ILLINOIS JURISDICTIONAL LAND
SURVEYOR EXAM – ORIGINAL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM PREP |
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A Professional Land Surveyor is retracing the boundary of a parcel where
the original monument is missing, but several long-recognized occupation
lines agree with historical deeds. What should receive the greatest
consideration during the boundary determination?
A. The most recent GIS parcel map
B. Long-standing evidence of original boundary location supported by reliable
evidence
C. The property owner's preferred fence line
D. The county tax assessment map
When original monuments are lost, a surveyor should evaluate all available
evidence, including historical occupation, adjoining surveys, deeds, and
testimony, to re-establish the original boundary. Tax maps and GIS data are
reference tools but are not controlling boundary evidence.
2. During a boundary survey, the legal description conflicts with measured
distances but agrees with an original iron pipe monument found in its
documented location. Which evidence generally has the highest priority?
A. Measured distance
B. Area stated in the deed
C. Original monument
D. Bearings from a recent survey
In boundary retracement, original monuments generally control over
measurements, bearings, distances, and stated acreage when they can be reliably
identified as the original boundary markers.
,3. A client asks the surveyor to intentionally shift a property line to match an
existing fence, despite conflicting legal evidence. What is the surveyor's most
appropriate response?
A. Modify the boundary because the client requested it.
B. Show both boundaries without explanation.
C. Decline to alter the survey and base conclusions on professional evidence.
D. Change the boundary if neighboring owners agree.
A Professional Land Surveyor must protect the public by providing objective,
evidence-based opinions. Client preference cannot override professional
judgment or legal evidence.
4. Which document typically establishes the legal intent for transferring
ownership of real property?
A. Topographic map
B. Warranty deed
C. Tax assessment record
D. Zoning ordinance
A deed is the primary legal instrument used to convey ownership interests in real
property. Other records may provide useful information but generally do not
transfer title.
5. Before beginning a jurisdictional boundary survey, the surveyor discovers
conflicting recorded plats affecting the same parcel. What is the best initial
action?
A. Ignore the older plat.
B. Review all available recorded documents and evaluate their legal priority.
C. Accept the newest recorded plat automatically.
D. Survey only the client's deed description.
Rationale: Resolving conflicting boundary evidence requires a complete review
of applicable plats, deeds, easements, prior surveys, and other public records
before forming professional conclusions.
, 6. Which surveying principle best describes the process of locating where the
original boundary was established rather than creating a new boundary?
A. Construction surveying
B. Boundary retracement
C. Route surveying
D. Hydrographic surveying
Boundary retracement seeks to identify and re-establish the original location of
property boundaries based on competent evidence rather than creating new lines.
7. While performing a survey, the surveyor discovers evidence suggesting a
possible encroachment onto an adjoining parcel. What is the most appropriate
professional action?
A. Exclude the information from the final survey.
B. Document and report the evidence in accordance with professional
standards.
C. Notify only the client verbally.
D. Ignore the encroachment because ownership is a legal issue.
Surveyors should accurately report observed evidence affecting boundary
location, including apparent encroachments, while avoiding legal conclusions
regarding ownership rights.
8. Which type of evidence is generally considered the least reliable for
determining a property boundary?
A. Original monument
B. Natural monument referenced in the original survey
C. County tax map
D. Original recorded subdivision plat
SURVEYOR EXAM – ORIGINAL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM PREP |
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A Professional Land Surveyor is retracing the boundary of a parcel where
the original monument is missing, but several long-recognized occupation
lines agree with historical deeds. What should receive the greatest
consideration during the boundary determination?
A. The most recent GIS parcel map
B. Long-standing evidence of original boundary location supported by reliable
evidence
C. The property owner's preferred fence line
D. The county tax assessment map
When original monuments are lost, a surveyor should evaluate all available
evidence, including historical occupation, adjoining surveys, deeds, and
testimony, to re-establish the original boundary. Tax maps and GIS data are
reference tools but are not controlling boundary evidence.
2. During a boundary survey, the legal description conflicts with measured
distances but agrees with an original iron pipe monument found in its
documented location. Which evidence generally has the highest priority?
A. Measured distance
B. Area stated in the deed
C. Original monument
D. Bearings from a recent survey
In boundary retracement, original monuments generally control over
measurements, bearings, distances, and stated acreage when they can be reliably
identified as the original boundary markers.
,3. A client asks the surveyor to intentionally shift a property line to match an
existing fence, despite conflicting legal evidence. What is the surveyor's most
appropriate response?
A. Modify the boundary because the client requested it.
B. Show both boundaries without explanation.
C. Decline to alter the survey and base conclusions on professional evidence.
D. Change the boundary if neighboring owners agree.
A Professional Land Surveyor must protect the public by providing objective,
evidence-based opinions. Client preference cannot override professional
judgment or legal evidence.
4. Which document typically establishes the legal intent for transferring
ownership of real property?
A. Topographic map
B. Warranty deed
C. Tax assessment record
D. Zoning ordinance
A deed is the primary legal instrument used to convey ownership interests in real
property. Other records may provide useful information but generally do not
transfer title.
5. Before beginning a jurisdictional boundary survey, the surveyor discovers
conflicting recorded plats affecting the same parcel. What is the best initial
action?
A. Ignore the older plat.
B. Review all available recorded documents and evaluate their legal priority.
C. Accept the newest recorded plat automatically.
D. Survey only the client's deed description.
Rationale: Resolving conflicting boundary evidence requires a complete review
of applicable plats, deeds, easements, prior surveys, and other public records
before forming professional conclusions.
, 6. Which surveying principle best describes the process of locating where the
original boundary was established rather than creating a new boundary?
A. Construction surveying
B. Boundary retracement
C. Route surveying
D. Hydrographic surveying
Boundary retracement seeks to identify and re-establish the original location of
property boundaries based on competent evidence rather than creating new lines.
7. While performing a survey, the surveyor discovers evidence suggesting a
possible encroachment onto an adjoining parcel. What is the most appropriate
professional action?
A. Exclude the information from the final survey.
B. Document and report the evidence in accordance with professional
standards.
C. Notify only the client verbally.
D. Ignore the encroachment because ownership is a legal issue.
Surveyors should accurately report observed evidence affecting boundary
location, including apparent encroachments, while avoiding legal conclusions
regarding ownership rights.
8. Which type of evidence is generally considered the least reliable for
determining a property boundary?
A. Original monument
B. Natural monument referenced in the original survey
C. County tax map
D. Original recorded subdivision plat
