CPL'S COURSE: TACTICAL TOOLS
EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS.
DEFINITION AND PURPOSE - ANS A map is defined as a graphic representation of a portion of
the Earth's surface drawn to scale, as seen from above. It uses colors, symbols, and labels to
represent features found on the ground.
The ideal representation would be realized if every feature of the area being mapped could be
shown in true shape.
The purpose of a map is to provide information on the existence, location, and distance
between ground features, such as populated places and routes of travel and communication. It
also indicates variations in terrain, heights of natural features, and the extent of vegetation
cover.
All operations conducted require maps; however, the finest maps available are worthless unless
the map user knows how to read them.
MARGINAL INFORMATION - ANS A map is considered equipment. To use it properly, you
should read the instructions.
These instructions on the outer edges of the map are called marginal information.
All maps are different so examine the marginal information on each map carefully.
MARGINAL INFORMATION TOP MARGIN - ANS The top margin of the map helps you to
identify the specific area covered as well as the age and scale of the map
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Sheet Name - ANS The sheet name is found in bold print at the center of the top and in the
lower left area of the map margin. A map is generally named for the settlement contained
within the area covered by the sheet or for the largest natural feature located within the area at
the time the map was drawn.
Sheet Number - ANS The sheet number is bolded in the upper right and lower left areas of
the margin and in the center box of the adjoining sheets diagram, which is found in the lower
right margin.
It is used as a reference number to link specific maps to overlays, operations orders, and plans.
For maps at 1:100,000 scale and larger, sheet numbers are based on an arbitrary system that
makes possible the ready orientation of maps at scales of 1:100,000, 1:50,000, and 1:25,000
Series Name - ANS The map series name is found in the same bold print as the sheet number
in the upper left corner of the margin.
The name given to the series is generally that of a major political subdivision, such as a state
within the United States or a European nation.
A map series usually includes a group of similar maps at the same scale and on the same sheet
lines or format designed to cover a particular geographic area.
It may also be a group of maps that serve a common purpose, such as the military city maps.
Scale - ANS The scale is found both in the upper left margin after the series name and in the
center of the lower margin.
The scale note is a representative fraction that gives the ratio of a map distance to the
corresponding distance on the Earth's surface.
For example, the scale note 1:50,000 indicates that one unit of measure on the map equals
50,000 units of the same measure on the ground.
Series Number - ANS The series number is found in both the upper right margin and the
lower left margin. It is a sequence reference expressed either as a four-digit numeral (1125) or
as a letter, followed by a three- or four-digit numeral (M661; T7110)
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Edition Number - ANS The edition number is found bolded in the upper right area of the top
margin and the lower left area of the bottom margin.
Editions are numbered consecutively; therefore, if you have more than one edition, the highest
numbered sheet is the most recent.
This date is important when determining how accurately the map data might be expected to
match what you will encounter on the ground
MARGINAL INFORMATION: BOTTOM MARGIN - ANS This portion of the map includes
information that helps to interpret the map. It provides correlation between actual terrain and
man-made features and the map's topographic symbols. Some information found in the bottom
margin is repeated from the top margin.
Boundaries - ANS The index to boundaries diagram appears in the lower or right margin of all
sheets.
This diagram, which is a miniature of the map, shows the boundaries that occur within the map
area, such as county lines and state boundaries.
Adjoining Sheets - ANS Maps at all standard scales contain a diagram that illustrates the
adjoining sheets. The diagram usually contains nine rectangles, but the number may vary
depending on the locations of the adjoining sheets. All represented sheets are identified by
their sheet numbers. Sheets of an adjoining series of the same scale, whether published or
planned, are represented by dashed lines. The series number of the adjoining series is indicated
along the appropriate side of the division line between the series.
Elevation Guide - ANS This is normally found in the lower right margin.
It is a miniature characterization of the terrain shown.
The terrain is represented by bands of elevation, spot elevations, and major drainage features.
The elevation guide provides the map reader with a means of rapid recognition of major
landforms.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Declination Diagram - ANS This is located in the lower margin of large-scale maps and
indicates the angular relationships of true north, grid north, and magnetic north.
On maps at 1:250,000 scale, this information is expressed as a note in the lower margin.
In new maps, there is a note indicating the conversion of azimuths from grid to magnetic and
from magnetic to grid next to the declination diagram.
Bar Scale - ANS These are located in the center of the lower margin.
They are rulers used to convert map distance to ground distance.
Maps have three or more bar scales, each in a different unit of measure.
Care should be exercised when using the scales, especially in the selection of the unit of
measure that is needed.
Contour Interval Note - ANS This note is found in the center of the lower margin normally
below the bar scales.
It states the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines of the map.
When supplementary contours are used, the interval is indicated.
In new maps, the contour interval is given in meters instead of feet
Legend - ANS The legend is located in the lower left margin.
It illustrates and identifies the topographic symbols used to depict some of the more prominent
features on the map.
The symbols are not the same on every map.
Always refer to the legend to avoid errors when reading a map.
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS.
DEFINITION AND PURPOSE - ANS A map is defined as a graphic representation of a portion of
the Earth's surface drawn to scale, as seen from above. It uses colors, symbols, and labels to
represent features found on the ground.
The ideal representation would be realized if every feature of the area being mapped could be
shown in true shape.
The purpose of a map is to provide information on the existence, location, and distance
between ground features, such as populated places and routes of travel and communication. It
also indicates variations in terrain, heights of natural features, and the extent of vegetation
cover.
All operations conducted require maps; however, the finest maps available are worthless unless
the map user knows how to read them.
MARGINAL INFORMATION - ANS A map is considered equipment. To use it properly, you
should read the instructions.
These instructions on the outer edges of the map are called marginal information.
All maps are different so examine the marginal information on each map carefully.
MARGINAL INFORMATION TOP MARGIN - ANS The top margin of the map helps you to
identify the specific area covered as well as the age and scale of the map
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Sheet Name - ANS The sheet name is found in bold print at the center of the top and in the
lower left area of the map margin. A map is generally named for the settlement contained
within the area covered by the sheet or for the largest natural feature located within the area at
the time the map was drawn.
Sheet Number - ANS The sheet number is bolded in the upper right and lower left areas of
the margin and in the center box of the adjoining sheets diagram, which is found in the lower
right margin.
It is used as a reference number to link specific maps to overlays, operations orders, and plans.
For maps at 1:100,000 scale and larger, sheet numbers are based on an arbitrary system that
makes possible the ready orientation of maps at scales of 1:100,000, 1:50,000, and 1:25,000
Series Name - ANS The map series name is found in the same bold print as the sheet number
in the upper left corner of the margin.
The name given to the series is generally that of a major political subdivision, such as a state
within the United States or a European nation.
A map series usually includes a group of similar maps at the same scale and on the same sheet
lines or format designed to cover a particular geographic area.
It may also be a group of maps that serve a common purpose, such as the military city maps.
Scale - ANS The scale is found both in the upper left margin after the series name and in the
center of the lower margin.
The scale note is a representative fraction that gives the ratio of a map distance to the
corresponding distance on the Earth's surface.
For example, the scale note 1:50,000 indicates that one unit of measure on the map equals
50,000 units of the same measure on the ground.
Series Number - ANS The series number is found in both the upper right margin and the
lower left margin. It is a sequence reference expressed either as a four-digit numeral (1125) or
as a letter, followed by a three- or four-digit numeral (M661; T7110)
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Edition Number - ANS The edition number is found bolded in the upper right area of the top
margin and the lower left area of the bottom margin.
Editions are numbered consecutively; therefore, if you have more than one edition, the highest
numbered sheet is the most recent.
This date is important when determining how accurately the map data might be expected to
match what you will encounter on the ground
MARGINAL INFORMATION: BOTTOM MARGIN - ANS This portion of the map includes
information that helps to interpret the map. It provides correlation between actual terrain and
man-made features and the map's topographic symbols. Some information found in the bottom
margin is repeated from the top margin.
Boundaries - ANS The index to boundaries diagram appears in the lower or right margin of all
sheets.
This diagram, which is a miniature of the map, shows the boundaries that occur within the map
area, such as county lines and state boundaries.
Adjoining Sheets - ANS Maps at all standard scales contain a diagram that illustrates the
adjoining sheets. The diagram usually contains nine rectangles, but the number may vary
depending on the locations of the adjoining sheets. All represented sheets are identified by
their sheet numbers. Sheets of an adjoining series of the same scale, whether published or
planned, are represented by dashed lines. The series number of the adjoining series is indicated
along the appropriate side of the division line between the series.
Elevation Guide - ANS This is normally found in the lower right margin.
It is a miniature characterization of the terrain shown.
The terrain is represented by bands of elevation, spot elevations, and major drainage features.
The elevation guide provides the map reader with a means of rapid recognition of major
landforms.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Declination Diagram - ANS This is located in the lower margin of large-scale maps and
indicates the angular relationships of true north, grid north, and magnetic north.
On maps at 1:250,000 scale, this information is expressed as a note in the lower margin.
In new maps, there is a note indicating the conversion of azimuths from grid to magnetic and
from magnetic to grid next to the declination diagram.
Bar Scale - ANS These are located in the center of the lower margin.
They are rulers used to convert map distance to ground distance.
Maps have three or more bar scales, each in a different unit of measure.
Care should be exercised when using the scales, especially in the selection of the unit of
measure that is needed.
Contour Interval Note - ANS This note is found in the center of the lower margin normally
below the bar scales.
It states the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines of the map.
When supplementary contours are used, the interval is indicated.
In new maps, the contour interval is given in meters instead of feet
Legend - ANS The legend is located in the lower left margin.
It illustrates and identifies the topographic symbols used to depict some of the more prominent
features on the map.
The symbols are not the same on every map.
Always refer to the legend to avoid errors when reading a map.
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
