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Exam Review

Key Facts: NM CID GA-3 Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

30 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

125 min

Time Allowed

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 68.88

PSI Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID GA-3 is a 30-question PSI curbs, gutters, and culverts exam, 75% pass, 125 minutes, USD 68.88 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID GA-3 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NM CID GA-3 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6, the maximum dry density used to control moisture and density of roadway embankment is determined by which test?
A.AASHTO T 180 (Modified Proctor), Method A or D (TTCP Modified)
B.ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor) only
C.AASHTO T 191 (sand cone) only
D.AASHTO T 99 (Standard Proctor), Method C
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6 requires maximum dry density of soils used in roadbed, embankment, and median earthwork to be determined in accordance with AASHTO T 180 (Modified Proctor), Method A or D (TTCP Modified). Field densities are then compared with that laboratory maximum. Standard Proctor (T 99 / D698) uses lower compactive energy and is not the NMDOT earthwork control method.
2Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6, each layer of roadway embankment shall be compacted to at least what percentage of maximum dry density?
A.90 percent
B.95 percent
C.98 percent
D.100 percent
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6 requires each layer of roadbed, roadbed embankment, non-roadbed embankment, and roadway median excavation or embankment to be compacted to at least 95 percent of maximum density from AASHTO T 180. The 95 percent requirement is also used for the top 6 inches of existing ground under culvert bedding (Section 206) and for subgrade (Section 207).
3Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.5.1, roadbed embankment material shall be placed in uniform lifts not exceeding what loose thickness?
A.6 inches
B.8 inches
C.12 inches
D.4 inches
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.5.1 requires roadbed embankment to be placed in uniform lifts not exceeding 8 inches thick and then compacted under Section 203.3.6. The same 8-inch loose-lift limit appears in Section 206.3.1 for culvert select backfill. Thicker lifts leave the bottom of the layer under-compacted.
4Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6, at the time of compaction of ordinary (PI less than 15) embankment soils, in-place moisture shall be within which range of optimum moisture content?
A.Not less than 5 percent below optimum and not greater than 2 percent above optimum
B.Not more than 3 percent below or 3 percent above optimum
C.Optimum to optimum plus 4 percent
D.Optimum only, with no tolerance
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6 requires ordinary soils to be compacted at a moisture content not less than 5 percent below optimum and not greater than 2 percent above optimum. If moisture is outside that window, the contractor must moisten or dry the full lift and remix before recompacting, at no extra payment. Soils with PI of 15 or greater use a wetter window (optimum to optimum plus 4 percent).
5Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6, for soils with a plasticity index of 15 or greater, moisture at the time of compaction shall be:
A.From optimum moisture to optimum moisture plus 4 percent
B.From optimum minus 5 percent to optimum plus 2 percent
C.From optimum minus 3 percent to optimum plus 3 percent
D.Bone dry to prevent pumping
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.6 (and the matching Section 207.3 subgrade rule) requires high-PI soils (PI of 15 or greater) to be compacted between optimum and optimum plus 4 percent. Plastic clays compact more uniformly slightly wet of optimum. Ordinary lower-PI soils use the drier −5 percent / +2 percent window.
6Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.4, when may the contractor begin paid borrow placement for embankment?
A.As soon as the first cut is opened
B.After suitable unclassified excavation from the project has been exhausted and written notice is given to the Project Manager
C.Whenever the borrow pit is closer than the cut
D.Only after the entire project is graded to subgrade
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.4 requires the contractor to exhaust all available suitable material from unclassified excavation before using a borrow source, then notify the Project Manager in writing that borrow operations may commence. Borrow placed before that notification is not paid. If excess borrow wastes unclassified excavation, the wasted volume is deducted from borrow pay quantity.
7Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.4.3, earthwork pay quantities from original-to-final cross sections:
A.Include a 15 percent shrinkage factor on all fills
B.Apply no shrinkage or swell factor because payment is the neat final cross-sectioned volume
C.Include a 25 percent swell factor on all rock cuts
D.Are always bank measure multiplied by 1.25
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.4.3 states the Department will not apply any shrinkage or swell factor because payment is made on the final cross-sectioned volume (neat volume from the original ground surface to the new surface). The contractor still must plan extra borrow for compaction shrinkage in the field, but that extra is not a pay factor.
8Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.4.3, certified earthwork cross sections shall be taken at what interval unless the Contract or Project Manager directs otherwise?
A.50 feet
B.100 feet
C.25 meters
D.25 feet
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.4.3 requires a New Mexico licensed Engineer or licensed surveyor to stamp and certify cross sections at 50-foot intervals, unless otherwise specified or approved before earthwork starts. The contractor submits certified volume summary reports from that electronic survey data for each construction phase.
9Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.5.1, before placing roadbed embankment the original ground surface shall be broken up to at least what depth by plowing, scarifying, or stepping up?
A.6 inches
B.12 inches
C.18 inches
D.2 feet
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.5.1 requires the original ground to be broken up at least 6 inches by plowing, scarifying, or stepping up, then compacted under Section 203.3.6, before embankment is placed. The bond prevents a slip plane between old ground and new fill. New embankments must also be benched into natural slopes, existing embankments, or phased fills.
10Per NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.5.1, rocks placed in ordinary roadbed embankment shall be no larger than which dimension, provided interstices are filled to form a dense mass?
A.6 inches
B.3 feet in any dimension
C.One-half the lift thickness only
D.10 feet in any dimension anywhere in the fill
Explanation: NMDOT 2019 Section 203.3.5.1 allows rocks no larger than 3 feet in any dimension in roadbed embankment if they are distributed and the voids are filled to a dense mass. If voids cannot be filled, a bridging geotextile is required. Larger rocks may go only at the toe under additional limits, and rock fill must stop 6 inches below subgrade.

About the NM CID GA-3 Exam

The New Mexico CID GA-3 examination covers curbs, gutters, and culverts. The official open-book PSI exam has 30 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (23 points), and 125 minutes allowed. Approved references include NMDOT 2019 specifications, MUTCD 2003, and the Greenbook Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction (2006). PSI lists the fee at USD 68.88 (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form.

Exam sponsor: PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

30 questions

Time Limit

125 minutes

Passing Score

75% (23 of 30 points)

Exam / Certification Fees

USD 68.88

Exam sponsor website

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

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.

27%

Earthwork / Surveying

Earthwork and surveying (8 items)

17%

Concrete

Concrete construction (5 items)

17%

Curbs and Gutters

Curb and gutter construction (5 items)

13%

Culverts

Culvert installation (4 items)

13%

Project Management

Planning, estimating, One Call (4 items)

13%

Heavy Equipment / Safety

Equipment and safety (4 items)

Preparing for the NM CID GA-3 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (23 of 30 points)
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: 125 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: USD 68.88 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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

NM CID GA-3: Suggested Study Strategy

1Earthwork/surveying is the largest slice (8 of 30). Study NMDOT 2019 specs with Greenbook public-works details.
2This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NM GA-3 exam?

The official PSI examination has 30 scored questions. Passing is 75% (23 points) within 125 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).