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100+ Free NM CID GS-30 Practice Questions

Prepare for the New Mexico CID GS-30 Plastering, Stucco and Lathing Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NM CID GS-30 Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

40 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

120 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-30 is a 40-question PSI plastering, stucco, and lathing exam, 75% pass, 120 minutes, USD 68.88 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID GS-30 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NM CID GS-30 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Using the plaster volume formula cubic yards = area (sq ft) × thickness (in.) ÷ 324, how many cubic yards of plaster are required for 1,000 sq ft of three-coat stucco at a 7/8 in. nominal thickness, before waste?
A.1.54 cubic yards
B.3.09 cubic yards
C.2.70 cubic yards
D.8.75 cubic yards
Explanation: One cubic yard covers 324 square-foot-inches (27 cu ft × 12). Volume is 1,000 × 0.875 ÷ 324 = 2.70 cubic yards. The 7/8 in. thickness is the ASTM C926 nominal three-coat total over metal lath (3/8 in. scratch, 3/8 in. brown, 1/8 in. finish).
2A framed wall takeoff is 2,400 sq ft of three-coat portland cement plaster at 7/8 in. nominal thickness. Add 10 percent waste. How many cubic yards should be ordered?
A.6.48 cubic yards
B.8.15 cubic yards
C.5.19 cubic yards
D.7.13 cubic yards
Explanation: Net volume is 2,400 × 0.875 ÷ 324 = 6.48 cubic yards. Applying 10 percent waste gives 6.48 × 1.10 = 7.13 cubic yards. Waste covers droppings, over-thickness at grounds, and mixer leftover on a typical rectangular wall.
3Estimate two-coat cement plaster for 800 sq ft of CMU wall at the ASTM C926 two-coat masonry total of 1/2 in. Add 8 percent waste. How many cubic yards are required?
A.1.23 cubic yards
B.2.16 cubic yards
C.0.99 cubic yards
D.1.33 cubic yards
Explanation: Two-coat work on unit masonry is nominally 3/8 in. first coat plus 1/8 in. finish, or 1/2 in. total. Volume is 800 × 0.5 ÷ 324 = 1.23 cubic yards. With 8 percent waste, 1.23 × 1.08 = 1.33 cubic yards.
4A standard expanded-metal lath sheet is 27 in. by 96 in. How many square feet does one sheet cover, and how many sheets are required for 540 sq ft before waste?
A.16 sq ft per sheet; 34 sheets
B.18 sq ft per sheet; 30 sheets
C.24 sq ft per sheet; 23 sheets
D.27 sq ft per sheet; 20 sheets
Explanation: A 27 in. width is 2.25 ft. 2.25 × 8 ft = 18 sq ft per sheet. 540 ÷ 18 = 30 sheets before laps and waste. Laps, cuts, and openings are added after this net sheet count.
5Order 27 in. by 96 in. expanded-metal lath for 1,620 sq ft of wall. Add 10 percent for laps and waste. How many sheets should be purchased?
A.90 sheets
B.81 sheets
C.99 sheets
D.108 sheets
Explanation: Each sheet covers 18 sq ft, so the net count is 1,620 ÷ 18 = 90 sheets. Ten percent for side and end laps, cuts, and damaged sheets is 90 × 1.10 = 99 sheets. Always round a fractional sheet up after waste.
6A 48 ft by 10 ft framed wall receives 7/8 in. three-coat stucco. Deduct one 6 ft by 8 ft door and one 4 ft by 5 ft window, then add 10 percent waste. How many cubic yards of plaster should be ordered?
A.1.11 cubic yards
B.1.43 cubic yards
C.1.22 cubic yards
D.1.60 cubic yards
Explanation: Gross area is 480 sq ft. Openings are 48 + 20 = 68 sq ft, so net area is 412 sq ft. Volume is 412 × 0.875 ÷ 324 = 1.11 cubic yards. Waste of 10 percent gives 1.11 × 1.10 = 1.22 cubic yards.
7An exterior cement-plaster panel is 12 ft long by 10 ft high with no openings and continuous framing. Under ASTM C1063 wall limits, are intermediate control joints required in the field of this panel?
A.Yes, because any wall over 100 sq ft needs a joint
B.Yes, because the long dimension exceeds 8 ft
C.No; 120 sq ft is under 144 sq ft, 12 ft is under 18 ft, and the length-to-width ratio is under 2-1/2 to 1
D.Yes; every framed wall must be jointed at mid-height
Explanation: ASTM C1063 limits cement-plaster wall panels to 144 sq ft, 18 ft in either direction, and a 2-1/2 to 1 length-to-width ratio. This panel is 120 sq ft, 12 ft long, and 1.2 to 1, so it meets all three limits. Joints are still required where the substrate changes or where the designer shows them.
8A 20 ft long by 10 ft high exterior stucco wall has no openings. Which control-joint layout satisfies ASTM C1063 wall-panel limits?
A.No field joint; 200 sq ft is still under the ceiling limit of 100 sq ft
B.Only a horizontal joint at 5 ft, leaving a 20 ft edge
C.Joints at 4 ft on center both ways regardless of area
D.One vertical control joint near mid-length, making two panels of about 10 ft by 10 ft
Explanation: The undivided wall is 200 sq ft and 20 ft long, which exceeds both the 144 sq ft area limit and the 18 ft edge limit. A vertical joint near mid-span creates two 100 sq ft square panels, each under 144 sq ft, under 18 ft, and within the 2-1/2 to 1 ratio. A single horizontal joint would leave a 20 ft edge that still fails the 18 ft rule.
9A 36 ft long by 12 ft high exterior stucco wall has no openings. Using ASTM C1063 limits of 144 sq ft and 18 ft, how many vertical field control joints are required and what is their combined length?
A.One joint totaling 12 linear feet
B.No field joints; 144 sq ft is only a recommendation
C.Three joints totaling 36 linear feet
D.Two joints totaling 24 linear feet
Explanation: The wall is 432 sq ft. One joint at mid-span would make two 18 ft by 12 ft panels of 216 sq ft, which still exceed 144 sq ft. Three equal 12 ft by 12 ft panels of 144 sq ft need two vertical joints, each 12 ft long, or 24 linear feet. Those panels also satisfy the 18 ft and 2-1/2 to 1 limits.
10A rectangular building is 40 ft by 28 ft in plan. All four exterior stud walls receive three-coat stucco and a continuous foundation weep screed. Ignoring door openings, how many linear feet of weep screed are required?
A.136 linear feet
B.112 linear feet
C.68 linear feet
D.1,120 linear feet
Explanation: Weep screed runs the full perimeter at the foundation plate. Perimeter is 2 × (40 + 28) = 136 ft. Door openings may interrupt the screed in the field, but the starting takeoff is the closed perimeter. Do not confuse linear feet of screed with wall area.

About the NM CID GS-30 Exam

The New Mexico CID GS-30 examination covers plastering, stucco, and lathing. The official open-book PSI exam has 40 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (30 points), and 120 minutes allowed. Allowed references include NMAC 14.7.2 and 14.7.3 (2021), IBC 2021, IRC 2021, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, ASTM C 1063, C 1328, C 754, C 841, C 842, C 926, C 1397, C 1481, and C 1535 (editions listed in the PSI bulletin), the Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th, 2014), and the PCA Portland Cement Plaster/Stucco Manual (2003). NMAC 14.6.6 GS-30 authorizes surface preparation and application of plaster or stucco coatings and non-structural stud and lath systems. Two years of experience is required. 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.

Questions

40 scored questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

75% (30 of 40 points)

Exam Fee

USD 68.88 (PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division))

NM CID GS-30 Exam Content Outline

10%

Estimating and Plan Reading

Estimating and plan reading (4 items)

15%

Surface Preparation

Surface preparation (6 items)

18%

Materials

Materials (7 items)

23%

Installation

Installation (9 items)

13%

E.I.F.S.

E.I.F.S. (5 items)

13%

Tools

Tools (5 items)

10%

Safety

Safety (4 items)

How to Pass the NM CID GS-30 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (30 of 40 points)
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam fee: USD 68.88

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

NM CID GS-30 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Installation and materials are 16 of 40 official items. Study ASTM C 926 and C 1063 with the PCA stucco manual.
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-30 exam?

The official PSI examination has 40 scored questions. Passing is 75% (30 points) within 120 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).