CERTIFIED GIS PROFESSIONAL (GISP)
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What does GIS primarily stand for?
A. Global Information Software
B. Geographic Integrated System
C. Geospatial Information Source
D. Geographic Information System
Rationale: A GIS is a system designed to capture, store, analyze, manage,
and present geographic data.
2. Which data type represents real-world features as points, lines, and
polygons?
A. Raster
B. Vector
C. Tabular
D. Relational
Rationale: Vector data models discrete features using geometric shapes.
3. Raster data is best described as:
A. Attribute tables linked to coordinates
B. A grid of cells representing values
C. A collection of lines and polygons
D. A database schema
Rationale: Raster data represents spatial information in a grid structure.
,4. Which coordinate system uses latitude and longitude?
A. Projected coordinate system
B. Local coordinate system
C. Geographic coordinate system
D. Engineering coordinate system
Rationale: Latitude and longitude are angular measurements in a
geographic coordinate system.
5. What is map projection?
A. Converting raster to vector
B. Transforming the earth’s surface to a flat map
C. Assigning attributes to features
D. Linking tables
Rationale: Projections translate the 3D earth onto a 2D surface.
6. Which projection property preserves area?
A. Conformal
B. Equidistant
C. Equal-area
D. Azimuthal
Rationale: Equal-area projections maintain accurate area measurements.
7. Which GIS operation combines two layers based on spatial relationships?
A. Buffer
B. Clip
C. Overlay
D. Reclassify
Rationale: Overlay integrates multiple spatial datasets.
8. What is buffering used for?
A. Editing attributes
B. Creating zones around features
C. Projecting data
D. Symbolizing maps
Rationale: Buffers define areas within a specified distance of features.
, 9. Topology in GIS refers to:
A. Map symbols
B. Attribute accuracy
C. Spatial relationships between features
D. Data storage format
Rationale: Topology defines connectivity, adjacency, and containment.
10.Which error violates polygon topology?
A. Overshoot
B. Undershoot
C. Gap
D. Spike
Rationale: Gaps occur when polygons fail to share common boundaries.
11.What does GPS stand for?
A. Global Projection System
B. Global Positioning System
C. Geographic Processing Software
D. Global Path Solution
Rationale: GPS is a satellite-based positioning system.
12.Which accuracy measure describes closeness to the true value?
A. Precision
B. Resolution
C. Accuracy
D. Consistency
Rationale: Accuracy reflects correctness relative to reality.
13.Spatial resolution refers to:
A. Attribute detail
B. Size of raster cells
C. Map scale
D. Coordinate system
Rationale: Smaller cells mean higher spatial resolution.
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What does GIS primarily stand for?
A. Global Information Software
B. Geographic Integrated System
C. Geospatial Information Source
D. Geographic Information System
Rationale: A GIS is a system designed to capture, store, analyze, manage,
and present geographic data.
2. Which data type represents real-world features as points, lines, and
polygons?
A. Raster
B. Vector
C. Tabular
D. Relational
Rationale: Vector data models discrete features using geometric shapes.
3. Raster data is best described as:
A. Attribute tables linked to coordinates
B. A grid of cells representing values
C. A collection of lines and polygons
D. A database schema
Rationale: Raster data represents spatial information in a grid structure.
,4. Which coordinate system uses latitude and longitude?
A. Projected coordinate system
B. Local coordinate system
C. Geographic coordinate system
D. Engineering coordinate system
Rationale: Latitude and longitude are angular measurements in a
geographic coordinate system.
5. What is map projection?
A. Converting raster to vector
B. Transforming the earth’s surface to a flat map
C. Assigning attributes to features
D. Linking tables
Rationale: Projections translate the 3D earth onto a 2D surface.
6. Which projection property preserves area?
A. Conformal
B. Equidistant
C. Equal-area
D. Azimuthal
Rationale: Equal-area projections maintain accurate area measurements.
7. Which GIS operation combines two layers based on spatial relationships?
A. Buffer
B. Clip
C. Overlay
D. Reclassify
Rationale: Overlay integrates multiple spatial datasets.
8. What is buffering used for?
A. Editing attributes
B. Creating zones around features
C. Projecting data
D. Symbolizing maps
Rationale: Buffers define areas within a specified distance of features.
, 9. Topology in GIS refers to:
A. Map symbols
B. Attribute accuracy
C. Spatial relationships between features
D. Data storage format
Rationale: Topology defines connectivity, adjacency, and containment.
10.Which error violates polygon topology?
A. Overshoot
B. Undershoot
C. Gap
D. Spike
Rationale: Gaps occur when polygons fail to share common boundaries.
11.What does GPS stand for?
A. Global Projection System
B. Global Positioning System
C. Geographic Processing Software
D. Global Path Solution
Rationale: GPS is a satellite-based positioning system.
12.Which accuracy measure describes closeness to the true value?
A. Precision
B. Resolution
C. Accuracy
D. Consistency
Rationale: Accuracy reflects correctness relative to reality.
13.Spatial resolution refers to:
A. Attribute detail
B. Size of raster cells
C. Map scale
D. Coordinate system
Rationale: Smaller cells mean higher spatial resolution.
