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Exam Review

Key Facts: NM CID GS-16 Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

60 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

180 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 GS-16 is a 60-question PSI masonry exam, 75% pass, 180 minutes, USD 68.88 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID GS-16 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NM CID GS-16 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many standard 8 × 8 × 16 in. nominal CMU, including 3/8 in. mortar joints, are required for 100 sq ft of wall face before waste?
A.112.5 blocks
B.100 blocks
C.125 blocks
D.144 blocks
Explanation: A nominal 8 × 16 in. face with 3/8 in. joints covers 8 in. by 16 in., or 0.889 sq ft. 100 ÷ 0.889 = 112.5 blocks, which is the same as the trade multiplier 1.125 blocks per square foot. Width (4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 in.) does not change the face count.
2A 32 ft long by 8 ft high CMU wall uses standard 8 × 8 × 16 in. units and 3/8 in. joints. With no openings and no waste allowance, how many blocks are required?
A.256
B.384
C.320
D.288
Explanation: Area is 32 × 8 = 256 sq ft. 256 × 1.125 = 288 blocks. Equivalently, height in feet × 1.5 = 12 courses, and length in feet × 0.75 = 24 blocks per course; 12 × 24 = 288.
3Estimate standard 8 × 8 × 16 in. CMU for a 40 ft by 10 ft wall with one 4 ft by 8 ft opening. Deduct the opening at 1.125 blocks per sq ft and add 5 percent waste. How many blocks should be ordered?
A.414
B.435
C.450
D.473
Explanation: Gross area 400 sq ft × 1.125 = 450 blocks. Opening 32 sq ft × 1.125 = 36 blocks. Net 450 − 36 = 414. Waste 414 × 1.05 = 434.7, which rounds to 435 blocks.
4How many standard modular bricks, including 3/8 in. joints, are typically estimated per square foot of wall face?
A.4.5
B.5.5
C.7
D.9
Explanation: A modular brick with 3/8 in. joints fits a 4 in. module: three courses in 8 in. of height and 1.5 bricks per foot of length, which is 6.75 to 7 bricks per square foot. Trade takeoffs use 7 modular bricks per square foot before waste.
5On a plan drawn at 1/4 in. = 1 ft-0 in., a CMU wall measures 4-1/2 in. long on the drawing. What is the actual wall length?
A.9 ft
B.16 ft
C.18 ft
D.22 ft
Explanation: At 1/4 in. = 1 ft, each inch on paper is 4 ft. 4.5 in. × 4 ft/in. = 18 ft. Always convert the plotted length with the stated scale before counting 16 in. CMU modules.
6Using the common masonry estimating rule of thumb, about how many 70- to 80-lb bags of masonry cement are needed to lay 100 standard 8 × 8 × 16 in. CMU?
A.1 bag
B.12 bags
C.7 bags
D.3 bags
Explanation: Kicklighter-style and supplier takeoff guides commonly budget about three bags of masonry cement, plus sand, per 100 standard 8 in. CMU with typical 3/8 in. joints. Seven bags per 100 units is the brick rule, not the block rule.
7A CMU wall is 9 ft 4 in. high from the top of the foundation to the top of the wall. How many 8 in. courses of standard CMU are required?
A.12
B.13
C.14
D.15
Explanation: Each 8 in. course is one module. 9 ft 4 in. = 112 in.; 112 ÷ 8 = 14 courses. The height-in-feet × 1.5 shortcut also works: 9.333 × 1.5 = 14. Do not treat 9 ft 4 in. as 9.4 ft.
8What is the minimum average net-area compressive strength required by ASTM C90 for loadbearing concrete masonry units?
A.1,500 psi
B.1,900 psi
C.2,000 psi
D.3,000 psi
Explanation: ASTM C90 requires a minimum average net-area compressive strength of 2,000 psi (raised from the older 1,900 psi value). Strength is computed on net area from ASTM C140 tests, not on the unit's gross face area.
9What are the typical specified (actual) dimensions of a nominal 8 × 8 × 16 in. CMU?
A.7-5/8 × 7-5/8 × 15-5/8 in.
B.7-1/2 × 7-1/2 × 15-1/2 in.
C.8 × 8 × 16 in.
D.8-3/8 × 8-3/8 × 16-3/8 in.
Explanation: Specified CMU dimensions are 3/8 in. smaller than nominal so that a 3/8 in. mortar joint keeps the work on an 8 in. module. A nominal 8 × 8 × 16 in. unit is therefore 7-5/8 × 7-5/8 × 15-5/8 in.
10For hollow ASTM C90 units 8 in. and greater in nominal width, what is the minimum face-shell thickness?
A.3/4 in.
B.1 in.
C.1-1/4 in.
D.2 in.
Explanation: ASTM C90 requires a minimum face-shell thickness of 1-1/4 in. for units 8 in. and wider. Six-inch units use a 1 in. minimum face shell, and 3 and 4 in. units use 3/4 in. Webs have a separate 3/4 in. minimum and a normalized web-area rule.

About the NM CID GS-16 Exam

The New Mexico CID GS-16 examination covers masonry. The official open-book PSI exam has 60 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (45 points), and 180 minutes allowed. Allowed references include NMAC 14.7.2 and 14.7.3 (2021), IBC 2021, IRC 2021, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Modern Masonry (Kicklighter, 8th edition, 2015), and ACI 530/530.1 masonry specifications. 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

60 questions

Time Limit

180 minutes

Passing Score

75% (45 of 60 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.

7%

Estimating and Plan Reading

Estimating and plan reading (4 items)

32%

Unit Masonry

Unit masonry (19 items)

27%

Mortar and Grout

Mortar and grout (16 items)

12%

Accessories

Accessories (7 items)

3%

Stone

Stone (2 items)

7%

Tools

Tools (4 items)

7%

Restoration and Cleaning

Restoration and cleaning (4 items)

7%

Safety

Safety (4 items)

Preparing for the NM CID GS-16 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (45 of 60 points)
  • Exam length: 60 questions
  • Time limit: 180 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 GS-16: Suggested Study Strategy

1Unit masonry and mortar/grout are 35 of 60 official items. Study ACI 530/TMS 402/602 with IBC masonry chapters.
2This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NM GS-16 exam?

The official PSI examination has 60 scored questions. Passing is 75% (45 points) within 180 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).