CST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A technician notices that the party chief has been recording measurements that were never actually observed. What does professional ethics require? → Report the concern to the licensed surveyor in responsible charge
2. A steel tape standardized at 68°F (coefficient 0.00000645/°F) measures 100.00 ft at 88°F. What is the temperature correction? → +0.013 ft
3. What type of scale is most appropriate for platting small properties? → Large scale
4. What is the first step before starting any field survey procedure? → Review the project scope and equipment
5. What does 'record distance' mean when comparing field measurements to deed records? → The distance stated in the recorded deed or plat
6. A steel tape standardized at 68°F is used at 95°F. What is the sign of the temperature correction to the measured distance? → Positive, because the expanded tape reads too short
7. How is a tribrach's optical plummet checked? → Rotate the tribrach 120 degrees at a time and see if the plummet stays on the same point
8. How wide is each Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone in longitude? → 6°
9. What is a benchmark in surveying? → A fixed point of known elevation
10. Which of the following best describes professional conduct? → Maintaining ethical, honest, and legal behavior
11. Before driving a long steel rebar monument into the ground, a crew should first do what? → Call 811 to have underground utilities located
12. How many square feet are in one acre? → 43,560
13. What is 45.5° in degrees-minutes-seconds? → 45°30'00"
14. What inspection procedure is essential for code compliance? → Systematic inspection following established checklists and standards
15. An EDM distance is measured at a high-elevation site on a cold day. Which atmospheric inputs most directly affect the EDM's refractive-index correction? → Temperature and barometric pressure
16. A rectangular parcel measures 330 ft by 132 ft. What is its area? → 1.0 acre
17. Why are angles often measured in both face left and face right (direct and reverse)? → To cancel instrument errors such as collimation and trunnion axis error
18. On a map drawn at 1" = 100', a line measures 3.25 inches. What ground distance does it represent? → 325 ft
19. Which item belongs in a standard survey vehicle safety kit for roadside work? → Amber rotating or strobe warning lights
20. How should a range pole's circular bubble be checked? → Compare it against a plumb line or a verified vertical crosshair in two directions
21. Which ALTA/NSPS Table A item calls for showing the zoning classification and setback requirements provided by the client? → Item 6(a) and 6(b)
22. Which bearing call correctly describes a line running from the northeast toward the southwest? → S 45° W
23. How should equipment be maintained for maintenance protocols operations? → Follow manufacturer-recommended preventive maintenance schedules
24. Contour lines with short tick marks (hachures) pointing inward indicate: → A closed depression
25. What is the most critical safety requirement in environmental standards? → Following all applicable safety regulations and wearing required PPE
26. What environmental protection measure applies to environmental standards? → Proper handling, storage, and disposal of materials according to environmental regulations
27. What inspection procedure is essential for material selection? → Systematic inspection following established checklists and standards
28. A survey crew is working on the shoulder of a highway. Which document sets the national standard for their temporary traffic control setup? → The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
29. When working near a suspected hazardous waste site, what should a survey technician do first? → Review the site safety plan and confirm required HAZWOPER training and PPE
30. To convert a measured ground distance to a State Plane grid distance, multiply it by the: → Combined factor (grid scale factor × elevation factor)