Authentic Construction Specifications Institute Certification Exam CDT Questions Answers

According to CSI and standard General Conditions (such as AIA A201 and EJCDC C-700, both referenced in CSI’s CDT materials), the contractor has a duty to review the contract documents for coordination and constructability, and if any errors, inconsistencies, or code violations are discovered, the contractor must promptly notify the architect/engineer (A/E) in writing before proceeding.

This requirement exists because:

The A/E is responsible for design compliance with codes.

The contractor must not proceed with work known to be contrary to applicable laws or regulations without clarification.

The contractor’s written notice triggers the A/E’s responsibility to issue clarification, correction, or instruction to maintain compliance.

Therefore, the proper action is Option A — Notify the architect/engineer in writing.

Why others are incorrect:

B. Proceed with the work – would expose both the contractor and owner to risk of code violation; explicitly prohibited by standard conditions.

C. Request a variance – is not the contractor’s responsibility; this rests with the owner or A/E.

D. Stop all work – not authorized unless directed; the contractor must first notify the A/E.

CSI Reference:

CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide, “Construction Phase — Communications and Responsibilities”; Construction Specifications Practice Guide, “General Conditions Responsibilities — Compliance with Codes.”

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract (CSI-aligned, paraphrased)

CSI distinguishes clearly between procurement-phase modifications and construction-phase changes:

During procurement (bidding/negotiation), the documents used for pricing and proposing work are called procurement documents (instructions to bidders, bid forms, drawings and specifications issued for bid, etc.).

If these need to be clarified, corrected, or modified before bids are received, the architect/engineer issues an addendum.

An addendum:

Is a written or graphic modification to the procurement documents issued before the execution of the contract.

Becomes part of the procurement documents and, once the contract is formed, part of the contract documents.

Must be issued to all known prospective bidders to maintain fairness and keep everyone pricing the same requirements.

By contrast:

Construction Change Directive (CCD) and Change Order are used after the contract is executed, to modify the contract documents during construction (scope, cost, or time).

An RFI response answers a bidder’s or contractor’s question, but if the answer changes the procurement/contract requirements, it must be formalized by addendum (before award) or change order/CCD (after award), not just left as an informal answer.

Therefore, the correct instrument during the bid period to modify procurement documents is:

A. Addenda

Key CSI-Related References (titles only, no links):

CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide – chapters on Procurement, Addenda, and pre-award communications.

CSI Construction Specifications Practice Guide – Division 00 discussions of Instructions to Bidders and Addenda.

CSI CDT Study Materials – definitions of Addenda vs. Change Orders vs. Construction Change Directives.

In CSI-based drawing organization, the cover sheet (sometimes called the title sheet) is the primary identification sheet of the drawing set. It typically includes:

Project name and project number

Owner’s name

Architect/engineer’s name and logo

Names of key consultants (structural, mechanical, electrical, etc.)

General project data (site address, legal description, gross area, etc.)

A location map or vicinity map

Sometimes a sheet index, code summary, and other global project information

CSI’s guidance for construction documents describes the cover sheet as the place where the project is formally identified and the major parties are listed so that anyone picking up the drawing set immediately knows what project it is, who the participants are, and where the project is located. This is exactly what the question is asking about.

Why the others are not correct in CSI’s sense:

A. Sheet index – A sheet index is usually a list of drawing sheets (by discipline and sheet number) and may be placed on the cover sheet or on a separate index sheet, but it does not normally carry the full set of project identification data, consultant names, and location map by itself.

C. General notes – General notes are used to provide global instructions or clarifications applicable to the drawings (e.g., dimensional conventions, typical construction requirements). They are not the primary location for listing the owner, A/E, consultants, or site location map.

D. Building code summary – A building code summary focuses on code-related data: occupancy classification, construction type, fire-resistance ratings, egress calculations, etc. While it may appear on the cover sheet or nearby sheets, it is not where CSI expects all of the names and general project data to be grouped.

So, per CSI’s standard organization of construction drawings and project manuals, the cover sheet is the correct answer.