GIS Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A spatial lag model in spatial econometrics is characterized by: → Including a spatially weighted average of the dependent variable as a predictor
2. In QGIS Python scripting (PyQGIS), what does the 'processing.run()' function do? → Executes a QGIS processing algorithm programmatically with specified parameters
3. Which GIS technique is used to model the flow of traffic or resources through a network to identify congestion points or bottlenecks? → Network flow analysis
4. The GIS gathers and examines ______ data. → Both Spatial and Geographic
5. Which network analysis solver identifies the nearest facility to a set of incidents from a list of candidate facilities? → Closest facility solver
6. Which concept describes the ability of a network edge to be traveled in only one direction? → One-way restriction
7. Which road network attribute is used to model elevation to prevent false connections at overpasses and underpasses? → Z-level or elevation field
8. When designing a map, the principle of guiding the viewer's eye to the most important elements first is known as: → Visual hierarchy
9. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) in GIS is primarily used to: → Create a smooth continuous surface estimating the density of features
10. In a GIS network dataset, what attribute defines how much it costs to travel along an edge (road segment)? → Impedance
11. Ripley's K function is used in spatial statistics to: → Analyze point pattern clustering or dispersion across multiple distance scales
12. In Python GIS automation, what does 'shapely.ops.unary_union()' do? → Merges a list of geometries into a single geometry by unioning all of them together
13. Y-coordinate is represented by GIS in the _______ direction. → Vertical
14. Which Python approach is recommended for automating the batch download of geospatial data from a REST API (e.g., ArcGIS REST services)? → Using the 'requests' library to send HTTP GET/POST calls and parse JSON responses
15. The Anselin Local Moran's I classifies locations into which output categories? → High-High, Low-Low, High-Low, and Low-High spatial association types
16. A service area polygon in network analysis represents: → All locations reachable from a facility within a given cost threshold
17. Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) are designed to: → Identify local spatial clusters and spatial outliers at each feature location
18. In geospatial data management, what is the primary purpose of topology? → To define and enforce spatial relationships between adjacent or connected features.
19. Which of the following describes a subfield of GIS theory research? → Geographic information science
20. Which tables provide distinctive features for the data? → Attribute
21. A positive Moran's I value indicates that the spatial pattern is: → Clustered with similar values near each other
22. Which statistic identifies statistically significant spatial clusters of high values (hot spots) and low values (cold spots)? → Getis-Ord Gi* statistic
23. What is the primary purpose of the Python library 'GeoPandas' in GIS workflows? → Extending pandas DataFrames to support spatial operations on vector data
24. In GIS, what is a 'network junction' (node)? → A point where two or more network edges meet or intersect
25. In GIS project management, what is the primary purpose of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? → To decompose the total scope of the project into smaller, more manageable deliverables.
26. X-coordinate is represented by GIS in the _______ direction. → Horizontal
27. Which of the following describes the spectral resolution of a satellite sensor? → The number and width of the specific wavelength bands the sensor can capture.
28. What does 'connectivity policy' determine in a GIS network dataset? → How and when edges and junctions connect to each other
29. In transit network analysis, what is a 'headway'? → The time interval between successive transit vehicle departures on a route
30. Which map data within the installation border includes utilities, physical features, and facilities? → Common installation picture (CIP)