100+ Free SAGC GISc Law Exam Practice Questions

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Sample SAGC GISc Law Exam Practice Questions

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

1Under which Act was the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) established?

A.Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013

B.Land Survey Act 8 of 1997

C.Spatial Data Infrastructure Act 54 of 2003

D.Professional and Technical Surveyors Act 40 of 1984

Explanation: The South African Geomatics Council was established under the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013, which replaced the former Professional and Technical Surveyors Act regime and PLATO.

2On what date did the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013 come into operation?

A.10 December 2013

B.1 August 2015

C.1 January 2014

D.16 May 2011

Explanation: President Zuma assented to the Geomatics Profession Act in December 2013 and, in terms of section 40, determined 1 August 2015 as the commencement date on which the Act and the SAGC came into operation.

3How does the Geomatics Profession Act define "geo-spatial information"?

A.Information stored only in paper map archives held by the deeds registry

B.Statistical census data with no spatial component

C.Information describing the location and characteristics of natural or human-made phenomena in relation to the earth's surface

D.Financial records of geomatics practitioners

Explanation: Section 1 of the Geomatics Profession Act defines geo-spatial information (also termed geo-information, geographic information or spatial information) as information describing the location and characteristics of natural or human-made phenomena in relation to the earth's surface.

4Which registration categories are contemplated in section 13(1) of the Geomatics Profession Act?

A.Student, intern, associate and fellow only

B.Candidate, provisional, full and honorary member

C.Technician, artisan, engineer and architect

D.Candidate geomatics practitioner, geomatics technician, geomatics technologist and geomatics professional

Explanation: Section 13(1) lists four registration categories: candidate geomatics practitioner, geomatics technician, geomatics technologist and geomatics professional. A person may register in one or more categories and in applicable branches.

5According to section 13(2)(a), when may a person perform work reserved for a geomatics category or branch?

A.Only if registered in that category or branch, or while supervised by a registered person of the same discipline who assumes responsibility

B.Whenever they hold any university degree in geography

C.Only after ten years of private-sector GIS employment regardless of registration

D.Whenever their employer issues an internal job title of "GIS analyst"

Explanation: Section 13(2)(a) prohibits practising reserved geomatics work unless the person is registered in the relevant category and branch, or performs the work under supervision of a registered person of the same discipline who assumes responsibility for it.

6Which branch abbreviation is used for a registered Geomatics Professional GISc Practitioner?

A.PLS

B.GPr. GISc

C.Pr. Eng

D.GTc. LS

Explanation: SAGC registration designations for the GISc branch include Geomatics Professional GISc Practitioner (GPr. GISc), Geomatics Technologist GISc Practitioner (GTg. GISc) and Geomatics Technician GISc Practitioner (GTc. GISc).

7Section 13(6) of the Geomatics Profession Act provides that:

A.Any person may call themselves a "professional GIS practitioner" if they use ArcGIS

B.Employers may advertise unregistered staff as geomatics professionals for marketing purposes

C.Only a registered person may be described in terms of the category and branch in which he or she is registered

D.Voluntary association membership replaces statutory registration for public description

Explanation: Section 13(6) restricts public description: only a registered person may be described in terms of the category and branch of geomatics in which he or she is registered, protecting the public from false professional claims.

8For registration as a geomatics professional under section 13(4)(d), an applicant must have:

A.Only passed a university GIS module with no practical training

B.Only paid SAGC fees without academic or practical requirements

C.Only completed a one-week online GIS certificate

D.Completed an accredited NQF geomatics programme, completed prescribed practical training and passed a Council competency assessment

Explanation: Section 13(4)(d) requires a geomatics professional applicant to have completed an accredited appropriate geomatics educational programme on the NQF, completed practical training determined in the rules, and passed a competency assessment determined by the Council (including the law examination).

9Under section 13(8), the Council must NOT register a person who:

A.Has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine

B.Has completed all prescribed practical training and passed the law exam

C.Holds an accredited four-year geomatics degree

D.Has a mentor registered as a Professional for more than five years

Explanation: Section 13(8) lists disqualifying grounds including conviction for dishonesty with imprisonment without a fine option, mental incompetence, removal from office of trust, removal from another professional register for misconduct, and not being a fit and proper person.

10Which Department is named in the Geomatics Profession Act as the responsible national department?

A.Department of Mineral Resources and Energy only

B.Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

C.Department of Home Affairs

D.Department of Trade, Industry and Competition

Explanation: The Act defines "Department" as the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and "Minister" as the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, reflecting geomatics' link to land administration and spatial information governance.

About the SAGC GISc Law Exam Exam

The SAGC GISc Professional Law Examination is a mandatory written assessment for candidates seeking registration as Professional GISc Practitioners (GPr. GISc) with the South African Geomatics Council. It tests knowledge of geomatics legislation, SAGC registration rules, professional conduct and the Code of Ethics, alongside syllabus Acts governing spatial data, property, planning and environmental matters relevant to geographic information science practice in South Africa.

Assessment

Written law examination set by the South African Geomatics Council covering legislation listed on the official law_exam_syllabus.pdf, including the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013, SAGC Code of Conduct, Spatial Data Infrastructure Act and related property, planning, environmental and statutory Acts. Professional GISc category applicants must also submit an essay on professionalism and ethics.

Time Limit

Conducted twice a year at Council-scheduled written sittings; confirm sitting dates, duration and venues via SAGC examination notices

Passing Score

The SAGC does not publish a single national percentage pass mark for the law examination; candidates must pass as determined by the Council for their sitting. Contact admin@sagc.org.za or 011 626 1040 for current assessment criteria.

Exam Fee

Law examination and registration fees are set by the SAGC and published on sagc.org.za; confirm the current fee schedule before registering for a sitting. (South African Geomatics Council (SAGC), established under the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013 (successor to PLATO))

SAGC GISc Law Exam Exam Content Outline

25%

Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013

Council powers, registration categories, branches, reserved work, accreditation, registers and subordinate regulations.

15%

SAGC Registration and Law Examination

Candidate pathway, WIL, mentorship, syllabus structure and Professional ethics essay requirements.

15%

Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics

SAGC Code of Conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, certification and CPD obligations.

15%

Spatial Data and Information Legislation

SDI Act, SASDI, CSI, metadata, ECT Act, Copyright Act, PAIA and geographical names.

15%

Land, Property and Planning Law

Land Survey Act, deeds registration, SPLUMA, sectional titles and tenure legislation.

15%

Environmental, Mining and General Statutory Law

NEMA, National Water Act, NHRA, MPRDA, Constitution, OHS and employment legislation on the syllabus.

How to Pass the SAGC GISc Law Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: The SAGC does not publish a single national percentage pass mark for the law examination; candidates must pass as determined by the Council for their sitting. Contact admin@sagc.org.za or 011 626 1040 for current assessment criteria.
Assessment: Written law examination set by the South African Geomatics Council covering legislation listed on the official law_exam_syllabus.pdf, including the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013, SAGC Code of Conduct, Spatial Data Infrastructure Act and related property, planning, environmental and statutory Acts. Professional GISc category applicants must also submit an essay on professionalism and ethics.
Time limit: Conducted twice a year at Council-scheduled written sittings; confirm sitting dates, duration and venues via SAGC examination notices
Exam fee: Law examination and registration fees are set by the SAGC and published on sagc.org.za; confirm the current fee schedule before registering for a sitting.

Keys to Passing

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SAGC GISc Law Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Download law_exam_syllabus.pdf from sagc.org.za/legislation and distinguish examined Acts (items 1–39) from awareness-only items 40–61.

2Master section 13 of the Geomatics Profession Act — registration categories, reserved work, professional descriptions and disqualification grounds appear frequently.

3Study the June 2022 SAGC Code of Conduct alongside your ethics essay preparation; confidentiality, conflict of interest and certification duties are core themes.

4Understand how the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, SPLUMA and NEMA intersect with GIS practice — development and environmental spatial layers are common exam contexts even for GISc candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must write the SAGC GISc Professional Law Examination?

Candidates seeking registration as Professional GISc Practitioners with the South African Geomatics Council must pass the prescribed law examination after completing an accredited qualification and work-integrated learning, as set out in the SAGC Notes for Professional GISc Practitioner registration under the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013.

How often is the SAGC law examination held?

The South African Geomatics Council conducts its prescribed law examination twice a year. Candidates should monitor sagc.org.za and Council notices for sitting dates, application deadlines and venue details.

What legislation does the law exam cover?

The official syllabus is published as law_exam_syllabus.pdf on the SAGC legislation page. Core examined material includes the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013, the SAGC Code of Conduct, the Land Survey Act, Deeds Registries Act, Spatial Data Infrastructure Act and numerous related statutes; syllabus items 40–61 are awareness-only and not directly examined.

Is there an additional ethics requirement for Professional registration?

Yes. Persons applying to register in the Professional category must write an essay on professionalism and ethics in addition to passing the law examination, as specified in the SAGC Notes for Guidance and registration process documentation.