South Carolina Grading Practice Exam
Free Practice Exam
Test your knowledge with 10 questions from our pool of 20 free questions.
- 10 questions per attempt
- 30 minute time limit
- Unlimited attempts
- A new mix each time
- Instant results
Full Practice Exam
Complete exam simulation matching the real PSI test format.
- 40 questions (same as real exam)
- 120 minute time limit
- 3 topic areas covered
- 234 questions in pool
- Detailed explanations
Texts preferred · 9am–9pm Central
South Carolina Grading Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 40This practice exam follows the official content outline for the South Carolina Grading exam: General Knowledge, Excavating and Grading, Safety - Code of Federal Regulations.
You can practice two ways. The free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, and you can retake it whenever you like. The full practice exam gives you 40 questions on a 2 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank each attempt.
General Knowledge 15 items
Our study plan for this topic: Reading and interpreting survey stakes (cut, fill, slope stakes); Plan reading: grading plans, contour lines, cross sections, and profile sheets; Station numbering and engineer's measure (decimal feet); Earthwork quantity calculations: average-end-area method, mass diagram, cut/fill volumes; Equipment selection and planning for excavation operations; Equipment economics: ownership and operating costs, depreciation methods; Mobile equipment power requirements: rolling resistance, grade resistance, rimpull, and drawbar pull; Truck and hauling equipment productivity, cycle time, and load capacity.
Excavating and Grading 20 items
Our study plan for this topic: Underground utility locate requirements and SC 811 notification procedures; Soil and rock classification for excavation (common, rock, muck, unclassified); Earthwork volume calculations, mass diagrams, and haul distance/overhaul; Clearing, grubbing, and stripping operations per SCDOT specifications; Embankment construction, lift thickness, and compaction requirements; Subgrade preparation, proof rolling, and compaction testing; Grade setting techniques using stakes, lasers, GPS, and survey instruments; Erosion and sediment control measures during grading operations.
Safety - Code of Federal Regulations 5 items
Our study plan for this topic: Cave-in prevention and protective systems (sloping, benching, shoring, shielding); Soil classification types (Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, Type C) and field testing methods; Competent person duties and excavation inspection requirements; Excavation access, egress, and worker protection from falling loads and vehicular traffic; Hazardous atmosphere testing and emergency rescue in excavations; Personal protective equipment requirements (head, eye, foot, hearing, respiratory, electrical); Rollover protective structures (ROPS) and overhead protection for earthmoving equipment; Construction site signs, signals, barricades, and traffic control devices.
Sample 1 — Excavating and Grading
Question: On a mix-in-place soil cement stabilization job, cement has been spread and blended into the soil to the specified depth. Within what period after mixing must the treated material be compacted?
- A. 2 hours
- B. 30 minutes
- C. 1 hour
- D. 15 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 232, states that soil cement sets fairly quickly and should be compacted within 30 minutes after it is mixed, using tamping foot or pneumatic-tired rollers followed by final rolling with a smooth-wheel roller.
Reference: Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 232
Sample 2 — General Knowledge
Question: You are preparing earthwork quantities for a highway job where the topsoil layer averages about 3 inches in thickness. Most specifications permit this thin organic layer to remain in place beneath an embankment only when the embankment is greater than what height?
- A. 3 ft
- B. 5 ft
- C. 4 ft
- D. 8 ft
Correct Answer: B
Per Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Chapter 3, Stripping section (p. 131): topsoil beneath fill sections must normally be stripped before embankment placement, but 'in the case of embankments greater than 5 ft in height, most specifications allow the organic material to remain if its thickness is only a few inches.'
Reference: Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Chapter 3 — Stripping section (p. 131)
Sample 3 — Safety - Code of Federal Regulations
Question: An OSHA standard that applies to your grading operation requires you to have a written employee emergency action plan. While reviewing your draft plan with the project superintendent, you check it against the minimum elements the construction standard requires. Which of the following is NOT one of those required minimum elements?
- A. Procedures for inspecting portable fire extinguishers on site
- B. Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation
- C. Rescue and medical duties for employees who perform them
- D. The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies
Correct Answer: A
Per 29 CFR 1926.35(b), the minimum elements of an employee emergency action plan are: emergency escape procedures and route assignments; procedures for employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before evacuating; procedures to account for all employees after evacuation; rescue and medical duties; the preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies; and the names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for further information. Procedures for inspecting portable fire extinguishers are not among the listed plan elements.
Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926, §1926.35(b)
Your first attempt tells you where you're starting from. After every attempt, the results page shows your score for each outline topic, so you can see what to study next. Compare your score with the real exam's passing score, 28 correct answers out of 40 scored questions, and keep going until you pass consistently.
- Answer the questions you know first, and bookmark the rest. Our practice exams let you bookmark and come back.
- Return to your bookmarks on the second pass.
- Keep a steady pace. The real exam works out to about 3 minutes per question.
- After each attempt, look up each missed question's reference and read the section.
| Questions | 40 questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 28 correct answers out of 40 scored questions |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $64 |
- Your score is given immediately after the examination on screen and on a printed official report, with a diagnostic report of strengths and weaknesses if you do not pass.
- Except for Burglar and Fire Alarm, an examination may be taken only 2 times in a 12-month period and thereafter only once in six months, and a candidate who passes an exam may not take it again.
Source: Commercial Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin, Updated 8/27/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.