- Written exam is open-book, two hours, ~100 multiple-choice questions on ACI-approved references.
- You need 60% on each required standard and 70% overall to pass the written component.
- The performance exam is closed-book; every required procedure must be completed successfully.
- Both written and performance components must be passed within one year of each other.
What This Cheat Sheet Covers
This is a one-page-style review for candidates preparing for Aggregate Testing Technician-Level 1, administered under the American Concrete Institute's program materials abbreviation ATT1 and referenced on this site by its retained key, ACI-AGGREGATE-L1. If you've already worked through a full ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 study guide or reviewed the exam domains guide, treat this page as the condensed version you skim the night before test day - dates, numbers, formats, and domain names in one place.
Nothing here is generic exam-prep filler. Every fact below ties directly to the way ACI structures this specific certification: who can sit for it, what the written and performance components actually test, how fees and retests work, and which eight standards define the content.
Exam Format at a Glance
There are two components, and they are graded and scheduled differently.
A detail candidates frequently misread: the 30-minute limit applies per performance calculation worksheet, not to the entire performance examination as a whole. Budget your time on each worksheet individually rather than trying to bank time across the whole session.
The Eight Domains, One Line Each
The eight domain entries are the official paired AASHTO/ASTM standard areas that structure both the written questions and the performance procedures. For a full breakdown of what each one demands, see the complete domains guide - but here's the condensed list for quick review.
Domain 1: AASHTO R 90/ASTM D75 - Sampling of Aggregates
Governs how field and stockpile samples must be taken so lab results represent the material accurately.
- Sampling location, method, and container requirements
Domain 2: AASHTO R 76/ASTM C702 - Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
Covers splitting large field samples down to a representative test-size portion without bias.
- Mechanical splitter and quartering techniques
Domain 3: AASHTO T 11/ASTM C117 - Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve by Washing
Tests the washing procedure used to determine fine material content that dry sieving alone would miss.
- Washing sequence and mass-loss calculation
Domain 4: AASHTO T 27/ASTM C136 - Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
The core gradation test; expect questions on sieve stacking, shaking duration, and percent-passing math.
- Cumulative retained vs. percent passing calculations
Domain 5: AASHTO T 85/ASTM C127 - Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
Covers saturated surface-dry (SSD) procedures and the bulk, apparent, and absorption calculations for coarse material.
- SSD condition judgment and formula application
Domain 6: AASHTO T 84/ASTM C128 - Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
The fine-aggregate counterpart to Domain 5, including the cone-and-tamp SSD check unique to fine material.
- Pycnometer method and moisture correction
Domain 7: AASHTO T 255/ASTM C566 - Total Evaporable Moisture Content by Drying
Tests understanding of drying-to-constant-mass procedures and moisture percentage calculations.
- Field moisture correction applications
Domain 8: AASHTO T 21/ASTM C40 - Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
Covers the colorimetric comparison procedure used to flag organic contamination in fine aggregate.
- Standard color plate/solution comparison
Key Takeaway
Every domain pairs one AASHTO and one ASTM standard number - memorize both sides of each pair, since questions may reference either designation.
Registration, Fees, and Retest Mechanics
Understanding cost structure matters because retest fees are separate from full certification fees, and the workbook is typically priced on its own. For the full breakdown, see ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Certification Cost 2026.
The program workbook is CP-44, eighth edition, and it includes the AASHTO standards rather than the ASTM texts - a detail worth noting if you're assembling your own reference binder for the open-book written exam. ACI's own listing price for the workbook is $138 for non-members and $72 for members, as checked September 10, 2026.
As one dated, sponsor-specific example: Central Texas ACI's September 12, 2026 session in Pflugerville listed $675 for full certification, $475 for a written-only retest, and $525 for a performance-only retest, with the workbook priced separately. These numbers belong to that particular sponsoring group's session and won't match every location - always confirm current pricing with your own sponsoring group before budgeting. For scheduling logistics generally, see ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Exam Dates 2026.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full certification (example session) | $675 (Central Texas ACI, Sept 12, 2026) |
| Written retest (example session) | $475 |
| Performance retest (example session) | $525 |
| CP-44 workbook, non-member | $138 (checked Sept 10, 2026) |
| CP-44 workbook, member | $72 (checked Sept 10, 2026) |
Calculator and Reference Material Rules
Two rules trip up candidates who assume this exam works like other standardized tests:
- Calculators: Approved simple-function, nonprogrammable calculators are permitted. Mobile phones cannot be used as calculators, even in calculator mode, so bring a dedicated device.
- References: The written exam is open-book, but only ACI-approved references are allowed - this typically means your CP-44 workbook and the standards it contains, not outside notes or unauthorized printouts.
Passing Score Math You Must Remember
The written passing standard has two layers, and missing either one fails the exam even if your overall score looks fine on paper:
- At least 60% on each required standard (i.e., each of the eight domain areas individually)
- At least 70% overall across the full written exam
This means you can't coast through one weak domain and make up the difference elsewhere - a candidate strong in sieve analysis and moisture content but weak in organic impurities could still fail on the 60% domain floor. For a deeper walkthrough of exactly how this scoring works, see ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Passing Score 2026. If you're still deciding how much prep time this format demands, How Hard Is the ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Exam? lays out the difficulty picture in more detail.
The One-Year Clock Between Components
Both the written and performance components must be passed within one year of each other. If one component is passed and the other is failed, only the failed component needs to be retested - but that retest covers the entire failed component, not just the parts you missed.
Domains 1-2: Sampling & Reduction
- Master AASHTO R 90/ASTM D75 sampling protocol
- Drill AASHTO R 76/ASTM C702 splitting and quartering methods
Domains 3-4: Washing & Sieve Analysis
- Practice AASHTO T 11/ASTM C117 mass-loss calculations
- Run full gradation problems from AASHTO T 27/ASTM C136
Domains 5-6: Specific Gravity & Absorption
- Compare coarse vs. fine SSD procedures side by side
- Rehearse the pycnometer method for fine aggregate
Domains 7-8 + Full Mock Runs
- Finish moisture content and organic impurities review
- Time yourself on a full 100-question written mock and a mock performance worksheet under the 30-minute cap
Pacing this way spaces spaced-repetition review across the exact eight domains rather than a generic weekly template - each block maps to a real AASHTO/ASTM pairing you'll be tested on. For a more granular breakdown of how to sequence prep around requirements and eligibility, check ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Requirements 2026.
Renewal After Five Years
Certification lasts five years. Renewal is not a paperwork-only process - it requires retaking both the written and performance examinations again, using the same standards in effect at that time. Treat your five-year window as a countdown to a full re-certification exam, not a light refresher course.
Key Takeaway
Because renewal repeats both exam components, keeping your practical technique sharp between certifications (not just written recall) pays off when the five-year mark arrives.
ACI's own program governance also matters for context: Policy CPP 620.3-25 was revised May 16, 2025, and the underlying job-task analysis was approved September 21, 2020, with editorial corrections made October 19, 2021. These documents define the domain structure and testing requirements described throughout this cheat sheet.
Quick Reference Table
| Category | Fact |
|---|---|
| Certifying body | American Concrete Institute (program abbreviation ATT1) |
| Prerequisites | None - no education or work-experience requirement |
| Written exam format | Open-book, ACI-approved references, 2 hours, ~100 multiple-choice questions |
| Written passing score | 60% per required standard AND 70% overall |
| Performance exam format | Closed-book; all required procedures must be completed successfully |
| Component window | Both components must be passed within one year |
| Calculators | Simple-function, nonprogrammable only; mobile devices not allowed as calculators |
| Performance worksheet time limit | 30 minutes per worksheet (not the whole exam) |
| Workbook | CP-44, 8th edition (includes AASHTO standards, not ASTM texts) |
| Certification validity | 5 years; renewal requires both written and performance exams |
If you want to dig further into any single line item, the ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Certification overview and the What Is ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Certification? explainer both expand on how these pieces fit together. And once you're ready to test your recall against realistic questions, our practice test platform lets you drill each domain individually before combining them into full-length mock exams.
FAQ
No. There are no specific education or work-experience prerequisites for this certification - anyone can register through an approved sponsoring group.
No. Only approved simple-function, nonprogrammable calculators are permitted. Mobile devices cannot be used as calculators, even in a calculator app mode.
No. You only retake the failed component, but that retest covers the entire component - not just the specific procedures you missed. You still must pass both within the one-year window.
No. CP-44, eighth edition, includes the AASHTO standards rather than the ASTM texts, so plan your reference materials accordingly for the open-book written exam.
Five years. Renewal requires passing both the written and performance examinations again, not just an administrative fee or short refresher.
For a broader look at how this credential fits into hiring and career paths, browse ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Jobs, ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Salary Guide 2026, and Is the ACI-AGGREGATE-L1 Certification Worth It?. When you're ready to move from review sheet to real practice, start a practice test covering all eight domains listed above.