Illinois Fundamentals of Surveying
Examination Advanced Practice Exam
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A total station measures a slope distance of 1,250.000 ft and a zenith angle
of 88°20′00″. What is the approximate horizontal distance?
A. 1,210.0 ft
B. 1,248.6 ft
C. 1,251.4 ft
D. 1,290.2 ft
Answer: 1,248.6 ft
Rationale: Horizontal distance is H = S sin Z. Thus, H = 1,250(sin 88°20′) ≈ 1,248.6
ft.
2. A level loop begins and ends on benchmarks with known elevations. The
computed closing error is +0.024 ft over a total leveling distance of 16
miles. If corrections are distributed proportionally by distance, what
, correction should be applied at a point 6 miles from the starting
benchmark?
A. +0.006 ft
B. −0.009 ft
C. −0.012 ft
D. +0.009 ft
Answer: −0.009 ft
Rationale: The total correction is −0.024 ft. At 6/16 of the distance, the
correction is −0.024(6/16) = −0.009 ft.
3. Which surveying method is most appropriate for establishing the elevation
difference between two points separated by a long distance with high
vertical accuracy?
A. Stadia surveying
B. Differential leveling
C. Plane-table surveying
D. Magnetic surveying
Answer: Differential leveling
Rationale: Differential leveling is specifically designed to determine precise
differences in elevation using backsights and foresights.
4. A benchmark has an elevation of 842.315 ft. A backsight reading of 6.245 ft
is taken. What is the height of instrument?
A. 836.070 ft
B. 848.560 ft
C. 848.560 ft
D. 842.315 ft
Answer: 848.560 ft
Rationale: HI = known elevation + backsight = 842.315 + 6.245 = 848.560 ft.
, 5. Using the height of instrument from Question 4, a foresight of 4.875 ft is
observed on a turning point. What is the elevation of the turning point?
A. 843.685 ft
B. 853.435 ft
C. 848.560 ft
D. 837.440 ft
Answer: 843.685 ft
Rationale: Elevation = HI − FS = 848.560 − 4.875 = 843.685 ft.
6. A horizontal curve has a radius of 600 ft and a central angle of 40°. What is
its approximate arc length?
A. 209.4 ft
B. 418.9 ft
C. 600.0 ft
D. 837.8 ft
Answer: 418.9 ft
Rationale: Arc length L = Rθ, with θ in radians. L = 600(40π/180) ≈ 418.9 ft.
7. For a simple circular curve, the tangent length is calculated as T = R
tan(Δ/2). If R = 800 ft and Δ = 30°, what is T?
A. 107.2 ft
B. 214.4 ft
C. 400.0 ft
D. 429.1 ft
Answer: 214.4 ft
Rationale: T = 800 tan(15°) ≈ 214.4 ft.
, 8. A 100-ft steel tape is standardized at 68°F but used at 98°F. If the
coefficient of thermal expansion is 0.00000645/°F, what type of correction
is required?
A. A negative temperature correction
B. A positive temperature correction
C. No temperature correction
D. A negative slope correction only
Answer: A positive temperature correction
Rationale: The tape becomes longer at the higher temperature. A reading of 100
ft therefore represents a ground distance slightly greater than 100 ft, requiring a
positive temperature correction.
9. A measured line is 850.00 ft long and has a slope angle of 7°. What is its
approximate horizontal distance?
A. 843.66 ft
B. 850.00 ft
C. 856.35 ft
D. 103.94 ft
Answer: 843.66 ft
Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × cos θ = 850 cos 7° ≈ 843.66 ft.
10.Which coordinate system is most commonly associated with state-plane
surveying?
A. Local arbitrary coordinates only
B. A statewide or zone-based conformal projection system
C. A magnetic bearing system
D. A purely polar coordinate system
Answer: A statewide or zone-based conformal projection system
Examination Advanced Practice Exam
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A total station measures a slope distance of 1,250.000 ft and a zenith angle
of 88°20′00″. What is the approximate horizontal distance?
A. 1,210.0 ft
B. 1,248.6 ft
C. 1,251.4 ft
D. 1,290.2 ft
Answer: 1,248.6 ft
Rationale: Horizontal distance is H = S sin Z. Thus, H = 1,250(sin 88°20′) ≈ 1,248.6
ft.
2. A level loop begins and ends on benchmarks with known elevations. The
computed closing error is +0.024 ft over a total leveling distance of 16
miles. If corrections are distributed proportionally by distance, what
, correction should be applied at a point 6 miles from the starting
benchmark?
A. +0.006 ft
B. −0.009 ft
C. −0.012 ft
D. +0.009 ft
Answer: −0.009 ft
Rationale: The total correction is −0.024 ft. At 6/16 of the distance, the
correction is −0.024(6/16) = −0.009 ft.
3. Which surveying method is most appropriate for establishing the elevation
difference between two points separated by a long distance with high
vertical accuracy?
A. Stadia surveying
B. Differential leveling
C. Plane-table surveying
D. Magnetic surveying
Answer: Differential leveling
Rationale: Differential leveling is specifically designed to determine precise
differences in elevation using backsights and foresights.
4. A benchmark has an elevation of 842.315 ft. A backsight reading of 6.245 ft
is taken. What is the height of instrument?
A. 836.070 ft
B. 848.560 ft
C. 848.560 ft
D. 842.315 ft
Answer: 848.560 ft
Rationale: HI = known elevation + backsight = 842.315 + 6.245 = 848.560 ft.
, 5. Using the height of instrument from Question 4, a foresight of 4.875 ft is
observed on a turning point. What is the elevation of the turning point?
A. 843.685 ft
B. 853.435 ft
C. 848.560 ft
D. 837.440 ft
Answer: 843.685 ft
Rationale: Elevation = HI − FS = 848.560 − 4.875 = 843.685 ft.
6. A horizontal curve has a radius of 600 ft and a central angle of 40°. What is
its approximate arc length?
A. 209.4 ft
B. 418.9 ft
C. 600.0 ft
D. 837.8 ft
Answer: 418.9 ft
Rationale: Arc length L = Rθ, with θ in radians. L = 600(40π/180) ≈ 418.9 ft.
7. For a simple circular curve, the tangent length is calculated as T = R
tan(Δ/2). If R = 800 ft and Δ = 30°, what is T?
A. 107.2 ft
B. 214.4 ft
C. 400.0 ft
D. 429.1 ft
Answer: 214.4 ft
Rationale: T = 800 tan(15°) ≈ 214.4 ft.
, 8. A 100-ft steel tape is standardized at 68°F but used at 98°F. If the
coefficient of thermal expansion is 0.00000645/°F, what type of correction
is required?
A. A negative temperature correction
B. A positive temperature correction
C. No temperature correction
D. A negative slope correction only
Answer: A positive temperature correction
Rationale: The tape becomes longer at the higher temperature. A reading of 100
ft therefore represents a ground distance slightly greater than 100 ft, requiring a
positive temperature correction.
9. A measured line is 850.00 ft long and has a slope angle of 7°. What is its
approximate horizontal distance?
A. 843.66 ft
B. 850.00 ft
C. 856.35 ft
D. 103.94 ft
Answer: 843.66 ft
Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × cos θ = 850 cos 7° ≈ 843.66 ft.
10.Which coordinate system is most commonly associated with state-plane
surveying?
A. Local arbitrary coordinates only
B. A statewide or zone-based conformal projection system
C. A magnetic bearing system
D. A purely polar coordinate system
Answer: A statewide or zone-based conformal projection system
