Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct

Certified Engineering Geologist Licensure Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

(Covers: Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Geomorphology, Geotechnical

Engineering, Structural Geology, Seismology, and Field Methods)

1. The primary purpose of an engineering geologist is to:

• Design building foundations
• Evaluate geological factors that may affect engineering works
• Draft construction blueprints
• Perform environmental impact assessments

Rationale: Engineering geologists assess geological conditions to ensure

engineering structures are built safely and efficiently.

• Which rock type is most likely to develop karst topography?
• Sandstone 1 / 4

• Shale
• Limestone
• Basalt

Rationale: Limestone dissolves in slightly acidic water, forming sinkholes,

caves, and other karst features.

3. The main control on slope stability is:

• Climate
• Vegetation
• Shear strength of materials and slope angle
• Seismic activity

Rationale: Slope stability depends on the balance between driving forces

(weight) and resisting forces (shear strength).

• Which geophysical method is most useful for detecting subsurface

cavities?

• Seismic refraction
• Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
• Resistivity sounding
• Gravity survey

Rationale: GPR provides high-resolution imaging for detecting voids or

cavities in near-surface materials. 2 / 4

• Which soil classification system is primarily used for engineering purposes

in the United States?

A. USDA

• Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

C. AASHTO

D. ASTM

Rationale: The USCS is the standard engineering soil classification system

used for design and construction.

6. The term “angle of repose” refers to:

• The slope angle of a cut made in rock
• The maximum slope angle at which loose material remains stable
• The natural dip of bedding planes
• The inclination of a fault plane

Rationale: Angle of repose is the steepest angle at which granular material

remains stable without sliding.

• Which type of fault has the hanging wall moving downward relative to the

footwall?

• Normal fault
• Reverse fault 3 / 4

• Strike-slip fault
• Thrust fault

Rationale: In normal faults, tensional stress causes the hanging wall to

move downward relative to the footwall.

8. Liquefaction most likely occurs in:

• Solid bedrock
• Dry sandy soils
• Saturated, loose sandy soils during seismic shaking
• Clay-rich soils

Rationale: Loose, saturated sands lose strength under vibration, causing

liquefaction.

9. The seismic S-wave is characterized by:

• Being the fastest seismic wave
• Moving perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation
• Traveling through both solids and liquids
• Having the smallest amplitude

Rationale: S-waves move material perpendicular to the wave direction and

only travel through solids.

• / 4