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Exam Review

Key Facts: NM CID GF-3 Exam

70 Q

Official Combined Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

75%

Passing Score Each Portion

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 68.88

Specialty Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID GF-3 is GF Core (40 Q, free) plus a 30-question canals/irrigation specialty, 75% each, USD 68.88 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID GF-3 Practice Questions

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

1Under the EPA Storm Water Management for Construction Activities guidance used on the New Mexico GF Core exam, what written document identifies pollution sources and the best-management practices that will be used on a construction site?
A.Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
B.Notice of Termination (NOT)
C.Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan
D.Erosion hazard assessment only
Explanation: The EPA 1992 construction-stormwater guidance requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that describes site conditions, potential pollutant sources, and the structural and non-structural BMPs that will be installed and maintained. The SWPPP is the working document inspectors use to verify that controls match the site as it changes.
2When should perimeter sediment controls such as silt fence typically be installed on a canal or reservoir construction site?
A.After mass grading so the fence can be set to final grade
B.Before land-disturbing work begins in the drainage area they protect
C.Only after the first measurable rainfall
D.After the Notice of Termination is filed
Explanation: EPA construction-stormwater guidance treats perimeter controls as the first line of defense. They must be in place before clearing and grading so runoff from newly exposed soil is intercepted at the site boundary. Installing them after mass grading allows sediment to leave the site during the highest-erosion period.
3A silt fence is the appropriate sediment-control BMP when runoff approaches the fence as:
A.Concentrated channel flow from a large watershed
B.Sheet flow from a limited drainage area
C.Pipe discharge from a dewatering pump
D.Overbank flow from an irrigation canal
Explanation: Silt fence is a sheet-flow filter, not a dam. EPA construction-stormwater guidance limits it to small drainage areas with shallow, dispersed flow so water can pond slightly and filter through the fabric. Concentrated flow, pumped discharge, or canal overtopping will undercut or overtop the fence.
4According to the EPA construction-stormwater guidance referenced on the GF Core exam, a temporary sediment basin is generally required at a common drainage location when the disturbed upstream area is more than about:
A.1 acre
B.2 acres
C.5 acres
D.10 acres
Explanation: The EPA 1992 construction-stormwater guidance, and the Construction General Permit language that grew from it, call for a sediment basin at any common drainage point serving more than 10 acres of disturbed area where the basin is attainable. Smaller drainage areas may use sediment traps or perimeter controls instead.
5If a sediment-basin design uses the EPA 2-year, 24-hour runoff method and the designer has not calculated the site-specific storm volume, a common equivalent storage volume cited in construction-stormwater guidance is:
A.500 cubic feet per acre drained
B.1,200 cubic feet per acre drained
C.3,600 cubic feet per acre drained
D.10,000 cubic feet per acre drained
Explanation: EPA construction-stormwater guidance allows sediment-basin storage equal to the runoff from a 2-year, 24-hour storm, or 3,600 cubic feet per acre drained when that calculation has not been performed. That 3,600 cf/acre figure is the volume of 1 inch of runoff over one acre (43,560 sf × 1/12 ft).
6What is the primary purpose of a stabilized construction entrance on a canal or reservoir job?
A.To increase the site’s allowable disturbed acreage
B.To prevent sediment track-out onto public roads
C.To replace the need for a SWPPP
D.To serve as the site’s only sediment basin
Explanation: A stone-stabilized construction entrance knocks mud off vehicle tires before they leave the site. Track-out onto public roads is a common permit violation because the sediment then washes into storm drains. The entrance is a BMP, not a substitute for the SWPPP or a sediment basin.
7How should silt-fence fabric be installed relative to the slope so that it intercepts sheet flow instead of creating a channel?
A.Straight up and down the slope so water can drain freely
B.On the contour, with the ends turned upslope to form a J-hook
C.Only at the crest of the slope, with no buried toe
D.Across a live stream as a temporary dam
Explanation: Silt fence is placed on the contour so runoff meets the fabric as sheet flow and ponds uniformly. Turning the ends upslope (J-hooks) keeps water from running around the ends. Running fence downslope concentrates flow and undercuts the fabric.
8On a New Mexico canal reconstruction that disturbs several acres, what filing typically starts NPDES construction-stormwater coverage after the SWPPP is prepared?
A.Notice of Intent (NOI)
B.Building permit only
C.Notice of Termination (NOT)
D.OSHA Form 300
Explanation: Construction-stormwater coverage under the EPA or state Construction General Permit begins when the operator files a Notice of Intent after preparing a SWPPP. The permit then requires the operator to implement the plan, inspect BMPs, and later file a Notice of Termination when the site is finally stabilized.
9Temporary seeding or mulching is used on a reservoir embankment stockpile primarily to:
A.Increase the Proctor maximum dry density of the stockpile
B.Protect exposed soil from rainfall impact and sheet erosion until final cover is placed
C.Replace the need for perimeter sediment controls
D.Satisfy OSHA cave-in protection requirements
Explanation: Temporary stabilization (seed, mulch, or blankets) reduces raindrop impact and sheet erosion on soil that will sit exposed. EPA construction-stormwater guidance treats prompt stabilization as a primary erosion-control practice. It does not change compaction specifications and does not replace perimeter sediment controls.
10Storm-drain inlet protection on a construction site is intended to:
A.Increase the hydraulic capacity of the inlet during a design storm
B.Keep sediment-laden runoff from entering the storm-drain system
C.Replace downstream sediment basins on large drainage areas
D.Serve as the site’s only means of dewatering
Explanation: Inlet protection (fabric, gravel bags, or manufactured inserts) intercepts sediment before it enters catch basins and is discharged off site. It is a last-line sediment control, not a capacity upgrade and not a substitute for upslope erosion control or basins on large disturbed areas.

About the NM CID GF-3 Exam

The New Mexico CID GF-3 classification covers canals, reservoirs, or irrigation systems and requires the shared GF Core plus the GF-3 specialty. GF Core is 40 questions in 100 minutes with no charge. GF-3 is 30 questions in 80 minutes for USD 68.88. Each portion requires 75% (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). Specialty references include Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Simplified Irrigation Design (Melby), and PCA concrete mixtures. 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.

Assessment

GF Core plus GF-3 specialty, retained as one classification identity.

Time Limit

180 minutes (100 + 80)

Passing Score

75% on GF Core (30 of 40) and 75% on GF-3 (23 of 30)

Exam / Certification Fees

USD 68.88 (GF Core has no charge)

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.

57%

GF Core

Stormwater, OSHA, project management, surveying, NM One Call, building code/inspections (40 official items)

43%

GF-3 Specialty

Irrigation, concrete, and sitework (30 official items)

Preparing for the NM CID GF-3 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% on GF Core (30 of 40) and 75% on GF-3 (23 of 30)
  • Assessment: GF Core plus GF-3 specialty, retained as one classification identity.
  • Time limit: 180 minutes (100 + 80)
  • Exam / certification fees: USD 68.88 (GF Core has no charge) 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 GF-3: Suggested Study Strategy

1Sitework is 15 of 30 specialty items. Study excavation, canal lining, and irrigation layout with GF Core stormwater.
2This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I take a separate GF Core exam?

Yes. PSI requires all GF candidates to take the shared GF Core plus the classification specialty. This bank treats them as one GF-3 identity.