Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) - Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What should be done when a conflict exists between different applicable standards?

Identify the most stringent requirement and consult with relevant authorities (Correct answer)
Ignore all conflicting standards
Follow the least restrictive standard
Create a new personal standard

Correct answer: Identify the most stringent requirement and consult with relevant authorities

When standards conflict, the most protective or stringent requirement typically takes precedence, with consultation as needed.

Question 2: Under NSPS ethical standards, when two surveyors disagree on a boundary location, the appropriate first step is to:

Confer professionally to review each other's evidence and methodology (Correct answer)
Report the other surveyor to the board without discussion
Let the courts decide immediately
Accept whichever opinion favors the client paying more

Correct answer: Confer professionally to review each other's evidence and methodology

NSPS guidelines encourage professional consultation between surveyors before escalating disagreements to formal dispute resolution.

Question 3: The 'combined scale factor' used to convert grid distances to ground distances is the product of which two factors?

Refraction factor and declination factor
Elevation factor and convergence factor
Scale factor and elevation factor (Correct answer)
Scale factor and refraction factor

Correct answer: Scale factor and elevation factor

The combined factor = scale factor × elevation factor; dividing grid distance by the combined factor yields approximate ground distance.

Question 4: During a control survey, the surveyor computes an angular misclosure of 42 seconds for a 7-sided polygon traverse. What is the per-angle correction?

−6 seconds per angle (Correct answer)
+42 seconds to one angle
−3 seconds per angle
+6 seconds per angle

Correct answer: −6 seconds per angle

The misclosure of 42 seconds is distributed equally by subtracting 6 seconds (42 ÷ 7) from each measured interior angle.

Question 5: Which statistical measure describes the spread of repeated observations around their mean value?

Standard deviation (Correct answer)
Root mean square residual
Mean absolute error
Probable error

Correct answer: Standard deviation

Standard deviation (σ) quantifies the dispersion of individual observations about the mean and is the fundamental measure of precision.

Question 6: A surveyor discovers an error made in a previous survey they performed for a different client, which could lead to potential legal or financial issues. What should the surveyor do?

Discard the previous survey and start fresh with a new one.
Inform the previous client and offer to correct the error. (Correct answer)
Only inform the current client about the error.
Ignore the error and proceed with the new survey.

Correct answer: Inform the previous client and offer to correct the error.

When a surveyor discovers an error in their own previous work that could have adverse consequences, they have an ethical and professional obligation to inform the affected client. This demonstrates integrity and a commitment to accuracy, even if it means admitting a mistake. The surveyor should then offer to correct the error or work with the client to resolve the issue.

Question 7: When a surveyor reviews a prior survey and finds it to be materially incorrect, the NSPS standards suggest the reviewing surveyor should:

Correct the plat without notifying anyone
Publish the errors publicly to warn clients
Immediately file a board complaint against the prior surveyor
Contact the prior surveyor to discuss findings before taking further action (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Contact the prior surveyor to discuss findings before taking further action

NSPS standards promote professional courtesy by requiring a surveyor to first contact the original surveyor before escalating criticism or complaints.

Question 8: In the PLSS, 'ranges' are numbered east and west from which reference line?

The guide meridian
The standard parallel
The baseline
The principal meridian (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The principal meridian

Ranges are numbered east and west from the principal meridian, a north-south line that defines the east-west origin of the PLSS grid.

Question 9: A surveying firm uses a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for project planning. The PRIMARY purpose of a WBS is to:

Decompose the project into manageable tasks and deliverables (Correct answer)
Assign blame when errors occur
Determine employee vacation schedules
List equipment serial numbers

Correct answer: Decompose the project into manageable tasks and deliverables

A WBS hierarchically decomposes the total scope of work into smaller, manageable components to facilitate planning, scheduling, and cost estimation.

Question 10: A 'peg test' on a level instrument is designed to detect and correct which condition?

Horizontal collimation error
Vertical circle index error
Compensator malfunction in digital levels
The line of sight not being truly horizontal (collimation error) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The line of sight not being truly horizontal (collimation error)

The peg test determines whether the instrument's line of sight is truly horizontal when the bubble is centered, detecting and correcting the i-angle (collimation error).

Question 11: A cadastral surveyor re-establishes a corner and finds a discrepancy of 0.5 ft between the calculated position and an existing monument. The first QC step should be to:

Research all record documents and re-examine field evidence before making a determination (Correct answer)
Average the two positions and set a new monument
Set a new monument at the calculated position and note the discrepancy on the plat
Defer to the calculated position because mathematics is more reliable than physical monuments

Correct answer: Research all record documents and re-examine field evidence before making a determination

Before resolving any monument discrepancy, the surveyor must exhaustively research record documents, deed calls, adjoiners, and all field evidence per boundary retracement principles.

Question 12: In geodesy, the 'normal section' azimuth and the 'geodesic' azimuth between two points differ due to:

Magnetic declination
Atmospheric refraction
The curvature of the ellipsoid (Correct answer)
The geoid undulation

Correct answer: The curvature of the ellipsoid

On an ellipsoid, normal sections and geodesics follow slightly different paths due to ellipsoidal curvature, causing a small difference in azimuth.

Question 13: A project manager for a large ALTA/NSPS survey creates a risk register. Which risk would be MOST commonly identified for this survey type?

Risk of discovering unrecorded easements or encroachments that expand research and fieldwork scope (Correct answer)
Risk that the client changes the company name
Risk that the surveyor's vehicle color is unfashionable
Risk that the client moves to a different state

Correct answer: Risk of discovering unrecorded easements or encroachments that expand research and fieldwork scope

Unrecorded easements or encroachments are common ALTA survey risks that can significantly increase research, fieldwork, and reporting requirements.

Question 14: The legal concept of 'dedication' in the context of land surveying refers to:

Recording a plat in the public records
A surveyor's certification that a plat is accurate
The assignment of survey responsibilities to a junior surveyor
The voluntary conveyance of private land for public use, either expressly or by implication (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The voluntary conveyance of private land for public use, either expressly or by implication

Dedication is the act by which a landowner offers land — typically streets and public areas shown on a recorded plat — for public use, which becomes effective upon governmental acceptance.

Question 15: What is the primary QC benefit of computing the 'compass rule' (Bowditch) adjustment vs. simply accepting raw traverse coordinates?

It eliminates all measurement errors from the traverse
It distributes linear misclosure proportionally to leg length, producing consistent adjusted coordinates (Correct answer)
It corrects angular errors before linear errors
It automatically weights measurements by instrument precision

Correct answer: It distributes linear misclosure proportionally to leg length, producing consistent adjusted coordinates

The compass rule adjusts latitudes and departures in proportion to each leg's length, distributing linear misclosure to produce geometrically consistent final coordinates.

Question 16: When should risk assessment be performed during a project?

Only after a risk event occurs
Throughout the entire project lifecycle, not just at the beginning (Correct answer)
Only at project completion for lessons learned
Only during the planning phase

Correct answer: Throughout the entire project lifecycle, not just at the beginning

Risk assessment should be ongoing throughout the project as new risks can emerge at any stage and existing risks can change.

Question 17: A deed describes a boundary as running "to the centerline of the river." Which of the following statements is true?

The property excludes the river entirely.
The boundary depends on the navigability of the river.
The property includes ownership of the land beneath the river to its centerline. (Correct answer)
The property includes ownership up to the water's edge.

Correct answer: The property includes ownership of the land beneath the river to its centerline.

When a deed describes a boundary as running "to the centerline of the river," it typically grants riparian rights, meaning the property owner owns the land beneath the non-navigable river up to its thread or centerline. This legal principle, known as the "thread of the stream" doctrine, defines the extent of ownership in such cases. The navigability of the river can sometimes alter this, but the general rule for non-navigable waters is to the centerline.

Question 18: How should a surveyor handle a situation where two senior partners in the firm reach conflicting conclusions about a boundary location?

The conflict is hidden from the final deliverable
The conclusion favoring the client's preference is adopted
The junior staff member resolves the conflict to stay neutral
A formal internal peer review process is used, and the reasoning is documented (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A formal internal peer review process is used, and the reasoning is documented

A documented peer review process resolves professional disagreements transparently and creates a defensible record of the decision-making methodology.

Question 19: A surveyor computes a 95% confidence ellipse for a GPS-derived coordinate. This ellipse represents:

The region where the true position lies with 95% probability (Correct answer)
The satellite geometry at the time of observation
The horizontal dilution of precision
The area covered by the survey

Correct answer: The region where the true position lies with 95% probability

A confidence ellipse bounds the region within which the true position falls at the stated probability level, accounting for measurement uncertainty.

Question 20: Which federal regulation requires employers in construction to maintain a written safety and health program?

EPA 40 CFR Part 262
DOT 49 CFR 173
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.20 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.20

29 CFR 1926.20 requires employers engaged in construction to have and enforce a written safety and health program.

Question 21: A surveyor is subpoenaed to testify about a boundary survey in litigation. The ethical obligation is to:

Change survey records before testifying to avoid liability
Testify only to what favors the party that hired them
Testify truthfully and objectively based on evidence and professional opinion (Correct answer)
Refuse to testify to protect client confidentiality

Correct answer: Testify truthfully and objectively based on evidence and professional opinion

Expert testimony must be honest and objective; a surveyor's first duty is to the truth, not to the party that employed them.

Question 22: From which reference line are PLSS townships measured north and south?

Baseline (Correct answer)
Standard parallel
Guide meridian
Principal meridian

Correct answer: Baseline

Townships are measured north and south from the baseline, an east-west line that intersects the principal meridian.

Question 23: According to ALTA/NSPS Standards, a surveyor must report any evidence of recent earth-moving work observed during fieldwork. This requirement relates to which QC principle?

Complete and accurate documentation of field observations (Correct answer)
Boundary conflict resolution
Compliance with local zoning ordinances
Horizontal accuracy verification

Correct answer: Complete and accurate documentation of field observations

ALTA/NSPS requires surveyors to document and report field observations that could affect the survey's reliability, including signs of recent disturbance.

Question 24: When reviewing a coordinate geometry (COGO) closure report, a surveyor finds that the area computed from adjusted coordinates differs slightly from the area computed from the deed description. The most appropriate action is to:

Always defer to the deed area as a legal document supersedes field measurements
Investigate whether the difference stems from a deed description ambiguity, measurement error, or rounding in the closure (Correct answer)
Average the two areas and report both on the plat
Use the COGO area since it is based on precise field measurements

Correct answer: Investigate whether the difference stems from a deed description ambiguity, measurement error, or rounding in the closure

Area discrepancies between COGO and deed descriptions require investigation to determine the source — they may reveal errors in either the fieldwork, the deed, or simply rounding differences.

Question 25: A client asks a surveyor to prepare a plat that shows lot sizes larger than they actually are to facilitate a sale. The surveyor should:

Round up measurements to the nearest foot
Comply if the client signs a waiver
Refuse and explain that falsifying survey data is fraud (Correct answer)
Prepare the plat but add a disclaimer

Correct answer: Refuse and explain that falsifying survey data is fraud

Falsifying measurements on a plat constitutes fraud and violates the surveyor's fundamental duty of honesty and accuracy.

Question 26: What is the primary authoritative manual used for restoring lost corners in the PLSS?

National Geodetic Survey Geodetic Control Standards
Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States (Correct answer)
ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards and Requirements
BLM Cadastral Survey Procedures Manual

Correct answer: Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States

The BLM's 'Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States' (currently the 2009 edition) governs all PLSS corner restoration procedures.

Question 27: In UAV/drone surveying, what is the purpose of Ground Control Points (GCPs)?

To define the flight path boundary of the drone
To measure wind speed for flight planning
To mark the takeoff and landing zones for the drone
To provide known coordinate references that georeference and improve accuracy of the photogrammetric model (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To provide known coordinate references that georeference and improve accuracy of the photogrammetric model

GCPs are surveyed points with known coordinates that are placed in the drone imagery to accurately georeference the photogrammetric point cloud or orthophoto to a real-world coordinate system.

Question 28: How is risk typically measured?

By the cost of insurance premiums
By the probability of occurrence multiplied by the potential impact (Correct answer)
By the number of stakeholders affected only
By the opinion of the most senior manager

Correct answer: By the probability of occurrence multiplied by the potential impact

Risk is commonly quantified as probability times impact, helping prioritize which risks need the most attention.

Question 29: What is the primary purpose of a control survey?

To calculate property boundaries based on deeds.
To verify the dimensions of a constructed building.
To establish reference points for future surveys. (Correct answer)
To measure distances and angles for small projects.

Correct answer: To establish reference points for future surveys.

Control surveys establish a network of precisely determined points with known coordinates and elevations. These points serve as fundamental reference points for all subsequent surveys within an area, ensuring consistency and accuracy across different projects. They provide a stable and reliable framework upon which detailed surveys can be built.

Question 30: When a surveying project involves work across jurisdictional boundaries (e.g., two counties), the project manager must PRIMARILY ensure:

The crew brings lunch from each county
That only one plat is prepared regardless of jurisdiction
Both counties have the same road names
Compliance with each jurisdiction's recording requirements, standards, and fees (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Compliance with each jurisdiction's recording requirements, standards, and fees

Each jurisdiction may have distinct recording standards, monument requirements, fees, and plat formats that must all be researched and satisfied.

Question 31: On a plane survey, the latitude of a course is defined as:

The easting or westing component of a course
The vertical angle of a course
The northing or southing component of a course (Correct answer)
The horizontal distance of a course

Correct answer: The northing or southing component of a course

Latitude is the orthogonal projection of a course onto the north-south meridian, yielding the northing (+) or southing (−) component.

Question 32: A surveyor uses a static GPS observation of 45 minutes and gets an ambiguity resolution ratio of 1.5. This result should prompt the surveyor to:

Accept the solution since any ratio above 1.0 is valid
Extend the session by exactly 15 minutes to raise the ratio
Report the session as float-fixed which is acceptable for boundary surveys
Reject or re-observe the baseline because a ratio below 3.0 indicates a poorly fixed solution (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reject or re-observe the baseline because a ratio below 3.0 indicates a poorly fixed solution

An ambiguity resolution ratio below 3.0 (some guidelines require > 3.0 to > 5.0) indicates poor confidence in the fixed integer solution, requiring re-observation.

Question 33: What is the purpose of applying an 'additive constant' (prism constant) correction in EDM measurements?

To adjust for the instrument's horizontal circle eccentricity
To correct for atmospheric temperature changes
To compensate for Earth curvature in long distances
To account for the offset between the prism's electrical center and its physical center (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To account for the offset between the prism's electrical center and its physical center

The prism constant corrects for the physical offset between the apparent reflection point of the prism and the true measurement point (the prism pole tip or target center).

Question 34: According to ALTA/NSPS standards, what is the maximum allowable positional uncertainty for a Class A survey?

0.07 feet plus 50 ppm
0.02 feet plus 50 ppm (Correct answer)
0.05 feet plus 50 ppm
0.10 feet plus 100 ppm

Correct answer: 0.02 feet plus 50 ppm

ALTA/NSPS Table A specifies Class A positional uncertainty as 0.02 feet + 50 ppm of the distance measured.

Question 35: Which QC check should be performed after every instrument setup change in a control traverse?

Contact NGS to confirm local geoid separation values
Recompute all prior traverse legs
Recalibrate the EDM against a certified invar tape
Backsight to the previous occupied point and verify the back-azimuth (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Backsight to the previous occupied point and verify the back-azimuth

After each instrument setup, backsighting the previous point and verifying the back-azimuth confirms that the instrument is correctly oriented before collecting new data.

Question 36: Which of the following best describes the content of a 'land surveyor's report' as distinct from a plat?

A written narrative explaining the evidence evaluated, methodology, and professional conclusions of the survey (Correct answer)
A zoning determination letter from the planning department
A graphic depiction of the boundary with dimensions
A title commitment issued by a title company

Correct answer: A written narrative explaining the evidence evaluated, methodology, and professional conclusions of the survey

A surveyor's report is a written document that explains the research conducted, evidence evaluated, and professional reasoning that led to the boundary determination shown on the plat.

Question 37: Why is root cause analysis important in quality improvement?

It eliminates the need for data collection
It identifies the underlying cause of problems rather than just symptoms (Correct answer)
It assigns blame to specific individuals
It replaces the need for corrective actions

Correct answer: It identifies the underlying cause of problems rather than just symptoms

Root cause analysis goes beyond surface-level symptoms to identify fundamental causes, enabling effective and lasting solutions.

Question 38: In most U.S. jurisdictions, which party bears the burden of proof in a quiet title action?

The surveyor of record must testify as to boundary locations
The plaintiff must prove title by a preponderance of the evidence (Correct answer)
The government must certify the chain of title
The defendant must prove superior title

Correct answer: The plaintiff must prove title by a preponderance of the evidence

A plaintiff in a quiet title action bears the burden of establishing their own title rather than relying solely on weaknesses in the defendant's claim.

Question 39: What role does data collection play in quality improvement?

It replaces professional judgment entirely
It is optional if staff agree on the problem
It provides objective evidence for identifying trends and measuring progress (Correct answer)
It is only needed for regulatory audits

Correct answer: It provides objective evidence for identifying trends and measuring progress

Data-driven decision making provides objective evidence, helping identify patterns and measure the impact of improvement efforts.

Question 40: In PLSS original field notes, 'bearing trees' (also called 'witness trees') were recorded to:

Provide bearing and distance references from the corner to nearby trees, aiding future corner relocation (Correct answer)
Establish magnetic north during the original survey using tree growth rings
Mark corner positions with living trees instead of iron posts
Document timber volumes along meander lines for General Land Office records

Correct answer: Provide bearing and distance references from the corner to nearby trees, aiding future corner relocation

Original surveyors recorded the species, diameter, and bearing and distance from the corner monument to nearby trees, creating a physical reference system for relocating corners if the monument was disturbed.

Question 41: In differential leveling, the 'double-rodded' method improves QC by:

Observing each rod reading twice with the bubble re-centered
Using two instruments on the same setup
Running two independent level routes simultaneously on separate turning points between the same endpoints (Correct answer)
Applying two different atmospheric correction models

Correct answer: Running two independent level routes simultaneously on separate turning points between the same endpoints

Double-rodded leveling runs two independent level routes (Hi and Lo rod) between endpoints simultaneously, providing an immediate check on each setup.

Question 42: A 'meander line' established along a navigable lake in a PLSS survey is primarily intended to:

Mark the low-water line for purposes of fishing rights
Define the permanent property boundary between private and public land
Establish the centerline of the navigable body of water
Approximate the high-water line for calculating acreage, with the actual boundary being the water's edge (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Approximate the high-water line for calculating acreage, with the actual boundary being the water's edge

Meander lines approximate the sinuous shoreline for acreage calculation purposes; the true boundary of the riparian parcel is the ordinary high-water mark of the navigable water.

Question 43: A surveyor discovers that a prism pole was not fully extended to 2.000 m during data collection but was set at 1.987 m. This is an example of which error type?

Systematic blunder
Random error
Personal mistake (blunder) (Correct answer)
Instrumental error

Correct answer: Personal mistake (blunder)

Failing to fully seat a prism pole is a personal mistake or blunder, not a systematic error, because it results from operator carelessness rather than a consistent bias.

Question 44: In a survey field book, what notation best documents the condition of a found monument?

The monument's age as estimated by the surveyor
'Found' with no additional detail
Only the coordinates of the monument
Description of the monument type, size, stability, and any markings observed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Description of the monument type, size, stability, and any markings observed

Thorough documentation of a found monument includes its type, dimensions, stability, and markings so the record can support future surveyors' reliability assessments.

Question 45: How are technical standards typically updated?

By individual companies unilaterally
Through a formal review process involving industry experts and stakeholders (Correct answer)
Standards are never updated once published
Only after a major accident or failure

Correct answer: Through a formal review process involving industry experts and stakeholders

Standards undergo periodic formal review by committees of industry experts and stakeholders to incorporate new knowledge and technology.

Question 46: What is a key performance indicator (KPI)?

A measurable value that demonstrates effectiveness in achieving objectives (Correct answer)
A financial metric used only for budgeting
A customer complaint form
A staff scheduling tool

Correct answer: A measurable value that demonstrates effectiveness in achieving objectives

KPIs are quantifiable measures that help organizations track progress toward their strategic and operational goals.

Question 47: What does the term 'repeatability' mean in the context of land survey QC?

The ability to obtain the same result when the same measurement is made multiple times under the same conditions (Correct answer)
The process of repeating a survey to meet minimum state standards
The legal defensibility of a boundary determination
The number of times a benchmark has been verified by NGS

Correct answer: The ability to obtain the same result when the same measurement is made multiple times under the same conditions

Repeatability measures precision: consistent results across multiple observations under identical conditions indicate low random error and high reliability.

Question 48: A GPS receiver computes a position using pseudorange observations. The primary source of error that requires satellite clock corrections is:

Satellite clock drift (Correct answer)
Antenna phase center offset
Tropospheric refraction
Multipath interference

Correct answer: Satellite clock drift

Satellite clock drift causes pseudorange errors that are corrected using broadcast clock correction parameters in the navigation message.

Question 49: Under FGCS standards, which order of leveling requires the maximum allowable loop closure of 3mm√K, where K is distance in kilometers?

Second Order Class I (Correct answer)
Third Order
First Order Class I
Second Order Class II

Correct answer: Second Order Class I

Second Order Class I leveling has a closure tolerance of 3mm√K per FGCS specifications.

Question 50: In a resection problem, a surveyor occupies an unknown point and observes angles to three known control points. What is the minimum data required to solve for the unknown position?

One known bearing and two distances
Two distances and one angle
Four known points and three angles
The coordinates of three known points and two horizontal angles between them (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The coordinates of three known points and two horizontal angles between them

Resection requires at least three known points and the two horizontal angles subtended at the unknown station to solve for its position.

Question 51: What is the triple constraint in project management?

Scope, time, and cost — changes to one affect the others (Correct answer)
Quality, risk, and resources
Budget, schedule, and staffing
Planning, execution, and monitoring

Correct answer: Scope, time, and cost — changes to one affect the others

The triple constraint (scope, time, cost) illustrates that these three elements are interrelated and balancing them is key to project success.

Question 52: What is benchmarking in the context of quality improvement?

Setting the lowest acceptable standard
Eliminating competition between departments
Reducing all metrics to a single score
Comparing performance against best practices or industry standards (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Comparing performance against best practices or industry standards

Benchmarking involves comparing an organizations performance against recognized leaders or standards to identify improvement opportunities.

Question 53: When advertising surveying services, an RPLS must ensure that all advertising is:

Truthful, not misleading, and within the bounds of professional ethics codes (Correct answer)
Approved by the state board before publication
Reviewed by a marketing firm with no surveying background
Limited to printed media only

Correct answer: Truthful, not misleading, and within the bounds of professional ethics codes

Professional ethics codes require that all advertising be accurate and non-deceptive, though pre-approval by the board is generally not required.

Question 54: How many sections are contained in a standard PLSS township?

36 (Correct answer)
25
48
16

Correct answer: 36

A standard township contains 36 sections, arranged in a 6×6 grid and numbered 1 through 36.

Question 55: Under PLSS retracement principles, which evidence holds the highest legal priority when locating an original corner?

The original field notes of the GLO surveyor
Deed descriptions from adjoining landowners
GPS-calculated positions based on the original field note bearings and distances
The original monument as physically placed by the original surveyor (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The original monument as physically placed by the original surveyor

The original monument as placed by the original surveyor is the highest authority in retracement; field notes, deed descriptions, and calculations are all subordinate to a found original monument.

Question 56: Which GPS QC metric measures the ratio of valid observations to total expected observations during a session?

Data completeness (tracking ratio) (Correct answer)
Multipath ratio
Observation-to-noise ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

Correct answer: Data completeness (tracking ratio)

Data completeness or tracking ratio expresses the percentage of epochs where the receiver successfully tracked satellites, with low values indicating poor observing conditions.

Question 57: In a surveying firm, 'project closeout' activities MOST commonly include:

Final invoice submission, file archiving, client acceptance documentation, and lessons learned review (Correct answer)
Immediately starting a new project without any review
Returning all field equipment to the manufacturer
Deleting all project files to save server space

Correct answer: Final invoice submission, file archiving, client acceptance documentation, and lessons learned review

Project closeout formalizes completion through final billing, records archiving per retention requirements, client sign-off, and lessons learned documentation.

Question 58: Under ASPRS Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (2014), the Vertical Accuracy Class is defined using which statistical measure?

Standard deviation of the mean
95th percentile error
Maximum absolute error
RMSEz (Root Mean Square Error of vertical component) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: RMSEz (Root Mean Square Error of vertical component)

ASPRS 2014 standards define vertical accuracy classes based on RMSEz, the root mean square error of the vertical component.

Question 59: What is the basic area unit of land division in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?

Range (varies by latitude)
Township (23,040 acres)
Quarter section (160 acres)
Section (640 acres) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Section (640 acres)

The section, nominally 640 acres (one square mile), is the basic unit of land division in the PLSS.

Question 60: During project kickoff, the project manager discovers the client's deed description conflicts with a neighboring deed. The BEST immediate action is to:

Ignore the conflict and proceed with fieldwork
Notify the client in writing and document the conflict before proceeding (Correct answer)
Terminate the contract immediately
Arbitrarily choose one deed over the other

Correct answer: Notify the client in writing and document the conflict before proceeding

Documenting and notifying the client of the conflict in writing protects the surveyor legally and ensures informed decision-making before fieldwork.

Question 61: What is calibration in the context of technical standards?

Training new employees on procedures
Comparing measurements to a known standard to ensure accuracy (Correct answer)
Balancing project budgets
Adjusting schedules to meet deadlines

Correct answer: Comparing measurements to a known standard to ensure accuracy

Calibration ensures measuring instruments provide accurate readings by comparing them against reference standards.

Question 62: The distance distortion factor in a State Plane projection compared to ground distance is known as the:

Scale factor (k) (Correct answer)
Grid factor
Elevation factor
Sea-level correction factor

Correct answer: Scale factor (k)

The scale factor k describes how grid distances on the SPC map relate to geodetic distances on the ellipsoid at a given location.

Question 63: Government lots in the PLSS are typically found:

Along navigable bodies of water and at the north and west edges of townships where closures create irregular parcels (Correct answer)
Only in townships adjacent to state or international boundaries
In interior sections where soil surveys required special designations
Only in sections along the eastern boundary of a township

Correct answer: Along navigable bodies of water and at the north and west edges of townships where closures create irregular parcels

Government lots are created where sections cannot be subdivided into standard aliquot parts due to navigable water bodies or irregular closures along the north and west township boundaries.

Question 64: When QC checking a boundary survey plat, which condition would most directly indicate a drafting error?

The sum of interior angles of a closed polygon does not equal (n−2) × 180° (Correct answer)
The survey date predates the deed recording date
The deed calls reference the same monuments as the plat
The plat scale differs from the original field sketch

Correct answer: The sum of interior angles of a closed polygon does not equal (n−2) × 180°

For a closed polygon with n sides, interior angles must sum to (n−2) × 180°; a deviation indicates a drafting or computation error in the angular data.

Question 65: What is the primary goal of a quality improvement program?

To reduce staffing levels
To identify and punish poor performers
To continuously enhance processes and outcomes (Correct answer)
To generate marketing materials

Correct answer: To continuously enhance processes and outcomes

Quality improvement focuses on systematic enhancement of processes, services, and outcomes for continuous betterment.

Question 66: What is benchmarking in the context of quality improvement?

Eliminating competition between departments
Comparing performance against best practices or industry standards (Correct answer)
Reducing all metrics to a single score
Setting the lowest acceptable standard

Correct answer: Comparing performance against best practices or industry standards

Benchmarking involves comparing an organizations performance against recognized leaders or standards to identify improvement opportunities.

Question 67: An easement by necessity is most commonly created when:

A prescriptive period has been satisfied by open use
Two parties execute a formal easement agreement
A landowner grants a road easement for public use
A parcel is landlocked as a result of a conveyance severing access to a public road (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A parcel is landlocked as a result of a conveyance severing access to a public road

Courts imply an easement by necessity when a conveyance leaves a parcel without reasonable access to a public road, arising from the common grantor's implied intent.

Question 68: A surveyor sets up a total station and observes the same direction in both face-left and face-right positions. The primary purpose is to:

Satisfy state licensing board requirements for observations
Double the number of measurements for averaging
Reduce the effect of atmospheric refraction
Eliminate errors due to horizontal and vertical circle eccentricity and collimation error (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Eliminate errors due to horizontal and vertical circle eccentricity and collimation error

Observing in both face positions (direct and reverse) cancels systematic instrumental errors including horizontal collimation, vertical index, and circle eccentricity errors.

Question 69: What is a 'witness corner' in PLSS surveying?

A corner marked by a bearing tree instead of a physical monument
A corner set at the exact intersection of two section lines
A corner whose establishment was observed by two licensed surveyors
An auxiliary monument set to reference the true corner position when that location is physically inaccessible (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An auxiliary monument set to reference the true corner position when that location is physically inaccessible

A witness corner is an auxiliary monument set on a section line at a measured distance from the true corner when that corner falls in a body of water, on a cliff, or in another inaccessible location.

Question 70: What is scope creep?

The planned addition of new features
Uncontrolled expansion of project scope without corresponding adjustments (Correct answer)
A normal part of every project
A type of project risk assessment

Correct answer: Uncontrolled expansion of project scope without corresponding adjustments

Scope creep occurs when additional requirements are added without adjusting timeline, budget, or resources, potentially jeopardizing the project.

Question 71: Which statement best describes the legal significance of a surveyor's plat as evidence in a boundary dispute?

A plat prepared by a licensed surveyor has the same weight as a court order
A recorded plat is conclusive evidence of boundary locations and cannot be contradicted
Only the original field notes, not the plat, are admissible in court
A plat is evidence of the surveyor's opinion of boundary locations and may be rebutted by other evidence (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A plat is evidence of the surveyor's opinion of boundary locations and may be rebutted by other evidence

A surveyor's plat is the professional opinion of the surveyor and, while highly persuasive, is subject to challenge by other credible evidence of the true boundary.

Question 72: Which of the following is the primary legal distinction between a 'license' and an 'easement' affecting land?

An easement requires payment; a license is always gratuitous
A license is a personal, revocable permission; an easement is a property interest that runs with the land (Correct answer)
A license must be in writing; an easement can be oral
A license is recorded; an easement is unrecorded

Correct answer: A license is a personal, revocable permission; an easement is a property interest that runs with the land

A license is a personal privilege that can be revoked by the licensor at will, while an easement is an interest in real property that survives changes in ownership.

Question 73: A land surveyor discovers that a boundary they established five years ago contains a significant error. What is the ethical obligation?

Only correct it if a client specifically requests a resurvey
File the correction anonymously to avoid liability
Ignore it since the statute of limitations has passed
Notify affected parties and correct the record if possible (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notify affected parties and correct the record if possible

Surveyors have an ongoing ethical duty to correct errors that could harm property owners, regardless of when the mistake was made.

Question 74: Which ALTA/NSPS Table A optional item requires the surveyor to show evidence of utilities crossing or on the surveyed property?

Item 11(a) — Utilities (Correct answer)
Item 4 — Parking areas
Item 1 — Monuments
Item 19 — Professional liability coverage

Correct answer: Item 11(a) — Utilities

ALTA/NSPS Table A Item 11(a) requires the surveyor to locate observed evidence of utilities crossing the property based on field observation and record research.

Question 75: A budget variance analysis for a boundary survey shows actual costs exceeding estimated costs by 25%. The project manager should FIRST:

Investigate root causes and determine whether the overrun is recoverable or requires a change order (Correct answer)
Lower the deliverable quality to reduce costs
Ignore the variance and proceed
Immediately fire the field crew

Correct answer: Investigate root causes and determine whether the overrun is recoverable or requires a change order

Investigating root causes allows the project manager to determine whether the variance is due to scope changes (justifying a change order) or inefficiency (requiring corrective action).

Question 76: A surveyor re-measures a distance three times and gets 100.02, 100.03, and 100.01 feet. What is the most probable value?

100.01 ft
100.03 ft
100.025 ft
100.02 ft (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 100.02 ft

The arithmetic mean (100.02 + 100.03 + 100.01) / 3 = 100.02 ft is the most probable value for a series of direct measurements.

Question 77: The FGDC Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards define accuracy in terms of:

The mean positional error relative to a local benchmark
The standard deviation of all measurements in the survey
The 95% confidence circle radius of horizontal positions relative to the datum (Correct answer)
The maximum allowable closure ratio for any traverse

Correct answer: The 95% confidence circle radius of horizontal positions relative to the datum

FGDC standards express horizontal accuracy as the radius of a circle centered at the true position within which 95% of tested points fall, referenced to the national datum.

Question 78: Which methodology uses the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle?

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) (Correct answer)
Statistical Process Control only
Root Cause Elimination
Lean Manufacturing exclusively

Correct answer: Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

The PDSA cycle is a cornerstone of CQI methodology, providing a structured approach to testing and implementing changes.

Question 79: What is the primary purpose of establishing control points in a large survey project?

To set benchmarks for construction staking only
To document historical land use
To provide a network of accurately known positions from which detail surveys are referenced (Correct answer)
To mark property corners permanently

Correct answer: To provide a network of accurately known positions from which detail surveys are referenced

Control points provide a framework of accurate horizontal and vertical positions that ensure all subsequent survey work ties to a common datum.

Question 80: A surveyor is retained to locate a boundary in a disputed area where litigation is possible. Which risk mitigation measure is most important?

Provide an opinion without a written report to limit exposure
Avoid taking the project to stay out of potential litigation
Set monuments that favor the retaining client's position
Maintain meticulous records of all evidence, research, and methodology decisions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maintain meticulous records of all evidence, research, and methodology decisions

Thorough documentation of all evidence, research, and methodology protects the surveyor when called to testify and demonstrates professional competence.

Question 81: How should equipment calibration records be maintained?

Only documented when calibration fails
Kept only in the memory of the operator
Documented with dates, results, and next calibration due date (Correct answer)
Recorded annually regardless of use frequency

Correct answer: Documented with dates, results, and next calibration due date

Proper calibration records provide traceability and help ensure equipment continues to provide accurate measurements.

Question 82: A retroreflective prism used with total stations returns light:

Perpendicular to the prism face only
At 90° to the incident beam regardless of angle of incidence
At a fixed offset angle of 30°
Parallel to the incident beam back toward the source (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Parallel to the incident beam back toward the source

A corner-cube retroreflector returns light parallel to the incoming beam back toward the source, making it ideal for EDM measurements over a wide range of angles.

Question 83: Why is root cause analysis important in quality improvement?

It assigns blame to specific individuals
It replaces the need for corrective actions
It eliminates the need for data collection
It identifies the underlying cause of problems rather than just symptoms (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It identifies the underlying cause of problems rather than just symptoms

Root cause analysis goes beyond surface-level symptoms to identify fundamental causes, enabling effective and lasting solutions.

Question 84: In PLSS notation, 'T3N, R2W' means:

Township 3, Range 2, northwest quadrant
3rd range north, 2nd township west of the state line
3rd township north of the baseline, 2nd range west of the principal meridian (Correct answer)
3rd tier north, 2nd guide meridian west

Correct answer: 3rd township north of the baseline, 2nd range west of the principal meridian

'T3N' indicates the 3rd township tier north of the baseline and 'R2W' indicates the 2nd range west of the principal meridian.

Question 85: The legal doctrine of 'estoppel by deed' prevents a grantor from claiming title to land that:

Was described in a prior unrecorded deed
Was subject to a prior mortgage lien
The grantor did not own at the time of conveyance but subsequently acquired (Correct answer)
Is located in a different county from the deed's recording location

Correct answer: The grantor did not own at the time of conveyance but subsequently acquired

When a grantor conveys land they do not yet own, and later acquires title, estoppel by deed (after-acquired title) passes that title automatically to the grantee.

Question 86: What is the purpose of using a 'check shot' to a known point during a total station survey?

To establish a new control point
To calibrate the instrument's EDM
To verify the instrument setup has not shifted or been disturbed (Correct answer)
To compute the local magnetic declination

Correct answer: To verify the instrument setup has not shifted or been disturbed

Periodically observing a check shot to a known point confirms that the instrument setup remains undisturbed and the orientation is still valid.

Question 87: In differential leveling, which type of rod reading provides a check on instrument settlement?

Turning point reading taken twice (check rod) (Correct answer)
Foresight reading
Backsight reading
Intermediate sight

Correct answer: Turning point reading taken twice (check rod)

Taking a second rod reading at the turning point before moving the instrument detects any settlement or disturbance between the foresight and backsight.

Question 88: In the context of LiDAR surveys, what does 'point density' refer to?

The vertical accuracy of individual points
The number of laser returns per unit area (Correct answer)
The spacing between flight lines
The pulse repetition frequency of the laser

Correct answer: The number of laser returns per unit area

Point density (points per square meter or square foot) describes how many LiDAR returns are collected per unit area, affecting detail and accuracy.

Question 89: Why is adherence to technical standards important in RPLS practice?

It ensures consistency, safety, and interoperability across the industry (Correct answer)
It is required only for government contracts
It limits innovation and creativity
It is only important for documentation purposes

Correct answer: It ensures consistency, safety, and interoperability across the industry

Technical standards ensure that work products are consistent, safe, and compatible across different practitioners and organizations.

Question 90: Which action by a surveyor constitutes improper risk transfer that could expose them to additional liability?

Including a limitation of liability clause in the contract
Carrying professional liability insurance
Requiring client indemnification for information provided by third parties
Relying entirely on an unlicensed subcontractor to perform all field observations without oversight (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Relying entirely on an unlicensed subcontractor to perform all field observations without oversight

Delegating field observation to an unlicensed subcontractor without licensed supervision violates state licensure laws and creates rather than transfers liability.

Question 91: Under the Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) adopted in many states, the primary purpose is to:

Require all deeds to be in a standardized format
Extinguish old interests and claims that have not been re-recorded within the statutory period (Correct answer)
Mandate title insurance for all real property transactions
Establish a state registry of licensed surveyors

Correct answer: Extinguish old interests and claims that have not been re-recorded within the statutory period

MRTA simplifies title searches by extinguishing stale claims, encumbrances, and interests that have not been re-recorded or asserted within the statutory period (often 30–40 years).

Question 92: In PLSS surveying, what distinguishes a 'lost corner' from an 'obliterated corner'?

A lost corner has no remaining physical evidence, while an obliterated corner can be relocated from remaining evidence and reliable testimony (Correct answer)
A lost corner is a section corner; an obliterated corner is a quarter-section corner
A lost corner was never originally set, while an obliterated corner was set and then removed
A lost corner requires a court order to restore, while an obliterated corner does not

Correct answer: A lost corner has no remaining physical evidence, while an obliterated corner can be relocated from remaining evidence and reliable testimony

A lost corner has no evidence remaining—physical or testimonial—to determine its original position, whereas an obliterated corner can be recovered from evidence such as old monuments, field notes, or credible witness testimony.

Question 93: When performing a closure check on a traverse, what does a closure ratio of 1:5,000 indicate?

The traverse has 5,000 redundant measurements
For every 5,000 units measured, there is 1 unit of linear error (Correct answer)
The angular closure error is 5,000 seconds
The traverse meets first-order accuracy standards

Correct answer: For every 5,000 units measured, there is 1 unit of linear error

A closure ratio of 1:5,000 means there is one unit of linear misclosure for every 5,000 units of total traverse length.

Question 94: Which of the following is true about adverse possession as it relates to land boundaries?

It applies only to government-owned lands.
It can be claimed after any length of occupation.
It requires the consent of the original owner.
The occupation must be open, notorious, and continuous. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The occupation must be open, notorious, and continuous.

Adverse possession allows someone to claim ownership of land by occupying it for a statutory period under specific conditions. Key requirements typically include that the possession must be open and notorious (visible to the true owner), hostile (without the owner's permission), actual, exclusive, and continuous for the entire statutory period. These conditions ensure the true owner has notice and an opportunity to reclaim their property.

Question 95: When using a digital level, what is the function of the bar-code rod?

It allows the instrument to electronically read rod height without a human reading (Correct answer)
It measures atmospheric pressure for refraction corrections
It stores benchmark elevation data in the field
It provides a magnetic north reference for the instrument

Correct answer: It allows the instrument to electronically read rod height without a human reading

The bar-code pattern on a digital level rod is scanned by the instrument's CCD sensor, automatically computing the rod reading and distance without a manual observation.

Question 96: Which environmental condition encountered during a topographic survey most directly requires the surveyor to halt work and notify the client immediately?

Discovery of visible hazardous waste containers or contaminated soil (Correct answer)
Presence of dense vegetation limiting line-of-sight
Encountering private property without current access authorization
Unexpected soil moisture affecting rod readings

Correct answer: Discovery of visible hazardous waste containers or contaminated soil

Discovery of hazardous waste triggers CERCLA reporting obligations and creates immediate health/safety and liability risks requiring client notification and potential regulatory reporting.

Question 97: In a GPS survey, what does a PDOP (Position Dilution of Precision) value greater than 6 indicate?

The ionospheric correction model is invalid
Poor satellite geometry that may degrade positional accuracy (Correct answer)
Excellent satellite geometry for high accuracy
The receiver has lost lock on all satellites

Correct answer: Poor satellite geometry that may degrade positional accuracy

PDOP > 6 indicates poor satellite geometry where satellites are clustered close together, weakening the three-dimensional position solution.

Question 98: A surveyor notices the bubble in the plate level of a total station drifts consistently to the same side after rotating 180°. This indicates:

The plate level vial needs adjustment (two-peg test error) (Correct answer)
The optical plummet is misaligned
The vertical circle index error is too large
The instrument is set up on unstable ground

Correct answer: The plate level vial needs adjustment (two-peg test error)

When the bubble displaces by the same amount after a 180° rotation, the vial axis is not perpendicular to the vertical axis and requires adjustment.

Question 99: A surveying firm's project manager is conducting a post-project review ('lessons learned'). The PRIMARY goal of this process is to:

Generate marketing materials
Justify billing disputes with the client
Identify successes and failures to improve future project planning and execution (Correct answer)
Assign blame to underperforming employees

Correct answer: Identify successes and failures to improve future project planning and execution

Lessons learned capture knowledge from both successful practices and mistakes to continuously improve future project planning, processes, and outcomes.

Question 100: In leveling, which check confirms that the sum of backsights minus the sum of foresights equals the change in elevation?

Page check (Correct answer)
Double-rodded check
Reciprocal leveling check
Three-wire closure check

Correct answer: Page check

A page check verifies arithmetic by confirming that ΣBS − ΣFS = last elevation − first elevation on each page of field notes.

Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) - Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS)

The NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam is required for professional land surveyor licensure, assessing competency in legal principles, professional survey practice, standards and specifications, business practices, and applied survey methods including boundary, control, construction, and topographic surveys.

100

Questions

360 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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