1
California LSIT (Fundamentals of Surveying) Exam — 100 Practice Questions & Answers
(2026–2027)
Section 1: Surveying Processes and Methods (Questions 1–20)
1. Which instrument is best suited for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles and
distances in a single setup?
A) Automatic level
B) Total station
C) Compass
D) Altimeter
Answer: B. A total station combines an electronic theodolite with an EDM to measure angles
and distances simultaneously .
2. In GNSS surveying, what does "OPUS" stand for?
A) Online Positioning User Service
B) Orthometric Positioning Utility System
C) Optimal Precision Surveying
D) Orbital Positioning Unified Standard
Answer: A. OPUS is the National Geodetic Survey's Online Positioning User Service for
processing static GNSS data .
3. Which type of survey establishes horizontal and vertical control for subsequent surveys?
A) Topographic survey
B) Control survey
C) Construction survey
D) As-built survey
Answer: B. Control surveys establish horizontal and vertical reference networks for other
surveys .
4. What is the primary purpose of a cadastral survey?
A) Mapping topography
B) Establishing property boundaries
C) Measuring earthwork volumes
D) Setting construction stakes
Answer: B. Cadastral surveys deal with boundaries, land titles, and the Public Land Survey
System .
5. In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a standard township contains how many
sections?
A) 16
B) 32
, 2
C) 36
D) 64
Answer: C. A township is 6 miles × 6 miles, divided into 36 sections, each 1 mile × 1 mile .
6. A section in the PLSS contains how many acres?
A) 160 acres
B) 320 acres
C) 640 acres
D) 1,280 acres
Answer: C. Each section is 1 mile × 1 mile = 640 acres .
7. Which of the following is a real-time GNSS positioning method?
A) Static
B) Rapid static
C) RTK
D) OPUS
Answer: C. RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) provides real-time corrected positions .
8. What is the primary function of a digital terrain model (DTM)?
A) Storing survey field notes
B) Representing ground surface topography digitally
C) Measuring distance with EDM
D) Computing traverse closure
Answer: B. A DTM (e.g., TIN or digital elevation model) represents terrain surface digitally .
9. In field record keeping, raw data files typically contain:
A) Only final coordinates
B) Unprocessed field observations
C) Legal descriptions
D) Map legends
Answer: B. Raw data files store unprocessed observations from data collectors .
10. Which survey type is used to locate existing improvements and features?
A) Topographic survey
B) As-built survey
C) Construction layout
D) Control survey
Answer: B. As-built surveys document what was actually constructed .
11. A level is set up between two points. The backsight reading is 4.25 ft and the foresight
reading is 6.80 ft. If the elevation of the backsight point is 500.00 ft, what is the elevation
, 3
of the foresight point?
A) 497.45 ft
B) 502.55 ft
C) 511.05 ft
D) 493.20 ft
Answer: A. HI = 500.00 + 4.25 = 504.25 ft; FS elevation = 504.25 − 6.80 = 497.45 ft.
12. Which of the following is NOT a type of leveling?
A) Differential leveling
B) Trigonometric leveling
C) Reciprical leveling
D) Radial leveling
Answer: D. Radial leveling is not a standard leveling classification. Differential, trigonometric,
and reciprocal leveling are recognized types .
13. A closed traverse with 8 sides has what sum of interior angles?
A) 540°
B) 720°
C) 900°
D) 1,080°
Answer: D. Sum = (n−2) × 180° = (8−2) × 180° = 1,080° .
14. What is the purpose of a traverse closure check?
A) To verify the survey meets accuracy standards
B) To set monuments
C) To compute earthwork volumes
D) To measure slope distances
Answer: A. Closure check verifies that the traverse meets accuracy specifications .
15. A surveyor measures a slope distance of 250.00 ft with a zenith angle of 85°00'00".
What is the horizontal distance?
A) 249.05 ft
B) 248.50 ft
C) 250.95 ft
D) 251.50 ft
Answer: A. Horizontal distance = 250.00 × sin(85°) = 250.00 × 0.99619 = 249.05 ft.
16. Which of the following is a common source of error in EDM measurements?
A) Atmospheric conditions
B) Instrument height
California LSIT (Fundamentals of Surveying) Exam — 100 Practice Questions & Answers
(2026–2027)
Section 1: Surveying Processes and Methods (Questions 1–20)
1. Which instrument is best suited for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles and
distances in a single setup?
A) Automatic level
B) Total station
C) Compass
D) Altimeter
Answer: B. A total station combines an electronic theodolite with an EDM to measure angles
and distances simultaneously .
2. In GNSS surveying, what does "OPUS" stand for?
A) Online Positioning User Service
B) Orthometric Positioning Utility System
C) Optimal Precision Surveying
D) Orbital Positioning Unified Standard
Answer: A. OPUS is the National Geodetic Survey's Online Positioning User Service for
processing static GNSS data .
3. Which type of survey establishes horizontal and vertical control for subsequent surveys?
A) Topographic survey
B) Control survey
C) Construction survey
D) As-built survey
Answer: B. Control surveys establish horizontal and vertical reference networks for other
surveys .
4. What is the primary purpose of a cadastral survey?
A) Mapping topography
B) Establishing property boundaries
C) Measuring earthwork volumes
D) Setting construction stakes
Answer: B. Cadastral surveys deal with boundaries, land titles, and the Public Land Survey
System .
5. In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a standard township contains how many
sections?
A) 16
B) 32
, 2
C) 36
D) 64
Answer: C. A township is 6 miles × 6 miles, divided into 36 sections, each 1 mile × 1 mile .
6. A section in the PLSS contains how many acres?
A) 160 acres
B) 320 acres
C) 640 acres
D) 1,280 acres
Answer: C. Each section is 1 mile × 1 mile = 640 acres .
7. Which of the following is a real-time GNSS positioning method?
A) Static
B) Rapid static
C) RTK
D) OPUS
Answer: C. RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) provides real-time corrected positions .
8. What is the primary function of a digital terrain model (DTM)?
A) Storing survey field notes
B) Representing ground surface topography digitally
C) Measuring distance with EDM
D) Computing traverse closure
Answer: B. A DTM (e.g., TIN or digital elevation model) represents terrain surface digitally .
9. In field record keeping, raw data files typically contain:
A) Only final coordinates
B) Unprocessed field observations
C) Legal descriptions
D) Map legends
Answer: B. Raw data files store unprocessed observations from data collectors .
10. Which survey type is used to locate existing improvements and features?
A) Topographic survey
B) As-built survey
C) Construction layout
D) Control survey
Answer: B. As-built surveys document what was actually constructed .
11. A level is set up between two points. The backsight reading is 4.25 ft and the foresight
reading is 6.80 ft. If the elevation of the backsight point is 500.00 ft, what is the elevation
, 3
of the foresight point?
A) 497.45 ft
B) 502.55 ft
C) 511.05 ft
D) 493.20 ft
Answer: A. HI = 500.00 + 4.25 = 504.25 ft; FS elevation = 504.25 − 6.80 = 497.45 ft.
12. Which of the following is NOT a type of leveling?
A) Differential leveling
B) Trigonometric leveling
C) Reciprical leveling
D) Radial leveling
Answer: D. Radial leveling is not a standard leveling classification. Differential, trigonometric,
and reciprocal leveling are recognized types .
13. A closed traverse with 8 sides has what sum of interior angles?
A) 540°
B) 720°
C) 900°
D) 1,080°
Answer: D. Sum = (n−2) × 180° = (8−2) × 180° = 1,080° .
14. What is the purpose of a traverse closure check?
A) To verify the survey meets accuracy standards
B) To set monuments
C) To compute earthwork volumes
D) To measure slope distances
Answer: A. Closure check verifies that the traverse meets accuracy specifications .
15. A surveyor measures a slope distance of 250.00 ft with a zenith angle of 85°00'00".
What is the horizontal distance?
A) 249.05 ft
B) 248.50 ft
C) 250.95 ft
D) 251.50 ft
Answer: A. Horizontal distance = 250.00 × sin(85°) = 250.00 × 0.99619 = 249.05 ft.
16. Which of the following is a common source of error in EDM measurements?
A) Atmospheric conditions
B) Instrument height
