100+ Free Registered Surveyor Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Registered Surveyor Exam

3 Papers

Comprehensive Ability, Management & Law, and Case Analysis

MOHRSS Personnel Examination Centre exam notice

72 / 120

Fixed pass mark on every paper (60% of the full mark) since 2022

MOHRSS notice on fixed pass standards for 33 professional qualification exams

1 Exam Year

All papers must be passed in a single year — results do not roll over

Provincial 2026 Registered Surveyor exam notices

8 h

Total examination time across the two exam days (2.5 + 2.5 + 3.0 hours)

2026 Registered Surveyor exam timetable

72.260 m

Origin height of the 1985 National Elevation Datum at Qingdao

1985 National Elevation Datum

Class A = Reject

A single Class A fault fails the deliverable and the batch under GB/T 24356-2023

GB/T 24356-2023 Quality Inspection and Acceptance of Surveying Products

The China Registered Surveyor examination (注册测绘师) is the statutory licensing test for geospatial and geodetic engineers, sat once a year in September over three papers — two objective and one subjective case paper — with a fixed pass mark of 72 out of 120 on each and no rolling results. This 100-question English-language study bank covers the geodetic datums (CGCS2000, 1985 National Elevation Datum), photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS transformations, engineering traverse adjustment, cadastral area and apportionment calculations, hydrographic sounding, Gauss-Krüger projections, and the national surveying laws and quality standards.

Sample Registered Surveyor Practice Questions

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

1Under the China Geodetic Coordinate System 2000 (CGCS2000), which of the following defines the defining geometric parameters of the reference ellipsoid?

A.Semi-major axis a = 6378137.0 m and flattening f = 1 / 298.257222101

B.Semi-major axis a = 6378140.0 m and flattening f = 1 / 298.257

C.Semi-major axis a = 6378245.0 m and flattening f = 1 / 298.3

D.Semi-major axis a = 6378137.0 m and flattening f = 1 / 298.257223563

Explanation: CGCS2000 is China's official geocentric geodetic coordinate system established by national authorities. Its reference ellipsoid parameters are semi-major axis a = 6378137.0 m, flattening f = 1 / 298.257222101, geocentric gravitational constant GM = 3.986004418 × 10^14 m^3/s^2, and angular velocity omega = 7.292115 × 10^-5 rad/s.

2What is the official origin elevation and baseline tide gauge location for the 1985 National Elevation Datum (1985国家高程基准) in China?

A.72.260 m above mean sea level determined at the Qingdao Daguan Tide Gauge (1952–1979 observations)

B.72.289 m above mean sea level determined at the Qingdao Daguan Tide Gauge (1950–1956 observations)

C.70.000 m above mean sea level determined at the Shanghai Wusong Tide Gauge

D.75.500 m above mean sea level determined at the Tianjin Dagukou Tide Gauge

Explanation: The 1985 National Elevation Datum (1985国家高程基准) adopts the mean sea level of the Yellow Sea calculated from continuous tidal observations from 1952 to 1979 at the Qingdao Daguan Tide Gauge. The national elevation origin benchmark at Guanxiangshan in Qingdao is defined with an official normal height of 72.260 m.

3A GNSS survey determines the geodetic height (h) of a control point as 125.450 m relative to the CGCS2000 ellipsoid. If the local height anomaly (ζ) derived from the national quasi-geoid model is -0.320 m, what is the Normal Height (H_normal) of the point under China's national vertical system?

A.125.770 m

B.125.130 m

C.125.450 m

D.-125.130 m

Explanation: In China's Normal Height system, geodetic height h, normal height H_normal, and height anomaly ζ satisfy the fundamental geometric relationship h = H_normal + ζ. Therefore, H_normal = h - ζ = 125.450 m - (-0.320 m) = 125.770 m.

4In high-precision static GNSS baseline processing, why is the double-differenced carrier phase (双差载波相位) observable universally applied?

A.It completely eliminates receiver clock errors and satellite clock errors simultaneously.

B.It completely eliminates ionospheric delay and tropospheric refraction without requiring empirical models.

C.It directly fixes the carrier phase cycle ambiguities to integers without baseline adjustment.

D.It eliminates multipath effects and receiver antenna phase center variations.

Explanation: Double differencing between two receivers and two satellites cancels out both the satellite clock bias (via between-receiver differencing on the same satellite) and the receiver clock bias (via between-satellite differencing on the same receiver), leaving the baseline vector and integer double-difference ambiguities to be estimated.

5During a static GNSS survey session with m receivers observing simultaneously, what is the total number of simultaneously observed baselines and the number of mathematically independent baselines (独立基线)?

A.Total baselines = m(m - 1) / 2; Independent baselines = m - 1

B.Total baselines = m(m - 1); Independent baselines = m

C.Total baselines = m - 1; Independent baselines = m(m - 1) / 2

D.Total baselines = m^2; Independent baselines = 2m - 1

Explanation: With m receivers simultaneously tracking GNSS signals in a session, the total number of pairwise baseline vectors that can be formed is m(m - 1) / 2. However, only m - 1 of these baseline vectors are linearly independent. The remaining baselines are trivial (linearly dependent) and must not be treated as independent in unconstrained network adjustment.

6According to the Specifications for Global Positioning System (GPS) Surveys (GB/T 18314-2009), what is the closure tolerance for the coordinate components (W_x, W_y, W_z) of a synchronous loop (同步环闭合差) formed by n baseline vectors with a design baseline precision of σ?

A.|W_x|, |W_y|, |W_z| ≤ (√n / 5) * σ

B.|W_x|, |W_y|, |W_z| ≤ 3 * √n * σ

C.|W_x|, |W_y|, |W_z| ≤ √n * σ

D.|W_x|, |W_y|, |W_z| ≤ (3√n / 5) * σ

Explanation: Under GB/T 18314-2009, synchronous loop coordinate component closures must satisfy |W_x|, |W_y|, |W_z| ≤ (√n / 5) * σ (or ≤ 0.2√n * σ), and the total synchronous loop closure must satisfy W ≤ (√3n / 5) * σ, where n is the number of edges in the loop and σ is the baseline standard error.

7In a Continuous Operational Reference System (CORS) network, how does the Virtual Reference Station (VRS) technique generate RTK corrections for a mobile rover?

A.The central server interpolates network atmospheric and orbit corrections at the rover's approximate position and transmits synthetic base station data to the rover.

B.The rover directly selects the single nearest physical reference station and applies raw unmodeled corrections.

C.The central server broadcasts broadcast ephemeris error parameters to all rovers via UHF radio without receiving rover coordinates.

D.The rover performs peer-to-peer carrier phase baseline solutions directly with all reference stations in the network simultaneously.

Explanation: In VRS technology, the rover sends its approximate NMEA position to the CORS control center. The central software models ionospheric, tropospheric, and orbital errors across the network, creates a virtual reference station located meters from the rover, and synthesizes standard RTCM observation streams, enabling short-baseline RTK positioning.

8According to the National First and Second Order Leveling Specifications (GB/T 12897-2006), what is the maximum allowable sight distance difference between backsight and foresight for a single instrument setup in First-Order leveling using digital levels?

A.≤ 0.5 m (accumulative difference ≤ 1.5 m)

B.≤ 1.0 m (accumulative difference ≤ 3.0 m)

C.≤ 2.0 m (accumulative difference ≤ 5.0 m)

D.≤ 3.0 m (accumulative difference ≤ 10.0 m)

Explanation: Under GB/T 12897-2006 for First-Order (一等) leveling with digital levels, the sight distance must not exceed 30 m (or 50 m for high-performance Invar rods with optimal atmospheric stability), with a maximum single-station backsight-foresight difference of ≤ 0.5 m and an accumulative difference along the section of ≤ 1.5 m.

9A closed Second-Order leveling loop has four sections with lengths L1 = 4 km, L2 = 6 km, L3 = 2 km, and L4 = 4 km (total length L = 16 km). The measured elevation differences sum to a misclosure f_h = +12 mm. What is the allowable loop misclosure tolerance under GB/T 12897-2006 (F_h = ±4√L mm), and what is the height correction applied to section 2?

A.Tolerance F_h = ±16.0 mm (survey is acceptable); Section 2 correction v2 = -4.5 mm

B.Tolerance F_h = ±12.0 mm (survey is acceptable); Section 2 correction v2 = -3.0 mm

C.Tolerance F_h = ±8.0 mm (survey exceeds tolerance); Section 2 correction v2 = +4.5 mm

D.Tolerance F_h = ±16.0 mm (survey is acceptable); Section 2 correction v2 = +4.5 mm

Explanation: For Second-Order leveling, allowable misclosure F_h = ±4√L = ±4√(16) = ±16.0 mm. Since |+12 mm| ≤ 16.0 mm, the survey is acceptable. Elevation corrections are proportional to section lengths with reversed sign: v_i = -f_h * (L_i / L). For Section 2 (6 km): v2 = -(+12 mm) * (6 / 16) = -4.5 mm.

10On the surface of a rotational reference ellipsoid, how do the meridian radius of curvature (M) and the prime vertical radius of curvature (N) compare across different geodetic latitudes (B)?

A.M < N at all latitudes except at the poles where M = N.

B.M > N at all latitudes except at the equator where M = N.

C.M = N at all latitudes across the entire ellipsoid.

D.M < N in the southern hemisphere and M > N in the northern hemisphere.

Explanation: The mathematical formulas are M = a(1 - e^2) / (1 - e^2 sin^2 B)^(3/2) and N = a / (1 - e^2 sin^2 B)^(1/2). Since (1 - e^2) < 1 and (1 - e^2 sin^2 B) < 1, M is strictly less than N everywhere between the equator and poles. At the poles (B = ±90°), sin B = 1, yielding M = N = a / √(1 - e^2) = c (polar radius of curvature).

About the Registered Surveyor Exam

The Registered Surveyor Qualification Examination (全国注册测绘师职业资格考试) is China's statutory entry-level qualification for professionals who lead surveying, mapping and geospatial projects. It was established in 2007 by the former Ministry of Personnel and State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping and is now overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources with MOHRSS, which runs the examination through its Personnel Examination Centre. The exam is held once a year over one weekend in September and comprises three papers — Comprehensive Surveying and Mapping Ability, Surveying and Mapping Management/Laws and Regulations, and Surveying and Mapping Case Analysis. Unusually among Chinese professional exams, results are not carried forward: every applicable paper must be passed in a single exam year. After registration with a qualified surveying entity, the Registered Surveyor may sign and seal technical designs, quality inspection reports and survey deliverables and bears personal legal responsibility for them. This page is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the Chinese-language syllabus, not an official translation and not a simulation of the subjective case paper.

Assessment

Day 1: Comprehensive Surveying and Mapping Ability (测绘综合能力, objective, 120 marks, 2.5 h) and Surveying and Mapping Management, Laws and Regulations (测绘管理与法律法规, objective, 120 marks, 2.5 h). Day 2: Surveying and Mapping Case Analysis (测绘案例分析, subjective, 7 cases, 3.0 h). The 2026 sitting is on 5-6 September. The 2012 edition syllabus does not publish percentage weightings; the percentages in the content outline below are the OpenExamPrep study allocation used to build this practice bank.

Time Limit

2.5 hours for each objective paper and 3.0 hours for the case-analysis paper, across 2 days

Passing Score

60% of the full mark of each paper — 72 out of 120

Exam Fee

About RMB 190 in total — commonly RMB 63 per objective paper and RMB 67 for the case-analysis paper (Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR, 自然资源部) and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS, 人力资源和社会保障部))

Registered Surveyor Exam Content Outline

20%

Geodesy and Control Surveying (大地测量与控制测量)

Foundational and advanced geodetic theory and practice: China Geodetic Coordinate System 2000 (CGCS2000) reference ellipsoid parameters (semi-major axis a = 6378137 m, flattening f = 1/298.257222101, GM, rotational velocity omega), 1985 National Elevation Datum (origin at Qingdao Tide Gauge, benchmark elevation 72.260 m), Normal Height system vs Orthometric and Geodetic Height (h = H + zeta), GNSS static relative positioning, double-differenced carrier phase observation equations, baseline vector processing, synchronous and asynchronous loop closure calculations per GB/T 18314, Continuous Operational Reference System (CORS) architecture (VRS, FKP, MAC), first-order and second-order precision leveling per GB/T 12897 (rod readings, collimation error i-angle, sight distance balance, misclosure adjustment), deflection of the vertical, and ellipsoidal geometry (meridian and prime vertical curvature radii).

25%

Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, and GIS (摄影测量、遥感与地理信息工程)

Photogrammetric systems, satellite remote sensing, LiDAR, and spatial data engineering: Aerial photographic scale formula (1/m = f/H), Ground Sample Distance (GSD) calculation, forward and side overlap requirements per GB/T 7931, flight strip planning, interior orientation elements (x0, y0, f) vs exterior orientation elements (Xs, Ys, Zs, phi, omega, kappa), collinearity condition equations, stereoscopic relative and absolute orientation, bundle block aerotriangulation adjustment, digital 4D products (DEM, DSM, DOM, DLG), digital differential rectification and relief displacement elimination, multispectral remote sensing bands and atmospheric windows, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) computation, airborne LiDAR point cloud filtering (progressive TIN densification, CSF), oblique photogrammetry and 3D real-scene modeling, GIS vector/raster data structures, DE-9IM topological relationships, 2D 4-parameter conformal and 3D 7-parameter Bursa-Wolf transformations, spatial interpolation (Ordinary Kriging, IDW), buffer and overlay spatial analyses, and OGC web services (WMS, WMTS, WFS).

25%

Engineering and Cadastral Surveying (工程测量与地籍房产测绘)

Applied surveying in civil engineering, infrastructure, and land administration: Total station polar coordinate stakeout (Delta X, Delta Y), closed and connected traverse angular misclosure and coordinate increment adjustment per GB 50026, horizontal circular curve elements (tangent length T, curve length L, external distance E), transition curve (clothoid) geometry, vertical curve elevation calculation, cross-section leveling and average end area earthwork calculation, underground tunnel breakthrough surveying and gyro-theodolite orientation, building settlement and tilt monitoring per JGJ 8 / GB 50026, bridge/dam deformation monitoring (inverted plumb lines, vacuum collimation), cadastral parcel definition, 19-digit unified real estate parcel coding structure (TD/T 1055 / GB/T 37346), coordinate method parcel area calculation, boundary marker accuracy classes (GB 7930), real estate shared common area apportionment coefficient calculations per GB/T 17986 (房产测量规范), building architectural area calculation rules (GB/T 50353), underground pipeline electromagnetic detection, and mine shaft connection surveys.

15%

Oceanic Cartography and Map Projections (海洋测绘与地图制图)

Marine hydrography, bathymetry, and mathematical cartography: Hydrographic vertical datum definition (Theoretical Lowest Astronomical Tide / 理论最低潮面 vs Mean Sea Level), single-beam and multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) system architecture, sound velocity profiler (SVP) measurement and refraction correction (Snell's Law), side-scan sonar seabed acoustic imaging, sounding line layout standards per GB 12327 / CH/T 7001, Gauss-Krüger conformal transverse cylindrical projection properties, 6-degree and 3-degree zoning central meridian calculations (L0 = 6N - 3, L0 = 3n), false easting (+500,000 m) and coordinate zone prefixing, projection length distortion behavior and engineering compensated elevation planes, cartographic generalization operations (selection, simplification, exaggeration, displacement), visual variables (Bertin: shape, size, color hue, value, texture), China National Basic Topographic Map Sheet Numbering System per GB/T 13989-2012 (1:1,000,000 base sheet subdivision down to 1:10,000), Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) standards (IHO S-57 / S-100), and projection distortion classification.

15%

Surveying Laws, Regulations, and Quality Management (测绘法律法规与项目管理)

Statutory legal framework, national security, qualification licensing, and quality assurance: PRC Surveying and Mapping Law (中华人民共和国测绘法), national territorial integrity and standard map publication rules, foreign organization surveying restrictions, surveying qualification management (Class A and Class B qualifications), Registered Surveyor professional scope and seal signing liabilities, mandatory surveying results submission system (汇交制度: copies of basic survey deliverables vs directories of non-basic deliverables), state secret geospatial classification grades (Top Secret, Secret, Confidential) and statutory retention periods, public electronic map security inspection (审图号) and coordinate encryption offset algorithm (GCJ-02), GB/T 24356-2023 quality inspection and acceptance standards (two-level inspection and acceptance system, defect classification A/B/C/D, sample batch acceptance criteria, quality score calculation), technical design document compilation per CH/T 1004, permanent geodetic marker protection regulations, and emergency surveying response mechanisms.

How to Pass the Registered Surveyor Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60% of the full mark of each paper — 72 out of 120
Assessment: Day 1: Comprehensive Surveying and Mapping Ability (测绘综合能力, objective, 120 marks, 2.5 h) and Surveying and Mapping Management, Laws and Regulations (测绘管理与法律法规, objective, 120 marks, 2.5 h). Day 2: Surveying and Mapping Case Analysis (测绘案例分析, subjective, 7 cases, 3.0 h). The 2026 sitting is on 5-6 September. The 2012 edition syllabus does not publish percentage weightings; the percentages in the content outline below are the OpenExamPrep study allocation used to build this practice bank.
Time limit: 2.5 hours for each objective paper and 3.0 hours for the case-analysis paper, across 2 days
Exam fee: About RMB 190 in total — commonly RMB 63 per objective paper and RMB 67 for the case-analysis paper

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Registered Surveyor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Geodetic Formulas & Datums: Memorize CGCS2000 ellipsoid parameters, 1985 National Elevation Datum origin elevation (72.260 m), normal height identity (h = H + ζ), and GNSS synchronous loop closure tolerance formulas.

2Internalize Photogrammetric & RS Relations: Practice calculating photo scale (1/m = f/H), GSD = a_pixel × m, baseline Bx and strip spacing Dy from overlap percentages, and collinearity condition equations.

3Drill Traverse and Curve Layout Calculations: Solve traverse angular misclosure (f_beta = Σbeta - (n-2)×180°), coordinate increment corrections (v_xi = -f_x × Di / ΣD), circular curve elements (T, L, E, q), and vertical curve elevations.

4Calculate Real Estate Area Apportionments: Practice multi-tier shared area apportionment coefficients (K = ΣS_common / ΣS_private) and coordinate method parcel area calculations (P = 0.5 × |Σ x_i (y_{i+1} - y_{i-1})|).

5Memorize Surveying Laws & Quality Rejection Rules: Understand the state-secret classification grades (绝密 ≤30 years, 机密 ≤20 years, 秘密 ≤10 years), public map coordinate obfuscation (GCJ-02), the two-level inspection plus one-level acceptance system, and the GB/T 24356-2023 fault classes where a single Class A fault fails the unit product and hence the batch.

6Plan for a single-year attempt: because Registered Surveyor results do not roll over, build a revision schedule that brings all three papers to pass standard for the same September sitting rather than tackling one subject a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the China Registered Surveyor and Mapping Engineer Qualification Examination?

The Registered Surveyor and Mapping Engineer (注册测绘师) examination is China's official national qualification examination administered jointly by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR, 自然资源部) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS, 人力资源和社会保障部). It establishes the statutory professional licensing standard for engineers engaged in surveying, geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS, cadastral mapping, and oceanographic surveying.

What is the structure, passing threshold, and score validity rule of the official examination?

The examination has three papers: Comprehensive Surveying and Mapping Ability (测绘综合能力, objective, 120 marks, 2.5 h), Surveying and Mapping Management, Laws and Regulations (测绘管理与法律法规, objective, 120 marks, 2.5 h), and Surveying and Mapping Case Analysis (测绘案例分析, subjective, 7 cases, 3.0 h). The pass mark on each paper has been fixed at 60% of the full mark — 72 out of 120 — since 2022. Crucially, results are not managed on a rolling basis: unlike most Chinese professional exams, every applicable paper must be passed within a single exam year.

What geodetic datums and coordinate systems are tested?

The examination rigorously evaluates the China Geodetic Coordinate System 2000 (CGCS2000) reference ellipsoid parameters (semi-major axis a = 6378137 m, flattening f = 1/298.257222101), the 1985 National Elevation Datum (origin at Qingdao Tide Gauge with origin height 72.260 m), the Normal Height system (h = H + zeta), and Gauss-Krüger 3-degree and 6-degree conformal transverse cylindrical projections.

What types of calculations are required on the examination?

Candidates must solve numerical problems in GNSS baseline loop closures, leveling misclosure distribution, photogrammetric scale and GSD, collinearity geometry, 2D 4-parameter and 3D 7-parameter Bursa-Wolf transformations, NDVI calculation, traverse angular and coordinate adjustments, circular/vertical curve layout, earthwork average end area volume, parcel coordinate area, and residential building common area apportionment per GB/T 17986.

What quality inspection and defect classification standards apply?

Quality inspection is governed by GB/T 24356-2023 (测绘成果质量检查与验收). Deliverables undergo internal two-stage inspection (process inspection and final acceptance sampling). Defects are classified into four severity levels: Class A (Severe/Fatal defects, e.g., coordinate system error, which immediately rejects the batch), Class B (Heavy defects), Class C (Light defects), and Class D (Minor defects).

Why is this practice question bank presented in English?

The official examination is set, sat and marked entirely in Chinese. This 100-question bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same 2012 edition syllabus, written for bilingual geospatial engineers and international practitioners working with Chinese standards. It is not an official translation, and it does not simulate the subjective Case Analysis paper — for that subject it teaches the underlying standards, calculations and judgement instead. Official Chinese terms, GB/T standard numbers and legal citations are retained in parentheses for cross-reference.