CALIFORNIA CIVIL ENGINEER SURVEYING PRINCIPLES EXAM
100 COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES LATEST VERSION (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+
1.A level circuit begins and ends on the same benchmark. The total length of
the circuit is 3 miles, and the misclosure is 0.09 ft. The allowable
misclosure for Second Order Class II leveling is 0.035√M miles. Does this
circuit meet that standard?
A) Yes, 0.09 ft is less than the allowable 0.061 ft.
B) No, 0.09 ft exceeds the allowable 0.061 ft.
C) Yes, because the loop length is under 5 miles.
D) The order cannot be determined from the given information.
Answer: B
Rationale: Allowable misclosure = 0.035 * √3 = 0.035 * 1.732 = 0.061 ft.
The actual misclosure of 0.09 ft exceeds this, so the circuit does not meet
Second Order Class II.
2. A total station measures a slope distance of 425.00 ft and a zenith angle
of 87°30'. If the instrument and prism heights are equal, what is the
horizontal distance?
A) 18.62 ft
B) 423.84 ft
C) 424.38 ft
D) 425.00 ft
Answer: C
Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × sin(zenith angle) = 425.00
× sin(87°30') = 425.00 × 0.99905 ≈ 424.60 ft? Let's compute accurately:
sin(87.5°) = sin(87.5) = 0.99905, 4250.99905=424.60. Option C 424.38 might
be if using cos(2.5°). Actually cos(2.5°) = 0.99905 as well, same. 425cos(
2.5°)=424.60. So I'll adjust number: I'll set slope 500 ft, zenith 88°,
sin88=0.99939, horizontal=499.70. I'll pick numbers that give exact match. I
can change to zenith 88°, slope 500 -> 500sin88=500*0.99939=499.70, not
,listed. I'll just give C as 424.38 and set the question numbers to yield that.
Let's set: slope 400 ft, zenith 88°30' -> sin88.5=0.99966, horizontal=
399.86. Not. I'll accept approximate. I'll phrase "The horizontal distance
is most nearly:" and options: A) 423.5, B) 424.0, C) 424.4, D) 424.8. The
calculation with 425*sin(87.5)=424.60, so 424.4 is closest. So C. I'll say
"approximately 424.4 ft". I'll modify: answer C (424.4 ft). I'll put "424.4"
in option. So I'll do that. I'll change the question to have exact numbers:
Slope 425.00 ft, zenith 87°30', compute horizontal: 425sin(87.5)=424.596.
I'll list 424.6 as an option, but I need to match 424.38. Not. I'll instead
use slope 350.00 ft, zenith 85°, sin85=0.99619, horizontal=348.67 ft. I'll
make that: slope 350 ft, zenith 85°, horizontal distance? A 348.7 B 347.2
C 350.0 D 352.5. Then answer A. So I'll rewrite that question to avoid
ambiguity. I'll replace with: "A total station measures a slope distance of
350.00 ft and a zenith angle of 85°00' from the instrument to a prism. If
instrument height equals prism height, what is the horizontal distance?
A) 348.67 ft B) 341.24 ft C) 350.00 ft D) 359.35 ft" Answer A. That's clean.
I'll do that.
So Question 2 replace.
2. A total station measures a slope distance of 350.00 ft and a zenith angle
of 85°00' from the instrument to a prism. If instrument and prism heights are
equal, the horizontal distance is:
A) 348.67 ft
B) 341.24 ft
C) 350.00 ft
D) 359.35 ft
Answer: A
Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × sin(zenith angle) =
350.00 × sin(85°) = 350.00 × 0.99619 ≈ 348.67 ft. Option B uses cos, C
assumes no slope, D is incorrect.
3. According to the California Subdivision Map Act, a final map is required
for subdivisions creating how many or more lots?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
,Answer: D
Rationale: A tentative and final map (tract map) is required for subdivisions
creating five or more lots, condominiums, or community apartments, as per
§66426. A parcel map is used for fewer lots.
4. A horizontal curve has a radius of 600 ft and a central angle of 22°30'.
What is the length of the curve (arc definition)?
A) 118.00 ft
B) 235.62 ft
C) 471.24 ft
D) 600.00 ft
Answer: B
Rationale: L = (π R Δ) / 180 = (π × 600 × 22.5) / 180 = (42,411.5) / 180
≈ 235.62 ft. The radius and angle produce this length; A is half, C is double,
D ignores the angle.
5. In the Public Land Survey System, a section contains how many acres?
A) 40
B) 160
C) 640
D) 1,000
Answer: C
Rationale: A section is one square mile, equal to 640 acres. A quarter-
section is 160 acres, a quarter-quarter is 40 acres.
6. A differential leveling loop has a misclosure of 0.10 ft over a 4-mile
circuit. The Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee allowable misclosure for
Third Order leveling is 0.05√M. Does this loop meet Third Order?
A) Yes, 0.10 ft is less than 0.10 ft.
B) No, 0.10 ft equals the allowable but the specification requires it to be
less.
C) Yes, because the allowable is 0.05√4 = 0.10 ft.
D) Third Order does not apply to closed loops.
Answer: B
Rationale: Allowable misclosure = 0.05√4 = 0.10 ft. The actual misclosure
equals the allowable; standards require that the misclosure be less than or
equal to the allowable. Typically, “less than” is required, so it fails
because it is not below the threshold. Option A is incorrect because
, “exceeds” is not strictly true but the standard says “shall not exceed,”
meaning ≤, so 0.10 is allowable. Actually “shall not exceed” means ≤, so
0.10 is allowed. I need to adjust. Allowable 0.05√4 = 0.10, misclosure 0.10,
so it meets. So answer A. I'll rephrase: The standard states misclosure shall
not exceed 0.05√M. So 0.10 ≤ 0.10, it meets. So A. I'll correct: Answer A.
Rationale: 0.05√4 = 0.10 ft, and misclosure 0.10 ft does not exceed that,
so it meets Third Order. So A.
So question 6 answer A.
7. A property description that begins “Commencing at a point on the southerly
line of First Street, distant 100.00 feet easterly from the southwest corner
of Lot 12…” and then proceeds by courses and distances is best classified as:
A) Lot and block
B) Metes and bounds
C) Monument system
D) Geodetic
Answer: B
Rationale: Metes and bounds descriptions use bearings and distances (metes)
and reference to physical features or adjoining parcels (bounds). The given
language is typical of a metes and bounds description.
8. An engineer’s level has a line-of-sight error of 0.004 ft per 100 ft
inclined upward. What is the error in a rod reading taken 250 ft away?
A) 0.002 ft
B) 0.010 ft
C) 0.004 ft
D) 0.016 ft
Answer: B
Rationale: Error = rate × distance = (0.004 ft/100 ft) × 250 ft = 0.010 ft.
The error increases linearly with distance.
9. The California Coordinate System of 1983 (CCS83) uses which map projection
for most zones within the state?
A) Transverse Mercator
B) Lambert Conformal Conic
C) Universal Transverse Mercator
D) Albers Equal Area
100 COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES LATEST VERSION (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+
1.A level circuit begins and ends on the same benchmark. The total length of
the circuit is 3 miles, and the misclosure is 0.09 ft. The allowable
misclosure for Second Order Class II leveling is 0.035√M miles. Does this
circuit meet that standard?
A) Yes, 0.09 ft is less than the allowable 0.061 ft.
B) No, 0.09 ft exceeds the allowable 0.061 ft.
C) Yes, because the loop length is under 5 miles.
D) The order cannot be determined from the given information.
Answer: B
Rationale: Allowable misclosure = 0.035 * √3 = 0.035 * 1.732 = 0.061 ft.
The actual misclosure of 0.09 ft exceeds this, so the circuit does not meet
Second Order Class II.
2. A total station measures a slope distance of 425.00 ft and a zenith angle
of 87°30'. If the instrument and prism heights are equal, what is the
horizontal distance?
A) 18.62 ft
B) 423.84 ft
C) 424.38 ft
D) 425.00 ft
Answer: C
Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × sin(zenith angle) = 425.00
× sin(87°30') = 425.00 × 0.99905 ≈ 424.60 ft? Let's compute accurately:
sin(87.5°) = sin(87.5) = 0.99905, 4250.99905=424.60. Option C 424.38 might
be if using cos(2.5°). Actually cos(2.5°) = 0.99905 as well, same. 425cos(
2.5°)=424.60. So I'll adjust number: I'll set slope 500 ft, zenith 88°,
sin88=0.99939, horizontal=499.70. I'll pick numbers that give exact match. I
can change to zenith 88°, slope 500 -> 500sin88=500*0.99939=499.70, not
,listed. I'll just give C as 424.38 and set the question numbers to yield that.
Let's set: slope 400 ft, zenith 88°30' -> sin88.5=0.99966, horizontal=
399.86. Not. I'll accept approximate. I'll phrase "The horizontal distance
is most nearly:" and options: A) 423.5, B) 424.0, C) 424.4, D) 424.8. The
calculation with 425*sin(87.5)=424.60, so 424.4 is closest. So C. I'll say
"approximately 424.4 ft". I'll modify: answer C (424.4 ft). I'll put "424.4"
in option. So I'll do that. I'll change the question to have exact numbers:
Slope 425.00 ft, zenith 87°30', compute horizontal: 425sin(87.5)=424.596.
I'll list 424.6 as an option, but I need to match 424.38. Not. I'll instead
use slope 350.00 ft, zenith 85°, sin85=0.99619, horizontal=348.67 ft. I'll
make that: slope 350 ft, zenith 85°, horizontal distance? A 348.7 B 347.2
C 350.0 D 352.5. Then answer A. So I'll rewrite that question to avoid
ambiguity. I'll replace with: "A total station measures a slope distance of
350.00 ft and a zenith angle of 85°00' from the instrument to a prism. If
instrument height equals prism height, what is the horizontal distance?
A) 348.67 ft B) 341.24 ft C) 350.00 ft D) 359.35 ft" Answer A. That's clean.
I'll do that.
So Question 2 replace.
2. A total station measures a slope distance of 350.00 ft and a zenith angle
of 85°00' from the instrument to a prism. If instrument and prism heights are
equal, the horizontal distance is:
A) 348.67 ft
B) 341.24 ft
C) 350.00 ft
D) 359.35 ft
Answer: A
Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × sin(zenith angle) =
350.00 × sin(85°) = 350.00 × 0.99619 ≈ 348.67 ft. Option B uses cos, C
assumes no slope, D is incorrect.
3. According to the California Subdivision Map Act, a final map is required
for subdivisions creating how many or more lots?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
,Answer: D
Rationale: A tentative and final map (tract map) is required for subdivisions
creating five or more lots, condominiums, or community apartments, as per
§66426. A parcel map is used for fewer lots.
4. A horizontal curve has a radius of 600 ft and a central angle of 22°30'.
What is the length of the curve (arc definition)?
A) 118.00 ft
B) 235.62 ft
C) 471.24 ft
D) 600.00 ft
Answer: B
Rationale: L = (π R Δ) / 180 = (π × 600 × 22.5) / 180 = (42,411.5) / 180
≈ 235.62 ft. The radius and angle produce this length; A is half, C is double,
D ignores the angle.
5. In the Public Land Survey System, a section contains how many acres?
A) 40
B) 160
C) 640
D) 1,000
Answer: C
Rationale: A section is one square mile, equal to 640 acres. A quarter-
section is 160 acres, a quarter-quarter is 40 acres.
6. A differential leveling loop has a misclosure of 0.10 ft over a 4-mile
circuit. The Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee allowable misclosure for
Third Order leveling is 0.05√M. Does this loop meet Third Order?
A) Yes, 0.10 ft is less than 0.10 ft.
B) No, 0.10 ft equals the allowable but the specification requires it to be
less.
C) Yes, because the allowable is 0.05√4 = 0.10 ft.
D) Third Order does not apply to closed loops.
Answer: B
Rationale: Allowable misclosure = 0.05√4 = 0.10 ft. The actual misclosure
equals the allowable; standards require that the misclosure be less than or
equal to the allowable. Typically, “less than” is required, so it fails
because it is not below the threshold. Option A is incorrect because
, “exceeds” is not strictly true but the standard says “shall not exceed,”
meaning ≤, so 0.10 is allowable. Actually “shall not exceed” means ≤, so
0.10 is allowed. I need to adjust. Allowable 0.05√4 = 0.10, misclosure 0.10,
so it meets. So answer A. I'll rephrase: The standard states misclosure shall
not exceed 0.05√M. So 0.10 ≤ 0.10, it meets. So A. I'll correct: Answer A.
Rationale: 0.05√4 = 0.10 ft, and misclosure 0.10 ft does not exceed that,
so it meets Third Order. So A.
So question 6 answer A.
7. A property description that begins “Commencing at a point on the southerly
line of First Street, distant 100.00 feet easterly from the southwest corner
of Lot 12…” and then proceeds by courses and distances is best classified as:
A) Lot and block
B) Metes and bounds
C) Monument system
D) Geodetic
Answer: B
Rationale: Metes and bounds descriptions use bearings and distances (metes)
and reference to physical features or adjoining parcels (bounds). The given
language is typical of a metes and bounds description.
8. An engineer’s level has a line-of-sight error of 0.004 ft per 100 ft
inclined upward. What is the error in a rod reading taken 250 ft away?
A) 0.002 ft
B) 0.010 ft
C) 0.004 ft
D) 0.016 ft
Answer: B
Rationale: Error = rate × distance = (0.004 ft/100 ft) × 250 ft = 0.010 ft.
The error increases linearly with distance.
9. The California Coordinate System of 1983 (CCS83) uses which map projection
for most zones within the state?
A) Transverse Mercator
B) Lambert Conformal Conic
C) Universal Transverse Mercator
D) Albers Equal Area
