FE Civil Surveying practice problems
6 free FE Civil Surveying practice problems with answers and full worked solutions. Surveying carries 6–9 of the 110 questions on the FE Civil exam (NCEES specification effective July 2020). Pick an answer to check it, then read the worked solution and why each wrong choice is wrong.
6 worked Surveying problems
Question 1 of 6
A line has a bearing of S 9 E. Its azimuth measured clockwise from north is most nearly:
Show the answer and the reasoning
Why C
Given: bearing angle 9 degrees in the south-east quadrant. Relation: Az = 180 - bearing angle, measured clockwise from north. Substitute: Az = 180 - 9. Result: azimuth = 171.0 degrees.
Why A is tempting
Reported the bearing angle itself. Only a north-east bearing has an azimuth equal to its bearing angle.
Why B is tempting
Measured the angle from the east-west axis instead of from north or south.
Why D is tempting
Applied the south-west conversion regardless of the actual quadrant.
Source NCEES FE Reference Handbook 10.6 — Civil Engineering, Surveying
Question 2 of 6
A rectangular parcel measures 850 ft by 200 ft. Its area is most nearly:
Show the answer and the reasoning
Why B
Given: 850 ft by 200 ft. Relation: acres = area in ft^2/43,560. Substitute: 850(200) = 170,000 ft^2; 170,000/43,560. Result: 3.903 acres.
Why A is tempting
Divided by the square feet in a hectare rather than an acre.
Why C is tempting
Used a round 40,000 ft^2 per acre.
Why D is tempting
Divided by the feet in a mile.
Source NCEES FE Reference Handbook 10.6 — Civil Engineering, Surveying
Question 3 of 6
A conical stockpile is 50 ft across the base and 17 ft high. Its volume is most nearly:
Conical stockpile 50 ft across the base and 17 ft high, standing at its natural angle of repose. Show the answer and the reasoning
Why A
Given: base diameter 50 ft, height 17 ft. Relation: V = (1/3)pi R^2 h, /27 for yd^3. Substitute: V = (1/3)pi(25)^2(17) = 11126 ft^3; /27. Result: V = 412.1 yd^3.
Why B is tempting
Divided by two rather than three.
Why C is tempting
Divided by 9 rather than 27.
Why D is tempting
Used the diameter where the area formula needs the radius.
Source NCEES FE Reference Handbook 10.6 — Civil Engineering, Surveying
Question 4 of 6
A course has an azimuth of 160 degrees. Its back azimuth is most nearly:
Show the answer and the reasoning
Why D
Given: forward azimuth 160 degrees. Relation: back azimuth = azimuth + 180, keeping the result between 0 and 360. Substitute: 160 + 180. Result: 340.0 degrees.
Why A is tempting
Subtracted from 180, which is the rule for converting a south-east bearing, not for a back azimuth.
Why B is tempting
Reflected the azimuth about north rather than reversing the direction.
Why C is tempting
Added a right angle.
Source NCEES FE Reference Handbook 10.6 — Civil Engineering, Surveying
Question 5 of 6
The height of instrument is 415.00 ft. A foresight of 4.50 ft is read on a turning point. Its elevation is most nearly:
Level whose height of instrument is 415.00 feet, taking a foresight of 4.5 ft on a turning point; the rod reading is subtracted from the line of sight. Show the answer and the reasoning
Why B
Given: HI = 415.00 ft, foresight 4.50 ft. Relation: elevation = HI - foresight. Substitute: 415.00 - 4.50. Result: elevation = 410.50 ft.
Why A is tempting
Divided rather than subtracted.
Why C is tempting
Reported the height of instrument.
Why D is tempting
Added the foresight. A foresight is read on a point whose elevation is below the line of sight, so it is subtracted.
Source NCEES FE Reference Handbook 10.6 — Civil Engineering, Surveying
Question 6 of 6
A closed traverse has 4 sides. The theoretical sum of its interior angles is most nearly:
Closed traverse with 4 sides; the interior angles at its vertices must sum to the value fixed by the number of sides. Show the answer and the reasoning
Why A
Given: a closed traverse of n = 4 sides. Relation: sum of interior angles = (n - 2)(180). Substitute: (4 - 2)(180). Result: 360 degrees. Check: the exterior angles of any closed traverse sum to 360.
Why B is tempting
Subtracted one instead of two.
Why C is tempting
Left out the subtraction of two. A triangle would then sum to 540 rather than 180.
Why D is tempting
Added two rather than subtracting.
Source NCEES FE Reference Handbook 10.6 — Civil Engineering, Surveying
Going further
Frequently asked questions
How many Surveying questions are on the FE Civil exam?
Between 6 and 9 of the 110 questions, according to the NCEES FE Civil specification effective July 2020.
Are these real NCEES exam questions?
No. NCEES does not release its exam questions. These are original FE-style problems written to the NCEES specification and the FE Reference Handbook; every calculated key is checked by two independent solution methods.
Are these Surveying practice problems free?
Yes. All 6 problems on this page, with answers and full worked solutions, are free and need no account.
Check where you stand, free
The quick diagnostic is eight FE Civil questions in about ten minutes, with no account. The free mock is a full 110-question, 5 hour 20 minute FE Civil paper with a worked solution for every question.