PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF
SURVEYING EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which instrument is primarily used to measure horizontal and vertical
angles in surveying?
A. Level
B. Total station
C. Compass
D. Chain
Answer: B. Total station
Rationale: A total station integrates an electronic theodolite with distance
measurement, allowing precise measurement of both horizontal and
vertical angles along with distances, making it the most versatile modern
surveying instrument.
2. What is the main purpose of a benchmark in surveying?
A. Measure angles
B. Establish reference elevation
C. Determine boundaries
D. Measure slope
Answer: B. Establish reference elevation
Rationale: Benchmarks provide a fixed reference point with known
elevation, allowing surveyors to determine relative heights and ensure
consistency across projects.
,3. Which type of survey is conducted to determine property boundaries?
A. Topographic survey
B. Hydrographic survey
C. Cadastral survey
D. Engineering survey
Answer: C. Cadastral survey
Rationale: Cadastral surveys are specifically used to define land ownership
boundaries and legal property lines, often for land registration and
dispute resolution.
4. What does “leveling” determine?
A. Horizontal distance
B. Vertical elevation difference
C. Bearing
D. Area
Answer: B. Vertical elevation difference
Rationale: Leveling measures differences in elevation between points,
which is essential for construction, drainage design, and mapping.
5. Which error occurs due to faulty instrument calibration?
A. Random error
B. Systematic error
C. Personal error
D. Natural error
Answer: B. Systematic error
Rationale: Systematic errors are consistent and repeatable errors caused
by instrument defects or calibration issues, and they can often be
corrected mathematically.
6. What is the SI unit of angular measurement in surveying?
A. Degrees
B. Radians
C. Minutes
D. Seconds
, Answer: B. Radians
Rationale: While degrees are commonly used in practice, radians are the
SI unit for angular measurement in scientific contexts.
7. Which method is used to determine the position of a point by measuring
distances from known points?
A. Traversing
B. Trilateration
C. Triangulation
D. Leveling
Answer: B. Trilateration
Rationale: Trilateration determines position based on measured distances
from known points, unlike triangulation which uses angles.
8. What is a traverse?
A. Series of connected lines
B. A single measurement
C. Elevation profile
D. Area measurement
Answer: A. Series of connected lines
Rationale: A traverse consists of a sequence of connected survey lines
whose lengths and directions are measured.
9. What is the purpose of backsight in leveling?
A. Measure forward elevation
B. Establish instrument height
C. Measure slope
D. Determine bearing
Answer: B. Establish instrument height
Rationale: The backsight reading is taken on a known elevation to
establish the height of the instrument.
10.Which survey method uses angles only?
A. Trilateration
B. Triangulation
SURVEYING EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which instrument is primarily used to measure horizontal and vertical
angles in surveying?
A. Level
B. Total station
C. Compass
D. Chain
Answer: B. Total station
Rationale: A total station integrates an electronic theodolite with distance
measurement, allowing precise measurement of both horizontal and
vertical angles along with distances, making it the most versatile modern
surveying instrument.
2. What is the main purpose of a benchmark in surveying?
A. Measure angles
B. Establish reference elevation
C. Determine boundaries
D. Measure slope
Answer: B. Establish reference elevation
Rationale: Benchmarks provide a fixed reference point with known
elevation, allowing surveyors to determine relative heights and ensure
consistency across projects.
,3. Which type of survey is conducted to determine property boundaries?
A. Topographic survey
B. Hydrographic survey
C. Cadastral survey
D. Engineering survey
Answer: C. Cadastral survey
Rationale: Cadastral surveys are specifically used to define land ownership
boundaries and legal property lines, often for land registration and
dispute resolution.
4. What does “leveling” determine?
A. Horizontal distance
B. Vertical elevation difference
C. Bearing
D. Area
Answer: B. Vertical elevation difference
Rationale: Leveling measures differences in elevation between points,
which is essential for construction, drainage design, and mapping.
5. Which error occurs due to faulty instrument calibration?
A. Random error
B. Systematic error
C. Personal error
D. Natural error
Answer: B. Systematic error
Rationale: Systematic errors are consistent and repeatable errors caused
by instrument defects or calibration issues, and they can often be
corrected mathematically.
6. What is the SI unit of angular measurement in surveying?
A. Degrees
B. Radians
C. Minutes
D. Seconds
, Answer: B. Radians
Rationale: While degrees are commonly used in practice, radians are the
SI unit for angular measurement in scientific contexts.
7. Which method is used to determine the position of a point by measuring
distances from known points?
A. Traversing
B. Trilateration
C. Triangulation
D. Leveling
Answer: B. Trilateration
Rationale: Trilateration determines position based on measured distances
from known points, unlike triangulation which uses angles.
8. What is a traverse?
A. Series of connected lines
B. A single measurement
C. Elevation profile
D. Area measurement
Answer: A. Series of connected lines
Rationale: A traverse consists of a sequence of connected survey lines
whose lengths and directions are measured.
9. What is the purpose of backsight in leveling?
A. Measure forward elevation
B. Establish instrument height
C. Measure slope
D. Determine bearing
Answer: B. Establish instrument height
Rationale: The backsight reading is taken on a known elevation to
establish the height of the instrument.
10.Which survey method uses angles only?
A. Trilateration
B. Triangulation
