North Carolina Professional Land
Surveyor Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A boundary line retracement survey is primarily used to
A. Design subdivisions
B. Determine the location of existing property lines
C. Measure elevations for flood studies
D. Create topographic maps
Rationale: Boundary retracement focuses on establishing existing
property lines.
2. The principal meridian and baseline are used in
A. Metes and bounds descriptions
B. Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
, C. Lot and block subdivisions
D. Topographic mapping
Rationale: PLSS uses principal meridians and baselines to define land.
3. A Plats’ scale of 1” = 200’ means
A. One inch equals 20 feet
B. One inch equals 200 feet
C. One foot equals 200 inches
D. One inch equals 2 feet
Rationale: Scale interpretation converts drawing distance to real
distance.
4. Which instrument measures horizontal and vertical angles?
A. Transit
B. Theodolite
C. Altimeter
D. GPS receiver
Rationale: Theodolites measure both horizontal and vertical angles.
5. A permanent marker set on a property corner is called a
A. Witness corner
B. Baseline marker
, C. Temporary mark
D. Monument
Rationale: Monuments are permanent markers establishing property
corners.
6. In North Carolina, the statute of repose for boundary surveys is
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 7 years
D. 3 years
Rationale: The statute of repose defines how long a survey is
defensible by law.
7. A boundary described by bearing and distance is part of
A. PLSS
B. Metes and bounds
C. Lot and block plats
D. Topographic maps
Rationale: Metes and bounds uses bearings and distances to describe
property.
, 8. To compute coordinate geometry (COGO), you need
A. Digital camera
B. Angles and distances
C. Soil samples
D. Weather data
Rationale: COGO requires angles and distances for precise point
positioning.
9. A traverse closure ratio is the
A. Difference in elevations
B. Error relative to traverse length
C. Number of sides
D. Sum of interior angles
Rationale: Closure ratio indicates traverse precision per length.
10. GPS surveys require at least how many satellites for a fix?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 3
Rationale: A 3D position demands four satellites for coordinates and
time.
Surveyor Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A boundary line retracement survey is primarily used to
A. Design subdivisions
B. Determine the location of existing property lines
C. Measure elevations for flood studies
D. Create topographic maps
Rationale: Boundary retracement focuses on establishing existing
property lines.
2. The principal meridian and baseline are used in
A. Metes and bounds descriptions
B. Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
, C. Lot and block subdivisions
D. Topographic mapping
Rationale: PLSS uses principal meridians and baselines to define land.
3. A Plats’ scale of 1” = 200’ means
A. One inch equals 20 feet
B. One inch equals 200 feet
C. One foot equals 200 inches
D. One inch equals 2 feet
Rationale: Scale interpretation converts drawing distance to real
distance.
4. Which instrument measures horizontal and vertical angles?
A. Transit
B. Theodolite
C. Altimeter
D. GPS receiver
Rationale: Theodolites measure both horizontal and vertical angles.
5. A permanent marker set on a property corner is called a
A. Witness corner
B. Baseline marker
, C. Temporary mark
D. Monument
Rationale: Monuments are permanent markers establishing property
corners.
6. In North Carolina, the statute of repose for boundary surveys is
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 7 years
D. 3 years
Rationale: The statute of repose defines how long a survey is
defensible by law.
7. A boundary described by bearing and distance is part of
A. PLSS
B. Metes and bounds
C. Lot and block plats
D. Topographic maps
Rationale: Metes and bounds uses bearings and distances to describe
property.
, 8. To compute coordinate geometry (COGO), you need
A. Digital camera
B. Angles and distances
C. Soil samples
D. Weather data
Rationale: COGO requires angles and distances for precise point
positioning.
9. A traverse closure ratio is the
A. Difference in elevations
B. Error relative to traverse length
C. Number of sides
D. Sum of interior angles
Rationale: Closure ratio indicates traverse precision per length.
10. GPS surveys require at least how many satellites for a fix?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 3
Rationale: A 3D position demands four satellites for coordinates and
time.