ALABAMA PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR EXAM
2026 UPDATE – 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES| PDF
SECTION 1: BOUNDARY LAW & EVIDENCE
Question 1
Which type of evidence is given the highest priority in Alabama boundary
resolution?
A) Area
B) Bearings
C) Artificial monuments
D) Natural monuments
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Under Alabama boundary law (consistent with common law), natural
monuments such as rivers, trees, or ridgelines control over all other evidence
because they are least likely to be disturbed .
Question 2
Which evidence ranks lowest in boundary determination?
A) Natural monuments
B) Artificial monuments
C) Bearings
D) Area
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Area is considered the least reliable evidence, as it is often affected by
measurement methods and rounding .
,Question 3
When two deeds overlap, Alabama courts generally favor:
A) The deed with larger acreage
B) The most recent deed
C) Senior rights
D) Tax assessor maps
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Senior rights (earlier conveyance) take precedence over junior deeds in
boundary conflicts .
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of a retracement survey?
A) Correct errors in the original survey
B) Establish new boundaries
C) Locate and re-establish existing boundaries
D) Equalize land ownership
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A retracement survey follows the intent of the original surveyor, not
modern measurements or perceived mistakes .
Question 5
A junior deed is one that is:
A) More accurate
B) Larger in acreage
C) Recorded later
D) Held by a minor
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Junior rights are subordinate to senior (earlier) conveyances .
Question 6
What is the legal significance of a found monument?
A) It must always be accepted
B) It controls if it reflects original intent
C) It replaces the deed
D) It voids measurements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A monument controls only if it can be tied to the intent of the original
surveyor .
Question 7
What does "calling for adjoiners" in a deed mean?
A) Referencing neighboring properties
B) Ignoring monuments
C) Listing survey equipment
D) Describing land use
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adjoiners help establish boundaries by relating parcels to surrounding
ownerships .
Question 8
According to the hierarchy of evidence in Alabama boundary law, which controls if
a conflict exists between a deed's written call and a found monument?
, A) The written call in the deed always controls
B) The found monument always controls
C) The monument controls if it can be tied to the original surveyor's intent
D) Neither controls; the court decides based on acreage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A found monument controls only if it reflects the intent of the original
surveyor. If the monument cannot be tied to the original intent, the deed's written
call may control .
Question 9
Which of the following is considered an artificial monument?
A) River
B) Ridge line
C) Iron pipe
D) Creek
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Artificial monuments are man-made, such as pipes, rebar, or concrete
markers .
Question 10
Which survey best represents existing boundary lines?
A) ALTA survey
B) As-built survey
C) Boundary survey
D) Topographic survey
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A boundary survey defines legal property lines based on deed research
and field evidence .
2026 UPDATE – 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES| PDF
SECTION 1: BOUNDARY LAW & EVIDENCE
Question 1
Which type of evidence is given the highest priority in Alabama boundary
resolution?
A) Area
B) Bearings
C) Artificial monuments
D) Natural monuments
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Under Alabama boundary law (consistent with common law), natural
monuments such as rivers, trees, or ridgelines control over all other evidence
because they are least likely to be disturbed .
Question 2
Which evidence ranks lowest in boundary determination?
A) Natural monuments
B) Artificial monuments
C) Bearings
D) Area
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Area is considered the least reliable evidence, as it is often affected by
measurement methods and rounding .
,Question 3
When two deeds overlap, Alabama courts generally favor:
A) The deed with larger acreage
B) The most recent deed
C) Senior rights
D) Tax assessor maps
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Senior rights (earlier conveyance) take precedence over junior deeds in
boundary conflicts .
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of a retracement survey?
A) Correct errors in the original survey
B) Establish new boundaries
C) Locate and re-establish existing boundaries
D) Equalize land ownership
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A retracement survey follows the intent of the original surveyor, not
modern measurements or perceived mistakes .
Question 5
A junior deed is one that is:
A) More accurate
B) Larger in acreage
C) Recorded later
D) Held by a minor
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Junior rights are subordinate to senior (earlier) conveyances .
Question 6
What is the legal significance of a found monument?
A) It must always be accepted
B) It controls if it reflects original intent
C) It replaces the deed
D) It voids measurements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A monument controls only if it can be tied to the intent of the original
surveyor .
Question 7
What does "calling for adjoiners" in a deed mean?
A) Referencing neighboring properties
B) Ignoring monuments
C) Listing survey equipment
D) Describing land use
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adjoiners help establish boundaries by relating parcels to surrounding
ownerships .
Question 8
According to the hierarchy of evidence in Alabama boundary law, which controls if
a conflict exists between a deed's written call and a found monument?
, A) The written call in the deed always controls
B) The found monument always controls
C) The monument controls if it can be tied to the original surveyor's intent
D) Neither controls; the court decides based on acreage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A found monument controls only if it reflects the intent of the original
surveyor. If the monument cannot be tied to the original intent, the deed's written
call may control .
Question 9
Which of the following is considered an artificial monument?
A) River
B) Ridge line
C) Iron pipe
D) Creek
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Artificial monuments are man-made, such as pipes, rebar, or concrete
markers .
Question 10
Which survey best represents existing boundary lines?
A) ALTA survey
B) As-built survey
C) Boundary survey
D) Topographic survey
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A boundary survey defines legal property lines based on deed research
and field evidence .
