ILLINOIS NCEES LAND SURVEYOR EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A property corner is described in a deed as being "on the east line of Smith's tract, 100 feet north of the
southeast corner." If the corner monument cannot be found, what is the best method to locate it?
A. Measure 100 feet north from the southeast corner along the east line
B. Use aerial imagery to approximate location
C. Set the corner at an arbitrary point on the east line
D. Consult the neighboring property owner
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: When a deed references a specific distance along a known line, measuring that distance along
the described line is the standard method to reestablish the corner. The deed description provides the primary
legal evidence for locating the property corner .
,Question 2
Which type of survey is primarily used to establish the boundaries and area of a parcel for legal purposes?
A. Topographic survey
B. Boundary survey
C. Construction survey
D. Hydrographic survey
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A boundary survey determines the precise location of property lines and corners as legally
defined. This is the fundamental survey type for establishing legal property boundaries .
Question 3
What is the Illinois statute of limitations for filing a civil action to enforce a property boundary line?
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 15 years
D. 20 years
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Illinois law generally provides a 10-year period for adverse possession or boundary disputes .
,Question 4
Which coordinate system is commonly used for precise geodetic surveys in Illinois?
A. State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS)
B. UTM
C. Local street grid
D. State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) – Illinois East and West zones
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Illinois uses the SPCS with East and West zones for high-accuracy survey work .
Question 5
When using a total station, what is the primary source of angular error?
A. Prism offset
B. Instrument calibration errors
C. Rod reading error
D. Tape tension
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Instrument calibration and collimation errors are the main source of angular inaccuracies in
total stations .
, Question 6
What is the purpose of a benchmark in surveying?
A. To mark property corners
B. To provide a known elevation reference
C. To establish right-of-way lines
D. To locate easements
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Benchmarks are fixed points with known elevation used to determine heights of surveyed
points .
Question 7
In Illinois, how are public lands typically described in deeds?
A. Metes and bounds only
B. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) with townships and ranges
C. Street address
D. GPS coordinates only
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: PLSS descriptions are standard for public lands in Illinois, dividing land into townships, sections,
and fractions .
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A property corner is described in a deed as being "on the east line of Smith's tract, 100 feet north of the
southeast corner." If the corner monument cannot be found, what is the best method to locate it?
A. Measure 100 feet north from the southeast corner along the east line
B. Use aerial imagery to approximate location
C. Set the corner at an arbitrary point on the east line
D. Consult the neighboring property owner
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: When a deed references a specific distance along a known line, measuring that distance along
the described line is the standard method to reestablish the corner. The deed description provides the primary
legal evidence for locating the property corner .
,Question 2
Which type of survey is primarily used to establish the boundaries and area of a parcel for legal purposes?
A. Topographic survey
B. Boundary survey
C. Construction survey
D. Hydrographic survey
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A boundary survey determines the precise location of property lines and corners as legally
defined. This is the fundamental survey type for establishing legal property boundaries .
Question 3
What is the Illinois statute of limitations for filing a civil action to enforce a property boundary line?
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 15 years
D. 20 years
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Illinois law generally provides a 10-year period for adverse possession or boundary disputes .
,Question 4
Which coordinate system is commonly used for precise geodetic surveys in Illinois?
A. State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS)
B. UTM
C. Local street grid
D. State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) – Illinois East and West zones
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Illinois uses the SPCS with East and West zones for high-accuracy survey work .
Question 5
When using a total station, what is the primary source of angular error?
A. Prism offset
B. Instrument calibration errors
C. Rod reading error
D. Tape tension
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Instrument calibration and collimation errors are the main source of angular inaccuracies in
total stations .
, Question 6
What is the purpose of a benchmark in surveying?
A. To mark property corners
B. To provide a known elevation reference
C. To establish right-of-way lines
D. To locate easements
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Benchmarks are fixed points with known elevation used to determine heights of surveyed
points .
Question 7
In Illinois, how are public lands typically described in deeds?
A. Metes and bounds only
B. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) with townships and ranges
C. Street address
D. GPS coordinates only
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: PLSS descriptions are standard for public lands in Illinois, dividing land into townships, sections,
and fractions .
