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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Construction

Professional Surveyor Practice Exam: Test Your Knowledge

Challenge Your Surveying Knowledge in Minutes

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art promoting a trivia quiz on Professional Surveyor Practice Exam

Are you preparing for your surveying certification? This Professional Surveyor Practice Exam quiz features 15 multiple-choice questions on land measurement, mapping, and boundary law. Aspiring licensed surveyors and seasoned professionals alike can benefit - and the quiz can be freely customized in our editor. For further study, check out our Exam Practice Quiz or the Professional Development Knowledge Assessment Quiz . Discover more quizzes to sharpen your expertise today.

What is the primary purpose of a boundary survey?
To locate and mark property lines and corners
To design a building footprint
To determine soil composition
To map vegetation types
A boundary survey identifies and marks the legal property lines and corners. This ensures ownership limits are accurately determined. Other options relate to different survey or engineering tasks.
Which surveying method involves measuring angles from a baseline to determine positions?
Triangulation
Traverse
Leveling
Static GPS
Triangulation uses measured angles from a known baseline to calculate positions of unknown points. Traverse measures consecutive angles and distances along a path. Leveling and GPS are different techniques.
Which instrument is commonly used to measure both horizontal and vertical angles?
Theodolite
Auto level
GPS receiver
Measuring wheel
A theodolite is designed to measure precise horizontal and vertical angles. An auto level measures only vertical differences. GPS receivers and measuring wheels serve different purposes.
In surveying, what is the difference between accuracy and precision?
Accuracy is closeness to the true value; precision is repeatability of measurements
Accuracy is repeatability; precision is closeness to the true value
Accuracy relates to scale; precision relates to units
There is no difference in surveying
Accuracy describes how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value. Precision describes how consistently you can repeat that measurement. These are distinct concepts in data quality.
On a topographic map, contour lines that are close together indicate what?
A steep slope
A flat area
A valley
A plateau
Close contour lines represent rapid elevation change over a short distance, indicating steep terrain. When lines are far apart, the slope is gentle. Valleys and plateaus have specific contour patterns.
What is traverse closure error?
The discrepancy between the starting and ending coordinates of a traverse
The local magnetic declination adjustment
The error from an uncalibrated instrument
The difference between grid and ground distance
Traverse closure error measures how far the computed end point departs from the known start point. It indicates cumulative measurement inaccuracies. Proper adjustment methods reduce this error.
Which vertical datum is most commonly used in the United States?
NAVD88
NGVD29
NAD83
WGS84
The North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) is the official vertical reference for elevations in the U.S. NGVD29 has been largely superseded. NAD83 and WGS84 are horizontal datums.
What is a property corner monument?
A physical marker placed at a boundary intersection
A verbal description in a deed
A temporary survey point used only in the field
The survey instrument's tripod position
A corner monument is a durable physical marker (like a metal pin or stone) set at the intersection of property lines. Deeds describe boundaries, but the monument marks their real location. Temporary points are not official monuments.
Over long distances, why must curvature and refraction corrections be applied?
Because the Earth's curvature and atmospheric refraction affect line-of-sight measurements
Only to adjust the prism constant
To calibrate GPS satellite signals
To measure vertical angles more accurately
For long sight lines, the Earth's curvature causes a drop below the horizontal line, and atmospheric refraction bends light back upward. Corrections ensure true elevation and distance values. Prism constants and GPS are unrelated adjustments.
If the bearing from point A to point B is N 45° E, what is the azimuth?
45°
135°
225°
315°
Bearings of N 45° E correspond to a clockwise angle of 45° from north, which is a 45° azimuth. An azimuth over 90° would indicate an eastern or southern direction from north.
What distinguishes a closed traverse from an open traverse?
A closed traverse returns to its starting point, forming a loop
A closed traverse uses only GPS controls
A closed traverse measures angles only
A closed traverse is always east - west oriented
A closed traverse begins and ends at the same point or at two known points, creating a loop that allows closure error checking. Open traverses do not return to the start and offer no closure check.
Which description uses metes and bounds?
One that describes property lines by distances and directions
One that references a UTM grid
One that uses township and range coordinates
One that defines a rectangular block
Metes and bounds descriptions define boundaries by specifying courses (directions) and distances. UTM and township-range are grid systems, not traditional metes and bounds. Rectangles may be PLSS units.
What function does a total station combine?
Electronic distance measurement and angle measurement
Optical leveling and GPS reception
Magnetic declination and azimuth reading
Digital mapping and photogrammetry
A total station integrates an electronic distance meter (EDM) and an electronic theodolite for angles. It does not inherently include GPS or photogrammetric functions, though those can be added separately.
Which error type is due to predictable instrument bias?
Systematic error
Random error
Gross error
Blunder
Systematic errors stem from consistent biases in instruments or methods, such as calibration issues. Random errors vary unpredictably. Gross errors and blunders are mistakes or large faults.
UTM coordinates consist of what two components?
Easting and Northing
Latitude and Longitude
Azimuth and Distance
Elevation and Distance
UTM uses a transverse Mercator projection dividing Earth into zones, with positions given as Easting (X) and Northing (Y). Latitude/longitude are angular measures, not UTM components.
Which statement describes the Bowditch method for traverse adjustment?
It distributes the closure error among traverse legs proportionally to their lengths
It ignores angular errors and only adjusts distances
It applies a least squares solution to both angles and distances
It adjusts only the latitude components of the traverse
The Bowditch (Compass) rule apportions linear and angular closure errors to each leg based on its length relative to the total perimeter. Least squares is a more advanced adjustment. It does not ignore angles or adjust only latitudes.
Which formula calculates the forward azimuth from coordinates (E1,N1) to (E2,N2)?
Az = arctan((E2 − E1)/(N2 − N1)) adjusted by quadrant
Az = arctan((N2 − N1)/(E2 − E1))
Az = arcsin((E2 − E1)/distance)
Az = arccos((N2 − N1)/distance)
The forward azimuth from north is computed as the arctan of the Easting difference over the Northing difference, with quadrant checks. Other trigonometric functions alone do not handle quadrant ambiguity.
On a topographic map with a 10-foot contour interval, how much elevation change occurs across five contour lines?
50 feet
100 feet
10 feet
5 feet
Each contour line represents 10 feet of elevation change. Five lines equal 5 × 10 = 50 feet. The other options either double count or undercount the interval.
Under professional ethics, what must a surveyor do when encountering a conflicting boundary claim?
Notify all interested parties and verify deeds and monuments before proceeding
Ignore the claim and continue surveying as planned
Proceed only based on field measurements without consulting records
Report the dispute directly to law enforcement
Professional standards require notifying clients and relevant parties of conflicts and reviewing legal documents and physical evidence before finalizing boundaries. Ignoring issues or contacting police is unprofessional.
If a deed describes a boundary as 'N 89° E 200.00 ft' but the field measurement is 198.00 ft, what is best practice?
Investigate records and existing monuments to reconcile the 2-ft discrepancy
Adjust the field measurement to match the deed distance exactly
Record only the measured distance and disregard the deed
Use the average of deed and measured distances without further review
Sound practice is to resolve mismatches by examining historical records and monument evidence. Blindly adjusting to written distances or ignoring the deed can produce legal issues. Averaging is not a recognized method.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse boundary surveys and cadastral mapping procedures.
  2. Apply triangulation and traverse calculations accurately.
  3. Identify common surveying instruments and their proper use.
  4. Evaluate land measurement data for precision and accuracy.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical surveying standards.
  6. Master topographic mapping and contour interpretation skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Principles of Cadastral Surveying - Get ready to map property boundaries like a champ by learning cadastral surveying basics. You'll dive into establishing and re-establishing real property lines on the ground, determining dimensions, areas, and related rights with pinpoint accuracy. These skills are the backbone of any legal land description. Wikipedia
  2. Triangulation Methods - Don't get "triangulated" out - master the art of measuring angles from known points to find unknown locations. This time-tested technique forms the skeleton of precise maps and surveys by connecting angles and distances in a giant geometric puzzle. It's like using the stars to navigate, but on solid ground! Wikipedia
  3. Traverse Calculations - Traverse the field with confidence by stringing together a series of measured lines and recorded angles. You'll learn to close the loop on control networks, spot any misalignments, and adjust for errors to ensure your survey is rock-solid. It's teamwork between angles and distances that keeps your map accurate. Wikipedia
  4. Surveying Instruments - Gear up with theodolites, total stations, and GPS/GNSS devices like a modern-day explorer. You'll discover how to calibrate, operate, and maintain each tool to gather flawless data in the field. A well-kept instrument is your best friend on a bright sunny day or in a sudden downpour. Wikipedia
  5. Evaluating Measurement Data - Sharpen your math skills to analyze field data for precision and accuracy, catching blunders before they become big headaches. You'll learn statistical checks, error propagation, and adjustment techniques to make sure every number passes muster. Excellence in data review means confidence in every corner you draw. Wikipedia
  6. Legal & Ethical Standards in Surveying - Become the surveyor everyone trusts by mastering property laws, boundary disputes, and professional responsibilities. You'll explore case studies, understand ethical dilemmas, and appreciate your role in protecting public and private interests. A solid ethical compass is as important as any compass you'll use outdoors. Wikipedia
  7. Topographic Mapping - Sketch the lay of the land by converting 3D terrain into 2D maps filled with contour lines, elevations, and landform symbols. You'll learn how to interpret hills, valleys, and plateaus, turning raw survey data into intuitive visuals for planners and engineers. Topo mapping is your ticket to understanding Mother Nature's blueprint. Wikipedia
  8. Contour Interpretation Skills - Decode the hidden language of contour lines to visualize slopes, drainage patterns, and landform shapes. Armed with these skills, you'll predict water flow, design stable foundations, and plan efficient routes through any terrain. It's like reading an invisible topographic code under your feet! Wikipedia
  9. Monuments in Cadastral Surveys - Mark your territory by learning about survey monuments - physical markers that cement property boundaries for generations. You'll study how they're placed, referenced, and legally recorded so every corner stays true to its intended spot. These monuments are the unsung heroes of land ownership. Wikipedia
  10. Modern Surveying Technologies - Embrace the future with 3D scanners, drones, and aerial imagery to turbo-charge your data collection. You'll explore how these tools boost accuracy, speed up fieldwork, and produce stunning visualizations. Staying tech-savvy means staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of surveying. Wikipedia
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