LAND SURVEYOR EXAMINER EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2025/2026
Q&A/INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following instruments is primarily used for measuring horizontal angles in
surveying?
A. Theodolite
B. Total Station
C. Level
D. Chain
*Answer: A. Theodolite — Theodolites are specifically designed for measuring horizontal and
vertical angles with high precision.
2. In leveling, what is the main purpose of a benchmark?
A. To measure distances
B. To establish a reference elevation
C. To determine slope
D. To locate property boundaries
*Answer: B. To establish a reference elevation — Benchmarks provide a known elevation point
from which all other elevations are measured.
3. Which method of surveying is most suitable for measuring large, relatively flat areas?
A. Triangulation
B. Traversing
C. Chain surveying
D. Plane table surveying
*Answer: C. Chain surveying — Chain surveying is efficient for small, flat areas and uses
chains or tapes for linear measurements.
4. A total station can measure which of the following simultaneously?
A. Distance only
B. Angle only
C. Both distance and angle
D. Elevation only
*Answer: C. Both distance and angle — Total stations integrate electronic distance
measurement and angle measurement for precise surveying.
5. In a traverse, what is the purpose of a closing error?
A. To indicate angular miscalculations
B. To measure the accuracy of the survey
C. To adjust the benchmark
,D. To determine the area
*Answer: B. To measure the accuracy of the survey — Closing error shows the difference
between the start and end points of a traverse, indicating potential measurement errors.
6. Which type of level is used for extremely precise leveling work, such as in construction or
geodetic surveys?
A. Dumpy level
B. Tilting level
C. Laser level
D. Digital level
*Answer: D. Digital level — Digital levels provide high-precision readings for critical
applications.
7. When performing triangulation, which element is considered the most critical?
A. Base line
B. Zenith angle
C. Slope distance
D. Compass direction
*Answer: A. Base line — The base line is measured accurately and serves as the foundation for
calculating the rest of the triangle sides and angles.
8. Which of the following is NOT a type of surveying?
A. Cadastral
B. Topographic
C. Geological
D. Astronomical
*Answer: C. Geological — Geological studies are not typically considered a surveying
discipline, though geologists may use survey data.
9. A contour line represents:
A. Points of equal slope
B. Points of equal elevation
C. Distance between points
D. The shortest path between points
*Answer: B. Points of equal elevation — Contours illustrate the terrain's elevation changes on a
map.
10. What is the main advantage of using GPS in land surveying?
A. It eliminates the need for angles
B. It provides high-precision location data over large distances
C. It replaces leveling instruments
D. It does not require corrections
*Answer: B. It provides high-precision location data over large distances — GPS allows
surveyors to determine positions accurately anywhere on the Earth’s surface.
, 11. Which of the following is a commonly used tape material in chaining?
A. Steel
B. Plastic
C. Nylon
D. Aluminum
*Answer: A. Steel — Steel tapes are durable and provide accurate distance measurements over
long distances.
12. The term “bearing” in surveying refers to:
A. Distance between two points
B. Angle between a line and a reference meridian
C. Elevation difference between points
D. Curvature of the Earth
*Answer: B. Angle between a line and a reference meridian — Bearings indicate the direction of
a line in relation to a north-south meridian.
13. What is the purpose of a theodolite’s vertical circle?
A. To measure horizontal angles
B. To measure slope distance
C. To measure vertical angles
D. To measure elevations
*Answer: C. To measure vertical angles — The vertical circle of a theodolite measures angles
above or below the horizontal plane.
14. In surveying, a traverse can be:
A. Open or closed
B. Horizontal only
C. Vertical only
D. Curved only
*Answer: A. Open or closed — Traverses can start and end at known points (closed) or start at
a known point and end at an unknown (open).
15. What is the principle of leveling?
A. Measurement of horizontal distances
B. Determining elevation differences using a horizontal line of sight
C. Calculating slope gradients
D. Measuring angles between points
*Answer: B. Determining elevation differences using a horizontal line of sight — Leveling
ensures accurate measurement of height differences between points.
16. Which of the following surveying methods is best for hilly or uneven terrain?
A. Chain surveying
B. Plane table surveying
C. Triangulation
D. Compass surveying
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2025/2026
Q&A/INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following instruments is primarily used for measuring horizontal angles in
surveying?
A. Theodolite
B. Total Station
C. Level
D. Chain
*Answer: A. Theodolite — Theodolites are specifically designed for measuring horizontal and
vertical angles with high precision.
2. In leveling, what is the main purpose of a benchmark?
A. To measure distances
B. To establish a reference elevation
C. To determine slope
D. To locate property boundaries
*Answer: B. To establish a reference elevation — Benchmarks provide a known elevation point
from which all other elevations are measured.
3. Which method of surveying is most suitable for measuring large, relatively flat areas?
A. Triangulation
B. Traversing
C. Chain surveying
D. Plane table surveying
*Answer: C. Chain surveying — Chain surveying is efficient for small, flat areas and uses
chains or tapes for linear measurements.
4. A total station can measure which of the following simultaneously?
A. Distance only
B. Angle only
C. Both distance and angle
D. Elevation only
*Answer: C. Both distance and angle — Total stations integrate electronic distance
measurement and angle measurement for precise surveying.
5. In a traverse, what is the purpose of a closing error?
A. To indicate angular miscalculations
B. To measure the accuracy of the survey
C. To adjust the benchmark
,D. To determine the area
*Answer: B. To measure the accuracy of the survey — Closing error shows the difference
between the start and end points of a traverse, indicating potential measurement errors.
6. Which type of level is used for extremely precise leveling work, such as in construction or
geodetic surveys?
A. Dumpy level
B. Tilting level
C. Laser level
D. Digital level
*Answer: D. Digital level — Digital levels provide high-precision readings for critical
applications.
7. When performing triangulation, which element is considered the most critical?
A. Base line
B. Zenith angle
C. Slope distance
D. Compass direction
*Answer: A. Base line — The base line is measured accurately and serves as the foundation for
calculating the rest of the triangle sides and angles.
8. Which of the following is NOT a type of surveying?
A. Cadastral
B. Topographic
C. Geological
D. Astronomical
*Answer: C. Geological — Geological studies are not typically considered a surveying
discipline, though geologists may use survey data.
9. A contour line represents:
A. Points of equal slope
B. Points of equal elevation
C. Distance between points
D. The shortest path between points
*Answer: B. Points of equal elevation — Contours illustrate the terrain's elevation changes on a
map.
10. What is the main advantage of using GPS in land surveying?
A. It eliminates the need for angles
B. It provides high-precision location data over large distances
C. It replaces leveling instruments
D. It does not require corrections
*Answer: B. It provides high-precision location data over large distances — GPS allows
surveyors to determine positions accurately anywhere on the Earth’s surface.
, 11. Which of the following is a commonly used tape material in chaining?
A. Steel
B. Plastic
C. Nylon
D. Aluminum
*Answer: A. Steel — Steel tapes are durable and provide accurate distance measurements over
long distances.
12. The term “bearing” in surveying refers to:
A. Distance between two points
B. Angle between a line and a reference meridian
C. Elevation difference between points
D. Curvature of the Earth
*Answer: B. Angle between a line and a reference meridian — Bearings indicate the direction of
a line in relation to a north-south meridian.
13. What is the purpose of a theodolite’s vertical circle?
A. To measure horizontal angles
B. To measure slope distance
C. To measure vertical angles
D. To measure elevations
*Answer: C. To measure vertical angles — The vertical circle of a theodolite measures angles
above or below the horizontal plane.
14. In surveying, a traverse can be:
A. Open or closed
B. Horizontal only
C. Vertical only
D. Curved only
*Answer: A. Open or closed — Traverses can start and end at known points (closed) or start at
a known point and end at an unknown (open).
15. What is the principle of leveling?
A. Measurement of horizontal distances
B. Determining elevation differences using a horizontal line of sight
C. Calculating slope gradients
D. Measuring angles between points
*Answer: B. Determining elevation differences using a horizontal line of sight — Leveling
ensures accurate measurement of height differences between points.
16. Which of the following surveying methods is best for hilly or uneven terrain?
A. Chain surveying
B. Plane table surveying
C. Triangulation
D. Compass surveying
