PG: Professional Geologist Fundamentals of Geology Exam Practice Test
Build your confidence for PG: Professional Geologist Fundamentals of Geology Exam. Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
The Professional Geologist (PG) Fundamentals of Geology Exam is a rigorous, nationally recognized credentialing examination administered by state licensing boards under the guidance of the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG(R)). This exam serves as the cornerstone for licensure as a Professional Geologist, validating a candidate's mastery of the core scientific principles and field methods essential for the ethical and competent practice of geology. Passing the PG exam is a non-negotiable requirement for individuals seeking to offer geological services to the public, sign and seal geological reports, and oversee critical projects involving resource management, environmental protection, geotechnical engineering, and hazard mitigation. Earning the PG license signifies a commitment to the highest standards of professional practice, public health, safety, and welfare, distinguishing the holder as a qualified expert with a verified, comprehensive understanding of geological science.
Sample Questions
Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.
In a water-supply project must choose a defensible interpretation from sparse wells and seasonal hydraulic gradients, a candidate geologist must interpret a well yield declines during drought in a fractured-rock aquifer. Which conclusion or next step is best supported by the available geologic evidence?
In a transportation project crosses folded strata, jointed bedrock, and a suspected late Quaternary fault, a candidate geologist must interpret oceanic crust subducts beneath continental crust at a convergent margin. Which conclusion or next step is best supported by the available geologic evidence?
In a mineralized roadcut contains weathered sulfides, clay alteration, and hand samples collected after heavy rain, a candidate geologist must interpret a mineral has two cleavage directions near 90 degrees and green-black color. Which conclusion or next step is best supported by the available geologic evidence?
In a petrographic lab returns thin-section, XRD, and whole-rock chemistry results that do not perfectly agree, a candidate geologist must interpret sulfide grains are rimmed by iron oxides in weathered drill core. Which conclusion or next step is best supported by the available geologic evidence?
In a floodplain project must distinguish active depositional processes from relict Quaternary landforms, a candidate geologist must interpret a tidal marsh core shows peat overlying estuarine mud with rising salinity indicators. Which conclusion or next step is best supported by the available geologic evidence?
Exam insights and study advice
Achieving the Professional Geologist license is a transformative career milestone that confers legal authority, enhances professional credibility, and unlocks significant advancement opportunities. It is a prerequisite for independent practice, allowing geologists to take legal responsibility for their work, a requirement for most public-sector and consulting roles involving regulatory compliance. The PG credential is a powerful differentiator in the job market, signaling to employers, clients, and peers a validated expertise and adherence to a strict code of ethics. It is essential for career progression into senior, project management, and principal-level positions, directly impacting earning potential and establishing the holder as a recognized authority within the geosciences industry.
What this exam covers
01Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Examination
140 questions, four-hour session; weights are shares of the FG exam (2023 TAS blueprint).
Topics
- General Geology and Field Investigations (17% of FG)
- Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (12% of FG)
- Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (11% of FG)
- Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (14% of FG)
- Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology (12% of FG)
- Hydrogeology (13% of FG)
- Engineering Geology (12% of FG)
- Mineral and Energy Resources (9% of FG)
Learning objectives
- General Geology and Field Investigations (17% of FG)
- Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (12% of FG)
- Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (11% of FG)
- Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (14% of FG)
- Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology (12% of FG)
- Hydrogeology (13% of FG)
- Engineering Geology (12% of FG)
- Mineral and Energy Resources (9% of FG)
02Practice of Geology (PG) Examination
110 questions, four-hour session; weights are shares of the PG exam (2023 TAS blueprint).
Topics
- General Geology and Field Investigations (17% of PG)
- Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (5% of PG)
- Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (5% of PG)
- Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (8% of PG)
- Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology (9% of PG)
- Hydrogeology (22% of PG)
- Engineering Geology (18% of PG)
- Mineral and Energy Resources (16% of PG)
Learning objectives
- General Geology and Field Investigations (17% of PG)
- Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (5% of PG)
- Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (5% of PG)
- Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (8% of PG)
- Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology (9% of PG)
- Hydrogeology (22% of PG)
- Engineering Geology (18% of PG)
- Mineral and Energy Resources (16% of PG)