MCQs on Estimating and Costing in Electrical Engineering for SSC JE | RRB JE Electrical
1. What is the primary purpose of estimating in electrical engineering?
a) To determine the exact material costb) To get an approximation of material, investment, and time
c) To complete the project faster
d) To reduce material usage
✅ Correct Answer: b) To get an approximation of material, investment, and time
2. What is the first step in estimating and costing?
a) Market surveyb) Preparation of material schedule
c) Making an estimate proforma
d) Net price calculation
✅ Correct Answer: c) Making an estimate proforma
3. What does a market survey help in?
a) Understanding consumer behaviorb) Determining the exact profit margin
c) Gathering information on material price variation
d) Estimating material wastage
✅ Correct Answer: c) Gathering information on material price variation
4. What percentage of total estimated material and labor expenses are spent on overhead charges?
a) 5-10%b) 10-15%
c) 15-20%
d) 20-25%
✅ Correct Answer: b) 10-15%
5. Which of the following is NOT a type of overhead charge?
a) Maintenance overhead chargesb) Administrative overhead charges
c) Material wastage charges
d) None of the above
✅ Correct Answer: c) Material wastage charges
2. Overhead and Labor Charges
6. Which of these methods is used to determine labor charges?
a) Electrical point methodb) Fixed percentage method
c) Market survey method
d) Both a and b
✅ Correct Answer: d) Both a and b
7. In the electrical point method, how is the labor cost calculated?
a) Based on the total material costb) By multiplying the number of points with the rate per point
c) By dividing the total project cost by labor hours
d) Based on the size of the building
✅ Correct Answer: b) By multiplying the number of points with the rate per point
8. What is contingency cost in estimating?
a) The actual labor chargesb) The final net cost of the project
c) The cost added for unforeseen expenses
d) The overhead cost
✅ Correct Answer: c) The cost added for unforeseen expenses
9. How much percentage of material and labor cost is generally considered for contingencies?
a) 1-2%b) 3-5%
c) 5-10%
d) 10-15%
✅ Correct Answer: b) 3-5%
10. Which of the following is NOT a part of the purchase system?
a) Requisitionb) Call of quotations
c) Comparative statements
d) Electrical testing
✅ Correct Answer: d) Electrical testing
11. What is a purchase requisition?
a) A request for paymentb) A document requesting the purchase of materials
c) A bill for the project
d) A contract agreement
✅ Correct Answer: b) A document requesting the purchase of materials
12. How are quotations usually called?
a) By newspaper advertisementsb) By issuing registered postal letters
c) By visiting suppliers physically
d) Both a and b
✅ Correct Answer: d) Both a and b
13. What is the purpose of a comparative statement?
a) To finalize the supplier selectionb) To compare rates and terms of supply
c) To verify market fluctuations
d) To estimate labor costs
✅ Correct Answer: b) To compare rates and terms of supply
14. What happens if a supplier violates the terms of a purchase order?
a) They are given another chanceb) The earnest money is forfeited
c) The contract is extended
d) The supplier is paid a penalty
✅ Correct Answer: b) The earnest money is forfeited
15. What is a tender?
a) An offer made by a supplier for supplying materialsb) A request for a price quotation
c) A receipt for purchased goods
d) A labor cost estimation
✅ Correct Answer: a) An offer made by a supplier for supplying materials
16. What is earnest money?
a) Security deposit for successful biddersb) A penalty amount
c) Labor charges
d) The material cost
✅ Correct Answer: a) Security deposit for successful bidders
17. What is the purpose of a tender notice?
a) To advertise job openingsb) To invite suppliers to submit bids
c) To finalize purchase orders
d) To estimate project costs
✅ Correct Answer: b) To invite suppliers to submit bids
18. Which type of wiring is the cheapest?
a) Cleat wiringb) Batten wiring
c) Conduit wiring
d) Casing-capping wiring
✅ Correct Answer: a) Cleat wiring
19. Which wiring type provides the best mechanical protection?
a) Batten wiringb) Cleat wiring
c) Conduit wiring
d) Casing-capping wiring
✅ Correct Answer: c) Conduit wiring
20. What is the disadvantage of conduit wiring?
a) Poor mechanical strengthb) High cost
c) Short lifespan
d) Difficult maintenance
✅ Correct Answer: b) High cost
21. Which wiring method is most suitable for high-rise buildings?
a) Cleat wiringb) Casing-capping wiring
c) Conduit wiring
d) Batten wiring
✅ Correct Answer: c) Conduit wiring
22. In a joint box wiring system, how are lamps connected?
a) In parallelb) In series
c) Through a common junction
d) Through a loop circuit
✅ Correct Answer: c) Through a common junction
23. Which wiring system does NOT require joint boxes?
a) Cleat wiringb) Joint box wiring system
c) Looping-in system
d) Casing-capping wiring
✅ Correct Answer: c) Looping-in system
24. What is the minimum size of copper conductor generally used?
a) 1/1.12 mmb) 2/2.24 mm
c) 3/3.36 mm
d) 4/4.48 mm
✅ Correct Answer: a) 1/1.12 mm
25. What is voltage drop?
a) Increase in voltage across a conductorb) Reduction in voltage due to resistance
c) A sudden surge in power
d) None of the above
✅ Correct Answer: b) Reduction in voltage due to resistance
26. Why is aluminum used instead of copper for wiring?
a) Better conductivityb) Lower cost
c) Higher tensile strength
d) Lighter weight
✅ Correct Answer: b) Lower cost
27. What is the primary function of an estimate in electrical projects?
a) To track expensesb) To determine project feasibility
c) To predict electrical failures
d) To calculate transformer efficiency
✅ Correct Answer: b) To determine project feasibility
28. Which factor does NOT affect the selection of wire size?
a) Current carrying capacityb) Voltage drop
c) Color of insulation
d) Type of conductor metal
✅ Correct Answer: c) Color of insulation
29. What is the purpose of preparing a material schedule?
a) To list the required materials and their costsb) To calculate total project expenses
c) To ensure suppliers follow rules
d) To compare different estimates
✅ Correct Answer: a) To list the required materials and their costs
30. What is the main advantage of looping-in wiring?
a) Requires less wireb) Does not require joint boxes
c) Cheaper labor cost
d) Requires less material
✅ Correct Answer: b) Does not require joint boxes
31. Which type of overhead charge includes depreciation costs?
a) Administrative overhead chargesb) Maintenance overhead charges
c) Fixed cost charges
d) Contingency charges
✅ Correct Answer: b) Maintenance overhead charges
32. How can labor cost be determined using the fixed percentage method?
a) A fixed percentage of material cost is taken as labor costb) Labor charges are estimated based on experience
c) Labor cost is fixed at 20% of project cost
d) By dividing the total cost by the number of laborers
✅ Correct Answer: a) A fixed percentage of material cost is taken as labor cost
33. What is the main purpose of a market survey?
a) To determine demand for productsb) To estimate the cost of materials
c) To calculate labor charges
d) To analyze voltage drop
✅ Correct Answer: b) To estimate the cost of materials
34. What is NOT included in a net price list?
a) Sale taxb) Excise duty
c) Discounted price
d) Supplier’s profit margin
✅ Correct Answer: d) Supplier’s profit margin
35. What is a key characteristic of conduit wiring?
a) Low costb) High fire resistance
c) Short lifespan
d) Not used in industrial applications
✅ Correct Answer: b) High fire resistance
36. Which wiring type allows for the easiest modifications?
a) Cleat wiringb) Conduit wiring
c) Batten wiring
d) Casing-capping wiring
✅ Correct Answer: a) Cleat wiring
37. How often is the price list updated in a market survey?
a) Monthlyb) Quarterly
c) As per market fluctuations
d) Annually
✅ Correct Answer: c) As per market fluctuations
38. What is included in a comparative statement?
a) Supplier names and ratesb) Final purchase order
c) Total project cost
d) List of available suppliers
✅ Correct Answer: a) Supplier names and rates
39. What does the term "earnest money" refer to?
a) Refundable security depositb) Additional labor cost
c) Discount given to suppliers
d) Tax deduction
✅ Correct Answer: a) Refundable security deposit
40. Why is tendering important in procurement?
a) It ensures fair competition among suppliersb) It increases the cost of the project
c) It eliminates the need for estimates
d) It allows direct purchase from one supplier
✅ Correct Answer: a) It ensures fair competition among suppliers