This paper intends to introduce more objective and qualitative rock mass classification method easily applicable to the excavation of gneissic masses showing corestone weathering profiles. It is proven that corestone weathering profile could be divided with reasonable accuracy into digging, ripping and blasting layers using visual and simple mechanical techniques such as Schmidt hammer rebound test on cut slopes, taking into consideration strength and spacial distribution of corestone, workability and work efficiency of excavation. Also, seismic refraction surveys were employed for shallow investigations (down to $20{sim}30m$ depth) in corestone weathering profile and conducted across the top of vertical exposures where the underlying geology could be directly inspected. Some discrepancies ($3{sim}4m$ in average and 6 m occasionally) between the actual and assumed materials with respect to seismic velocities were observed. Thus it can be concluded that field geotechnical mapping and field seismic test should be used together in order to get a relatively good accuracy in assessing likely excavation conditions of corestone weather-ing profiles.