CPC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What is the role of labor costs in construction estimating? → To account for wages, productivity, and hours worked
2. Which concrete curing method involves covering freshly placed concrete with wet burlap or curing blankets? → Wet curing
3. Why is personal protective equipment (PPE) important in construction? → To reduce construction costs
4. What is the role of a project manager in cost control? → To ensure costs are tracked, managed, and adjusted
5. In steel construction, what does the term 'camber' refer to? → Intentional upward curvature built into a beam
6. What is the purpose of a 'shoring' system in below-grade construction? → Temporarily support loads above while permanent structure is built below
7. A 'load moment indicator' (LMI) on a mobile crane is designed to: → Warn the operator when the load approaches or exceeds the crane's rated capacity
8. How is 'overhead' typically allocated to individual construction projects in job costing? → Distributed as a percentage of direct labor costs, revenue, or total direct costs
9. What is quality control in construction? → To ensure work meets quality standards
10. How does a project manager ensure the project is completed on time? → By focusing on quality
11. Which method of project delivery places design and construction responsibility under a single contract with one entity? → Design-Build (DB)
12. What is the primary purpose of 'knee bracing' in a falsework (shoring) tower? → Provide diagonal lateral stability to resist horizontal forces and racking
13. What is the standard slump range for normal structural concrete used in columns and walls? → 2–4 inches
14. What is the purpose of a 'turbidity curtain' installed in a waterway adjacent to a construction project? → Contain suspended sediment within a defined area to protect water quality
15. What is the role of a project manager in risk management? → To identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks
16. What does the Energy Star program rating indicate for a building? → The building performs in the top 25% of similar buildings for energy efficiency
17. What is a performance bond? → A bond for labor costs
18. Which type of pile is most suitable for soils with obstructions or boulders that prevent driven piles from reaching bearing strata? → Auger-cast (ACIP) pile
19. What factors should be considered when estimating construction costs? → Labor, materials, equipment, overhead, and contingency
20. What are the main phases of a construction project? → Design, construction, evaluation
21. What does a penetration resistance (N-value) from a Standard Penetration Test (SPT) primarily indicate? → Relative density and consistency of in-situ soil
22. What is the purpose of a 'hiring hall' in union construction? → A union-operated system for dispatching workers to jobs using established priority rules
23. What does the water-cement (w/c) ratio primarily control in a concrete mix design? → Strength and durability
24. What is a change order in construction contracts? → A change in the project budget
25. What is the primary goal of an 'Environmental Management System (EMS)' on a large construction project? → Systematically identify, manage, and reduce environmental impacts throughout the project
26. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), construction employers are required to: → Provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities
27. Which accessibility code standard provides the technical specifications that states and local governments adopt for accessible construction? → ADA Standards for Accessible Design (based on ICC/ANSI A117.1)
28. What is the primary hazard of using a rough-terrain forklift on a sloped surface? → Lateral tipover due to a shifted center of gravity on the slope
29. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which category of employee is typically exempt from overtime pay requirements? → Bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employees
30. What is the role of insurance in construction contracts? → To protect against damage, injury, or delays