Free Advanced Portion Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Advanced Portion practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A low bidder on a Virginia public construction contract is permitted to withdraw its bid because of an eligible clerical mistake. How is the low bid then determined?

   1. A. The lowest remaining bid is deemed the low bid
   2. B. The public body must reject every bid
   3. C. The withdrawn bid remains the low bid
   4. D. The contract must be awarded by lot

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Virginia Public Procurement Act states that after a permitted withdrawal, "the lowest remaining bid shall be deemed to be the low bid."

   Reference: Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 43. Virginia Public Procurement Act — § 2.2-4330(E)

2. 2On a Virginia public construction contract, what percentage of earned progress normally must be paid when the public body uses the maximum statutory retainage?

   1. A. At least 95 percent
   2. B. At least 90 percent
   3. C. At least 85 percent
   4. D. Exactly 100 percent

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Virginia law requires the contractor to be paid "at least ninety-five percent of the earned sum" when payment is due.

   Reference: Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 43. Virginia Public Procurement Act — § 2.2-4333(A)

3. 3Who must maintain the detailed alteration record required when a Virginia annual construction permit is used?

   1. A. The annual permit holder
   2. B. The permit applicant
   3. C. The building official
   4. D. The local fire code official

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 110.2 assigns this duty directly: "The annual permit holder shall maintain a detailed record of all alterations made under the annual permit." The other options are real project-administration actors but are not assigned this record.

   Reference: Documents Incorporated by Reference (13VAC5-63) — 13VAC5-63-100, Section 110.2

4. 4A covered Virginia public construction contract requires performance and payment bonds. In what amount must each bond generally be?

   1. A. The contract amount
   2. B. Five percent of the contract amount
   3. C. The retained amount only
   4. D. A flat $50,000

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Act requires "A performance bond in the sum of the contract amount" and "A payment bond in the sum of the contract amount."

   Reference: Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 43. Virginia Public Procurement Act — § 2.2-4337(A)(1)-(2)

5. 5Who must train each employee who performs work while on a scaffold under OSHA's construction guidance?

   1. A. A person qualified to recognize the scaffold hazards
   2. B. Only an OSHA compliance officer
   3. C. The project owner regardless of qualifications
   4. D. The bond surety's claims representative

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OSHA's digest says each employee who "performs work on a scaffold shall be trained by a person qualified to recognize the hazards."

   Reference: Osha Construction Digest — Construction Industry Digest, Scaffolds, employee training

6. 6For an employee covered by Virginia Code § 40.1-29.3, what rate is owed for covered hours worked over 40 in one workweek?

   1. A. At least one and one-half times the regular rate
   2. B. The regular rate with no premium
   3. C. Exactly twice the regular rate
   4. D. One and one-quarter times the minimum wage

   Answer: A

   Explanation: For an employee within the provision's coverage, Virginia law requires "one and one-half times the employee's regular rate" for covered overtime hours. The time-and-one-half rule is national-common labor knowledge rather than a Virginia-unique rule.

   Reference: Code of Virginia — § 40.1-29.3(A)

7. 7Which item is excluded from assets when Virginia calculates a contractor applicant's regulatory net worth?

   1. A. Property owned as tenants by the entirety
   2. B. Net accounts receivable
   3. C. Business inventory
   4. D. Prepaid business expenses

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The definition states that "Assets do not include any property owned as tenants by the entirety." The other choices are genuine asset categories on the Board's financial statement.

   Reference: Forms (18VAC50-22) — 18VAC50-22-10, Net worth

8. 8What is the employer share of the Social Security tax rate stated in IRS Publication 15 for 2026?

   1. A. 6.2 percent
   2. B. 1.45 percent
   3. C. 0.6 percent
   4. D. 12.4 percent

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Publication 15 says the 2026 "social security tax rate is 6.2%" for each side, so the employer share is 6.2 percent.

   Reference: 2026 Publication 15 — 2026 Publication 15, Section 9, tax rates

9. 9Under Virginia's mechanics' lien statute, may a lien memorandum include amounts for labor or materials furnished more than 150 days before the last day the claimant performed or supplied on the job?

   1. A. No, those older amounts may not be included
   2. B. Yes, all amounts are included without a time limit
   3. C. Yes, but only if the claimant is unlicensed
   4. D. No, unless the project is public

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The memorandum may not reach labor or materials furnished "more than 150 days prior to the last day" the claimant performed or supplied on the job.

   Reference: Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 1. Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens — § 43-4

10. 10After withdrawing a mistaken bid under Virginia's public-procurement statute, may that bidder supply labor or materials to the awarded project?

    1. A. No, the bidder may not supply labor or materials for compensation
    2. B. Yes, without restriction
    3. C. Yes, but only as the prime contractor
    4. D. Yes, if its withdrawn price was the lowest

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The statute bars a withdrawing bidder from providing "for compensation, supply any material or labor" to the awardee, among other prohibited benefits.

    Reference: Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 43. Virginia Public Procurement Act — § 2.2-4330(F)