excavation volume to embankment needs
C.Using only rock fill and no soil fill
D.Placing all excavated material under building slabs regardless of suitability
Explanation: Balancing cut and fill reduces hauling costs and off-site disposal. Designers adjust grades so usable excavated material supplies embankments, after accounting for shrink/swell and unsuitable soils.
8When compacting trench backfill over a storm drain, why is material placed and compacted in lifts?
A.To eliminate the need for bedding under the pipe
B.To achieve uniform density throughout the depth and reduce settlement
C.To allow the pipe to float during compaction
D.To keep moisture content as high as possible at all times
Explanation: Thin lifts allow compaction energy to densify the full thickness of each layer. Thick, uncompacted dumps leave loose zones that settle later, causing dips in pavement or pipe misalignment.
9What is the primary function of a detention basin in a stormwater management system?
A.To permanently store water for irrigation supply only
B.To temporarily hold peak runoff and release it at a controlled rate
C.To replace all on-site curbs and gutters
D.To increase peak discharge leaving the site
Explanation: Detention basins store runoff during a storm and discharge through an outlet structure at a reduced rate so downstream peak flows do not exceed predevelopment or permitted limits. They are flood-control and water-quality tools, not unlimited permanent storage ponds.
10On a topographic map or grading plan, what do closely spaced contour lines indicate?
A.A flat area with little slope
B.A steep slope
C.A wetland boundary only
D.The location of underground utilities
Explanation: Contour lines connect points of equal elevation. When they are close together, elevation changes rapidly over short horizontal distance—indicating a steep slope. Wide spacing indicates flatter ground.

About the AL Drainage Irrigation Exam

The Alabama Drainage, Irrigation and Flood Control Contractor Examination is a classification trade examination administered by PSI for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The official open-book exam has 45 questions, a 70% (32 of 45 correct) passing standard, and 120 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

45 scored questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

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

AL Drainage Irrigation Exam Content Outline

24%

Sitework

Site preparation

22%

Concrete

Concrete for drainage systems

9%

Curbs and Gutters

Curb and gutter work

7%

Culverts

Culvert systems

7%

One Call

Alabama 1Call

9%

Heavy Equipment/Safety

Equipment and safety

22%

Irrigation

Irrigation design and installation

How to Pass the AL Drainage Irrigation Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 45 questions
  • Time limit: 120 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 Drainage Irrigation 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 Drainage Irrigation exam?

The official PSI trade examination has 45 scored questions (plus possible experimental items). Passing is 70% (32 of 45 correct) within 120 minutes.

How much does the AL Drainage Irrigation 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.