CFB Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CFB facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which soil amendment is most commonly added to improve drainage in a native-soil athletic field construction project? → Coarse sand
2. What is the primary purpose of a rootzone drainage layer in a sand-based athletic field? → To allow rapid percolation of water away from the playing surface
3. During field construction, what does 'cut and fill' refer to? → Moving soil from high areas (cut) to low areas (fill) to achieve design grade
4. What is the importance of continuing education for CFB professionals in Blueprint Reading & Interpretation? → Maintaining current knowledge and adapting to industry changes
5. Which test is used to verify the in-place compressive strength of existing concrete without extracting cores? → Schmidt (rebound) hammer test per ASTM C805
6. What is the importance of continuing education for CFB professionals in Materials Selection? → Maintaining current knowledge and adapting to industry changes
7. What is the minimum safe approach distance for an unqualified worker near an energized overhead power line operating at 50 kV? → 10 feet
8. When orienting a baseball or softball field, which direction should the pitcher's mound face to minimize sun glare for batters? → Northeast
9. Which method is commonly used to ensure proper field leveling? → Laser grading
10. What is the purpose of a pre-installation conference for a critical building component? → To review installation requirements and coordinate all parties before work begins
11. Which organization publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC)? → NFPA
12. What is 'escalation' in the context of construction cost estimating? → An adjustment for anticipated increases in material and labor costs over time
13. When using the square-foot method to estimate building costs, which variable is most critical to accuracy? → Selecting a comparable building type and quality class
14. What does the term 'competent person' mean in the context of OSHA excavation standards? → Someone capable of identifying hazards and authorized to take corrective action
15. A field crew is working in a permit-required confined space. When must the entry permit be terminated? → When the job is completed or a hazardous condition arises
16. During field operations, an activity is marked 'out-of-sequence' in the schedule. What does this mean? → Work has started or finished without the predecessor being completed as planned
17. When constructing a baseball infield skin, which material is most commonly used for the warning track? → Decomposed granite or crushed brick
18. What safety check must be performed before operating a riding mower on an athletic field with installed irrigation heads? → Confirm all irrigation heads are fully retracted below the cutting height
19. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ICC A117.1, what is the maximum slope for an accessible ramp? → 1:12
20. What is the primary agronomic benefit of a regular topdressing program on a natural grass sports field? → Gradual modification of the root zone profile and smoothing of the surface
21. The 'R-value' of insulation in building codes refers to: → Thermal resistance to heat flow
22. In a post-season turf recovery plan, which practice should be performed FIRST before overseeding bare areas? → Aerify or verticut to reduce compaction and improve seed-to-soil contact
23. What is scope creep in CFB project management? → Uncontrolled scope expansion without adjusting time, cost, or resources
24. What is the recommended minimum slope for surface drainage on a natural grass athletic field? → 1.0%
25. Why is regular aeration important for natural turf fields? → To enhance root development and water absorption
26. Which material property should a field builder prioritize when selecting drainage pipe for a subsurface field drainage system? → Crush strength and flow capacity
27. What is the purpose of a 'general notes' section on a construction drawing sheet? → To provide project-wide instructions and requirements that apply throughout the drawings
28. What is the primary reason to avoid operating heavy equipment on a natural grass athletic field when the soil is saturated? → Saturated soil compacts easily under load, causing long-term drainage and rootzone damage
29. Which type of site meeting is typically held at the beginning of each workday to coordinate tasks and address safety? → Toolbox talk
30. What is evidence-based practice in CFB Blueprint Reading & Interpretation? → Integrating research evidence with expertise and client needs