GISP Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What does spatial resolution refer to in the context of satellite imagery? → The smallest distinguishable ground feature size in an image
2. Successful spatial analysis needs → All of the above
3. Which datum transformation parameter set is required when converting GPS coordinates (WGS84) to NAD83 for use in US federal mapping projects? → NADCON or HARN grid-based transformation
4. Which spatial analysis technique is commonly used to analyze patterns of disease spread or crime incidents? → Hotspot analysis
5. LiDAR point clouds classified as 'ground returns' are primarily used to generate which type of surface model? → Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
6. What is the primary purpose of a control point survey in establishing a geodetic network for GIS mapping projects? → To provide precisely measured reference locations for georeferencing and spatial accuracy
7. How does kernel density estimation (KDE) differ from traditional density estimation techniques? → KDE does not account for spatial relationships
8. The process of transforming coordinates from a three-dimensional model of the Earth (like a spheroid) to a two-dimensional flat surface is known as: → Map Projection
9. In GIS project procurement, a Request for Proposal (RFP) differs from a Request for Quote (RFQ) primarily because an RFP: → Solicits pricing and technical approaches from vendors
10. What is the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) primarily used for in remote sensing? → Assessing vegetation health and density
11. What is the purpose of interpolation in spatial analysis? → Estimating values for locations between known points
12. GIS deals with which kind of data → Spatial data
13. Which classification approach assigns each pixel to a land cover class based purely on spectral statistics without using any training samples? → Unsupervised classification
14. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using GIS in business applications? → To reduce the productivity
15. Which project management approach follows a sequential, phase-by-phase process where each phase must be completed before the next begins? → Waterfall
16. Which of the following is NOT a common spatial analysis technique in GIS? → Sorting
17. In cartographic design, what is the primary purpose of a map's legend? → To explain the meaning of the symbols and colors used on the map
18. What quality control step is essential after importing field-collected GPS data into a GIS to verify positional accuracy? → Comparing collected features against high-accuracy reference data or orthoimage backdrops
19. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a broader term that encompasses which constellation systems beyond the US GPS system? → GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China)
20. Which atmospheric correction method converts raw digital numbers to surface reflectance by removing atmospheric effects using sensor-measured path radiance? → Dark object subtraction (DOS)
21. When a GIS project manager uses fast-tracking as a schedule compression technique, this means: → Performing tasks in parallel that would normally be done sequentially
22. In a GIS field data collection workflow, what is the primary advantage of using a geodatabase schema loaded onto a mobile device over collecting raw GPS tracks? → Attribute data is collected simultaneously with geometry using validated domain fields
23. Who is the leading company for GIS business applications? → ESRI
24. In the context of GIS project management, which document defines what is and is not included in a project? → Project scope statement
25. A GIS project manager is using Earned Value Management (EVM). If the Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is 0.80, what does this indicate? → The project is progressing at 80% of the planned rate
26. What is ‘Metadata’ ? → It is ‘ data about data’
27. Aspects of a GIS system do NOT include... → Legal representation of a physical location
28. In Landsat 8 imagery, which band combination is most commonly used for a standard true-color composite? → Bands 4-3-2
29. What is the primary purpose of Voronoi tessellation in spatial analysis? → Dividing space into regions based on proximity to a set of points
30. What does the "buffering" spatial analysis technique involve? → Creating a boundary around a specific area of interest