RPLS Public Land Survey System (PLSS) 2

Question 1

How many sections are contained in a standard PLSS township?

Accepted Answer

36

Answer

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

Question 2

What is an 'aliquot part' in PLSS land descriptions?

Accepted Answer

A regular fractional division of a section such as a half or quarter

Answer

An aliquot part is a regular, legally recognized fractional division of a section (e.g., NW1/4, S1/2) that results in a standard acreage.

Question 3

Which sections in a standard PLSS township most commonly contain fractional government lots?

Accepted Answer

Sections 1–7 and sections 18, 19, 30, and 31

Answer

Fractional lots appear along the north tier (sections 1–6) and west column (sections 6–7, 18–19, 30–31), where the township absorbs excess or deficient measurements.

Question 4

A legal description reads 'NW1/4, SW1/4, Section 14.' How many acres does this parcel contain?

Accepted Answer

40 acres

Answer

The NW quarter of the SW quarter equals 1/4 × 1/4 × 640 acres = 40 acres.

Question 5

In PLSS notation, 'T3N, R2W' means:

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

(RPLS) Registered Professional Land Surveyor Practice Test

(RPLS) Registered Professional Land Surveyor Practice Test

RPLS Public Land Survey System (PLSS) 2