GA Land Surveyor study plan

GA Land Surveyor · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Surveying fundamentals and mathematics

Build a formula sheet covering coordinate geometry, traverse closure, and area computation, then solve 15 practice problems using only that sheet
Compute latitudes, departures, linear error of closure, and precision ratio for four closed traverses of increasing size without reference notes
Convert between bearings and azimuths in all four quadrants and verify each conversion with a back-bearing check

One-page formula sheet plus a worked traverse-closure problem set with all arithmetic shown and errors under 0.01 ft

Week 2

Derive horizontal and vertical curve elements (tangent, length, external, middle ordinate, elevations) for at least six curve problems
Solve coordinate geometry problems involving intersection, resection, and curve-to-tangent points
Explain the difference between grid, ground, and geodetic distances and apply a combined scale factor to three example measurements

A curve-and-coordinate problem portfolio of 12 solved problems with a one-paragraph method note for each problem type

Week 3

Compute area by coordinate method, trapezoidal rule, and planimeter-style double-meridian distances, and reconcile the three results
Propagate random error through a simple traverse using error of closure and adjust coordinates by the compass rule
Set up and solve level-loop adjustments, including misclosure distribution and adjusted elevations

A closed-traverse and level-loop adjustment spreadsheet that reproduces hand calculations to within rounding

Week 4

Convert field observations into state plane coordinates using a documented projection and scale factor workflow
Review boundary evidence hierarchy and rank monument, occupation, and measurement evidence in five short scenarios
Draft a list of the mathematical tools you still cannot execute cold and schedule them for weekly review

A timed 40-question fundamentals practice set scored and reviewed, with every missed item rewritten as a corrected note card

Week 5

Outline the legal principles governing boundary retracement, including junior-senior rights, adverse possession, and unwritten rights
Describe the purpose and required content of a record of survey versus a plat and identify when each is triggered
Summarize the standards of care and ethics obligations that apply to surveyors in Georgia practice

A two-page legal-principles summary organized by doctrine, with a one-line example of how each doctrine changes a retracement decision

Week 6

Walk through the field-to-finish workflow for a boundary survey, listing the checks performed before a plat is sealed
Identify common sources of positional error in GPS/GNSS and total-station work and state the field procedure that controls each
Explain the role of the responsible charge surveyor and the records-retention and sealing requirements for survey documents

A written field-to-finish checklist of at least 20 verification steps, each tied to the error or legal risk it prevents

Week 7

Complete a full-length timed practice exam under test conditions and log time spent per question type
Analyze every incorrect answer by domain, root cause, and corrective action
Re-solve the 20 highest-miss-rate problems from weeks 1 through 6 without notes

A scored practice exam with an error-analysis table listing domain, root cause, and remediation for every missed question

Week 8

Rehearse the formula sheet and legal-doctrine summary from memory in two 30-minute recall sessions
Complete two half-length timed sets, one per domain, targeting a personal accuracy goal
Confirm exam-day logistics, permitted references, and a pacing plan for each domain

A final one-page review sheet plus a written pacing plan with target minutes per question for each domain

Week 2: Solve a mixed fundamentals set of 20 questions at 70% or better, with curve and coordinate items all correct

Week 4: Score at least 75% on the timed 40-question fundamentals set and show a completed adjustment spreadsheet for both traverse and level loop

Week 6: Explain the boundary-evidence hierarchy and record-of-survey triggers aloud in under five minutes without notes

Week 8: Score at least 80% on each half-length domain set and complete the pacing plan with per-question time targets