AICP Exam Study Guide Questions
with Correct Answers
The period between 1860 and 1870 in the US saw the beginning of suburbanization, with
the creation of small settlements beyond large cities. Which of the following cities
exemplifies this early American suburbanization? a) Radburn, New Jersey b) Riverside,
Illinois c) Lake Forest, Illinois - Correct Answer B
Which system may be used for legal description purposes? a) US Government Survey b)
Metes and Bounds c) Lot, block, and tract d) All of the above - Correct Answer D
Fred French Co. v. City of new York introduced for the first time the concept of? a) Plnned
unit development b) Transfer of development rights c) Eminent domain d) Open space
zoning - Correct Answer A
Which of the following would most appropriately be the function of a state government
rather than the local or federal governments? a) Aesthetics regulations b) Historic properties
designation c) Redevelopment d) Scenic rivers designation - Correct Answer D
Among the many projects during the early years of the New Deal Era, what was a major
regional development program that became known as? a) The Tenessee Valley Authority b)
The USHA Program c) The Greenbelt Towns d) The PWA Program - Correct Answer A
Which "Great Expediter" said, "If the ends don't justify the means, then what the hell does"?
a) Daniel Burnham b) Mike Waiczis c) Robert Moses d) Adolph Hitler - Correct Answer C
Courts have ruled that rezoning does NOT constitute spot zoning if? a) The rezoning is
adopted by unanimouse vote of the legislative body. b) The rezoning is not appealed. c) The
rezoning is enacted in accordance with a comprehensive plan. d) The rezoning allows for
special permit or special exception waivers. - Correct Answer C
"Amortization" as it applies to zoning practice refers to? a) The prohibition of expanding
non-conforming uses. b) The determination of the remaining useful life of a pre-existing
,non- conforming use. c) The purchase of property for public use. d) Eminent domain. -
Correct Answer B
In 1880, George Pullman designed and built the Town of Pullman, a model industrial town in
the state of? a) New York b) Ohio c) Illinois d) Michigan - Correct Answer C
Initiated in 1969, the "A-95" clearinghouse review process was responsible for? a) Massive
eminent domain suits. b) The creation of regional planning agencies. c) The recession in the
midwest. d) Construction of affordable housing in the northeast. - Correct Answer B
"The Baltimore Plan" refers to? a) Baltimore's 1895 master plan. b) Balitmore's 1985 master
plan. c) The cleaning up of various cities in the 1950s. d) Construction of affordable housing
in the northeast. - Correct Answer C
This 1915 zoning case involved the operation of a brickyard within metropolitan Los Angeles.
Name it. a) Hadachek v. Sebastian b) Euclid v. Ambler Realty c) Jones v. Los Angeles d)
Nectow v. Cambridge - Correct Answer A
Of the following techniques for preserving agricultural land, which would be the MOST
effective? a) Transfer of Development Rights. b) No growth policy. c) Building permit
moratorium. d) Righ to farm ordinance. - Correct Answer B
What is satisficing? a) A term menaing that an applicant is satisfied with the approval of his
project. b) Accepting policy options short of maximizing goal attainament. c) Accepting
policy options short to attaining 100% consensus. d) Both B and C. - Correct Answer D
Transportation Systems Management (TSM) includes all of the following EXCEPT? a)
Carpooling and vanpooling incentives. b) Major new transportation facilities. c) Improved
transit service. d) Staggered work schedules. - Correct Answer B
A county planner leaves the public sector to become a consultant. How long should she wait
before representing a private client in any action before the county she may have influenced
before leaving public employment. The planner is a member of AICP. a) 1 year b) 2 years c) 3
years d) Never - Correct Answer A
,Which of the following statements are NOT true? I. As activities become more complex, an
organization tends to grow downward at a rapid rate. II. Horizontal growth may occur only at
the top level of an organization. III. Public information and technical assistance are examples
of specialized staff activities. IV. The three basic line functions can be applied to
departmental structure as well as to the organization itself. a) I and IV b) I and III c) II and IV -
Correct Answer C
2. You are working at the public counter when an angry citizen begins to yell at you. How do
you handle this situation? I. Tell him you will meet him in the parking lot in 10 minutes. II.
Insist that the gentleman calm down so you can assist him. III. Invite him into the office with
another staff member to discuss his problem on an individual basis. IV. Call the police and
have him arrested. a) I only b) I and II c) IV only d) II and III - Correct Answer D
A principal planner of a large metropolitan area is responsible for facilitating the
organization of a parks and open space advisory committee for the county. Representatives
from which of the following groups should be considered for the committee? I. Stockbrokers,
bankers, real estate brokers. II. Landscape architects, private citizens, and law enforcement.
III. Chamber of commerce, building industry, farmers. IV. Environmentalist group, small
business operator, school district. a) I an IV b) II and III c) I, II, and IV d) All of the above -
Correct Answer D
Which of the following cour cases FIRST established the concept of "public welfare"? a)
Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. b) Golden v. Planning Board of Ramapo. c) Southern
Burlington County NAACP v. Township of Mount Laurel. d) Necton v. City of Cambridge. -
Correct Answer A
Edward M. Bassett 1863-1948 - Correct Answer Father of Zoning. Helped shape Standard
City Enabling Act - 1928
Who was Alfred Bettman? What were his positions? What did he influence? What did he
play a key role in? - Correct Answer *Cincinatti Lawyer & 1st President of the American
Society of Planning Officials *Planning Law *Played key role in Cincinatti Plan - 1925; Euclid v.
Amber (1926)
, Who is Daniel Hudson Burnham? What is he known as? What is he known for? What is his
quote? - Correct Answer *Father of city planning in US. *1909 "Plan for Chicago" that gave
birth to modern city planning. *His White City at the Columbian Expo inspired the City
Beautiful Movement. *Make no small plans: they have no magic to stir men's (or women's)
blood.
Who was Clarence Stein? What did he desing? What did he Chair? - Correct Answer Co-
designed Radburn, NJ NY Commission of HOusing
The primary purpose of the census, as indicated in the US Constitution is to provide the basis
for? a) Fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US House of Representatives. b)
The districbution of federal funds to state and local governments. c) The distribution of state
funds to local governments. d) The fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US
Senate. - Correct Answer A
The "Zoning Game" was written by? a) Richard Babcock b) Jane Jacobs c) Lewis Mumford d)
Ian McHarg - Correct Answer A
Which of the following would most appropriately be the function of the federal
government? a) Aesthetics regulations b) Air pollution control c) Zoning d) School planning -
Correct Answer B
The 1858 design of the Central Park of New York City was prepared by? a) Fredrick Olmsted
Law Sr and Calvert Vaux b) Tony Dowe and Jerry Mathers c) Andrew Jackson Downing d)
Theodora Kimball and William C. Bryant - Correct Answer A
When testing statistical hypotheses, results that are unlikely to have occurred by chance are
called? a) Random b) Significant c) Normal d) Critical - Correct Answer B
Which of the following would be primarily a local government function? a) River basin
management. b) Air pollution abatement. c) Zoning d) Critical environmental areas
designation. - Correct Answer C
with Correct Answers
The period between 1860 and 1870 in the US saw the beginning of suburbanization, with
the creation of small settlements beyond large cities. Which of the following cities
exemplifies this early American suburbanization? a) Radburn, New Jersey b) Riverside,
Illinois c) Lake Forest, Illinois - Correct Answer B
Which system may be used for legal description purposes? a) US Government Survey b)
Metes and Bounds c) Lot, block, and tract d) All of the above - Correct Answer D
Fred French Co. v. City of new York introduced for the first time the concept of? a) Plnned
unit development b) Transfer of development rights c) Eminent domain d) Open space
zoning - Correct Answer A
Which of the following would most appropriately be the function of a state government
rather than the local or federal governments? a) Aesthetics regulations b) Historic properties
designation c) Redevelopment d) Scenic rivers designation - Correct Answer D
Among the many projects during the early years of the New Deal Era, what was a major
regional development program that became known as? a) The Tenessee Valley Authority b)
The USHA Program c) The Greenbelt Towns d) The PWA Program - Correct Answer A
Which "Great Expediter" said, "If the ends don't justify the means, then what the hell does"?
a) Daniel Burnham b) Mike Waiczis c) Robert Moses d) Adolph Hitler - Correct Answer C
Courts have ruled that rezoning does NOT constitute spot zoning if? a) The rezoning is
adopted by unanimouse vote of the legislative body. b) The rezoning is not appealed. c) The
rezoning is enacted in accordance with a comprehensive plan. d) The rezoning allows for
special permit or special exception waivers. - Correct Answer C
"Amortization" as it applies to zoning practice refers to? a) The prohibition of expanding
non-conforming uses. b) The determination of the remaining useful life of a pre-existing
,non- conforming use. c) The purchase of property for public use. d) Eminent domain. -
Correct Answer B
In 1880, George Pullman designed and built the Town of Pullman, a model industrial town in
the state of? a) New York b) Ohio c) Illinois d) Michigan - Correct Answer C
Initiated in 1969, the "A-95" clearinghouse review process was responsible for? a) Massive
eminent domain suits. b) The creation of regional planning agencies. c) The recession in the
midwest. d) Construction of affordable housing in the northeast. - Correct Answer B
"The Baltimore Plan" refers to? a) Baltimore's 1895 master plan. b) Balitmore's 1985 master
plan. c) The cleaning up of various cities in the 1950s. d) Construction of affordable housing
in the northeast. - Correct Answer C
This 1915 zoning case involved the operation of a brickyard within metropolitan Los Angeles.
Name it. a) Hadachek v. Sebastian b) Euclid v. Ambler Realty c) Jones v. Los Angeles d)
Nectow v. Cambridge - Correct Answer A
Of the following techniques for preserving agricultural land, which would be the MOST
effective? a) Transfer of Development Rights. b) No growth policy. c) Building permit
moratorium. d) Righ to farm ordinance. - Correct Answer B
What is satisficing? a) A term menaing that an applicant is satisfied with the approval of his
project. b) Accepting policy options short of maximizing goal attainament. c) Accepting
policy options short to attaining 100% consensus. d) Both B and C. - Correct Answer D
Transportation Systems Management (TSM) includes all of the following EXCEPT? a)
Carpooling and vanpooling incentives. b) Major new transportation facilities. c) Improved
transit service. d) Staggered work schedules. - Correct Answer B
A county planner leaves the public sector to become a consultant. How long should she wait
before representing a private client in any action before the county she may have influenced
before leaving public employment. The planner is a member of AICP. a) 1 year b) 2 years c) 3
years d) Never - Correct Answer A
,Which of the following statements are NOT true? I. As activities become more complex, an
organization tends to grow downward at a rapid rate. II. Horizontal growth may occur only at
the top level of an organization. III. Public information and technical assistance are examples
of specialized staff activities. IV. The three basic line functions can be applied to
departmental structure as well as to the organization itself. a) I and IV b) I and III c) II and IV -
Correct Answer C
2. You are working at the public counter when an angry citizen begins to yell at you. How do
you handle this situation? I. Tell him you will meet him in the parking lot in 10 minutes. II.
Insist that the gentleman calm down so you can assist him. III. Invite him into the office with
another staff member to discuss his problem on an individual basis. IV. Call the police and
have him arrested. a) I only b) I and II c) IV only d) II and III - Correct Answer D
A principal planner of a large metropolitan area is responsible for facilitating the
organization of a parks and open space advisory committee for the county. Representatives
from which of the following groups should be considered for the committee? I. Stockbrokers,
bankers, real estate brokers. II. Landscape architects, private citizens, and law enforcement.
III. Chamber of commerce, building industry, farmers. IV. Environmentalist group, small
business operator, school district. a) I an IV b) II and III c) I, II, and IV d) All of the above -
Correct Answer D
Which of the following cour cases FIRST established the concept of "public welfare"? a)
Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. b) Golden v. Planning Board of Ramapo. c) Southern
Burlington County NAACP v. Township of Mount Laurel. d) Necton v. City of Cambridge. -
Correct Answer A
Edward M. Bassett 1863-1948 - Correct Answer Father of Zoning. Helped shape Standard
City Enabling Act - 1928
Who was Alfred Bettman? What were his positions? What did he influence? What did he
play a key role in? - Correct Answer *Cincinatti Lawyer & 1st President of the American
Society of Planning Officials *Planning Law *Played key role in Cincinatti Plan - 1925; Euclid v.
Amber (1926)
, Who is Daniel Hudson Burnham? What is he known as? What is he known for? What is his
quote? - Correct Answer *Father of city planning in US. *1909 "Plan for Chicago" that gave
birth to modern city planning. *His White City at the Columbian Expo inspired the City
Beautiful Movement. *Make no small plans: they have no magic to stir men's (or women's)
blood.
Who was Clarence Stein? What did he desing? What did he Chair? - Correct Answer Co-
designed Radburn, NJ NY Commission of HOusing
The primary purpose of the census, as indicated in the US Constitution is to provide the basis
for? a) Fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US House of Representatives. b)
The districbution of federal funds to state and local governments. c) The distribution of state
funds to local governments. d) The fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US
Senate. - Correct Answer A
The "Zoning Game" was written by? a) Richard Babcock b) Jane Jacobs c) Lewis Mumford d)
Ian McHarg - Correct Answer A
Which of the following would most appropriately be the function of the federal
government? a) Aesthetics regulations b) Air pollution control c) Zoning d) School planning -
Correct Answer B
The 1858 design of the Central Park of New York City was prepared by? a) Fredrick Olmsted
Law Sr and Calvert Vaux b) Tony Dowe and Jerry Mathers c) Andrew Jackson Downing d)
Theodora Kimball and William C. Bryant - Correct Answer A
When testing statistical hypotheses, results that are unlikely to have occurred by chance are
called? a) Random b) Significant c) Normal d) Critical - Correct Answer B
Which of the following would be primarily a local government function? a) River basin
management. b) Air pollution abatement. c) Zoning d) Critical environmental areas
designation. - Correct Answer C
