Mock paper #5

NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors

A full paper drawn to the blueprint. Answers and worked explanations are at the back of this file.

Questions: 115
Time: 330minutes
Mark: 70%to pass
Paper: #5of 5

Single-user licence. You may print this file and write on it. You may not redistribute, resell or post it. © Sitonce 2026.

Before you start

Sit this the way you will sit the real one. A mock done in pieces over three evenings measures your notes, not your recall.

Questions

115

Minutes

330

Per question

172s

Started at

Set a timer for 330 minutes and do not stop it. Running over is the commonest way a prepared candidate fails, and the only place you can find that out safely is here.
Mark one answer for each question on the answer sheet.
Answer every question. There is no penalty for a wrong answer. A blank is a guaranteed zero and a guess is not.
Flag anything you are unsure of as you go. When you mark the paper, a question you flagged and got right is worth as much of your attention as one you got wrong - you do not yet know it, you guessed it.
When the timer runs out, turn to the Answers section at the back of this file. Mark the paper against the quick-reference key first, fill in the score table, and only then read the worked explanations.

What this paper covers

Area	Questions	Share
Procurement and Contracting Requirements	31	27%
General Requirements	25	22%
Site Construction	15	13%
Concrete	6	5%
Mechanical and Plumbing Systems	6	5%
Metals	6	5%
Finishes	5	4%
Thermal and Moisture Protection	5	4%
Wood	5	4%
Doors, Windows and Glazing	4	3%
Masonry	4	3%
Electrical Systems	3	3%
Total	115	100%

Pass mark vs pass rate

The pass mark is 81 correct out of 115 scored questions, which PSI publishes. Any pass-rate figure quoted for this exam is an estimate - neither NASCLA nor PSI publishes one.

Answer sheet - paper #5

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Paper #5

115 questions. 330 minutes.

1

What does the water to cement ratio principally control?

AThe workability of the mix as it is placed, and nothing beyond that
BStrength and durability
CThe time available before the concrete reaches its initial set
DThe colour and surface texture of the finished concrete member

2

A Proctor gives a maximum dry density of 120 pcf. What field dry density satisfies a 95 per cent requirement?

A126 pcf, since compaction must exceed the laboratory maximum in the field
B114 pcf
C95 pcf
D108 pcf

3

Which location requires safety glazing?

AIn a door, and in a panel adjacent to a door within stated dimensions
BIn any window on the ground floor of the building
CIn any window facing a public street or right of way, whatever its height above the floor
DIn any window larger than nine square feet in area

Worked explanations

The paper carries one for every question, at the back. These are the three above.

Q1 B Ch. 4: Concrete

Answer: B - Strength and durability

Because Lower water content for the same cement gives higher strength and lower permeability. It is the single most important variable in the mix, which is why adding water at the truck to make placing easier is so damaging. ACI 301 sec. 4.2

Where the other options lead

A.Reduces it to workability. Water does affect workability, but that is a by-product; the ratio governs the hardened properties.
C.Ties it to set time. Set time is controlled by cement type, temperature and admixtures.
D.Ties it to appearance. Appearance depends on the mix, forms and finishing rather than the ratio alone.

Q2 B Ch. 3: Site Construction

Answer: B - 114 pcf

Because Multiply the maximum dry density by the required percentage. NASCLA Guide ch. 10

120 x 0.95 = 114 pcf.

Where the other options lead

A.Adds rather than takes a percentage. 95 per cent is less than the maximum, not more.
C.Reads the percentage as a density. 95 is the percentage, not a value in pounds per cubic foot.
D.Applies 90 per cent. The specification here is 95 per cent.

Q3 A Ch. 11: Doors, Windows and Glazing

Answer: A - In a door, and in a panel adjacent to a door within stated dimensions

Because Safety glazing is required at hazardous locations: in doors, adjacent to doors within a stated distance and height, in and around wet areas such as tubs and showers, at low glazing meeting the size and height criteria, and along stairs and ramps. IBC ch. 24

Where the other options lead

B.Uses the storey. Ground floor location is not one of the hazardous location criteria.
C.Uses the street. What lies outside is not a factor in the hazardous location list.
D.Uses size alone. Size is one criterion in a set that also includes height above the floor and proximity to a walking surface.

Worked explanations

The paper carries one for every question, at the back. These are the three above.

Q1 B Ch. 4: Concrete

Answer: B - Strength and durability

Because Lower water content for the same cement gives higher strength and lower permeability. It is the single most important variable in the mix, which is why adding water at the truck to make placing easier is so damaging. ACI 301 sec. 4.2

Where the other options lead

A.Reduces it to workability. Water does affect workability, but that is a by-product; the ratio governs the hardened properties.
C.Ties it to set time. Set time is controlled by cement type, temperature and admixtures.
D.Ties it to appearance. Appearance depends on the mix, forms and finishing rather than the ratio alone.

Q2 B Ch. 3: Site Construction

Answer: B - 114 pcf

Because Multiply the maximum dry density by the required percentage. NASCLA Guide ch. 10

120 x 0.95 = 114 pcf.

Where the other options lead

A.Adds rather than takes a percentage. 95 per cent is less than the maximum, not more.
C.Reads the percentage as a density. 95 is the percentage, not a value in pounds per cubic foot.
D.Applies 90 per cent. The specification here is 95 per cent.

Q3 A Ch. 11: Doors, Windows and Glazing

Answer: A - In a door, and in a panel adjacent to a door within stated dimensions

Because Safety glazing is required at hazardous locations: in doors, adjacent to doors within a stated distance and height, in and around wet areas such as tubs and showers, at low glazing meeting the size and height criteria, and along stairs and ramps. IBC ch. 24

Where the other options lead

B.Uses the storey. Ground floor location is not one of the hazardous location criteria.
C.Uses the street. What lies outside is not a factor in the hazardous location list.
D.Uses size alone. Size is one criterion in a set that also includes height above the floor and proximity to a walking surface.

The rest of this mock paper comes with the course

NASCLA Commercial GB: the whole syllabus taught, the questions that test it, 5 timed mocks, and all 6 PDFs to print.