Free MA Hoist
← Back to PlanAll lessons (2A/1C)

Practice Exam 1 – Mixed Content

2 hours

Learning Objectives

  • •Apply regulatory, equipment, and safety knowledge to scenario-based questions
  • •Recall the critical numbers tested across both 2A and 1C content
  • •Identify the correct answer when competing options appear plausible
  • •Practice time management and process-of-elimination strategies

Topics Covered

  • •Scenario-based questions combining regulation, equipment, and safety
  • •Critical numbers to memorize: 70% passing, 60-day retest wait, $75 fee per class, age 18, 2-year license
  • •Excavation numbers: 5 ft protective system, 4 ft egress, 25 ft to egress, 2 ft spoil setback
  • •Clearance numbers: 10 ft from overhead lines (excavator); 20 ft (boom truck crane)
  • •Load chart and outrigger fundamentals for 1C equipment
  • •Time management and reading "and" vs. "or" / "always" vs. "unless" carefully

Resources

Practice Exam 1 — Critical Numbers & Strategy Reference

reference

Required
View →

MA Hoisting Licensing & Exams (mass.gov)

reference

Self-Check Questions

Question 1: You are about to excavate near a utility pole. When must utilities be located before you dig?

  1. A. Only if you plan to dig within 10 feet of the pole
  2. B. Always — call 811 (Dig Safe) and wait for markings before any ground disturbance(correct)
  3. C. Only if the pole appears to be in your swing radius
  4. D. Never; it is solely the site supervisor's job
Show Explanation

Explanation:

Massachusetts law requires calling 811 (Dig Safe) before any excavation. Utilities must be located and marked before digging begins — there is no minimum-distance exception. Failure to call can cause fines, liability, and fatalities from struck utilities.

Question 2: A hydraulic hose on your loader-backhoe is weeping (small drips) from a connection. Can you operate the machine?

  1. A. Yes, if the leakage is minimal
  2. B. No — any active leak is a defect that requires removal from service(correct)
  3. C. Yes, but only for brief operations
  4. D. Yes, if you monitor it closely
Show Explanation

Explanation:

Any active hydraulic leak is a defect requiring removal from service. A weeping connection can worsen suddenly, leading to loss of hydraulic power, high-pressure spray, or loss of control. Tag the machine out until repaired.

Question 3: A boom truck load chart shows 5,000 lbs capacity at 30 ft radius. Your rigging weighs 400 lbs. What is the maximum net load you can lift on the hook?

  1. A. 5,400 lbs — rigging weight is additive
  2. B. 5,000 lbs — rigging weight does not count
  3. C. 4,600 lbs — rated capacity minus rigging weight(correct)
  4. D. 4,500 lbs — apply a 10% safety deduction
Show Explanation

Explanation:

Rated capacity is the TOTAL suspended load. Subtract all rigging weight (400 lbs) from the chart capacity (5,000 lbs) to get the maximum net hook load: 4,600 lbs. Never add rigging weight on top of rated capacity.

Question 4: On a 40-question MA hoisting exam with a 70% passing score, what is the minimum number of correct answers needed to pass?

  1. A. 24 correct
  2. B. 26 correct
  3. C. 28 correct(correct)
  4. D. 30 correct
Show Explanation

Explanation:

70% of 40 questions = 28 correct answers needed to pass. Getting 27 or fewer means you score below 70% and must wait 60 days before retesting.

Question 5: You are digging a trench that reaches 5 feet deep in Type C soil. What does OSHA Subpart P require?

  1. A. No protection is required if no worker enters the trench
  2. B. A protective system (sloping at 1½:1, shoring, or a shield) is required(correct)
  3. C. Protection is required only above 6 feet
  4. D. A competent person can waive protection in Type C soil
Show Explanation

Explanation:

At 5 feet or deeper, a protective system is always required regardless of soil type. Type C — the least stable — requires the most aggressive protection: sloping at 1½:1 (34°), a manufacturer-rated shield, or engineered shoring.

Question 6: Your renewed 2A/1C license is issued by OPSI today. When can you legally operate hoisting equipment again?

  1. A. After a 30-day waiting period
  2. B. After a 60-day waiting period
  3. C. Immediately — there is no waiting period for a renewal(correct)
  4. D. Only after a new practical exam
Show Explanation

Explanation:

Once your renewed license is issued by OPSI, you are legal to operate immediately — there is no waiting period for a renewal. The 60-day wait applies only after a FAILED exam attempt, which is a different situation.

In-depth reference for this session →

A deeper, regulation-by-regulation companion page for this lesson.

← Browse all 2A/1C lessons and reference pages