- What ATT2 Training Actually Covers
- The Level 1 Prerequisite and Why It Matters
- Training Around the Ten ATT2 Domains
- Written Exam Training vs. Performance Exam Training
- Training Materials: CP-45 and ACI References
- Local Sponsoring Group Training Programs
- Building a Domain-by-Domain Training Schedule
- Who Actually Needs ATT2 Training
- Frequently Asked Questions
- ATT2 training must build on a current ACI Aggregate Testing Technician - Level 1 credential - there is no shortcut around it.
- Seven of the ten domains require hands-on performance training; three (T 96/C131, T 104/C88, and C535) are written-exam-only.
- The written exam is open-book, so training should focus on locating answers fast in ACI-approved references, not blind memorization.
- Both the written and performance components must be passed within one year, so training should target both at once.
What ATT2 Training Actually Covers
Training for the Aggregate Testing Technician - Level 2 (ATT2) credential is not a generic "aggregate testing" refresher. It is a structured preparation path built around ACI's Job-Task Analysis, approved September 30, 2024, and the certification requirements documented in CPP 620.3-20 (revised September 21, 2020). Effective ATT2 training programs are designed around two very different assessments: a two-hour, open-book written examination covering roughly 100 multiple-choice questions across ten standards, and a separate closed-book performance examination where a candidate must demonstrate - or, where permitted, verbally describe - the correct procedure steps for prescribed test methods.
Because the exam is administered through ACI-approved sponsoring groups and examiners rather than a single national testing center, "training" for ATT2 usually means a combination of a sponsoring group's review course, self-study with ACI's workbook, and supervised hands-on practice with the equipment used in each test method. If you want a broader orientation to the credential itself before committing to a training path, the overview in What Is ATT2 Certification? is a useful starting point.
The Level 1 Prerequisite and Why It Matters
Before you can even sit for the ATT2 exam, you must hold a current ACI Aggregate Testing Technician - Level 1 credential. This single requirement shapes how ATT2 training should be structured. Because Level 1 already covers foundational aggregate sampling and basic testing skills, ATT2 training assumes that baseline and moves directly into the more advanced, standards-specific procedures covered at Level 2. If your Level 1 certification has lapsed or is close to expiring, that needs to be resolved before you invest time in ATT2-specific study. The detailed eligibility rules, including what counts as "current," are broken down in ATT2 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Key Takeaway
Confirm your Level 1 credential's current status before scheduling any ATT2 training or exam registration - training time spent while ineligible to test is wasted time.
Training Around the Ten ATT2 Domains
ATT2's Job-Task Analysis organizes the exam into ten standards, and the written exam allocates eight to 12 questions to each one. That relatively even spread means training cannot lean heavily on two or three "favorite" domains - every standard needs real attention. A full breakdown of each domain's content and testing nuances is available in ATT2 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 10 Content Areas, but a training-focused summary looks like this:
Domain 1: AASHTO T 19/ASTM C29/C29M - Bulk Density ("Unit Weight") and Voids in Aggregate
Training should cover both rodding and jigging/shoveling methods for filling the measure, along with the calculations for unit weight and calculated voids.
- Practice measure calibration and unit weight arithmetic under open-book conditions
Domain 2: AASHTO T 96/ASTM C131 - LA Abrasion, Small-Size Coarse Aggregate
This is a written-exam-only standard, so training time goes entirely into grading requirements, charge selection, and calculation of percent loss - not equipment demonstration.
- Memorize grading/charge tables well enough to look them up quickly during an open-book exam
Domain 3: AASHTO T 104/ASTM C88 - Soundness by Sodium or Magnesium Sulfate
Also written-exam-only. Training focuses on solution preparation, cycling requirements, and interpreting soundness loss results.
- Compare sodium sulfate vs. magnesium sulfate procedural differences
Domain 4: AASHTO T 112/ASTM C142 - Clay Lumps and Friable Particles
A practical standard requiring hands-on wet-sieving practice and correct handling of the pan and sieve sequence.
- Practice sample preparation and soaking time management
Domain 5: AASHTO T 113/ASTM C123 - Lightweight Pieces in Aggregate
Focuses on heavy-liquid separation technique; performance training should include safe handling of the liquid and correct particle separation steps.
- Rehearse the float/sink separation sequence until it can be verbally described step-by-step
Domain 6: AASHTO T 176/ASTM D2419 - Sand Equivalent Test
A hands-on standard demanding precise timing for sedimentation and accurate reading of clay and sand column heights.
- Drill the shaking, settling, and reading sequence for consistent timing
Domain 7: AASHTO T 304/ASTM C1252 - Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate
Requires practice with the calibrated cylinder and funnel apparatus and comfort with the void-content calculation.
- Practice consistent sample flow into the cylinder to avoid procedural errors
Domain 8: ASTM C535 - LA Abrasion, Large-Size Coarse Aggregate
Written-exam-only, paired conceptually with Domain 2 but using different grading and charge specifications for larger aggregate.
- Contrast C131 and C535 grading tables side by side to avoid confusing the two
Domain 9: ASTM D4791 - Flat and Elongated Particles
A practical, judgment-heavy standard involving caliper device use on individual particles.
- Practice classifying particles quickly and consistently with the ratio caliper device
Domain 10: ASTM D5821 - Percentage of Fractured Particles
Requires visual judgment training on distinguishing fractured faces from rounded surfaces across a representative sample.
- Practice on varied aggregate samples to calibrate judgment on borderline particles
Written Exam Training vs. Performance Exam Training
One of the most important things to understand about ATT2 training is that it must address two structurally different tests. The written examination is open-book using ACI-approved references, two hours long, with approximately 100 multiple-choice questions. Passing requires at least 60% on every individual standard and at least 70% overall - meaning a candidate cannot simply cram on strong domains and ignore weaker ones. The exact scoring mechanics are worth reviewing in detail in ATT2 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
The performance examination is a different animal entirely: closed-book, requiring correct demonstration or permitted verbal description of prescribed procedure steps. Since T 96/C131, T 104/C88, and C535 are written-exam-only, the performance exam is built around the remaining seven practical standards. That distinction should directly shape how training time is allocated - memorization drills for the three lab-analysis-only standards, and physical repetition for the other seven.
| Component | Format | What Training Should Emphasize |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | Open-book, 2 hours, ~100 questions, 8-12 per standard | Fast reference navigation, calculation practice, all 10 standards |
| Performance Exam | Closed-book, demonstration or verbal description | Procedure memorization and repetition on the 7 practical standards |
For a broader assessment of how challenging these two components tend to be relative to each other, see How Hard Is the ATT2 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026. If you're also trying to gauge outcomes at a program level, ATT2 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows lays out what's publicly known.
Training Materials: CP-45 and ACI References
ACI's official preparation workbook for this credential is CP-45, seventh edition. Because the written exam is open-book using ACI-approved references, the workbook doubles as both a study tool and a permitted exam-day reference - meaning candidates should train with the actual document they'll be allowed to consult during the test, not a substitute study guide.
The standalone CP-45 seventh-edition workbook costs USD 133 at the regular rate, or USD 69 for ACI members. Some sponsoring-group training packages bundle the workbook into a course fee, while others require candidates to purchase it separately. Either way, training should start with the workbook's organization by standard, since that mirrors both the JTA domain structure and the exam's per-standard question distribution.
A simple-function, nonprogrammable pocket calculator is permitted during the written exam, so training sessions should use the same type of calculator candidates plan to bring - practicing unit weight, percent loss, and void content calculations on a scientific or programmable calculator during study, then switching to a basic model on exam day, is a common and avoidable mistake.
Local Sponsoring Group Training Programs
Because ACI certifies through approved sponsoring groups rather than a single centralized exam center, training availability and pricing vary by region and organization. Two published 2026 examples illustrate how differently local programs can be structured:
- ACI Intermountain Chapter (Utah): USD 500 for chapter members or USD 600 for nonmembers, which includes the study guide, review session, written examination, and performance examination bundled together.
- CRMCA at Denver's CDOT headquarters (Colorado): USD 598 for members or USD 928 for nonmembers for the full examination, with workbooks purchased separately, no exam-day training or review included, and a 3.05% credit-card processing fee applied.
These are named local packages, not a single national ACI examination price, so the training component you get for your money differs significantly between sponsoring groups. Some bundle a live review course into the fee; others expect you to arrive fully self-trained and simply administer the exam. A full pricing comparison, including what's bundled versus separate, is covered in ATT2 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. Before registering, always confirm exactly what training elements - review sessions, workbook access, equipment practice time - are included in a given sponsoring group's fee.
Key Takeaway
Don't assume every sponsoring group's fee includes training. Some, like the Intermountain Chapter's bundle, include a review; others, like CRMCA's Denver program, do not - plan self-study accordingly.
Building a Domain-by-Domain Training Schedule
A useful ATT2 training schedule respects two realities: the roughly even question distribution across all ten standards, and the split between written-only and performance-eligible domains. Rather than a generic weekly template, structure training around clusters of related standards and save dedicated performance-practice time for the seven hands-on standards.
Foundational and Written-Only Standards
- Study Domain 1 (T 19/C29 unit weight and voids) with calculation practice
- Cover Domains 2, 3, and 8 (T 96/C131, T 104/C88, C535) since these are written-exam-only and reward focused reference-table familiarity
Hands-On Practical Standards, First Pass
- Begin physical practice on Domains 4, 5, and 6 (clay lumps/friable particles, lightweight pieces, sand equivalent)
- Rehearse verbal description of each procedure step in case physical demonstration isn't available for a step
Remaining Practical Standards
- Train on Domains 7, 9, and 10 (uncompacted void content, flat/elongated particles, fractured particles)
- Run full timed practice sets covering all ten standards to check the 60%-per-standard threshold
Full Review and Mock Performance Run-Through
- Do a complete performance-exam dry run across all seven practical standards
- Retest weak standards from practice exams using the CP-45 workbook as the open-book reference
This kind of structure works because it front-loads the standards that only need reference familiarity (freeing up later weeks for physical repetition) and leaves the final stretch for a realistic combined review. For a deeper walkthrough of preparation strategy, see ATT2 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt, and for a quick pre-exam refresher tool, the ATT2 Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts is designed for exactly this final week. Running practice questions on our practice test platform alongside this schedule helps confirm whether per-standard scores are trending toward the 60% minimum before exam day.
Who Actually Needs ATT2 Training
ATT2 training is typically pursued by technicians already working in materials testing labs, ready-mix and aggregate producer quality control, department of transportation testing roles, and construction materials engineering firms that need staff certified beyond entry-level aggregate testing. Because the credential builds directly on Level 1 and covers advanced standards like soundness, sand equivalent, and particle shape analysis, employers often view it as a marker of readiness for more independent or supervisory testing responsibilities.
If you're weighing whether the training investment is worthwhile for your career stage, Is the ATT2 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and ATT2 Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis both address that question directly. And if you're still exploring what the letters mean before diving into training logistics, What Is ATT2? and ATT2 Meaning cover the basics, while ATT2 Jobs outlines typical roles that call for this credential.
Certification lasts five years, and recertification requires passing both the written and performance examinations again - so training isn't a one-time event for most technicians but something revisited on a recurring cycle. Planning ahead for testing windows matters too; ATT2 Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling covers how sponsoring groups schedule sessions throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need a current ACI Aggregate Testing Technician - Level 1 credential to be eligible. Beyond that, training is typically provided or recommended by ACI-approved sponsoring groups rather than mandated as a separate formal course.
Some sponsoring groups provide access to equipment and review sessions as part of their fee; others do not. If equipment access isn't included, you'll need to arrange practice time separately before attempting the closed-book performance demonstration.
No. Three standards - AASHTO T 96/ASTM C131, AASHTO T 104/ASTM C88, and ASTM C535 - are written-exam-only, so training for those focuses on reference-table familiarity and calculations rather than hands-on demonstration.
Use a simple-function, nonprogrammable pocket calculator, since that's what's permitted on the written exam. Practicing with a more advanced calculator during training can create habits that don't transfer to exam-day conditions.
Both the written and performance examinations must be passed within one year of each other. A failed component must be retaken in full, while a passed component stays valid within that one-year window.