Licensed Land Surveyor Exam Question
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a control survey?
A. Establish property corners
B. Determine elevations only
C. Provide a framework of reference points
D. Measure distances between adjacent parcels
Rationale: Control surveys create a precise reference framework used to
support other surveys._
2. Which unit is commonly used for land measurement in the United States?
A. Meter
B. Foot
C. Yard
D. Kilometer
Rationale: The foot is the standard unit in U.S. land surveying practice._
3. What instrument is primarily used to measure horizontal and vertical
angles?
A. Level
B. Theodolite
C. GPS receiver
D. Chain
Rationale: A theodolite measures precise horizontal and vertical angles._
,4. What does GPS stand for?
A. General Position System
B. Global Positioning System
C. Geodetic Position Source
D. Ground Point Survey
Rationale: GPS is a satellite-based global positioning system._
5. A benchmark is best described as:
A. Temporary survey point
B. Fixed point of known elevation
C. Property corner
D. Traverse station
Rationale: Benchmarks provide known elevations for vertical control._
6. What is the main purpose of a cadastral survey?
A. Construction layout
B. Mapping utilities
C. Define property boundaries
D. Topographic mapping
Rationale: Cadastral surveys legally define land ownership boundaries._
7. Which error results from imperfect instrument adjustment?
A. Random error
B. Systematic error
C. Gross error
D. Human blunder
Rationale: Instrument misadjustment causes systematic errors._
8. What is the standard closure requirement for most boundary surveys?
A. 1:1,000
B. 1:5,000
C. 1:100
D. 1:50,000
Rationale: Many jurisdictions require at least 1:5,000 accuracy._
, 9. What does a plumb bob ensure during measurement?
A. Horizontal alignment
B. Vertical alignment
C. Distance accuracy
D. Angle correction
Rationale: A plumb bob ensures vertical positioning over a point._
10.Which map projection preserves area?
A. Mercator
B. Equal-area projection
C. Conformal projection
D. Azimuthal projection
Rationale: Equal-area projections preserve true area relationships._
11.What is a traverse?
A. Elevation profile
B. Series of connected survey lines
C. Contour map
D. Control network only
Rationale: Traverses consist of connected lines forming a framework._
12.What is the function of a backsight?
A. Measure elevation
B. Orient the instrument
C. Check closure
D. Locate benchmarks
Rationale: Backsights establish instrument orientation._
13.What is magnetic declination?
A. Instrument error
B. Angle between true north and magnetic north
C. Angle between grid and magnetic north
D. Local attraction
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a control survey?
A. Establish property corners
B. Determine elevations only
C. Provide a framework of reference points
D. Measure distances between adjacent parcels
Rationale: Control surveys create a precise reference framework used to
support other surveys._
2. Which unit is commonly used for land measurement in the United States?
A. Meter
B. Foot
C. Yard
D. Kilometer
Rationale: The foot is the standard unit in U.S. land surveying practice._
3. What instrument is primarily used to measure horizontal and vertical
angles?
A. Level
B. Theodolite
C. GPS receiver
D. Chain
Rationale: A theodolite measures precise horizontal and vertical angles._
,4. What does GPS stand for?
A. General Position System
B. Global Positioning System
C. Geodetic Position Source
D. Ground Point Survey
Rationale: GPS is a satellite-based global positioning system._
5. A benchmark is best described as:
A. Temporary survey point
B. Fixed point of known elevation
C. Property corner
D. Traverse station
Rationale: Benchmarks provide known elevations for vertical control._
6. What is the main purpose of a cadastral survey?
A. Construction layout
B. Mapping utilities
C. Define property boundaries
D. Topographic mapping
Rationale: Cadastral surveys legally define land ownership boundaries._
7. Which error results from imperfect instrument adjustment?
A. Random error
B. Systematic error
C. Gross error
D. Human blunder
Rationale: Instrument misadjustment causes systematic errors._
8. What is the standard closure requirement for most boundary surveys?
A. 1:1,000
B. 1:5,000
C. 1:100
D. 1:50,000
Rationale: Many jurisdictions require at least 1:5,000 accuracy._
, 9. What does a plumb bob ensure during measurement?
A. Horizontal alignment
B. Vertical alignment
C. Distance accuracy
D. Angle correction
Rationale: A plumb bob ensures vertical positioning over a point._
10.Which map projection preserves area?
A. Mercator
B. Equal-area projection
C. Conformal projection
D. Azimuthal projection
Rationale: Equal-area projections preserve true area relationships._
11.What is a traverse?
A. Elevation profile
B. Series of connected survey lines
C. Contour map
D. Control network only
Rationale: Traverses consist of connected lines forming a framework._
12.What is the function of a backsight?
A. Measure elevation
B. Orient the instrument
C. Check closure
D. Locate benchmarks
Rationale: Backsights establish instrument orientation._
13.What is magnetic declination?
A. Instrument error
B. Angle between true north and magnetic north
C. Angle between grid and magnetic north
D. Local attraction
