Brick & Block Masonry Certificate Program Reading Comprehension, Math & Construction Aptitude Test

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1 P a g e 1 Brick & Block Masonry Certificate Program Reading Comprehension, Math & Construction Aptitude Test First and Last Name: Home/Cell Phone: Part 1 of 3: Reading Comprehension While you may use resources to help you answer the questions correctly, it is highly recommended that you complete the test yourself without the aid of other people or resources. The skills you will need on this test are the same skills you will be expected to apply daily within the Brick & Block Masonry Course and throughout your career as a Mason. Please read the following passage carefully and answer the multiple choice questions following the passage. This passage was taken from the Wikipedia page describing Masonry: The passage was not created and is not owned by UT Arlington. Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone, cast stone, concrete block, glass block, stucco, tile, and cob. Masonry is generally a highly durable form of construction. However, the materials used, the quality of the mortar and workmanship, and the pattern in which the units are assembled can significantly affect the durability of the overall masonry construction. A person who constructs masonry is called a Mason, or Bricklayer. Applications Masonry is commonly used for the walls of buildings, retaining walls and buildings. Brick and concrete block are the most common types of masonry in use in industrialized nations and may be either weight-bearing or a veneer. Concrete blocks, especially those with hollow cores, offer various possibilities in masonry construction. They generally provide great compressive strength, and are best suited to structures with light transverse loading when the cores remain unfilled. Filling some or all of the cores with concrete or concrete with steel reinforcement (typically rebar) offers much greater tensile and lateral strength to structures. Advantages The use of material such as bricks and stones can increase the thermal mass of a building and can protect the building from fire. Most types of masonry typically will not require painting and so can provide a structure with reduced life-cycle costs. Masonry is a non-combustible product.

2 P a g e 2 Masonry walls are more resistant to projectiles, such as debris from hurricanes or tornadoes. Masonry structures built in compression preferably with lime mortar can have a useful life of more than 500 years as compared to 30 to 100 for structures of steel or reinforced concrete. Disadvantages Extreme weather, under certain circumstances, can cause degradation of masonry wall surfaces due to frost damage. Masonry tends to be heavy and must be built upon a strong foundation, such as reinforced concrete, to avoid settling and cracking. Other than concrete, masonry construction does not lend itself well to mechanization, and requires more skilled labor than stick-framing. Structural Limitations Masonry has high compressive strength under vertical loads but has low tensile strength (against twisting or stretching) unless reinforced. The tensile strength of masonry walls can be increased by thickening the wall, or by building masonry piers (vertical columns or ribs) at intervals. Where practical, steel reinforcements such as windposts can be added. Please answer the following questions, based on the passage outlined above. Enter the letter of your final answer in the blue box provided: 1. What is the best definition of compressive from the Structural Limitations paragraph? a. To shorten or abbreviate b. To press together, to force into less space c. To stretch apart d. To overload with too much weight 2. True or False: Extreme weather can damage and degrade masonry wall surfaces. a. True b. False 3. How can you increase the thermal mass of a building? a. Construct walls that are thicker are more dense b. By painting brick surfaces c. By building closer to the equator d. By using materials such as brick and stone 4. In masonry structures, what are the individual units bound by? a. Mortar b. Sand c. Lime d. Caulk

3 P a g e 3 5. Which of the following is NOT a common masonry material? a. Travertine b. Wood c. Glass block d. Stucco 6. What is the best definition of non-combustible from the Advantages paragraph? a. Ignitable b. Incendiary c. Fireproof d. Indestructible 7. True or False: Masonry walls are more resistance to projectiles than other common building materials. a. True b. False 8. Which of the following is NOT a common application of masonry? a. Mechanical Equipment b. Veneer c. Buildings and building walls d. Retaining walls 9. True or False: Masonry is only useful as veneer and is not weight-bearing. a. True b. False 10. What is the best definition of tensile from the Applications paragraph? a. Compression b. Twisting or stretching c. Transverse loading d. Brittleness End Reading Comprehension Section Please continue to the Math (part 2 of 3) and Construction (part 3 of 3) portions of the Aptitude test prior to submitting your test to the contact information listed at the bottom of this form.

4 P a g e 4 Brick & Block Masonry Certificate Program Reading Comprehension, Math & Construction Aptitude Test Part 2 of 3: Math Aptitude This section of the aptitude test is composed of math questions that relate to the masonry industry. Masons will often have to work with fractions, dollar amount expenses, areas, and ratios to calculate how many bricks they will need, what volume of mortar to mix, the area of a job, the cost of materials, etc. Masons must often perform calculations similar to those outlined below while in the field. Feel free to use the calculator on your phone to assist you and/or to best simulate the environment in which you may need to perform masonry calculations. The math portion of this exam was adapted from CCM County College of Morris. These questions were not created and are not owned by The University of Texas at Arlington. Please read the following math questions carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability without the aid of resources. Please show any work you perform beside the question in an organized fashion. Enter your final answer in blue the rectangle provided Note: Leave your Answer as a Fraction.

5 P a g e 5 4. Note: Leave your Answer as a Fraction Note: Leave your Answer as a Fraction. 8.

6 P a g e End Math Aptitude Section Please continue to the Construction Aptitude portion (part 3 of 3) of the Aptitude Test prior to submitting your test to the contact information listed at the bottom of this form.

7 P a g e 7 Brick & Block Masonry Certificate Program Reading Comprehension, Math & Construction Aptitude Test Part 3 of 3: Construction Aptitude The third and final portion of the aptitude test for the Brick & Block Masonry Certificate Program is the Construction Aptitude portion. This portion of the exam tests how well you will fit into the construction industry and masonry profession. Please answer these questions honestly. If you feel as though the construction environment described here does not match your interests, the masonry trade may not be the right fit for you. 1. Do you like working with your hands? Explain. 2. Do you like working outdoors? Do you mind working in severe hot or cold temperatures? Do you mind working in inclement weather such as rain? Explain. 3. Do you mind being sweaty or tired? Explain.

8 P a g e 8 4. Have your ever performed manual labor? Explain. 5. Are you willing to learn safety information to protect yourself and others? Explain. 6. Describe a situation in which you had to communicate effectively with a large group of people. 7. Can you lift up to 50 lbs? Can you lift heavy weight repeatedly? Explain.

9 P a g e 9 8. Will you be able to bend, kneel, stoop down and demonstrate manual dexterity on a frequent basis? Are you able to work on your knees for long periods of time? Explain. 9. How do you see your career progressing as a mason? Explain. 10. What do you think will be the greatest challenge you face in the Brick & Block Masonry Certificate course? End Construction Aptitude Section End Aptitude Test Thank you for taking the time to complete the aptitude test for the Brick & Block Masonry Certificate Program. Please submit your completed aptitude test, along with your Student Registration Form (found on the Trade Education Center Homepage), to the contact information listed at the bottom of this form. Once your aptitude test and student registration form are received, you will be contacted concerning whether or not you passed the aptitude test for the course and are eligible to enroll/pay for the course.