Besides carrying heat away from the cut, what does a cutting fluid do to the chip?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4, Cutting Fluids. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Organization and Shop Safety Practices
Cutting fluid concentrate splashes into a machinist's eye. Which section of its safety data sheet gives the first-aid measures?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1200. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Organization and Shop Safety Practices
What does the OSHA machine rule require of a machine designed for a fixed location, such as a pedestal grinder?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.212. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Organization and Shop Safety Practices
When does the Army machine shop manual allow gloves on a machinist who is operating a machine?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 1. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Organization and Shop Safety Practices
Why does the Army machine shop manual warn against cleaning a machine with plain compressed air?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 1. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Organization and Shop Safety Practices
Show all 50 questions (45 more)
Measurement and Inspection 5
A telescoping gage has no scale of its own. How is the bore size it picked up read?US Army correspondence subcourse OD1642, Precision Measuring and Gaging. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Measurement and Inspection
An inch micrometer shows the 3 on the sleeve, two more sleeve lines past it and 17 on the thimble. What is the reading?US Army correspondence subcourse OD1642, Precision Measuring and Gaging. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Measurement and Inspection; the arithmetic was worked twice
How many threads per inch does the screw of an inch micrometer have?US Army correspondence subcourse OD1642, Precision Measuring and Gaging. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Measurement and Inspection
In statistical process control, what does a control chart show?Wikipedia, Control chart. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Measurement and Inspection
What does the vernier scale on a vernier micrometer add to the reading?US Army correspondence subcourse OD1642, Precision Measuring and Gaging. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Measurement and Inspection
Metallurgical Processes and Heat Treating 3
In the SAE steel number 1045, what do the last two digits show?US Army correspondence subcourse OD1643, Metal Properties, Characteristics, Uses, and Codes. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Metallurgical Processes and Heat Treating
Which heat treatment suits a gear that needs a wear-resistant surface over a tough core?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 2, Case Hardening. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Metallurgical Processes and Heat Treating
Why is steel tempered after it has been hardened?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 2, Tempering. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Metallurgical Processes and Heat Treating
Blueprint Interpretation and Process Planning 3
A print gives a shaft diameter as 0.750 inch with a tolerance of +0.000 and -0.002. What is the smallest diameter that passes?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Blueprint Interpretation and Process Planning; the arithmetic was worked twice
A process plan drills a hole and then machine reams it to 3/4 inch. About how much stock is left in the drilled hole for the reamer?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4, Reaming. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Blueprint Interpretation and Process Planning
On a GD&T drawing, what is the rectangular box that holds the geometric symbol, the tolerance value and the datum letters?Wikipedia, Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, Tolerances. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Blueprint Interpretation and Process Planning
Layout and Benchwork 3
How far from the wheel is the tool rest of a bench grinder set?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 5, Grinding Machine Safety. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Layout and Benchwork
Two scribed lines cross at a hole center. Which tool lightly marks that point first?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4, Laying Out Hole Centers. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Layout and Benchwork
Why is layout dye brushed on a part before the lines are scribed?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 1. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Layout and Benchwork
Band Saw Machines 3
How many teeth of a band saw blade must be in contact with the work at all times?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 6. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Band Saw Machines
What does the set of the teeth on a saw blade do?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 6. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Band Saw Machines
What is the butt welder on a metal cutting band saw for?US Army correspondence subcourse OD1646, Bandsaw Operations. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Band Saw Machines
Lathes 9
A long, slender shaft springs away from the tool. Which support is fastened to the carriage and follows the cut?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
A shaft is turned down in steps to smaller and smaller diameters. To hold the same cutting speed, how must the spindle speed change?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
A taper is turned with the compound rest. Where must the cutting edge of the tool bit be set?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7, Taper Turning. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
What connects the carriage to the lead screw when a thread is cut on the lathe?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
What is true of a dead center?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
Which chuck moves its three jaws together to center round or hexagonal stock?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
Which lathe assembly is made up of the saddle, apron, cross slide, compound rest and tool post?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
Which lathe operation presses a diamond or straight-line pattern into the surface of the work?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7, Knurling on the Lathe. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
Which work holder is the most accurate way to hold small work in the lathe?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 7. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Lathes
Milling Machines 9
A keyway with closed ends must be milled in a shaft, and no hole has been drilled to start the cut. Which cutter does the job?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 8. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
Climb milling feeds the work with the rotation of the cutter. What must be taken out of the table feed first?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 8. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
How many turns of the index crank turn the spindle of a standard index head once?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 8, Indexing. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
In conventional milling, how is the work fed?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 8. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
On a knee-type milling machine, which part raises and lowers the table?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 8. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
What are parallels used for in a machine vise?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
What does a digital readout (DRO) on a manual mill show the operator?Wikipedia, Digital read out. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
What is a fly cutter?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 8. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
What is an edge finder used for on a milling machine?Wikipedia, Edge finder. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Milling Machines
Surface Grinding 3
Which bond holds the abrasive in the vast majority of grinding wheels?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 5, Bond. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Surface Grinding
Which wheel abrasive is the tougher one, suited to materials of high tensile strength?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 5, Abrasives. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Surface Grinding
Why is a grinding wheel given a ring test before it is mounted?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 5, Grinding Machine Safety. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Surface Grinding
CNC Programming, Preparation, Operations 5
A program is in G90. How are its X, Y and Z numbers read?NIST, The NIST RS274NGC Interpreter, Version 3 (NISTIR 6556, 2000). Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), CNC Programming, Preparation, Operations
On a CNC machining center, which linear axis is the spindle parallel to?NIST, The NIST RS274NGC Interpreter, Version 3 (NISTIR 6556, 2000). Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), CNC Programming, Preparation, Operations
On a CNC mill, what does G54 select?NIST, The NIST RS274NGC Interpreter, Version 3 (NISTIR 6556, 2000). Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), CNC Programming, Preparation, Operations
Which G code calls a rapid positioning move?NIST, The NIST RS274NGC Interpreter, Version 3 (NISTIR 6556, 2000). Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), CNC Programming, Preparation, Operations
Which M code stops the spindle?NIST, The NIST RS274NGC Interpreter, Version 3 (NISTIR 6556, 2000). Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), CNC Programming, Preparation, Operations
Drill Press 2
What is the usual included point angle of a general purpose twist drill?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Drill Press
Which drill press operation enlarges the top of a hole to a set depth with a square shoulder, so a bolt head can sit below the surface?US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996), chapter 4, Counterboring and Spot Facing. Written to NOCTI Precision Machining (4152), Drill Press
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competency list of the Job Ready Credential Blueprint for Precision Machining (code 4152, version 01, copyright 2016) that NOCTI publishes at https://www.nocti.org/wp-content/uploads/Blueprints/JRPrecMach4152-1.pdf , read 2026-10-13: a written assessment of 174 questions in 3 hours over eleven areas (Organization and Shop Safety Practices 10%; Measurement and Inspection 9%; Metallurgical Processes and Heat Treating 6%; Blueprint Interpretation and Process Planning 6%; Layout and Benchwork 7%; Band Saw Machines 6%; Lathes 17%; Milling Machines 17%; Surface Grinding 7%; Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programming, Preparation, Operations 10%; Drill Press 5%), plus a performance assessment of two jobs. This bank holds 50 in those proportions. Every rule and definition was read on 2026-10-13 on the public page named under its question: US Army TC 9-524, Fundamentals of Machine Tools (1996) and the Army correspondence subcourses OD1642, OD1643 and OD1646 (the copies at archive.org), The NIST RS274NGC Interpreter, Version 3 (NISTIR 6556, 2000) on nist.gov for the G and M codes, OSHA general industry standards in 29 CFR 1910 on osha.gov, and Wikipedia. Every part size, speed and reading is made up for the drill, and each computed answer is arithmetic that was worked twice. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. TC 9-524 and the OD subcourses are works of the United States Army approved for public release, and no question or example is copied from them.
How it works
Fifty questions of our own make up this free NOCTI precision machining practice test, sorted by the eleven areas of blueprint 4152. The page is unofficial: it is not affiliated with NOCTI, which has not endorsed or sponsored it.
Read the full guide
Where the 174 questions fall
Lathes and Milling Machines are 17% each of the written assessment. Organization and Shop Safety Practices and CNC are 10% each, Measurement and Inspection 9%, Layout and Benchwork and Surface Grinding 7% each, Metallurgical Processes, Blueprint Interpretation and Band Saw Machines 6% each and Drill Press 5%.
A minute a question
That is the pace of the written assessment. Kept here, these 50 questions take 52 minutes.
Two jobs this page leaves to the shop
A block of cold-rolled steel is milled to a drawing, and a second piece is turned on the lathe to a drawing, each deburred. Together the two jobs are given 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Inch micrometer: each numbered sleeve line is 0.100, each small sleeve line 0.025 and each thimble line 0.001. Add the three.
G0 is a rapid move and G1 a feed move. M3 turns the spindle clockwise and M5 stops it.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the NOCTI Precision Machining test?
174 written questions, by the blueprint for code 4152, in an administration time of 3 hours that a school may split into one, two or three sessions.
What does the NOCTI Precision Machining test cover?
Eleven written areas: shop safety, measurement and inspection, metallurgy and heat treating, blueprint interpretation, layout and benchwork, band saws, lathes, milling machines, surface grinding, CNC and the drill press.
Is this also practice for the NOCTI Teacher Precision Machining test?
Largely. The Teacher assessment, code 5176, has 140 questions in 3 hours over ten of these areas, with lathes at 23% and milling machines at 18%, and no drill press area.
Is there a hands-on part of the NOCTI Precision Machining test?
Yes. The performance assessment is two jobs scored on their own: Milling Operations, 55%, and Lathe Operations, 45%.