Free New York State Specific Land Surveying Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the New York State Specific Land Surveying Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1For an OGS boundary project, what computation package must accompany the final map?

   1. A. A complete set of computations and plot sheets
   2. B. Only final coordinate values
   3. C. Only the adjustment summary
   4. D. Only the closure certificate

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The OGS manual requires a "complete set of computations and plot sheets" showing reduction of field notes, so A is required.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.15, Computations

2. 2A handwritten OGS field-note entry is wrong. How should it be corrected?

   1. A. Use one strike-through and keep the entry legible
   2. B. Flag the entry and enter corrected electronic data
   3. C. Cross the page with an X and mark it VOID
   4. D. Replace the sheet and update the page index

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OGS directs that "a single line should be made through the original entry so that it remains legible"; A follows.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.8, Field Survey Notes

3. 3Before issuing a professional opinion, what competence limit should the surveyor apply?

   1. A. Remain within the surveyor's professional knowledge
   2. B. Rely solely on client approval
   3. C. Use any topic appearing in a deed
   4. D. Delegate all unfamiliar judgments

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Board guideline requires deliverables be "within the scope of the professional knowledge of the surveyor"; A states that limit.

   Reference: Form1 — Section 11.A, item 2

4. 4An OGS consultant chooses a valid traverse-balancing method. Who ordinarily controls that choice?

   1. A. The county clerk
   2. B. The consultant
   3. C. The adjoining owner
   4. D. The title company

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The manual says methods of reduction and balancing are "at the discretion of the consultant"; therefore B controls the ordinary choice.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.15, Computations

5. 5What is the proper way to void part of an OGS field-note page?

   1. A. Use a single strike-through on each affected entry
   2. B. Draw an X through the portion and write VOID across it
   3. C. Flag an erroneous electronic entry and collect new data
   4. D. Move the entries to a new numbered loose-leaf sheet

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The manual says pages should be voided by "drawing an X through the page or portion and writing \"VOID\" across the entries"; B is compliant.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.8, Field Survey Notes

6. 6Who bears professional responsibility for work issued under a New York surveyor's authorship and signature?

   1. A. The project client
   2. B. The field-party chief
   3. C. The drafting subcontractor
   4. D. The signing surveyor

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The State Board states, "All work by or under the authorship and signature of the surveyor shall be the professional responsibility of the surveyor"; D follows.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — Section 14

7. 7Which organization test does the OGS computation standard expressly impose for later review?

   1. A. Traceable from adjusted values to raw observations
   2. B. Cross-referenced from computations to field-book pages
   3. C. Understandable to a person unfamiliar with the survey
   4. D. Reproducible from the stated adjustment method

   Answer: C

   Explanation: OGS requires organization so "a person unfamiliar with the survey" can identify and understand the work, making C correct.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.15, Computations

8. 8Where should OGS angle and distance observations appear relative to a field sketch?

   1. A. Embedded only in the sketch
   2. B. Omitted after adjustment
   3. C. As separate entries
   4. D. Only in the final map

   Answer: C

   Explanation: OGS says field measurements "should NOT be incorporated into the sketch, but should be separate entries"; C is required.

   Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.8, Field Survey Notes

9. 9A surveyor will be paid by two parties on one project. What is required?

   1. A. Approval from the larger payer only
   2. B. Full disclosure and approval from all interested parties
   3. C. Notice to the county clerk only
   4. D. No action if fees are equal

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Rule 29.3 bars dual compensation without "fully disclosing the circumstances and receiving approval from all interested parties"; B complies.

   Reference: 8 NYCRR §29.1(b)(12)(iii)(b) — 8 NYCRR §29.3(a)(7)

10. 10To what coordinate form should final horizontal points on an OGS survey be reduced?

    1. A. Geodetic coordinates
    2. B. Grid bearings
    3. C. Polar coordinates
    4. D. Plane coordinates

    Answer: D

    Explanation: The manual states that "final horizontal points should be reduced to plane coordinates"; D follows directly.

    Reference: Ogs Survey Standards — p.15, Computations