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Nevada Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) Certification Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (SHORT BUT SAME MEANING)
The Nevada LSIT exam covers surveying fundamentals, professional ethics, and Nevada surveying laws.
Major emphasis is placed on PLSS township/range/section layout, corner types, aliquot parts, and
interpreting BLM plats. You must master surveying math including bearings/azimuths, DMS conversions,
coordinate geometry, traverse closure, Bowditch adjustment, area calculations, and horizontal curve
computations. The exam also tests boundary principles such as evidence priority, senior/junior rights,
easements, legal descriptions, and record vs measured differences. Instrumentation topics include total
stations, leveling, EDM corrections, GNSS concepts, and proper field procedures. Additional content
includes construction staking, topographic mapping, CAD drafting, GIS basics, and special boundaries
like riparian water boundary changes.
1.
A surveyor retracing an old deed finds an original iron pipe monument matching the deed call but the
measured distance differs. Which evidence should control boundary location?
A. The measured distance because it is current and more accurate
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B. The original monument because monuments generally have highest priority
C. The calculated area because acreage controls all boundaries
D. The newest adjoining survey because it is most recent
Answer: B
Rationale: In boundary law, original monuments typically control over measured distances because they
represent the original intent.
2.
A crew measures a bearing of N 35°15'20" E and must convert it to azimuth format. What is the correct
azimuth value?
A. 35°15'20"
B. 144°44'40"
C. 215°15'20"
D. 324°44'40"
Answer: A
Rationale: For bearings in the NE quadrant, the azimuth equals the angle from north, so azimuth is
35°15'20".
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3.
A closed traverse has an angular misclosure larger than allowable tolerance. What should the surveyor
do before applying any adjustment method?
A. Ignore the error if linear misclosure is acceptable
B. Recheck field notes, instrument setup, and angle observations for mistakes
C. Adjust distances first using Bowditch rule only
D. File the survey immediately because closure is not required
Answer: B
Rationale: Large angular misclosure suggests observation or recording errors. Field verification should
occur before adjustments.
4.
A surveyor must compute the horizontal distance when a slope distance of 245.60 feet is measured at a
vertical angle of +8 degrees. What must be applied?
A. Multiply slope distance by sine of vertical angle
B. Multiply slope distance by cosine of vertical angle
C. Multiply slope distance by tangent of vertical angle
D. Divide slope distance by tangent of vertical angle
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Answer: B
Rationale: Horizontal distance equals slope distance × cos(vertical angle).
5.
A surveyor is restoring a lost section corner under PLSS rules. Which evidence is generally used first
when available?
A. Fence lines built by landowners
B. Proportionate measurement from known controlling corners
C. Assumed coordinates from GIS imagery
D. Tree lines and vegetation boundaries
Answer: B
Rationale: PLSS corner restoration relies on proportionate measurement between known corners
following BLM guidelines.
6.
A survey map shows a curve with radius 500 feet and central angle 30 degrees. What is the approximate
arc length?
Nevada Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) Certification Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (SHORT BUT SAME MEANING)
The Nevada LSIT exam covers surveying fundamentals, professional ethics, and Nevada surveying laws.
Major emphasis is placed on PLSS township/range/section layout, corner types, aliquot parts, and
interpreting BLM plats. You must master surveying math including bearings/azimuths, DMS conversions,
coordinate geometry, traverse closure, Bowditch adjustment, area calculations, and horizontal curve
computations. The exam also tests boundary principles such as evidence priority, senior/junior rights,
easements, legal descriptions, and record vs measured differences. Instrumentation topics include total
stations, leveling, EDM corrections, GNSS concepts, and proper field procedures. Additional content
includes construction staking, topographic mapping, CAD drafting, GIS basics, and special boundaries
like riparian water boundary changes.
1.
A surveyor retracing an old deed finds an original iron pipe monument matching the deed call but the
measured distance differs. Which evidence should control boundary location?
A. The measured distance because it is current and more accurate
, Page 2 of 116
B. The original monument because monuments generally have highest priority
C. The calculated area because acreage controls all boundaries
D. The newest adjoining survey because it is most recent
Answer: B
Rationale: In boundary law, original monuments typically control over measured distances because they
represent the original intent.
2.
A crew measures a bearing of N 35°15'20" E and must convert it to azimuth format. What is the correct
azimuth value?
A. 35°15'20"
B. 144°44'40"
C. 215°15'20"
D. 324°44'40"
Answer: A
Rationale: For bearings in the NE quadrant, the azimuth equals the angle from north, so azimuth is
35°15'20".
, Page 3 of 116
3.
A closed traverse has an angular misclosure larger than allowable tolerance. What should the surveyor
do before applying any adjustment method?
A. Ignore the error if linear misclosure is acceptable
B. Recheck field notes, instrument setup, and angle observations for mistakes
C. Adjust distances first using Bowditch rule only
D. File the survey immediately because closure is not required
Answer: B
Rationale: Large angular misclosure suggests observation or recording errors. Field verification should
occur before adjustments.
4.
A surveyor must compute the horizontal distance when a slope distance of 245.60 feet is measured at a
vertical angle of +8 degrees. What must be applied?
A. Multiply slope distance by sine of vertical angle
B. Multiply slope distance by cosine of vertical angle
C. Multiply slope distance by tangent of vertical angle
D. Divide slope distance by tangent of vertical angle
, Page 4 of 116
Answer: B
Rationale: Horizontal distance equals slope distance × cos(vertical angle).
5.
A surveyor is restoring a lost section corner under PLSS rules. Which evidence is generally used first
when available?
A. Fence lines built by landowners
B. Proportionate measurement from known controlling corners
C. Assumed coordinates from GIS imagery
D. Tree lines and vegetation boundaries
Answer: B
Rationale: PLSS corner restoration relies on proportionate measurement between known corners
following BLM guidelines.
6.
A survey map shows a curve with radius 500 feet and central angle 30 degrees. What is the approximate
arc length?
