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The HI-GEC exam has 100 questions and runs 4 hours.
These 10 free HI-GEC questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Hawaii General Engineering Contractor (A) License Exam blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
A competent person's visual and manual examination of soil for a 9-ft excavation identifies cohesive clay with an unconfined compressive strength of 1.9 tons/ft². The soil is previously disturbed, but there is no seepage, adverse layering, surcharge, or sign of distress. Using OSHA's soil-classification and simple-slope provisions, select the steepest permitted horizontal-to-vertical slope.
Correct answer: C - 1H:1V
An excavator exposes a suspected unfired charge while removing rock from yesterday's blast. The blaster has left the site. The superintendent's first instruction should be to:
Correct answer: C - Withdraw the crew, secure the area, and contact the blaster
The field technician reports a wet soil density of 132 lb/ft³ and a water content of 10%, expressed as water mass divided by dry soil mass. The laboratory maximum dry density from the specified compaction method is 128 lb/ft³. The fill requires at least 95% relative compaction; moisture and all other acceptance checks comply. How should this density test be recorded?
Correct answer: A - 93.8% relative compaction; the density requirement is not met
For a roadway grade check, a level backsight of 5.64 ft is taken on a benchmark at elevation 100.00 ft. Without moving the instrument, the foresight on existing ground is 3.22 ft. At that point, the finished pavement elevation is 103.10 ft, and the combined compacted asphalt and aggregate-base thickness is 12 in. What subgrade instruction belongs on the stake?
Correct answer: D - Cut 0.32 ft
One month after opening, an asphalt overlay shifts where trucks brake at an intersection. Cores separate cleanly at the interface with the old pavement, while the asphalt within each layer remains intact. The underlying base shows no deformation. What defect best explains this combination of findings?
Correct answer: B - Inadequate bond between the overlay and existing pavement
After backfilling, a PVC gravity sewer passes leakage testing but its barrel is vertically flattened beyond the specified deflection limit. Pipe stiffness, cover depth, and continuous barrel bedding match the approved detail. Every recorded backfill density test was taken above the pipe crown. Which unchecked installation condition is most directly relevant to the pipe's loss of shape?
Correct answer: A - Compaction of embedment around the pipe haunches
Inspection of a bridge finds hardened debris blocking the longitudinal expansion bearing. The bearing itself is serviceable, and the fixed bearing and deck joint match the approved details. Which proposed repair preserves the intended support and movement arrangement?
Correct answer: C - Remove the obstruction and restore the bearing's designed freedom to slide
A crane lift plan uses one configuration throughout the lift. Its gross-capacity chart lists 22,000 lb at the 30-ft pick radius and 17,000 lb at the 40-ft set radius; no part of the path has a lower rating. The hook block weighs 900 lb and the rigging 600 lb, both included in gross suspended load. A precast unit weighs 15,200 lb. All other lift-plan requirements are satisfied. Which capacity assessment is correct?
Correct answer: B - The set governs, with 300 lb of unused gross capacity
During reservoir lowering for outlet repairs, the water level falls rapidly but monitoring shows little reduction in pore-water pressure inside the earthfill embankment. Which interpretation should inform the next stage of drawdown?
Correct answer: B - The upstream face loses external water support before internal pore pressures dissipate
At each end of a simply supported solid-web beam, three of the eight specified connection bolts are installed and drawn wrench-tight. Their size and strength match the erection drawings. The approved erection sequence requires no additional restraint for this member, and the frame's temporary bracing is in place. Under 29 CFR 1926.756(a), is hoisting-line release authorized before final connection work?
Correct answer: D - Yes; the connection and stability conditions for this erection stage are satisfied
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