ILLINOIS NCEES LAND SURVEYOR FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+ | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE
1. When performing a closed traverse, the angular misclosure is measured
to be 15 seconds. Which adjustment method is most appropriate for a
traverse with high precision requirements?
A) Bowditch adjustment
B) Compass rule
C) Least squares adjustment
D) Transit rule
Answer: C) Least squares adjustment
Rationale: Least squares minimizes the overall error in both angles and
distances, making it optimal for high-precision traverses.
2. Which of the following instruments provides the highest angular
accuracy for geodetic surveys?
A) Total station
B) Theodolite
C) Gyrotheodolite
D) Compass
Answer: C) Gyrotheodolite
Rationale: Gyrotheodolites allow precise azimuth determination independent
of magnetic variation, critical for geodetic control.
3. In Illinois, which type of monument is legally acceptable as a permanent
reference for property boundaries?
A) Wooden stake
B) Concrete post with embedded brass cap
C) Iron pipe driven into soil
D) Painted tree
,Answer: B) Concrete post with embedded brass cap
Rationale: Only durable, permanent markers that are resistant to weather and
tampering are legally recognized.
4. A traverse has four sides of equal length but internal angles that differ.
The sum of the angles is 360°. What type of traverse is this?
A) Quadrilateral traverse
B) Closed traverse
C) Open traverse
D) Irregular polygon traverse
Answer: B) Closed traverse
Rationale: A closed traverse returns to its starting point, allowing calculation
of closure errors.
5. Which method is most accurate for determining long distances over
irregular terrain?
A) Pacing
B) Chain measurement
C) EDM
D) Optical tape
Answer: C) EDM
Rationale: Electronic Distance Measurement is precise over long distances
and unaffected by terrain irregularities.
6. The purpose of a tie line in surveying is to:
A) Connect a survey point to a permanent reference
B) Measure vertical angles
C) Calculate slope distances
D) Determine azimuth
Answer: A) Connect a survey point to a permanent reference
Rationale: Tie lines provide a control link between field measurements and
established monuments.
,7. In a topographic survey, which instrument is primarily used to
determine elevations of points?
A) Total station
B) Level
C) Theodolite
D) Compass
Answer: B) Level
Rationale: Levels provide precise vertical measurements required for
contouring.
8. What is the primary distinction between plane and geodetic surveys?
A) Plane surveys assume the Earth is flat over small areas; geodetic surveys
account for curvature
B) Geodetic surveys ignore curvature
C) Plane surveys are only used for highways
D) Geodetic surveys cannot be used for local property lines
Answer: A) Plane surveys assume the Earth is flat over small areas; geodetic
surveys account for curvature
Rationale: Plane surveys are simpler and sufficient for small areas; geodetic
surveys correct for large-scale curvature.
9. The difference between magnetic north and true north is called:
A) Azimuth
B) Magnetic declination
C) Meridian angle
D) Bearing
Answer: B) Magnetic declination
Rationale: Magnetic declination accounts for the angular difference between
magnetic and true north.
10. A surveyor finds that a traverse misclosure is 0.02 feet over a total
traverse perimeter of 2,000 feet. The acceptable closure ratio is 1:10,000. Is
the traverse acceptable?
, A) Yes
B) No
Answer: A) Yes
Rationale: Closure ratio = 2000 ÷ 0.02 = 100,000, which is better than the
acceptable 1:10,000.
11. Which type of survey would be required to determine floodplain
boundaries?
A) Topographic survey
B) Boundary survey
C) Construction survey
D) Right-of-way survey
Answer: A) Topographic survey
Rationale: Topographic surveys capture elevations and contours necessary for
hydrologic analysis.
12. In a metes and bounds description, bearings are measured:
A) From the north or south toward east or west
B) Only east
C) Only west
D) From a local meridian
Answer: A) From the north or south toward east or west
Rationale: Bearings indicate the direction of lines relative to cardinal north
or south.
13. When performing GPS surveys, which type of error is corrected using
Differential GPS?
A) Satellite clock error
B) Atmospheric delay
C) Receiver error
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: DGPS corrects for multiple sources of error including satellite
clocks, atmospheric conditions, and receiver biases.
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+ | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE
1. When performing a closed traverse, the angular misclosure is measured
to be 15 seconds. Which adjustment method is most appropriate for a
traverse with high precision requirements?
A) Bowditch adjustment
B) Compass rule
C) Least squares adjustment
D) Transit rule
Answer: C) Least squares adjustment
Rationale: Least squares minimizes the overall error in both angles and
distances, making it optimal for high-precision traverses.
2. Which of the following instruments provides the highest angular
accuracy for geodetic surveys?
A) Total station
B) Theodolite
C) Gyrotheodolite
D) Compass
Answer: C) Gyrotheodolite
Rationale: Gyrotheodolites allow precise azimuth determination independent
of magnetic variation, critical for geodetic control.
3. In Illinois, which type of monument is legally acceptable as a permanent
reference for property boundaries?
A) Wooden stake
B) Concrete post with embedded brass cap
C) Iron pipe driven into soil
D) Painted tree
,Answer: B) Concrete post with embedded brass cap
Rationale: Only durable, permanent markers that are resistant to weather and
tampering are legally recognized.
4. A traverse has four sides of equal length but internal angles that differ.
The sum of the angles is 360°. What type of traverse is this?
A) Quadrilateral traverse
B) Closed traverse
C) Open traverse
D) Irregular polygon traverse
Answer: B) Closed traverse
Rationale: A closed traverse returns to its starting point, allowing calculation
of closure errors.
5. Which method is most accurate for determining long distances over
irregular terrain?
A) Pacing
B) Chain measurement
C) EDM
D) Optical tape
Answer: C) EDM
Rationale: Electronic Distance Measurement is precise over long distances
and unaffected by terrain irregularities.
6. The purpose of a tie line in surveying is to:
A) Connect a survey point to a permanent reference
B) Measure vertical angles
C) Calculate slope distances
D) Determine azimuth
Answer: A) Connect a survey point to a permanent reference
Rationale: Tie lines provide a control link between field measurements and
established monuments.
,7. In a topographic survey, which instrument is primarily used to
determine elevations of points?
A) Total station
B) Level
C) Theodolite
D) Compass
Answer: B) Level
Rationale: Levels provide precise vertical measurements required for
contouring.
8. What is the primary distinction between plane and geodetic surveys?
A) Plane surveys assume the Earth is flat over small areas; geodetic surveys
account for curvature
B) Geodetic surveys ignore curvature
C) Plane surveys are only used for highways
D) Geodetic surveys cannot be used for local property lines
Answer: A) Plane surveys assume the Earth is flat over small areas; geodetic
surveys account for curvature
Rationale: Plane surveys are simpler and sufficient for small areas; geodetic
surveys correct for large-scale curvature.
9. The difference between magnetic north and true north is called:
A) Azimuth
B) Magnetic declination
C) Meridian angle
D) Bearing
Answer: B) Magnetic declination
Rationale: Magnetic declination accounts for the angular difference between
magnetic and true north.
10. A surveyor finds that a traverse misclosure is 0.02 feet over a total
traverse perimeter of 2,000 feet. The acceptable closure ratio is 1:10,000. Is
the traverse acceptable?
, A) Yes
B) No
Answer: A) Yes
Rationale: Closure ratio = 2000 ÷ 0.02 = 100,000, which is better than the
acceptable 1:10,000.
11. Which type of survey would be required to determine floodplain
boundaries?
A) Topographic survey
B) Boundary survey
C) Construction survey
D) Right-of-way survey
Answer: A) Topographic survey
Rationale: Topographic surveys capture elevations and contours necessary for
hydrologic analysis.
12. In a metes and bounds description, bearings are measured:
A) From the north or south toward east or west
B) Only east
C) Only west
D) From a local meridian
Answer: A) From the north or south toward east or west
Rationale: Bearings indicate the direction of lines relative to cardinal north
or south.
13. When performing GPS surveys, which type of error is corrected using
Differential GPS?
A) Satellite clock error
B) Atmospheric delay
C) Receiver error
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: DGPS corrects for multiple sources of error including satellite
clocks, atmospheric conditions, and receiver biases.
