What is the ratio of sand and cement to make mortar?

A typical mixture is three of sand to one of cement. Make a small batch first and check the consistency of it. The wetness of the sand has a lot to do with the consistency. For block and brick work, a bit should squeeze out the side but still support the block or brick with about 3/8 inch above the previous row. Then this side excess is scraped off and pointed with a pointing tool.