Kansas Professional Land Surveyor
Examination Advanced 100-Question
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A closed traverse has a measured angular misclosure that is within the
allowable tolerance. The observations have approximately equal precision.
Which adjustment method is generally most appropriate for distributing
the angular error?
A. Transit rule
B. Bowditch rule
C. Least-squares adjustment
D. Crandall adjustment
Answer: Least-squares adjustment
Rationale: Least squares provides a statistically rigorous adjustment by
minimizing the weighted sum of squared residuals. When observation precisions
,are known, weighting allows more precise observations to exert greater
influence on the adjusted solution.
2. A deed describes a parcel by metes and bounds, but the stated acreage
differs significantly from the acreage calculated from the controlling calls.
Which principle generally governs?
A. The stated acreage always controls
B. The calculated acreage always controls
C. Controlling calls and established boundary evidence generally control over
acreage
D. The surveyor must proportion the acreage to match the deed
Answer: Controlling calls and established boundary evidence generally control
over acreage
Rationale: Acreage is ordinarily considered a quantity derived from the
boundary description. Calls to monuments, senior rights, and other controlling
evidence can take precedence over stated area.
3. Two adjacent property owners have occupied a fence line for several
decades, believing it to be the boundary, although the fence is several feet
from the original deed line. What legal doctrine may potentially affect the
boundary determination?
A. Riparian accretion
B. Acquiescence
C. Avulsion
D. Merger
Answer: Acquiescence
Rationale: Long-term recognition and acceptance of a particular line as the
boundary may support an acquiescence claim, depending on the applicable
jurisdictional requirements and evidence.
, 4. A surveyor measures a baseline of 2,500.00 ft with a systematic scale error
of +20 ppm. Approximately what distance would the instrument indicate?
A. 2,499.950 ft
B. 2,500.020 ft
C. 2,500.050 ft
D. 2,500.500 ft
Answer: 2,500.050 ft
Rationale: A 20-ppm error produces 2,500 × 20/1,000,000 = 0.050 ft. A positive
error makes the measured value 2,500.050 ft.
5. In a differential leveling network, which observation is most directly
affected by collimation error?
A. Horizontal angle
B. Difference in elevation
C. Azimuth
D. Horizontal distance
Answer: Difference in elevation
Rationale: A line-of-sight or collimation error causes unequal sight-length
effects. Balancing backsight and foresight distances minimizes its effect on
elevation differences.
6. A benchmark has an established elevation of 1,245.37 ft. A backsight of
5.26 ft is observed. What is the height of instrument?
A. 1,240.11 ft
B. 1,245.37 ft
C. 1,250.63 ft
D. 1,251.89 ft
Answer: 1,250.63 ft
Rationale: HI = known elevation + backsight = 1,245.37 + 5.26 = 1,250.63 ft.
, 7. A foresight of 7.84 ft is observed from the same setup in Question 6. What
is the elevation of the foresight point?
A. 1,242.79 ft
B. 1,250.63 ft
C. 1,252.47 ft
D. 1,258.47 ft
Answer: 1,242.79 ft
Rationale: Elevation = HI − FS = 1,250.63 − 7.84 = 1,242.79 ft.
8. A horizontal distance measured on a slope is 842.60 ft, and the vertical
difference between the endpoints is 96.40 ft. Approximately what is the
horizontal distance?
A. 737.10 ft
B. 837.07 ft
C. 848.10 ft
D. 939.00 ft
Answer: 837.07 ft
Rationale: Horizontal distance = √(842.60² − 96.40²), which is approximately
837.07 ft.
9. Which coordinate system most directly represents positions using northing
and easting values on a projected plane?
A. Geodetic latitude-longitude system
B. Plane coordinate system
C. Astronomical coordinate system
D. Celestial coordinate system
Answer: Plane coordinate system
Examination Advanced 100-Question
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A closed traverse has a measured angular misclosure that is within the
allowable tolerance. The observations have approximately equal precision.
Which adjustment method is generally most appropriate for distributing
the angular error?
A. Transit rule
B. Bowditch rule
C. Least-squares adjustment
D. Crandall adjustment
Answer: Least-squares adjustment
Rationale: Least squares provides a statistically rigorous adjustment by
minimizing the weighted sum of squared residuals. When observation precisions
,are known, weighting allows more precise observations to exert greater
influence on the adjusted solution.
2. A deed describes a parcel by metes and bounds, but the stated acreage
differs significantly from the acreage calculated from the controlling calls.
Which principle generally governs?
A. The stated acreage always controls
B. The calculated acreage always controls
C. Controlling calls and established boundary evidence generally control over
acreage
D. The surveyor must proportion the acreage to match the deed
Answer: Controlling calls and established boundary evidence generally control
over acreage
Rationale: Acreage is ordinarily considered a quantity derived from the
boundary description. Calls to monuments, senior rights, and other controlling
evidence can take precedence over stated area.
3. Two adjacent property owners have occupied a fence line for several
decades, believing it to be the boundary, although the fence is several feet
from the original deed line. What legal doctrine may potentially affect the
boundary determination?
A. Riparian accretion
B. Acquiescence
C. Avulsion
D. Merger
Answer: Acquiescence
Rationale: Long-term recognition and acceptance of a particular line as the
boundary may support an acquiescence claim, depending on the applicable
jurisdictional requirements and evidence.
, 4. A surveyor measures a baseline of 2,500.00 ft with a systematic scale error
of +20 ppm. Approximately what distance would the instrument indicate?
A. 2,499.950 ft
B. 2,500.020 ft
C. 2,500.050 ft
D. 2,500.500 ft
Answer: 2,500.050 ft
Rationale: A 20-ppm error produces 2,500 × 20/1,000,000 = 0.050 ft. A positive
error makes the measured value 2,500.050 ft.
5. In a differential leveling network, which observation is most directly
affected by collimation error?
A. Horizontal angle
B. Difference in elevation
C. Azimuth
D. Horizontal distance
Answer: Difference in elevation
Rationale: A line-of-sight or collimation error causes unequal sight-length
effects. Balancing backsight and foresight distances minimizes its effect on
elevation differences.
6. A benchmark has an established elevation of 1,245.37 ft. A backsight of
5.26 ft is observed. What is the height of instrument?
A. 1,240.11 ft
B. 1,245.37 ft
C. 1,250.63 ft
D. 1,251.89 ft
Answer: 1,250.63 ft
Rationale: HI = known elevation + backsight = 1,245.37 + 5.26 = 1,250.63 ft.
, 7. A foresight of 7.84 ft is observed from the same setup in Question 6. What
is the elevation of the foresight point?
A. 1,242.79 ft
B. 1,250.63 ft
C. 1,252.47 ft
D. 1,258.47 ft
Answer: 1,242.79 ft
Rationale: Elevation = HI − FS = 1,250.63 − 7.84 = 1,242.79 ft.
8. A horizontal distance measured on a slope is 842.60 ft, and the vertical
difference between the endpoints is 96.40 ft. Approximately what is the
horizontal distance?
A. 737.10 ft
B. 837.07 ft
C. 848.10 ft
D. 939.00 ft
Answer: 837.07 ft
Rationale: Horizontal distance = √(842.60² − 96.40²), which is approximately
837.07 ft.
9. Which coordinate system most directly represents positions using northing
and easting values on a projected plane?
A. Geodetic latitude-longitude system
B. Plane coordinate system
C. Astronomical coordinate system
D. Celestial coordinate system
Answer: Plane coordinate system
