Practice Exam Questions And Correct

Advanced Certified Tile Installer (ACT) Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the minimum allowable variation in tile lippage for rectified

porcelain tile with a grout joint width of 1/8 inch or more?

• 1/32 inch
• 1/16 inch
• 3/32 inch
• 1/8 inch

Rationale: According to ANSI A108.02 standards, for rectified tiles with

joints ≥ 1/8 inch, the acceptable lippage is 1/16 inch plus the inherent warpage of the tile.

• When installing large-format tiles on a wall, which trowel pattern

provides the best mortar coverage? 1 / 3

• Circular trowel pattern
• Random directional pattern
• Straight-line trowel ridges in one direction
• Cross-hatch pattern

Rationale: Straight trowel ridges allow air to escape during pressing,

improving coverage and bond strength.

• Which substrate condition requires the use of a crack isolation

membrane before tile installation?

• When the substrate is perfectly level
• When there is an existing in-plane crack ≤ 1/8 inch wide
• When the substrate is gypsum board
• When the substrate is cement backer board

Rationale: Crack isolation membranes bridge non-structural cracks

and prevent them from transferring through the tile.

• What is the maximum allowable deflection of a substrate under load

for ceramic tile installations?

A. L/240

B. L/360

C. L/480

D. L/720

Rationale: For ceramic tile, deflection must not exceed L/360, but ACT

standards often test for stricter tolerances like L/480 for large-format tile integrity. 2 / 3

• When installing exterior tiles, which of the following mortars is most

suitable?

• Type N mortar
• Type S mortar
• ANSI A118.15 high-performance thin-set mortar
• Mastic adhesive

Rationale: ANSI A118.15 mortars are polymer-modified and

formulated for demanding conditions such as exterior exposure.

• What is the ideal coverage percentage for thin-set mortar under floor

tiles in dry interior conditions?

A. 70%

B. 80%

C. 85%

D. 95%

Rationale: Dry interior floors require at least 80–85% mortar coverage

to ensure adequate support and adhesion.

• For wet areas such as showers, what is the minimum required mortar

coverage under the tile?

A. 70%

B. 80%

C. 85%

• 95%
• / 3