Illinois Jurisdictional Land Surveyor Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Practice Questions and
100% Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
for Guaranteed Exam Success
• This practice exam contains 200 carefully curated questions mirroring the Illinois
Jurisdictional Land Surveyor Exam format, complete with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before checking the
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method maximizes
retention and prepares you for exam-day success.
1. Under Illinois law, which of the following best defines a "cadastral survey"?
A. A survey that determines the topographic features of the land
B. A survey that establishes or reestablishes land boundaries and subdivisions
C. A survey that measures the magnetic declination of a parcel
D. A survey that computes the volume of earthwork for construction
E. A survey that determines the water table depth of a parcel
Correct Answer: B. A survey that establishes or reestablishes land
boundaries and subdivisions
EXPERT RATIONALE: A cadastral survey is specifically concerned with defining,
reestablishing, and documenting land boundaries and property subdivisions. It
forms the legal basis for land ownership records and is central to the work of a
licensed land surveyor in Illinois.
2. The Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act is administered by which state
body?
A. Illinois Department of Natural Resources
B. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
,C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
D. Illinois State Board of Education
E. Illinois Commerce Commission
Correct Answer: C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation (IDFPR)
EXPERT RATIONALE: The IDFPR is the state agency responsible for licensing and
regulating professional land surveyors in Illinois. It enforces the Illinois Professional
Land Surveyor Act and oversees disciplinary actions.
3. What is the minimum number of years of surveying experience required
before an applicant can sit for the Illinois PLS exam after obtaining a four-
year degree in surveying?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 4 years
E. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. 3 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Illinois statutes, an applicant holding a four-year
degree in surveying or a related field is required to accumulate at least 3 years of
progressive experience under the supervision of a licensed professional land
surveyor before qualifying to sit for the PLS examination.
4. In Illinois, a plat of subdivision must be recorded in which office?
A. Illinois Secretary of State
B. County Clerk's office
,C. County Recorder's office
D. Illinois Department of Transportation
E. State Treasurer's office
Correct Answer: C. County Recorder's office
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Illinois Plat Act, all plats of subdivision must be
recorded with the County Recorder's office in the county where the land is situated.
Recording gives constructive notice to the public of the subdivision.
5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a boundary survey?
A. To determine the soil composition of a parcel
B. To locate improvements and encroachments on a parcel
C. To establish or reestablish the corners and lines of a parcel of land
D. To compute the hydrological runoff of a parcel
E. To determine the assessed value of a parcel
Correct Answer: C. To establish or reestablish the corners and lines of a
parcel of land
EXPERT RATIONALE: A boundary survey's primary legal purpose is to locate
and establish the corners and boundary lines of a parcel consistent with the deed
description and record evidence. It defines the legal extent of ownership.
6. The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) divides townships into how many
sections?
A. 16
B. 24
C. 32
D. 36
, E. 48
Correct Answer: D. 36
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the PLSS, each township is divided into 36 sections,
each nominally one mile square containing 640 acres. Sections are numbered 1
through 36 beginning in the northeast corner and proceeding in a boustrophedonic
(serpentine) pattern.
7. In the PLSS, what is the size of a standard section?
A. 320 acres
B. 480 acres
C. 640 acres
D. 1,280 acres
E. 160 acres
Correct Answer: C. 640 acres
EXPERT RATIONALE: A standard section in the Public Land Survey System is
one mile square, which equals 640 acres. Quarter sections are 160 acres, and
quarter-quarter sections are 40 acres.
8. Which of the following correctly identifies Section 6 in a township?
A. Southeast corner of the township
B. Southwest corner of the township
C. Northeast corner of the township
D. Northwest corner of the township
E. Center of the township
Correct Answer: D. Northwest corner of the township
2026/2027 | Complete Practice Questions and
100% Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
for Guaranteed Exam Success
• This practice exam contains 200 carefully curated questions mirroring the Illinois
Jurisdictional Land Surveyor Exam format, complete with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before checking the
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method maximizes
retention and prepares you for exam-day success.
1. Under Illinois law, which of the following best defines a "cadastral survey"?
A. A survey that determines the topographic features of the land
B. A survey that establishes or reestablishes land boundaries and subdivisions
C. A survey that measures the magnetic declination of a parcel
D. A survey that computes the volume of earthwork for construction
E. A survey that determines the water table depth of a parcel
Correct Answer: B. A survey that establishes or reestablishes land
boundaries and subdivisions
EXPERT RATIONALE: A cadastral survey is specifically concerned with defining,
reestablishing, and documenting land boundaries and property subdivisions. It
forms the legal basis for land ownership records and is central to the work of a
licensed land surveyor in Illinois.
2. The Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act is administered by which state
body?
A. Illinois Department of Natural Resources
B. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
,C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
D. Illinois State Board of Education
E. Illinois Commerce Commission
Correct Answer: C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation (IDFPR)
EXPERT RATIONALE: The IDFPR is the state agency responsible for licensing and
regulating professional land surveyors in Illinois. It enforces the Illinois Professional
Land Surveyor Act and oversees disciplinary actions.
3. What is the minimum number of years of surveying experience required
before an applicant can sit for the Illinois PLS exam after obtaining a four-
year degree in surveying?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 4 years
E. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. 3 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Illinois statutes, an applicant holding a four-year
degree in surveying or a related field is required to accumulate at least 3 years of
progressive experience under the supervision of a licensed professional land
surveyor before qualifying to sit for the PLS examination.
4. In Illinois, a plat of subdivision must be recorded in which office?
A. Illinois Secretary of State
B. County Clerk's office
,C. County Recorder's office
D. Illinois Department of Transportation
E. State Treasurer's office
Correct Answer: C. County Recorder's office
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Illinois Plat Act, all plats of subdivision must be
recorded with the County Recorder's office in the county where the land is situated.
Recording gives constructive notice to the public of the subdivision.
5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a boundary survey?
A. To determine the soil composition of a parcel
B. To locate improvements and encroachments on a parcel
C. To establish or reestablish the corners and lines of a parcel of land
D. To compute the hydrological runoff of a parcel
E. To determine the assessed value of a parcel
Correct Answer: C. To establish or reestablish the corners and lines of a
parcel of land
EXPERT RATIONALE: A boundary survey's primary legal purpose is to locate
and establish the corners and boundary lines of a parcel consistent with the deed
description and record evidence. It defines the legal extent of ownership.
6. The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) divides townships into how many
sections?
A. 16
B. 24
C. 32
D. 36
, E. 48
Correct Answer: D. 36
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the PLSS, each township is divided into 36 sections,
each nominally one mile square containing 640 acres. Sections are numbered 1
through 36 beginning in the northeast corner and proceeding in a boustrophedonic
(serpentine) pattern.
7. In the PLSS, what is the size of a standard section?
A. 320 acres
B. 480 acres
C. 640 acres
D. 1,280 acres
E. 160 acres
Correct Answer: C. 640 acres
EXPERT RATIONALE: A standard section in the Public Land Survey System is
one mile square, which equals 640 acres. Quarter sections are 160 acres, and
quarter-quarter sections are 40 acres.
8. Which of the following correctly identifies Section 6 in a township?
A. Southeast corner of the township
B. Southwest corner of the township
C. Northeast corner of the township
D. Northwest corner of the township
E. Center of the township
Correct Answer: D. Northwest corner of the township
