Practice Exam Questions And Correct

Illinois Hot-Mix Asphalt Level II Technician Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of performing a daily ignition oven

calibration check during HMA testing?

• To verify binder grade
• To ensure oven insulation is intact
• To check for proper mass loss correction factors
• To ensure accurate asphalt binder content results

Rationale: Accurate binder content depends on proper oven calibration;

incorrect calibration causes incorrect asphalt percentages.

• The Illinois DOT requires aggregate gradation testing to be performed at

minimum: 1 / 4

• Weekly
• Daily for each production day
• Once per project
• Monthly

Rationale: Daily gradations ensure continuous quality compliance during

HMA production.

3. A mix with too much asphalt binder is likely to:

• Increase stability
• Reduce flow
• Cause rutting and shoving
• Improve skid resistance

Rationale: Excess binder softens the mix, increasing susceptibility to rutting

under load.

• The purpose of the Rice (Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity) test is

to determine:

A. VMA

B. TSR

• Air voids in compacted mix
• Fine aggregate angularity 2 / 4

Rationale: Air voids require both bulk density and theoretical maximum

density, which comes from the Rice test.

5. When running a gradation, the correct sequence of sieving is:

• Start with the smallest sieve
• Start with the largest sieve and work downward
• Random order
• Start with any sieve

Rationale: Sieving from largest to smallest avoids overloading smaller

sieves and maintains accuracy.

6. The temperature of HMA samples for volumetric testing must be within:

A. 50–100°F

B. 150–170°F

• Per mix design-specified compaction temperature range
• Any temperature

Rationale: Each mix has a required compaction temperature based on

binder grade for consistent results.

• If VMA is lower than specified, what is the most common adjustment? 3 / 4

• Add more binder
• Reduce binder
• Increase coarse aggregate or reduce fines
• Increase production temperature

Rationale: VMA measures void space in the aggregate; more coarse

material increases voids.

8. Excessive dust coating on aggregates can cause:

• Improved strength
• Better bonding
• Stripping and moisture damage
• Lower skid resistance only

Rationale: Dust prevents proper binder–aggregate adhesion, leading to

moisture susceptibility.

9. Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) is defined as the volume of:

• Binder only
• Air voids only
• Air voids + binder space in compacted mix
• Solids only

Rationale: VMA represents the space between aggregate particles, which

includes binder and air.

• / 4