100+ Free CA Surveying Practice Questions

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Question 1

Score: 0/0

A line has a bearing of N 42°15' E. What is its azimuth measured clockwise from north?

42°15'

47°45'

137°45'

317°45'

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CA Surveying Exam

55 Q

Exam Questions

BPELSG

2.5 hrs

Test Time

BPELSG

$125

Exam Fee

BPELSG 2026

Scaled

Passing Score

BPELSG

Content Areas

BPELSG Test Plan

CA only

Jurisdiction

BPELSG

California requires civil PE candidates to pass a 55-question, 2.5-hour Engineering Surveying state exam administered by BPELSG through Pearson VUE in addition to the NCEES PE Civil. The exam is graded on a scaled basis and covers six content areas drawn from the BPELSG Engineering Surveying Test Plan. Topics emphasize traverse adjustment, leveling and EDM corrections, California State Plane Coordinates (CCS83 NAD83), Caltrans HDM curve and slope-staking practice, and California-specific boundary law (PLS Act, Subdivision Map Act). The 2022 NSRS modernization (NATRF2022 / NAPGD2022) is cited as a coming change to vertical and horizontal datums.

Sample CA Surveying Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CA Surveying exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A line has a bearing of N 42°15' E. What is its azimuth measured clockwise from north?

A.42°15'

B.47°45'

C.137°45'

D.317°45'

Explanation: Azimuth is measured clockwise from north from 0° to 360°. A bearing in the NE quadrant has the same numeric value as the azimuth, so N 42°15' E equals an azimuth of 42°15'.

2Convert an azimuth of 232°10' to a quadrant bearing.

A.N 52°10' E

B.S 52°10' W

C.S 52°10' E

D.N 52°10' W

Explanation: Azimuths between 180° and 270° lie in the SW quadrant. Subtract 180°: 232°10' − 180° = 52°10', so the bearing is S 52°10' W.

3A traverse line has length 425.00 ft and azimuth 60°00'. What are its latitude and departure?

A.Latitude = +212.50, Departure = +368.06

B.Latitude = +368.06, Departure = +212.50

C.Latitude = −212.50, Departure = +368.06

D.Latitude = +212.50, Departure = −368.06

Explanation: Latitude = L·cos(Az) = 425.00·cos 60° = 425.00·0.5 = 212.50 ft. Departure = L·sin(Az) = 425.00·sin 60° = 425.00·0.8660 = 368.06 ft. Both are positive because the azimuth (60°) is in the NE quadrant.

4A closed traverse has Σlatitude = +0.42 ft and Σdeparture = −0.31 ft after summing all legs. What is the linear error of closure?

A.0.11 ft

B.0.42 ft

C.0.52 ft

D.0.73 ft

Explanation: The linear error of closure is the magnitude of the misclosure vector: e = √(0.42² + 0.31²) = √(0.1764 + 0.0961) = √0.2725 = 0.52 ft.

5A closed traverse has perimeter 4,200 ft and a linear error of closure of 0.42 ft. What is the relative precision (closure ratio)?

A.1:100

B.1:1,000

C.1:10,000

D.1:42,000

Explanation: Relative precision = error / perimeter = 0.42 / 4,200 = 1/10,000. Reported as the ratio 1:10,000, this is typical of an ordinary urban property traverse.

6When balancing a closed traverse using the compass (Bowditch) rule, a correction to a leg's latitude is proportional to which quantity?

A.The latitude of the leg

B.The length of the leg divided by the perimeter

C.The departure of the leg

D.The square of the leg length

Explanation: The compass (Bowditch) rule distributes the misclosure in proportion to leg length: correction = −(misclosure)·(L_leg / ΣL). It is appropriate when angular and linear measurements are made with comparable precision.

7The transit rule is preferred over the compass rule when which condition holds?

A.Linear and angular measurements are of equal precision

B.Angular measurements are more precise than linear measurements

C.Linear measurements are more precise than angular measurements

D.All legs are of equal length

Explanation: The transit rule distributes corrections in proportion to the latitude (or departure) of each leg, implicitly assuming the angles are well-determined and that any misclosure is mostly in distance. It is therefore used when angular measurements are stronger than linear.

8Given coordinates A (N 1,000.00, E 2,000.00) and B (N 1,500.00, E 2,300.00), what is the inverse distance and azimuth from A to B?

A.Distance = 583.10 ft, Azimuth = 30°58'

B.Distance = 800.00 ft, Azimuth = 31°00'

C.Distance = 583.10 ft, Azimuth = 59°02'

D.Distance = 583.10 ft, Azimuth = 149°02'

Explanation: ΔN = 500, ΔE = 300. Distance = √(500² + 300²) = √340,000 = 583.10 ft. Azimuth = arctan(ΔE/ΔN) = arctan(300/500) = arctan(0.6) = 30°57'50", which rounds to about 30°58'.

9A 100.00-ft tape was standardized at 68 °F. Field measurements are taken at 28 °F over a horizontal line. Using α = 6.45 × 10⁻⁶ /°F for steel, what is the temperature correction per 100-ft tape length?

A.+0.0258 ft (tape too long)

B.−0.0258 ft (tape too short)

C.+0.258 ft

D.−0.258 ft

Explanation: ΔL = αL(T − T₀) = (6.45 × 10⁻⁶)(100)(28 − 68) = (6.45 × 10⁻⁶)(100)(−40) = −0.0258 ft per 100-ft tape length. The cold tape is short, so distances measured with it must be reduced by 0.0258 ft per 100 ft.

10A 100-ft steel tape is suspended between supports under a tension of 20 lb. Tape weight w = 0.018 lb/ft. The sag correction is given by C_s = −w²L³/(24P²). What is the sag correction?

A.−0.0034 ft

B.−0.034 ft

C.−0.34 ft

D.−0.0017 ft

Explanation: C_s = −(0.018)²(100)³/(24·20²) = −(0.000324)(1,000,000)/(24·400) = −324 / 9,600 = −0.03375 ft, which rounds to about −0.034 ft. The tape sags into a catenary, making horizontal distance shorter than tape length.

About the CA Surveying Exam

The California Civil Engineering: Engineering Surveying exam is a state-specific licensing requirement administered by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG). It is required of every civil PE applicant in California in addition to the NCEES PE Civil exam. The 2.5-hour, 55-question computer-based test is delivered at Pearson VUE test centers and covers the BPELSG Engineering Surveying Test Plan: geometric control, photogrammetry and mapping, survey astronomy and spatial reference systems, construction surveys, boundary surveys, and specialty surveys. Topics include traverse computations, leveling, EDM and tape corrections, the California Coordinate System (CCS83), horizontal and vertical curve geometry, the Caltrans Highway Design Manual, the Subdivision Map Act, and the Professional Land Surveyors' Act.

Questions

55 scored questions

Time Limit

2.5 hours

Passing Score

Scaled (BPELSG)

Exam Fee

$125 (California BPELSG (Pearson VUE))

CA Surveying Exam Content Outline

20%

Geometric Control of Surveys

Horizontal and vertical control: traverse computations, latitude/departure, error of closure, compass and transit rule balancing, differential and trigonometric leveling, EDM atmospheric corrections, tape corrections (temperature, tension, sag, slope), and error propagation.

15%

Photogrammetry and Mapping

Aerial photo scale (focal length / flying height), relief displacement, parallax, stereo models, orthophotos, LiDAR fundamentals, GIS data layers, and digital terrain modeling for civil engineering mapping products.

15%

Survey Astronomy and Spatial Reference Systems

California Coordinate System (CCS83 zones I–VI on NAD83), grid vs ground distance, scale and elevation factors, convergence (mapping) angle, geodetic vs grid azimuth, NAVD88 / NGVD29 datums, GPS/GNSS principles (RTK, OPUS, multipath), and 2022 NSRS modernization (NATRF2022, NAPGD2022).

20%

Construction Surveys

Stationing, PI/PC/PT/PRC layout, horizontal curve elements (R, T, L, M, E, LC, Δ), spiral transitions, vertical curves (sag/crest, K-value, high/low point, sight distance per Caltrans HDM), slope staking, batter boards, and earthwork volumes by average end area and prismoidal formula.

20%

Boundary Surveys

California Professional Land Surveyors' Act (B&P Code §§8700–8805), Subdivision Map Act (Gov't Code §§66410–66499.58), final maps vs parcel maps, Records of Survey and Corner Records, USPLSS rectangular system (Mt. Diablo, San Bernardino, Humboldt meridians), Mexican land grant patents, riparian rights, and adverse possession.

10%

Specialty Surveys

Hydrographic and bathymetric surveys, route surveys, construction monitoring and deformation surveys, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, mine and underground surveying, and high-precision deformation monitoring techniques.

How to Pass the CA Surveying Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled (BPELSG)
Exam length: 55 questions
Time limit: 2.5 hours
Exam fee: $125

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA Surveying Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the six elements of a circular curve (R, T, L, M, E, LC, Δ) and the formulas linking them — these appear on most exam administrations

2Practice traverse computations: latitude/departure, error of closure, and balancing by compass rule and transit rule

3Master grid vs ground distance: combined factor = scale factor × elevation factor; know the CCS83 zone boundaries (I–VI) and their central meridians

4Know vertical curve K-values from the Caltrans Highway Design Manual (Topic 204) for stopping sight distance — these are different from AASHTO values

5Memorize tape corrections: temperature (αL ΔT), tension (ΔP·L/AE), sag (-w²L³/24P²), and slope (-h²/2L)

6Study the California Subdivision Map Act distinction between final maps (5+ parcels) and parcel maps (4 or fewer)

7Learn the difference between geodetic azimuth and grid azimuth — convergence angle (mapping angle γ) corrects between them

8Practice EDM atmospheric corrections using ppm based on temperature, pressure, and humidity

9Know the average end area volume formula V = L(A₁+A₂)/2 and when to apply the prismoidal correction

10Review the Professional Land Surveyors' Act (B&P Code §8700-8805) sections that civil engineers must understand for boundary work

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has to take the California Civil Engineering Surveying exam?

Every civil PE applicant in California must pass the BPELSG Engineering Surveying state exam in addition to the NCEES PE Civil exam. The two state exams (Engineering Surveying and Seismic Principles) are unique to California and are required for civil engineering licensure regardless of where the applicant earned their NCEES PE Civil credit.

How long is the California Engineering Surveying exam and how many questions?

The exam is a 2.5-hour computer-based test with 55 multiple-choice questions delivered at Pearson VUE test centers. Scoring is scaled, and BPELSG does not publish a fixed passing percentage. Most candidates report needing roughly 60-65% raw correct answers to pass.

What does the BPELSG Engineering Surveying Test Plan cover?

Per the BPELSG Engineering Surveying Test Plan, the exam covers six content areas: Geometric Control of Surveys, Photogrammetry and Mapping, Survey Astronomy and Spatial Reference Systems, Construction Surveys, Boundary Surveys, and Specialty Surveys. Heavy weighting falls on construction surveys, boundary surveys, and geometric control, mirroring the daily practice of California civil engineers.

How much does the California Engineering Surveying exam cost in 2026?

The BPELSG state-specific examination fee is $125 per the 2026 BPELSG fee schedule (16 CCR §407). This is in addition to the NCEES PE Civil exam fee ($400) and any application fees. Retake candidates pay the same $125 to re-sit the exam.

What references are allowed during the California Engineering Surveying exam?

The Engineering Surveying exam is closed-book; no personal references are allowed inside the Pearson VUE testing room. Candidates must memorize key formulas (curve geometry, leveling corrections, scale factors). On-screen references are limited to the items explicitly listed in the BPELSG candidate information bulletin.

How does the 2022 NSRS modernization affect the California Engineering Surveying exam?

NOAA's 2022 NSRS modernization will replace NAD83 with NATRF2022 and NAVD88 with NAPGD2022 (geopotential-based). BPELSG continues to test CCS83 (NAD83) and NAVD88 in 2026, but candidates should understand the conceptual differences and how scale factors and orthometric heights will be redefined once California adopts the new datums.