NGWA Certified Well Driller Examination Practice Test
Build your confidence for NGWA Certified Well Driller Examination. Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
NGWA certification for well drillers covering hydrogeology, well construction, drilling techniques, pump installation, and water quality testing. Administered by National Ground Water Association. Key domains include Exam A/B: Cable tool drilling, Exam C/D: Air rotary drilling, Exam E/F: Mud rotary drilling and Exam G: Reverse circulation drilling.
Sample Questions
Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.
The target aquifer is a 12-ft sand lens with clay above and below. Where should the screen be placed?
The owner wants a 5 hp submersible pump but the proposed casing barely clears the pump outside diameter. What should control final casing diameter?
A state requires a permit before drilling and a completion report with lithology, casing, grout, and yield data after construction. What is the correct professional response?
The casing lies against one side of the borehole in a crooked interval before grouting. Which correction improves seal quality?
At 74 ft, fine sand begins flowing into the borehole each time the bit is raised, and the static water level is near grade. Which action best controls the hazard?
Exam insights and study advice
Properly constructed and maintained wells are fundamental to safeguarding groundwater quality and ensuring a reliable water supply for millions of people. This certification matters because it directly translates to protecting public health and vital water resources. Certified drillers help prevent aquifer contamination, ensure well longevity and efficiency, and reduce long-term costs for well owners. In practical terms, holding this credential can enhance professional credibility, meet regulatory or contractual requirements in many jurisdictions, and distinguish a business in a competitive market by demonstrating a verified commitment to excellence and environmental stewardship.
What this exam covers
01Exam A/B: Cable tool drilling
Focuses on the specific techniques, mechanical equipment operation, maintenance routines, and safety procedures used in traditional cable tool drilling operations for water well installation projects within the drilling industry for candidates.
02Exam C/D: Air rotary drilling
Addresses the mechanics, operational parameters, direct air usage, drilling fluids management, and necessary safety measures required for successful and stable air rotary drilling rig operations in various geological formations across projects.
03Exam E/F: Mud rotary drilling
Covers fluid circulation systems, mud property management, equipment operations, and precise well completion procedures that are specific to mud rotary drilling methods and challenging formations encountered during water well projects today.
04Exam G: Reverse circulation drilling
Examines large-diameter well construction techniques using reverse circulation drilling methods, standard pump setups, and formation sampling procedures required for industrial and municipal water projects managed by professional well drillers nationwide.
05Exam H: Jetting and driving wells
Focuses on the distinct procedures involved in jetting and driving shallow wells for effective water extraction, including driving well points and installing small-diameter water systems safely and efficiently across various field sites.
06Exam M: Augering and monitoring
Involves augering methods and the installation of monitoring wells for environmental, hydrogeological, and geological assessments, ensuring accurate site sampling preparation and regulatory compliance for all professional drilling operations.
07General drilling exam
This initial domain covers fundamental principles, general industry practices, site preparation steps, and basic water well construction methods that remain applicable across the entire drilling sector for all candidates preparing for certification.