ALABAMA SURVEYOR EXAM QUESTIONS
And Answer 2026 | Latest Update
1.
A boundary described in a deed reads:
“Beginning at an iron pin at the intersection of the south line of Section 12 and the east right-of-
way of County Road 18; thence N 89°15' E 660 ft; thence N 0°30' W 330 ft…”
During retracement, the iron pin is missing but two long-standing fence corners match the calls
within 0.5 ft. What is the most defensible approach?
A. Ignore the fence corners and reset the iron pin at calculated coordinates
B. Treat the fence corners as controlling monuments if supported by historical evidence
C. Establish a new monument at the midpoint of the boundary line
D. Adjust the deed calls to match modern GPS measurements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Survey law prioritizes existing monuments and long-standing occupation evidence over
calculated positions if consistent with the record.
2.
A surveyor measures a 500-ft line with a steel tape standardized at 68°F. The field temperature
during measurement is 95°F. The coefficient of expansion for steel is 6.45×10−6/°F6.45×10^{-
6}/°F6.45×10−6/°F. What correction should be applied?
A. +0.087 ft
B. +0.078 ft
C. −0.087 ft
D. −0.078 ft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Temperature correction formula:
C=Lα(T−T0)C = L \alpha (T - T_0)C=Lα(T−T0) C=500(6.45×10−6)(95−68)C =
500(6.45×10^{-6})(95-68)C=500(6.45×10−6)(95−68)
≈ +0.087 ft
,3.
In a PLSS retracement survey, the original section corner is lost but two adjacent quarter corners
are well established. Which method should be used to restore the lost corner?
A. Proportionate measurement
B. Arbitrary coordinate reconstruction
C. GPS coordinate interpolation
D. Least squares adjustment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The Bureau of Land Management Manual requires proportionate measurement when
restoring lost PLSS corners.
4.
A horizontal curve has the following data:
Radius = 600 ft
Central angle = 30°
What is the arc length?
A. 314.16 ft
B. 471.24 ft
C. 209.44 ft
D. 157.08 ft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Arc length formula:
L=πRΔ180L = \frac{\pi R \Delta}{180}L=180πRΔ L=π×600×30180L = \frac{\pi × 600 × 30}
{180}L=180π×600×30
≈ 314.16 ft
,5.
During boundary retracement, conflicting evidence includes:
A recorded plat
Original monuments referenced in field notes
Occupation lines existing for 40 years
Which evidence generally has highest priority?
A. Record distances
B. Area calculations
C. Original monuments
D. Bearings from the deed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
In boundary law, original monuments control over bearings and distances.
6.
A closed traverse has a misclosure of 0.35 ft over a total length of 2,800 ft. What is the relative
precision?
A. 1:8,000
B. 1:10,000
C. 1:7,500
D. 1:6,000
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
28000.35=8000\frac{2800}{0.35} = 80000.352800=8000
Relative precision = 1:8000
7.
A surveyor discovers that a subdivision plat conflicts with a later deed describing the same
property. Which principle generally governs resolution?
, A. Junior deed supersedes plat
B. Plat controls if referenced in the deed
C. Surveyor determines boundary based on GPS accuracy
D. Boundary determined by tax records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
If a deed references a recorded plat, the plat becomes part of the legal description.
8.
Which Alabama surveying law requirement must be met before recording a subdivision plat?
A. Approval by county planning authority
B. GPS verification by state surveyor
C. Federal land office review
D. NCEES certification
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Subdivision plats generally require local planning commission approval before recording.
9.
A differential leveling loop begins at elevation 210.35 ft and closes at 210.41 ft after a loop
distance of 1.2 miles. What is the closure error?
A. +0.06 ft
B. −0.06 ft
C. +0.05 ft
D. −0.05 ft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
210.41−210.35=+0.06210.41 - 210.35 = +0.06210.41−210.35=+0.06
10.
And Answer 2026 | Latest Update
1.
A boundary described in a deed reads:
“Beginning at an iron pin at the intersection of the south line of Section 12 and the east right-of-
way of County Road 18; thence N 89°15' E 660 ft; thence N 0°30' W 330 ft…”
During retracement, the iron pin is missing but two long-standing fence corners match the calls
within 0.5 ft. What is the most defensible approach?
A. Ignore the fence corners and reset the iron pin at calculated coordinates
B. Treat the fence corners as controlling monuments if supported by historical evidence
C. Establish a new monument at the midpoint of the boundary line
D. Adjust the deed calls to match modern GPS measurements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Survey law prioritizes existing monuments and long-standing occupation evidence over
calculated positions if consistent with the record.
2.
A surveyor measures a 500-ft line with a steel tape standardized at 68°F. The field temperature
during measurement is 95°F. The coefficient of expansion for steel is 6.45×10−6/°F6.45×10^{-
6}/°F6.45×10−6/°F. What correction should be applied?
A. +0.087 ft
B. +0.078 ft
C. −0.087 ft
D. −0.078 ft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Temperature correction formula:
C=Lα(T−T0)C = L \alpha (T - T_0)C=Lα(T−T0) C=500(6.45×10−6)(95−68)C =
500(6.45×10^{-6})(95-68)C=500(6.45×10−6)(95−68)
≈ +0.087 ft
,3.
In a PLSS retracement survey, the original section corner is lost but two adjacent quarter corners
are well established. Which method should be used to restore the lost corner?
A. Proportionate measurement
B. Arbitrary coordinate reconstruction
C. GPS coordinate interpolation
D. Least squares adjustment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The Bureau of Land Management Manual requires proportionate measurement when
restoring lost PLSS corners.
4.
A horizontal curve has the following data:
Radius = 600 ft
Central angle = 30°
What is the arc length?
A. 314.16 ft
B. 471.24 ft
C. 209.44 ft
D. 157.08 ft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Arc length formula:
L=πRΔ180L = \frac{\pi R \Delta}{180}L=180πRΔ L=π×600×30180L = \frac{\pi × 600 × 30}
{180}L=180π×600×30
≈ 314.16 ft
,5.
During boundary retracement, conflicting evidence includes:
A recorded plat
Original monuments referenced in field notes
Occupation lines existing for 40 years
Which evidence generally has highest priority?
A. Record distances
B. Area calculations
C. Original monuments
D. Bearings from the deed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
In boundary law, original monuments control over bearings and distances.
6.
A closed traverse has a misclosure of 0.35 ft over a total length of 2,800 ft. What is the relative
precision?
A. 1:8,000
B. 1:10,000
C. 1:7,500
D. 1:6,000
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
28000.35=8000\frac{2800}{0.35} = 80000.352800=8000
Relative precision = 1:8000
7.
A surveyor discovers that a subdivision plat conflicts with a later deed describing the same
property. Which principle generally governs resolution?
, A. Junior deed supersedes plat
B. Plat controls if referenced in the deed
C. Surveyor determines boundary based on GPS accuracy
D. Boundary determined by tax records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
If a deed references a recorded plat, the plat becomes part of the legal description.
8.
Which Alabama surveying law requirement must be met before recording a subdivision plat?
A. Approval by county planning authority
B. GPS verification by state surveyor
C. Federal land office review
D. NCEES certification
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Subdivision plats generally require local planning commission approval before recording.
9.
A differential leveling loop begins at elevation 210.35 ft and closes at 210.41 ft after a loop
distance of 1.2 miles. What is the closure error?
A. +0.06 ft
B. −0.06 ft
C. +0.05 ft
D. −0.05 ft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
210.41−210.35=+0.06210.41 - 210.35 = +0.06210.41−210.35=+0.06
10.
