California Professional Land Surveyor State Exam
Newest (2025 - 2026 Update) From Real Past
Papers Questions – Set 100 Most Common Exam
Frequently Tested Questions And Answers In
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Recommendable For Grade A+
1. Under California boundary law, the primary objective when retracing a
boundary is to:
A. Maximize parcel area
B. Re-establish the original surveyor's intent
C. Create mathematically perfect boundaries
D. Match current GIS coordinates exactly
Answer: B
Explanation: California surveyors retrace and interpret the original survey rather
than establish a new boundary, even when modern measurements differ.
2. When conflicting evidence exists during a boundary survey, the surveyor
should generally:
A. Always accept the newest monument
B. Ignore occupation evidence
C. Evaluate all available evidence before reaching a professional opinion
D. Use GPS coordinates only
Answer: C
Explanation: Boundary determination requires weighing all available evidence
according to accepted legal principles and professional judgment.
3. Which monument generally carries the greatest weight?
,A. Computed point
B. Original monument controlling the survey
C. Recent fence corner
D. GIS parcel corner
Answer: B
Explanation: Original monuments generally control over calculated positions when
their identity is established.
4. The California Professional Land Surveyor State Exam emphasizes:
A. National highway design standards only
B. California-specific surveying practice and law
C. Structural engineering calculations
D. Environmental chemistry
Answer: B
Explanation: The examination focuses on California statutes, professional practice,
field operations, mapping, analysis, and consulting.
5. Before beginning field work, an important first step is to:
A. Set monuments immediately
B. Research existing records affecting the property
C. Prepare the Record of Survey
D. Contact utility companies only
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper research provides the evidence necessary for efficient and
accurate field investigations.
6. Which document commonly provides evidence of previous surveys?
A. Building permit
B. Record of Survey
C. Tax bill
D. Utility invoice
, Answer: B
Explanation: A Record of Survey documents previous survey findings and
monumentation.
7. Bearings are primarily used to describe:
A. Elevation differences
B. Horizontal direction
C. Vertical curvature
D. Earthwork volume
Answer: B
Explanation: Bearings express horizontal directions relative to reference
meridians.
8. A closed traverse primarily allows the surveyor to:
A. Ignore measurement errors
B. Evaluate closure and measurement quality
C. Eliminate monument searches
D. Avoid coordinate calculations
Answer: B
Explanation: Traverse closure provides an important check on survey accuracy.
9. Which instrument directly measures horizontal and vertical angles?
A. Steel tape
B. Digital level
C. Total station
D. Range pole
Answer: C
Explanation: A total station combines electronic angle measurement with distance
measurement.
10.RTK GNSS is primarily valued because it provides:
Newest (2025 - 2026 Update) From Real Past
Papers Questions – Set 100 Most Common Exam
Frequently Tested Questions And Answers In
Details 100% Verified Exam Highly
Recommendable For Grade A+
1. Under California boundary law, the primary objective when retracing a
boundary is to:
A. Maximize parcel area
B. Re-establish the original surveyor's intent
C. Create mathematically perfect boundaries
D. Match current GIS coordinates exactly
Answer: B
Explanation: California surveyors retrace and interpret the original survey rather
than establish a new boundary, even when modern measurements differ.
2. When conflicting evidence exists during a boundary survey, the surveyor
should generally:
A. Always accept the newest monument
B. Ignore occupation evidence
C. Evaluate all available evidence before reaching a professional opinion
D. Use GPS coordinates only
Answer: C
Explanation: Boundary determination requires weighing all available evidence
according to accepted legal principles and professional judgment.
3. Which monument generally carries the greatest weight?
,A. Computed point
B. Original monument controlling the survey
C. Recent fence corner
D. GIS parcel corner
Answer: B
Explanation: Original monuments generally control over calculated positions when
their identity is established.
4. The California Professional Land Surveyor State Exam emphasizes:
A. National highway design standards only
B. California-specific surveying practice and law
C. Structural engineering calculations
D. Environmental chemistry
Answer: B
Explanation: The examination focuses on California statutes, professional practice,
field operations, mapping, analysis, and consulting.
5. Before beginning field work, an important first step is to:
A. Set monuments immediately
B. Research existing records affecting the property
C. Prepare the Record of Survey
D. Contact utility companies only
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper research provides the evidence necessary for efficient and
accurate field investigations.
6. Which document commonly provides evidence of previous surveys?
A. Building permit
B. Record of Survey
C. Tax bill
D. Utility invoice
, Answer: B
Explanation: A Record of Survey documents previous survey findings and
monumentation.
7. Bearings are primarily used to describe:
A. Elevation differences
B. Horizontal direction
C. Vertical curvature
D. Earthwork volume
Answer: B
Explanation: Bearings express horizontal directions relative to reference
meridians.
8. A closed traverse primarily allows the surveyor to:
A. Ignore measurement errors
B. Evaluate closure and measurement quality
C. Eliminate monument searches
D. Avoid coordinate calculations
Answer: B
Explanation: Traverse closure provides an important check on survey accuracy.
9. Which instrument directly measures horizontal and vertical angles?
A. Steel tape
B. Digital level
C. Total station
D. Range pole
Answer: C
Explanation: A total station combines electronic angle measurement with distance
measurement.
10.RTK GNSS is primarily valued because it provides:
