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100+ Free AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Exam

30

Scored Questions on Official Exam

PSI Candidate Information Bulletin

75 mins

Official Time Limit

PSI Services LLC

70%

Passing Score (21/30)

Arizona Registrar of Contractors

$66

Trade Exam Fee

PSI / AZ ROC Fee Schedule

63%

Excavation, Compaction & Grading Blueprint Weight

AZ ROC R-2 Blueprint Outline

27%

Sealcoating Blueprint Weight

AZ ROC R-2 Blueprint Outline

10%

OSHA Safety Blueprint Weight

AZ ROC R-2 Blueprint Outline

The Arizona ROC R-2 Excavating, Grading and Oil Surfacing trade examination consists of 30 scored multiple-choice questions delivered over a 75-minute computer-based testing session by PSI Services LLC, requiring a 70% passing score (21/30). This practice bank provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation comprising 100 realistic practice questions mapped to the official blueprint topic areas.

Sample AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A residential building site requires removing 1,500 bank cubic yards (BCY) of dense clay during basement excavation. If the clay has a verified swell factor of 25%, what total loose volume in loose cubic yards (LCY) must be hauled away by dump trucks?
A.1,875 LCY
B.1,500 LCY
C.1,200 LCY
D.1,800 LCY
Explanation: Loose volume (LCY) is calculated by multiplying the bank volume (BCY) by (1 + Swell %). Here, 1,500 BCY × 1.25 = 1,875 LCY of excavated material.
2A contractor must place 2,500 compacted cubic yards (CCY) of structural embankment fill for a residential access road. The borrow pit soil has a shrinkage factor of 15% relative to bank measure and a swell factor of 20% from bank to loose measure. How many loose cubic yards (LCY) of borrow soil must be hauled to the site?
A.3,529 LCY
B.2,941 LCY
C.3,000 LCY
D.2,125 LCY
Explanation: First find Bank volume (BCY) needed: BCY = CCY / (1 - Shrinkage %) = 2,500 / (1 - 0.15) = 2,941.18 BCY. Next convert BCY to Loose volume (LCY): LCY = BCY × (1 + Swell %) = 2,941.18 × 1.20 = 3,529.41 LCY, which rounds to 3,529 LCY.
3An excavation contractor needs to haul 2,000 bank cubic yards (BCY) of silt loam (swell factor 15%) from a residential subdivision. If each dump truck has a legal payload capacity of 14 loose cubic yards (LCY), how many total truck trips are required?
A.165 trips
B.143 trips
C.131 trips
D.172 trips
Explanation: First calculate loose volume: LCY = 2,000 BCY × 1.15 = 2,300 LCY. Next calculate total truck trips: 2,300 LCY / 14 LCY per trip = 164.28 trips. Since partial trips require a full truck run, 165 trips are needed.
4Using the Average End Area method, calculate the cut volume between Station 10+00 (cut end area = 150 sq ft) and Station 11+00 (cut end area = 210 sq ft), spaced 100 feet apart.
A.667 BCY
B.1,333 BCY
C.400 BCY
D.800 BCY
Explanation: Average End Area Volume = [(Area 1 + Area 2) / 2] × Length / 27. Here, [(150 + 210) / 2] × 100 / 27 = 180 × 100 / 27 = 18,000 / 27 = 666.67 BCY, which rounds to 667 BCY.
5A 100 ft by 100 ft grid square on a residential lot requires excavation. The cut depths at the four grid corners are 1.2 ft, 1.8 ft, 2.4 ft, and 1.6 ft. What is the total volume of excavated soil from this grid square?
A.648 BCY
B.1,750 BCY
C.259 BCY
D.700 BCY
Explanation: Average cut depth = (1.2 + 1.8 + 2.4 + 1.6) / 4 = 7.0 / 4 = 1.75 ft. Grid area = 100 ft × 100 ft = 10,000 sq ft. Volume in BCY = (10,000 sq ft × 1.75 ft) / 27 = 17,500 / 27 = 648.15 BCY, which rounds to 648 BCY.
6Which set of test specifications correctly defines the Standard Proctor Compaction Test (ASTM D698)?
A.5.5 lb rammer, 12-inch drop height, 3 soil layers, 25 blows per layer in a 4-inch mold
B.10 lb rammer, 18-inch drop height, 5 soil layers, 25 blows per layer in a 4-inch mold
C.5.5 lb rammer, 18-inch drop height, 5 soil layers, 56 blows per layer in a 6-inch mold
D.10 lb rammer, 12-inch drop height, 3 soil layers, 56 blows per layer in a 4-inch mold
Explanation: ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor Test) uses a 5.5-pound rammer falling 12 inches to compact 3 layers of soil with 25 blows per layer in a standard 4-inch diameter mold, producing approximately 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³ of energy.
7What is the primary difference in compaction energy between the Modified Proctor Test (ASTM D1557) and the Standard Proctor Test (ASTM D698)?
A.Modified Proctor applies approximately 56,250 ft-lbf/ft³, which is about 4.5 times greater energy than Standard Proctor
B.Modified Proctor applies 12,400 ft-lbf/ft³, which is about half the energy of Standard Proctor
C.Modified Proctor uses the same hammer weight and drop height but requires 50 blows per layer
D.Standard Proctor applies higher compaction energy to simulate heavy airfields, whereas Modified Proctor simulates light residential pads
Explanation: The Modified Proctor test (ASTM D1557) uses a 10 lb rammer falling 18 inches over 5 layers (56,250 ft-lbf/ft³), providing roughly 4.5 times the energy of Standard Proctor (12,400 ft-lbf/ft³) to simulate heavier modern compaction equipment.
8When compacting a cohesive clay subgrade for a residential foundation pad, what occurs if the soil moisture content is significantly dry of optimum (OMC)?
A.High initial strength is achieved, but the soil is vulnerable to major post-construction swelling and collapse upon wetting
B.The dry density reaches its maximum possible value regardless of compaction effort
C.The soil becomes completely impervious to water infiltration
D.Pumping and rutting occur immediately under the compactor wheels
Explanation: Compacting cohesive clays dry of optimum moisture content creates a flocculated soil structure with high initial strength, but it leaves unfilled voids that cause severe swelling and settlement when exposed to water after construction.
9When using a Nuclear Density Gauge (ASTM D6938) to measure in-place soil density, why is Direct Transmission mode preferred over Backscatter mode for subgrade testing?
A.Direct transmission measures density through the entire layer depth up to 12 inches, reducing surface geometry errors
B.Backscatter mode requires drilling a probe hole, whereas direct transmission rests purely on the surface
C.Direct transmission mode measures soil moisture content only, while backscatter measures density
D.Backscatter mode cannot be used on clay soils due to gamma ray absorption
Explanation: Direct transmission mode inserts the gamma source rod into a pre-drilled hole (2 to 12 inches deep), measuring photon attenuation directly through the lift depth to yield higher accuracy than surface backscatter mode.
10In a Sand Cone Test (ASTM D1556) conducted on a compacted aggregate base course, how is the volume of the excavated test hole determined?
A.By filling the hole with standardized Ottawa sand of known bulk density and measuring the mass of sand required
B.By measuring the dimensions of the excavated hole using a calibrated micrometer depth gauge
C.By pouring water directly into the excavated test hole and reading the volume on a graduated cylinder
D.By weighing the excavated soil and multiplying by the soil's specific gravity
Explanation: The Sand Cone Test determines hole volume by filling the test hole with clean, uniform Ottawa sand (20-30 mesh) of known bulk density and dividing the net weight of sand used by its calibrated density.

About the AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Exam

The Arizona ROC R-2 Excavating, Grading and Oil Surfacing examination is an open-book trade licensing exam administered by PSI Services LLC. Candidates have 75 minutes to answer 30 scored multiple-choice questions with a passing score of 70% (21 correct answers). The exam evaluates contractor competency across residential trade domain areas including excavation methods, soil compaction, earthwork volume calculations, fine grading, asphalt sealcoating, surface treatments (chip seal, fog seal, slurry seal), and OSHA construction safety standards.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

75 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$66 (Arizona ROC / PSI Services LLC)

AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Exam Content Outline

63%

Excavation, Compaction, and Grading

Earthwork volume calculations (cut/fill, BCY/LCY/CCY), soil classification, trenching, sloping, shoring, subgrade stabilization, moisture-density relationships (Proctor tests), compaction equipment selection, and fine grading.

27%

Sealcoating

Asphalt surface preparation, crack sealing, application of asphalt emulsion sealcoats (fog seal, slurry seal, chip seal, microsurfacing), distributor truck operation, spray bar calibration, nozzle angles, and aggregate application.

10%

OSHA Safety

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 safety regulations for heavy equipment, trench protective systems, fall protection, hazard communication, personal protective equipment (PPE), roll-over protective structures (ROPS), and traffic control.

How to Pass the AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: 75 minutes
  • Exam fee: $66

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

AZ ROC R-2 Excavating & Grading Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Earthwork Calculations: Practice converting volumes between Bank Cubic Yards (BCY), Loose Cubic Yards (LCY), and Compacted Cubic Yards (CCY) using swell and shrinkage percentages.
2Understand Soil Mechanics & Compaction Tests: Memorize the differences between Standard Proctor (ASTM D698) and Modified Proctor (ASTM D1557), optimum moisture content, and field test procedures like the sand cone and nuclear density gauge.
3Know Asphalt Emulsion & Sealcoat Specs: Learn emulsion nomenclature (e.g., SS-1h, CSS-1h, CRS-2, CRS-2P), application temperature ranges, binder application rates (gal/yd²), spray bar height, nozzle angles (30 degrees), and chip seal aggregate spreading procedures.
4Review Trenching & Heavy Equipment Safety: Know OSHA Type A, B, and C soil slope ratios (20 ft max depth without PE stamp), trench shield rules, egress requirements (25 ft travel distance), utility location protocols (Arizona 811), and heavy equipment ROPS/FOPS rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What format is the Arizona ROC R-2 examination?

The exam is a computer-administered open-book trade examination conducted at PSI testing centers. It consists of 30 scored multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 75 minutes. A passing score of 70% (21/30) is required.

What reference materials are permitted during the open-book exam?

Approved reference books bound in original publishers' covers or ring binders (such as OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Pipe & Excavation Contracting, and Asphalt Paving & Maintenance manuals) may be brought into the PSI testing center with tabbed notes per PSI candidate guidelines.

How are practice questions distributed across the blueprint topics?

The 100 practice questions in this bank are distributed proportionally according to the official PSI R-2 blueprint: Excavation, Compaction, and Grading (63 questions / 63%), Sealcoating (27 questions / 27%), and OSHA Safety (10 questions / 10%).

Do I need a separate license for business management?

Yes. In addition to passing the R-2 trade examination, qualifying parties must pass the Arizona ROC Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) unless granted an official exemption by the Registrar.

What is the fee and scheduling procedure for PSI trade exams?

The examination fee for the R-2 trade portion is $66. Registration and scheduling can be completed online via the PSI candidate portal at test-takers.psiexams.com/azcon or by telephone.