ILLINOIS JURISDICTIONAL LAND
SURVEYOR Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1.
A surveyor is retracing a boundary in Illinois under the PLSS system. Which
monument has the HIGHEST legal authority?
A. GPS coordinate
B. Bearing from recorded deed
C. Original government corner monument
D. Tax parcel map line
Answer: C
Rationale: Original government monuments control over measurements, bearings,
or maps in PLSS retracement.
2.
In Illinois, when a deed conflicts with a survey, the surveyor should FIRST rely on:
A. Client instructions
B. Recorded deed description
C. Physical occupation and senior rights evidence
D. GIS parcel layer
,Answer: C
Rationale: Boundary law prioritizes senior rights, occupation, and physical
evidence over written descriptions.
3.
A section line is found to be 2 feet off from original monuments. The correct
action is:
A. Adjust all property lines equally
B. Restore original monument positions
C. Ignore discrepancy
D. Use GPS average position
Answer: B
Rationale: Restoration of original monument positions is required, not
mathematical redistribution.
4.
Which best describes “junior-senior rights” in boundary law?
A. Government surveys override private surveys
B. First recorded deed controls over later conflicting deeds
C. Surveyor preference determines boundaries
D. GPS accuracy determines ownership
Answer: B
Rationale: Older (senior) conveyances control over junior conflicting descriptions.
5. (Case)
A survey reveals that a building encroaches 1.5 feet onto a neighboring parcel.
The deed lines are clear, but occupation has existed for 25 years. What doctrine
may apply?
,A. Eminent domain
B. Adverse possession
C. Easement by necessity
D. Riparian rights
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term open and notorious use may establish adverse possession
under Illinois law.
6.
In PLSS, one township contains how many sections?
A. 16
B. 24
C. 36
D. 64
Answer: C
Rationale: A standard PLSS township contains 36 sections.
7.
Which instrument is MOST accurate for establishing horizontal control today?
A. Transit
B. Chain
C. GNSS RTK system
D. Optical level only
Answer: C
Rationale: GNSS RTK provides high-precision real-time positioning.
8.
A “meander line” in PLSS surveys is used to:
, A. Define property ownership boundaries
B. Measure road widths
C. Approximate water body edges
D. Establish section corners
Answer: C
Rationale: Meander lines approximate shorelines and water boundaries, not
ownership lines.
9.
Which is TRUE about ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys?
A. They replace deed descriptions
B. They are optional and non-standard
C. They follow nationally recognized minimum standards
D. They are only used in Illinois government surveys
Answer: C
Rationale: ALTA/NSPS surveys follow standardized national requirements for title
insurance.
10.
A closure error in a traverse is primarily used to determine:
A. Property ownership
B. Survey accuracy
C. Soil type
D. Legal description validity
Answer: B
Rationale: Closure error measures precision and accuracy of survey work.
11. (Case)
SURVEYOR Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A surveyor is retracing a boundary in Illinois under the PLSS system. Which
monument has the HIGHEST legal authority?
A. GPS coordinate
B. Bearing from recorded deed
C. Original government corner monument
D. Tax parcel map line
Answer: C
Rationale: Original government monuments control over measurements, bearings,
or maps in PLSS retracement.
2.
In Illinois, when a deed conflicts with a survey, the surveyor should FIRST rely on:
A. Client instructions
B. Recorded deed description
C. Physical occupation and senior rights evidence
D. GIS parcel layer
,Answer: C
Rationale: Boundary law prioritizes senior rights, occupation, and physical
evidence over written descriptions.
3.
A section line is found to be 2 feet off from original monuments. The correct
action is:
A. Adjust all property lines equally
B. Restore original monument positions
C. Ignore discrepancy
D. Use GPS average position
Answer: B
Rationale: Restoration of original monument positions is required, not
mathematical redistribution.
4.
Which best describes “junior-senior rights” in boundary law?
A. Government surveys override private surveys
B. First recorded deed controls over later conflicting deeds
C. Surveyor preference determines boundaries
D. GPS accuracy determines ownership
Answer: B
Rationale: Older (senior) conveyances control over junior conflicting descriptions.
5. (Case)
A survey reveals that a building encroaches 1.5 feet onto a neighboring parcel.
The deed lines are clear, but occupation has existed for 25 years. What doctrine
may apply?
,A. Eminent domain
B. Adverse possession
C. Easement by necessity
D. Riparian rights
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term open and notorious use may establish adverse possession
under Illinois law.
6.
In PLSS, one township contains how many sections?
A. 16
B. 24
C. 36
D. 64
Answer: C
Rationale: A standard PLSS township contains 36 sections.
7.
Which instrument is MOST accurate for establishing horizontal control today?
A. Transit
B. Chain
C. GNSS RTK system
D. Optical level only
Answer: C
Rationale: GNSS RTK provides high-precision real-time positioning.
8.
A “meander line” in PLSS surveys is used to:
, A. Define property ownership boundaries
B. Measure road widths
C. Approximate water body edges
D. Establish section corners
Answer: C
Rationale: Meander lines approximate shorelines and water boundaries, not
ownership lines.
9.
Which is TRUE about ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys?
A. They replace deed descriptions
B. They are optional and non-standard
C. They follow nationally recognized minimum standards
D. They are only used in Illinois government surveys
Answer: C
Rationale: ALTA/NSPS surveys follow standardized national requirements for title
insurance.
10.
A closure error in a traverse is primarily used to determine:
A. Property ownership
B. Survey accuracy
C. Soil type
D. Legal description validity
Answer: B
Rationale: Closure error measures precision and accuracy of survey work.
11. (Case)
