ACI Field Testing I exam-day guide
ACI Field Testing I · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired photo ID. Acceptable forms and name-matching requirements vary by provider, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Registration or admission confirmation
Bring the confirmation email, admission letter, or registration number the provider issued. Save a digital copy as backup.
Non-programmable calculator
Bring a basic calculator for written-exam calculations. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are permitted and what types are allowed.
No. 2 pencils, eraser, and pen
Pack several sharpened pencils and a good eraser for the written exam, plus a pen for any sign-in forms.
Personal protective equipment
Bring a hard hat, safety glasses, work gloves, and safety-toe boots. Check the provider’s PPE requirements because site rules may add items.
Work clothes suitable for concrete field testing
Wear clothes that can get wet, dusty, or stained. Avoid loose sleeves or jewelry that could catch on equipment.
Watch or timer
A wristwatch or standalone timer is useful for timed steps. Confirm with the provider whether phone timers are allowed in the testing area.
Directions, parking, and arrival information
Confirm the exact testing location, parking options, and reporting time with the provider. Plan a backup route.
Water and a light snack
Bring water and a snack for breaks. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting area.
Review plan for ASTM procedures and calculations
Do a final review of sampling, slump, air content, unit weight, temperature, and cylinder fabrication steps. Do not bring unauthorized notes into the exam room.
Plan the day
Confirm your registration status, exam location, reporting time, and required PPE with the provider. Resolve any discrepancy immediately.
Review the ASTM test methods and your ACI workbook. Practice the sequence for slump, air content, unit weight, temperature, and cylinder making, including required timing and acceptance criteria.
Inspect your PPE and work clothes. Replace damaged safety glasses, worn gloves, or boots that do not meet the provider’s requirements.
Plan travel, parking, and a backup route. Confirm whether you need cash or a card for parking.
Pack your bag: ID, registration confirmation, pencils, eraser, pen, calculator, PPE, work clothes, watch, water, and snack.
Re-read key calculation steps and acceptance criteria. Avoid cramming new material; focus on procedures you already know.
Set two alarms, check the weather, and confirm your departure time. Aim to arrive early rather than on time.
Get a full night’s sleep and avoid alcohol. Fatigue hurts both written-exam focus and hands-on performance.
Eat breakfast and hydrate. Bring water for breaks if permitted.
Arrive at the site early, allowing time for check-in, ID verification, and storing personal belongings as directed.
Present your ID and confirmation, listen to the examiner’s instructions, and ask where to wait and what to do if you need a restroom break.
For the written exam, answer the questions you know first, mark uncertain items, and return to them if time allows. Keep track of time.
For the performance exam, follow the examiner’s directions, use the required PPE, and perform each step in the correct order. If a procedural instruction is unclear, ask the examiner whether clarification is allowed before proceeding.
Record and report results as required, clean equipment between tests if directed, and do not discuss exam content with other candidates during breaks.
Rules to check
Bring a government-issued photo ID. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are acceptable and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the written or performance exam. Follow the examiner’s instructions about where to stand, what to touch, and when to speak.
Electronic devices: confirm the provider’s policy before exam day. Unless told otherwise, silence and store phones and smartwatches out of reach during testing.
Breaks: confirm the break policy with the provider. Do not leave the testing area during a timed section without the examiner’s permission.
Scoring: written and performance portions may both require a passing result. Confirm the passing score, retest policy, and score-report timing with the provider.
Reference materials: confirm what, if anything, may be brought into the exam. Do not rely on notes, handwritten charts, or phone references unless the provider explicitly permits them.
Safety and conduct: wear the required PPE, use equipment as directed, report hazards immediately, and stop work if the examiner calls a halt.
Integrity: no cheating, no sharing answers, and no photographing exam materials. Follow all provider rules; unclear situations should be resolved by asking the examiner before acting.