ILLINOIS NCEES LAND SURVEYOR EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a benchmark
in surveying?
A. To indicate the property line
B. To mark the location of a monument
C. To provide a known elevation reference
D. To denote the center of a roadway
Benchmarks are used as fixed reference points for elevations in
surveying.
2. When performing a traverse, which method is commonly used to
check angular closure?
A. Bowditch adjustment
B. Angular sum method
C. Least squares method
D. Chaining method
The angular sum method compares the sum of measured angles
to the theoretical sum to detect errors.
3. A surveyor measures the distance between two points along a
slope. Which correction should be applied to obtain the horizontal
distance?
A. Tidal correction
, B. Slope correction
C. Magnetic declination correction
D. Temperature correction
Slope correction converts a measured slope distance to a
horizontal distance.
4. What is the primary purpose of a theodolite?
A. Measuring distances
B. Establishing property corners
C. Measuring horizontal and vertical angles
D. Leveling
Theodolites are used for precise angle measurements in both
horizontal and vertical planes.
5. In Illinois, how many feet are in a rod (also called a pole or perch)?
A. 10.0 ft
B. 16.5 ft
C. 20.0 ft
D. 25.0 ft
A rod is a traditional surveying unit equal to 16.5 feet.
6. Which coordinate system is commonly used in U.S. state plane
surveys?
A. Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
B. Geocentric coordinate system
C. State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS)
D. Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates
The SPCS provides local coordinates that minimize distortion
within a state.
7. When performing a boundary survey, the legal description should
be interpreted in favor of:
A. The surveyor
, B. The county
C. The buyer
D. The deed
Surveyors rely on the deed as the legal authority for boundary
locations.
8. Which of the following is the principal cause of magnetic
declination in surveying?
A. Sunspots
B. Local weather patterns
C. Earth's magnetic field variation
D. Lunar gravity
Magnetic declination is the angle difference between true north
and magnetic north due to Earth's magnetic field.
9. A traverse has measured bearings totaling 360° 15'. What does
this indicate?
A. No error
B. Perfect closure
C. Angular misclosure of 15'
D. Distance misclosure
Any sum of bearings exceeding the theoretical sum indicates
angular misclosure.
10. Which of the following instruments is used to establish
grade for roads and buildings?
A. Theodolite
B. Total station
C. Level
D. Tape measure
A level is used to determine elevation differences for construction
purposes.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a benchmark
in surveying?
A. To indicate the property line
B. To mark the location of a monument
C. To provide a known elevation reference
D. To denote the center of a roadway
Benchmarks are used as fixed reference points for elevations in
surveying.
2. When performing a traverse, which method is commonly used to
check angular closure?
A. Bowditch adjustment
B. Angular sum method
C. Least squares method
D. Chaining method
The angular sum method compares the sum of measured angles
to the theoretical sum to detect errors.
3. A surveyor measures the distance between two points along a
slope. Which correction should be applied to obtain the horizontal
distance?
A. Tidal correction
, B. Slope correction
C. Magnetic declination correction
D. Temperature correction
Slope correction converts a measured slope distance to a
horizontal distance.
4. What is the primary purpose of a theodolite?
A. Measuring distances
B. Establishing property corners
C. Measuring horizontal and vertical angles
D. Leveling
Theodolites are used for precise angle measurements in both
horizontal and vertical planes.
5. In Illinois, how many feet are in a rod (also called a pole or perch)?
A. 10.0 ft
B. 16.5 ft
C. 20.0 ft
D. 25.0 ft
A rod is a traditional surveying unit equal to 16.5 feet.
6. Which coordinate system is commonly used in U.S. state plane
surveys?
A. Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
B. Geocentric coordinate system
C. State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS)
D. Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates
The SPCS provides local coordinates that minimize distortion
within a state.
7. When performing a boundary survey, the legal description should
be interpreted in favor of:
A. The surveyor
, B. The county
C. The buyer
D. The deed
Surveyors rely on the deed as the legal authority for boundary
locations.
8. Which of the following is the principal cause of magnetic
declination in surveying?
A. Sunspots
B. Local weather patterns
C. Earth's magnetic field variation
D. Lunar gravity
Magnetic declination is the angle difference between true north
and magnetic north due to Earth's magnetic field.
9. A traverse has measured bearings totaling 360° 15'. What does
this indicate?
A. No error
B. Perfect closure
C. Angular misclosure of 15'
D. Distance misclosure
Any sum of bearings exceeding the theoretical sum indicates
angular misclosure.
10. Which of the following instruments is used to establish
grade for roads and buildings?
A. Theodolite
B. Total station
C. Level
D. Tape measure
A level is used to determine elevation differences for construction
purposes.
