Free Massachusetts Professional Land Surveyor Oral Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Massachusetts Professional Land Surveyor Oral Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Before fieldwork on a Massachusetts property-rights survey, which descriptions must be identified and acquired?

   1. A. Only the subject parcel's current deed
   2. B. The current descriptions of the subject and all abutting properties
   3. C. Only deeds recorded within ten years
   4. D. Only descriptions supplied by the client

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 250 CMR 6.02(3)(a) requires acquisition of "the current description of the subject property and all abutting properties."

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02

2. 2Does 250 CMR 6.02 supersede Massachusetts Laws of Evidence for boundary determinations?

   1. A. Yes, whenever the regulation is newer
   2. B. Yes, for registered land only
   3. C. No; it emphasizes rather than modifies or supersedes them
   4. D. No, because evidence law never applies to surveying

   Answer: C

   Explanation: 250 CMR 6.02(1) says its intent is to emphasize key aspects, "not to create a new standard that would modify or supersede the Laws of Evidence."

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02

3. 3What boundary-related control must construction-layout horizontal and vertical control be tied to?

   1. A. Only proposed building corners
   2. B. All boundary, easement, or regulatory lines affecting fixed works
   3. C. Only the nearest public benchmark
   4. D. The contractor's assumed grid alone

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The regulation states: "Horizontal and vertical Control surveys for construction layout work shall be tied to all Boundary, easement or Regulatory Lines affecting the location of existing or proposed Fixed-works." Therefore B is correct.

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.01

4. 4What record plans must a Massachusetts boundary surveyor identify during research?

   1. A. Only plans of the subject parcel
   2. B. Plans of the subject and abutting properties
   3. C. Only municipal tax maps
   4. D. Only plans newer than the operative deed

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule requires that "The plats and surveys describing the subject property and abutting properties have been identified and acquired." Therefore B is correct.

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02

5. 5What knowledge is presumed of a Massachusetts surveyor reproducing boundary lines?

   1. A. Only current zoning ordinances
   2. B. Laws of Evidence pertaining to line location
   3. C. Only the latest deed description
   4. D. Federal rules of civil procedure

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule states: "Surveyors are presumed to know the Laws of Evidence pertaining to the location of lines and are presumed to follow the Laws of Evidence when reproducing lines or creating new lines." Thus B is correct.

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02

6. 6When integrating another provider's LiDAR or GIS mapping into a survey, what is the surveyor presumed to have done?

   1. A. Accepted the metadata without checking
   2. B. Evaluated qualifications and standards compliance and performed independent conformance checks
   3. C. Reperformed the entire source survey
   4. D. Obtained Board preapproval

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule presumes that the surveyor has "exercised due care in evaluating the provider's qualifications, establishing the product's conformance with mapping standards, and performing sufficient independent conformance checks." Therefore B is correct.

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.01

7. 7What document should research seek for every line or point on the subject parcel?

   1. A. The latest tax map
   2. B. The operative document that created it, or the best available evidence of that document
   3. C. Any recent mortgage survey
   4. D. The client's purchase agreement only

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule requires that "The Operative Document that created each line or point on the subject property, or the best available Evidence of that document, has been identified and acquired." That is option B.

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02

8. 8Given equivalent bodies and treatment of boundary evidence, what result should different surveyors reach?

   1. A. Identical coordinates in every case
   2. B. Substantially equivalent determinations
   3. C. The newest deed location
   4. D. Different results reflecting client instructions

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 250 CMR 6.02(2)(b) says equivalent evidence and treatment "should lead each surveyor to substantially equivalent determinations."

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02

9. 9What determines the required accuracy, precision, equipment, and manner of measurement for a Massachusetts survey?

   1. A. The lowest project fee
   2. B. The intended purpose of the work product
   3. C. The client's preferred instrument
   4. D. Parcel acreage alone

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 250 CMR 6.01(2)(b) states: "The intended purpose of a Work Product shall dictate" those measurement choices.

   Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.01

10. 10How must conflicting descriptions of a common boundary be handled during Massachusetts survey research?

    1. A. Use the most recent description automatically
    2. B. Identify and investigate the conflict
    3. C. Average the described locations
    4. D. Ignore the abutter's description

    Answer: B

    Explanation: 250 CMR 6.02(3)(d) requires conflicting descriptions of common lines to be "identified and investigated."

    Reference: 250 CMR 6 — 250 CMR 6.02(3)(d)