Top 20 Civil Engineering Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers (2025 Guide)

Mudessar Afraz

Fri, 22 Aug 2025

Top Civil Engineering Interview Questions and Answers

1. What are the main duties of a civil site engineer?

Answer: Supervising site activities, ensuring quality control, managing manpower, checking drawings, monitoring progress, and coordinating with contractors and consultants.

2. What is the difference between working drawings and as-built drawings?

Answer: Working drawings are issued before construction begins, while as-built drawings show the actual dimensions and details after completion.

3. What is the difference between M20 and M25 grade concrete?

Answer: M20 = 20 N/mm², M25 = 25 N/mm² compressive strength. The higher the grade, the stronger and more durable the concrete.

4. How do you calculate the quantity of cement, sand, and aggregate in 1m³ of concrete?

Answer: For M20 mix (1:1.5:3): Cement = ~8 bags, Sand = 0.44 m³, Aggregate = 0.88 m³.

5. What is curing and why is it important?

Answer: Curing maintains moisture in concrete to ensure proper hydration, strength gain, and durability.

6. What software should a civil engineer know in 2025?

Answer: AutoCAD, Revit, Primavera P6, Excel for Estimation, and QA/QC tools.

 Learn these at Cademys:

• AutoCAD 2021 for Civil Engineers

• Revit Architecture 2024

• Primavera P6 Training

7. What is the difference between QA and QC?

Answer: QA = Process-oriented (preventing mistakes), QC = Product-oriented (finding mistakes).

Learn QA/QC with Cademys: QA/QC for Civil Engineers

8. What is the unit weight of steel?

Answer: 7850 kg/m³.

9. How do you calculate the number of bricks in 1m³?

Answer: ~500 standard bricks (with mortar).

10. What is the minimum curing time for concrete?

Answer: 7 days for normal cement, 14 days for large structures.

Final Tips for Freshers

• Review basic formulas for concrete, steel, and soil mechanics.

• Revise estimation and BOQ preparation.

• Get familiar with site management responsibilities.

• Be confident in answering “Which software do you know?”—this can be a deciding factor.

Conclusion

Civil engineering interviews in 2025 test not just theory, but practical site knowledge and software skills. Prepare these top 20 interview questions and boost your chances of landing your first job.

Start your preparation with expert-led courses at Cademys.com and make yourself job-ready today.