CME Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CME facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which scheduling technique is specifically designed to manage resource conflicts by adjusting activity start dates within available float? → Resource leveling
2. Which of the following is a renewable energy source? → Solar power
3. What is the primary purpose of a traffic impact analysis (TIA) in urban development? → To evaluate the effect of proposed development on surrounding transportation networks
4. Which sustainability rating system is most commonly used in the United States for evaluating green building design and construction? → LEED
5. What is the purpose of a sanitary sewer system's lift (pump) station? → Pump wastewater to a higher elevation when gravity flow is not feasible
6. A storm hydrograph depicts the relationship between: → Discharge rate (flow) over time at a specific point in a watershed
7. Which pavement design method is most widely used for flexible pavement in US municipal streets? → AASHTO pavement design method
8. What is the purpose of 'retainage' in public construction contracts? → A percentage of progress payments withheld to ensure contract completion and quality
9. Which pipe material is most commonly specified for new gravity sanitary sewer mains in urban areas due to its corrosion resistance? → PVC
10. Which greenhouse gas has the highest 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) relative to CO₂? → Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)
11. Which type of intersection control is most appropriate for low-volume, low-speed urban intersections to reduce severe right-angle crashes? → Single-lane roundabout
12. In a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule, 'float' or 'slack' refers to: → The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying project completion
13. In the context of urban water distribution, what is a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) used for? → Lowering downstream pressure to protect pipes and fixtures
14. What is the minimum residual chlorine level (free chlorine) EPA recommends maintaining throughout a distribution system? → 0.2 mg/L
15. Under the Clean Water Act Section 402, which permit program regulates point source discharges of pollutants into navigable waters? → NPDES
16. What is the function of a pressure reducing valve (PRV) in a water distribution system? → Reduce higher upstream pressure to a lower, controlled downstream pressure
17. What is biological nutrient removal (BNR) designed to eliminate from wastewater effluent? → Nitrogen and phosphorus that cause eutrophication
18. A sediment basin on a construction site is designed primarily to: → Allow sediment to settle out of stormwater runoff before it is discharged off-site
19. In traffic engineering, what does a 'warrant analysis' determine? → Whether a traffic signal or other control is justified at an intersection
20. What is a roundabout's primary safety advantage over a signalized intersection? → Elimination of high-speed right-angle and head-on conflicts
21. Why are public hearings held during code revisions? → To gather feedback and ensure transparency
22. Which stormwater quality indicator is most directly used to assess potential human health risk from recreational contact with urban runoff? → Fecal coliform or E. coli concentration
23. What does ACI 318 govern in the context of municipal construction? → Design and construction of reinforced concrete structures
24. Which tool is used to visualize city infrastructure layers? → Geographic Information System (GIS)
25. Why is life-cycle assessment (LCA) important? → To assess environmental impact over a product's life
26. A municipal engineer is designing a stormwater retention pond. Which pollutant removal mechanism is LEAST effective in a wet retention pond? → Volatilization of heavy metals
27. Which project delivery method transfers the most design and construction risk to the private sector? → Public-Private Partnership (P3)
28. What is the primary concern with combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in older US cities? → Discharge of untreated sewage and stormwater to waterways during rain events
29. Why is stakeholder engagement important in public works planning? → To build community support and transparency
30. In urban drainage design, what does the Manning's n coefficient represent? → Channel roughness affecting flow velocity