Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
Question 1. What is the primary purpose of surveying?
A) To collect soil samples
B) To determine land boundaries and features
C) To design building architecture
D) To plant crops efficiently
Answer: B
Explanation: Surveying primarily involves measuring and mapping land
features, boundaries, and topography to support land development,
construction, and legal boundaries.
Question 2. Which historical development significantly advanced surveying
techniques in the 19th century?
A) The invention of the compass
B) The use of GPS technology
C) The development of the theodolite
D) The introduction of digital mapping
Answer: C
Explanation: The development of the theodolite in the 19th century allowed
for precise angular measurements essential for accurate land surveying.
Question 3. Which industry most relies heavily on topographic surveys?
, Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
A) Banking
B) Construction
C) Retail
D) Software development
Answer: B
Explanation: Topographic surveys provide detailed information about land
elevation and features, which are critical for construction planning and
design.
Question 4. Which of the following best describes a surveyor’s
responsibilities?
A) Designing electrical systems
B) Measuring, mapping, and documenting land features
C) Managing financial accounts
D) Developing software applications
Answer: B
Explanation: Surveyors are responsible for accurately measuring, mapping,
and documenting land and property features.
Question 5. Which skill is most essential for a surveyor?
A) Knowledge of legal land descriptions
, Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
B) Advanced programming skills
C) Medical training
D) Financial auditing
Answer: A
Explanation: Understanding legal land descriptions is crucial for boundary
determination and legal boundary disputes.
Question 6. What is an ethical duty of a surveyor?
A) To manipulate data for client benefit
B) To maintain accuracy and honesty in data collection
C) To prioritize client interests over accuracy
D) To ignore legal boundaries
Answer: B
Explanation: Ethical surveyors must maintain accuracy, honesty, and integrity
in their work, ensuring reliable and legally defensible results.
Question 7. Which instrument is primarily used for measuring horizontal
angles in surveying?
A) GPS receiver
B) Theodolite
C) Level
, Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
D) Rangefinder
Answer: B
Explanation: The theodolite is used to measure horizontal angles accurately
during surveying.
Question 8. How does a total station differ from a theodolite?
A) It only measures distances
B) It combines angle measurement with electronic distance measurement
C) It is used only for aerial surveys
D) It is solely a manual instrument without electronic features
Answer: B
Explanation: A total station integrates electronic angle measurement and
electronic distance measurement (EDM) capabilities for versatile surveying.
Question 9. Which technology uses satellites to determine precise geographic
locations?
A) Total station
B) GNSS
C) Theodolite
D) Level
Answer: B
(SMQT) Exam
Question 1. What is the primary purpose of surveying?
A) To collect soil samples
B) To determine land boundaries and features
C) To design building architecture
D) To plant crops efficiently
Answer: B
Explanation: Surveying primarily involves measuring and mapping land
features, boundaries, and topography to support land development,
construction, and legal boundaries.
Question 2. Which historical development significantly advanced surveying
techniques in the 19th century?
A) The invention of the compass
B) The use of GPS technology
C) The development of the theodolite
D) The introduction of digital mapping
Answer: C
Explanation: The development of the theodolite in the 19th century allowed
for precise angular measurements essential for accurate land surveying.
Question 3. Which industry most relies heavily on topographic surveys?
, Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
A) Banking
B) Construction
C) Retail
D) Software development
Answer: B
Explanation: Topographic surveys provide detailed information about land
elevation and features, which are critical for construction planning and
design.
Question 4. Which of the following best describes a surveyor’s
responsibilities?
A) Designing electrical systems
B) Measuring, mapping, and documenting land features
C) Managing financial accounts
D) Developing software applications
Answer: B
Explanation: Surveyors are responsible for accurately measuring, mapping,
and documenting land and property features.
Question 5. Which skill is most essential for a surveyor?
A) Knowledge of legal land descriptions
, Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
B) Advanced programming skills
C) Medical training
D) Financial auditing
Answer: A
Explanation: Understanding legal land descriptions is crucial for boundary
determination and legal boundary disputes.
Question 6. What is an ethical duty of a surveyor?
A) To manipulate data for client benefit
B) To maintain accuracy and honesty in data collection
C) To prioritize client interests over accuracy
D) To ignore legal boundaries
Answer: B
Explanation: Ethical surveyors must maintain accuracy, honesty, and integrity
in their work, ensuring reliable and legally defensible results.
Question 7. Which instrument is primarily used for measuring horizontal
angles in surveying?
A) GPS receiver
B) Theodolite
C) Level
, Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test
(SMQT) Exam
D) Rangefinder
Answer: B
Explanation: The theodolite is used to measure horizontal angles accurately
during surveying.
Question 8. How does a total station differ from a theodolite?
A) It only measures distances
B) It combines angle measurement with electronic distance measurement
C) It is used only for aerial surveys
D) It is solely a manual instrument without electronic features
Answer: B
Explanation: A total station integrates electronic angle measurement and
electronic distance measurement (EDM) capabilities for versatile surveying.
Question 9. Which technology uses satellites to determine precise geographic
locations?
A) Total station
B) GNSS
C) Theodolite
D) Level
Answer: B
