PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free SC Grading Practice Questions

Prepare for the South Carolina Grading Contractor Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More South Carolina CLB Commercial Contractor Examinations

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

South Carolina Air Conditioning Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Alarm Code of Laws Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Asphalt Paving Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Boiler Installation Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Bridges Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Burglar Alarm Contractor Examination

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SC Grading Exam

40 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

70%

Passing Score (28 of 40)

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

2 hours

Time Allowed

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

USD 60

PSI Exam Fee

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

South Carolina Grading Contractor Examination is the official CLB/PSI open-book exam: 40 questions, 70% (28 of 40), 2 hours, USD 60 (bulletin updated 5/15/2025). Official delivery is English.

Sample SC Grading Practice Questions

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

1Which set of references is listed for the South Carolina Grading Commercial Contractor examination in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin?
A.SCDOT 2007 Standard Specifications, 29 CFR Part 1926, Excavation and Grading Handbook (2006), Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (8th edition), and the South Carolina 811 Excavator Manual
B.IBC, SCDOT 2025 Standard Specifications, and NFPA 70
C.AASHTO Green Book, MUTCD, and OSHA 1910 only
D.SCDOT 2000 Standard Specifications and the International Building Code only
Explanation: The PSI South Carolina commercial contractor bulletin lists the 2007 SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 29 CFR Part 1926, the 2006 Excavation and Grading Handbook, Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods 8th edition, and the latest South Carolina 811 Excavator Manual. Those are the open-book sources used to write the grading items.
2Under the South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board scope, grading work includes soil preparation and rehabilitation of which of the following?
A.Only building-pad cuts inside a foundation wall
B.Streets, roads, highways, railroad beds, building sites, parking lots, and storm sewers, including Highway Incidental work
C.Only asphalt overlay and pavement striping
D.Only structural steel erection and pile driving
Explanation: The official grading classification covers soil preparation and rehabilitation of streets, roads, highways, railroad beds, building sites, parking lots, and storm sewers. The same classification also includes work under Highway Incidental.
3A contractor seeking the South Carolina Highway classification must pass which combination of technical examinations?
A.Grading only
B.Limited Building and Plumbing
C.Bridges, Concrete Paving, Asphalt Paving, and Grading
D.Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Explanation: The South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board requires the Highway classification to be earned by passing the Bridges, Concrete Paving, Asphalt Paving, and Grading technical examinations, plus Business Management and Law. Grading alone does not confer the Highway classification.
4If a grading-exam question has conflicting information between a legal requirement and another authorized reference, which source controls?
A.The newest manufacturer catalog in the testing room
B.The candidate’s field notes written in the reference book
C.Whichever book the candidate opened first
D.The code, law, or regulation; and if two legal requirements conflict, the state-specific requirement overrides the national one
Explanation: The PSI bulletin states that a legal requirement such as a code, law, or regulation overrides any other reference. If two legal requirements conflict, the state-specific code, law, or regulation overrides the national one. Information from listed test references also overrides unlisted sources.
5Before a normal excavation in South Carolina, how much advance notice must an excavator give SC811?
A.Three full working days, not counting the day of the request, weekends, or holidays
B.One calendar day, including the day the ticket is entered
C.Seven calendar days, including weekends
D.Twenty-four hours, unless the work is on a state highway
Explanation: SC811 and the Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act require a normal locate request at least three full working days before excavation. The day the notice is entered, weekends, and holidays do not count toward those three days. Facility operators then have that same three-working-day window to mark.
6How long is a normal SC811 locate request valid after its start time?
A.5 calendar days
B.15 working days
C.10 calendar days
D.30 calendar days
Explanation: The SC811 Excavator Manual states that a normal locate request is valid for 15 working days from its start time. After that period the notice expires and a new locate request must be submitted before work can continue. An extension can be requested during the life of the notice, but it does not refresh faded paint marks.
7In South Carolina, the tolerance zone around a marked underground facility is:
A.12 inches on either side of the mark, regardless of pipe size
B.18 inches on either side of the mark, with no addition for pipe diameter
C.24 inches on either side of the mark, plus one-half the diameter of the facility if the diameter is known
D.5 feet on either side of the mark for all land excavations
Explanation: SC811 and S.C. Code require a tolerance zone of 24 inches plus one-half the facility diameter, if known, on either side of the markings. If the diameter is unknown, use 24 inches from the outside edge of the marks. Mechanized equipment is not used in that zone until the facility is exposed by hand or other soft-dig methods.
8Under the APWA Uniform Color Code used by SC811, white markings identify:
A.Electric power lines
B.Natural gas
C.Potable water
D.Proposed excavation
Explanation: White is reserved for proposed excavation, including excavator pre-marks of the work limits. SC811 requires pre-marking in white paint, flags, or stakes when the site cannot otherwise be clearly identified. Other APWA colors are reserved for utility owner marks.
9A locator paints a continuous red line across a proposed cut. What facility does that mark represent?
A.Electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
B.Sanitary sewer and storm drain lines
C.Communication and fiber-optic cables
D.Reclaimed water or irrigation
Explanation: APWA red marks electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables. Treat red marks as energized electrical facilities until they are exposed and identified. Do not assume depth from the paint.
10Yellow APWA marks on a grading site indicate:
A.Temporary survey control
B.Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous materials
C.Proposed excavation limits
D.Potable water mains
Explanation: Yellow identifies gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous material. Because a strike can cause fire or explosion, excavators must hand-expose yellow-marked facilities in the tolerance zone and protect them once they are uncovered.

About the SC Grading Exam

The South Carolina Grading Contractor Examination is the official CLB classification examination administered by PSI. The official exam has 40 scored questions. Passing is 70% (28 of 40) in 2 hours. The examination is open book. PSI lists USD 60 (South Carolina Commercial Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin updated 5/15/2025). All commercial general and mechanical contractor candidates must pass the Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractor Examination in addition to this technical examination. LLR charges a separate USD 350 license application fee. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. It does not replace required trade experience, board approval, financial statements or bonds, or the official examination.

Assessment

Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Allowed references are listed in the South Carolina Commercial Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin updated 5/15/2025.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

70% (28 of 40)

Exam Fee

USD 60 (PSI Services LLC (for the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board))

SC Grading Exam Content Outline

38%

General Knowledge

General Knowledge (15 items)

50%

Excavating and Grading

Excavating and Grading (20 items)

12%

Safety - Code of Federal Regulations

Safety - Code of Federal Regulations (5 items)

How to Pass the SC Grading Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (28 of 40)
  • Assessment: Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Allowed references are listed in the South Carolina Commercial Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin updated 5/15/2025.
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam fee: USD 60

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

SC Grading Study Tips from Top Performers

1Distribute study time to the official PSI content outline (bulletin updated 5/15/2025)
2Use only the PSI-listed references for this classification
3Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited in the PSI center
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the South Carolina Grading Contractor Examination?

The official PSI examination has 40 scored questions. Passing is 70% (28 of 40) within 2 hours (South Carolina Commercial Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin updated 5/15/2025).

How much does the SC Grading exam cost?

PSI lists USD 60 for this examination. The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board charges a separate USD 350 license application fee.

Is the SC Grading exam open book?

Yes. PSI lists the commercial contractor examinations as open book. Candidates may bring the PSI-listed references for this classification. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited.

Do I also need the Business Management and Law examination?

Yes. All commercial general and mechanical contractor candidates must pass the Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractor Examination in addition to this technical examination. Burglar and fire alarm candidates take the Alarm Code of Laws Examination instead.