Michigan Professional Surveyor – EXAM TEST
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) plus rationales 2025/2026 Q&A|INSTANT
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1. What is the primary purpose of a boundary survey?
A. Locate underground utilities
B. Determine property lines and corners
C. Measure soil composition
D. Map topographic features
Answer: B. Determine property lines and corners
Rationale: A boundary survey is done to establish legal property boundaries, which is essential
for ownership and land development.
2. Which Michigan statute governs land surveying practices?
A. Michigan Land Survey Act
B. Michigan Public Survey Law
C. Michigan Surveyors Licensing Act
D. Michigan Property Act
Answer: C. Michigan Surveyors Licensing Act
Rationale: The Michigan Surveyors Licensing Act sets the standards and requirements for
professional surveyors in Michigan.
3. In surveying, what is a “benchmark”?
A. A fixed reference point with known elevation
B. A temporary survey marker
C. The highest point in a property
D. A surveyor’s notebook
,Answer: A. A fixed reference point with known elevation
Rationale: Benchmarks are permanent markers used to provide a reference for vertical
measurements.
4. When using a total station, which measurement is NOT typically recorded?
A. Horizontal angle
B. Vertical angle
C. Distance to the target
D. Soil pH
Answer: D. Soil pH
Rationale: Total stations measure horizontal and vertical angles and distances, not chemical soil
properties.
5. Which type of survey is used to create a map showing natural and manmade features?
A. Boundary survey
B. Topographic survey
C. Construction survey
D. Hydrographic survey
Answer: B. Topographic survey
Rationale: Topographic surveys map features such as elevations, rivers, and structures, useful for
planning and design.
6. What is the purpose of a plat in land surveying?
A. Show soil types
B. Provide a legal map of subdivided land
C. Determine building materials
D. Mark water tables
Answer: B. Provide a legal map of subdivided land
Rationale: A plat legally documents subdivision boundaries and is filed with the county.
7. Which instrument measures horizontal and vertical angles?
A. Theodolite
B. Level
, C. Tape measure
D. GPS receiver
Answer: A. Theodolite
Rationale: Theodolites are precise instruments used to measure angles in surveying.
8. What is the term for the line dividing two adjacent properties?
A. Easement
B. Right-of-way
C. Boundary line
D. Lot line
Answer: C. Boundary line
Rationale: A boundary line legally separates one property from another.
9. Which Michigan surveyor is authorized to perform professional surveys?
A. Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
B. Registered Land Surveyor (RLS)
C. Architect
D. Civil Engineer Technician
Answer: B. Registered Land Surveyor (RLS)
Rationale: Only a registered land surveyor licensed in Michigan can legally perform professional
surveys.
10. Which is a common method to establish property corners?
A. Using GPS coordinates only
B. Using historical deeds and field evidence
C. Guessing based on landmarks
D. Using only aerial photography
Answer: B. Using historical deeds and field evidence
Rationale: Surveyors use deeds, plats, and existing markers to locate property corners
accurately.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) plus rationales 2025/2026 Q&A|INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a boundary survey?
A. Locate underground utilities
B. Determine property lines and corners
C. Measure soil composition
D. Map topographic features
Answer: B. Determine property lines and corners
Rationale: A boundary survey is done to establish legal property boundaries, which is essential
for ownership and land development.
2. Which Michigan statute governs land surveying practices?
A. Michigan Land Survey Act
B. Michigan Public Survey Law
C. Michigan Surveyors Licensing Act
D. Michigan Property Act
Answer: C. Michigan Surveyors Licensing Act
Rationale: The Michigan Surveyors Licensing Act sets the standards and requirements for
professional surveyors in Michigan.
3. In surveying, what is a “benchmark”?
A. A fixed reference point with known elevation
B. A temporary survey marker
C. The highest point in a property
D. A surveyor’s notebook
,Answer: A. A fixed reference point with known elevation
Rationale: Benchmarks are permanent markers used to provide a reference for vertical
measurements.
4. When using a total station, which measurement is NOT typically recorded?
A. Horizontal angle
B. Vertical angle
C. Distance to the target
D. Soil pH
Answer: D. Soil pH
Rationale: Total stations measure horizontal and vertical angles and distances, not chemical soil
properties.
5. Which type of survey is used to create a map showing natural and manmade features?
A. Boundary survey
B. Topographic survey
C. Construction survey
D. Hydrographic survey
Answer: B. Topographic survey
Rationale: Topographic surveys map features such as elevations, rivers, and structures, useful for
planning and design.
6. What is the purpose of a plat in land surveying?
A. Show soil types
B. Provide a legal map of subdivided land
C. Determine building materials
D. Mark water tables
Answer: B. Provide a legal map of subdivided land
Rationale: A plat legally documents subdivision boundaries and is filed with the county.
7. Which instrument measures horizontal and vertical angles?
A. Theodolite
B. Level
, C. Tape measure
D. GPS receiver
Answer: A. Theodolite
Rationale: Theodolites are precise instruments used to measure angles in surveying.
8. What is the term for the line dividing two adjacent properties?
A. Easement
B. Right-of-way
C. Boundary line
D. Lot line
Answer: C. Boundary line
Rationale: A boundary line legally separates one property from another.
9. Which Michigan surveyor is authorized to perform professional surveys?
A. Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
B. Registered Land Surveyor (RLS)
C. Architect
D. Civil Engineer Technician
Answer: B. Registered Land Surveyor (RLS)
Rationale: Only a registered land surveyor licensed in Michigan can legally perform professional
surveys.
10. Which is a common method to establish property corners?
A. Using GPS coordinates only
B. Using historical deeds and field evidence
C. Guessing based on landmarks
D. Using only aerial photography
Answer: B. Using historical deeds and field evidence
Rationale: Surveyors use deeds, plats, and existing markers to locate property corners
accurately.
