Sri Lanka Licensed Surveyor Exam study guide
Sri Lanka Licensed Surveyor Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Licensed Surveyor Examination is the professional licensing assessment through which surveyors in Sri Lanka become entitled to practise as licensed surveyors - the credential that allows a practitioner to undertake cadastral surveys, define and re-establish land parcel boundaries, and sign and certify survey plans for registration and other statutory purposes. It is aimed at graduates and technician-level surveyors who already hold a recognised surveying qualification and have completed the practical experience that the Survey Council of Sri Lanka requires for licensing; the Council administers the licence, while the Institute of Surveyors of Sri Lanka is the professional body most candidates also join. The Sri Lanka Licensed Surveyor Exam study guide has 16 sections and about 4,118 words.
011. Cadastral Surveying and Land Parcel Definition
This domain tests how a licensed surveyor defines a land parcel from field evidence, deed information and statutory plans. The exam expects you to explain boundary evidence hierarchy, parcel identifiers, and the difference between a cadastral plan and a title diagram.
283 words, about 1 min022. Geodesy
This domain tests the Earth model, geoid, ellipsoid, geodetic coordinates and the relationship between physical and mathematical heights. Expect definitions, height relationships and the reason a datum is needed before coordinates.
263 words, about 1 min033. Geodetic Datums and Coordinate Systems
This domain tests datum realisation, coordinate transformations, map projections and grid computations. You must distinguish a datum from a projection and know how scale factor and convergence enter survey coordinates.
278 words, about 1 min044. Survey Computations
This domain tests coordinate geometry, bearings, distances, intersections, resections and area computations. The exam checks whether you can choose the correct formula, keep quadrant signs, and present results with sensible precision.
244 words, about 1 min055. Traverse and Least-Squares Adjustment
This domain tests traverse design, misclosure detection, adjustment methods and least-squares concepts. Expect angular and linear misclosure, Bowditch and transit rules, observation equations, weights, redundancy and error ellipses.
265 words, about 1 min066. Land Law
This domain tests Sri Lankan land tenure, state land, private ownership, prescription, title registration and the legal effect of deeds and plans. Expect distinctions between ownership, possession and boundary evidence.
273 words, about 1 min077. Survey Statute and Boundary Law
This domain tests the statutory framework for surveying, the duties of a licensed surveyor, and legal principles for boundary re-establishment. Expect questions on survey plans, marks, records and the evidentiary weight of original boundaries.
271 words, about 1 min088. GNSS Positioning and Modern Survey Technology
This domain tests satellite positioning principles, error sources, observation modes and the integration of GNSS with total stations and digital workflows. Expect accuracy statements, coordinate frames and field procedures.
267 words, about 1 min099. Engineering and Construction Surveying
This domain tests setting out, control networks, curves, earthworks and as-built verification. Expect tolerance thinking, reference systems and the link between design coordinates and site marks.
254 words, about 1 min1010. Topographic Surveying
This domain tests terrain representation, spot heights, contours, breaklines and accuracy standards. Expect questions on interpolation, feature coding and the suitability of a survey for design.
243 words, about 1 min1111. Mapping and Cartography
This domain tests map scale, projection, generalisation, symbol design and map metadata. Expect calculations of scale and area, and judgement about what a map can and cannot show.
247 words, about 1 min1212. Photogrammetry
This domain tests aerial image geometry, stereoscopy, orientation, ground control and product accuracy. Expect scale and height computations, overlap and parallax concepts, and the role of bundle adjustment.
238 words, about 1 min1313. Remote Sensing and LiDAR
This domain tests electromagnetic sensing, platforms, resolution types, image classification and LiDAR ranging. Expect distinctions between spatial, spectral, temporal and radiometric resolution, and between DEM, DSM and point clouds.
250 words, about 1 min1414. Land Administration, Title Registration and Land Information Systems
This domain tests the link between cadastre, land registry, title registration and spatial data infrastructure. Expect parcel identifiers, register-map consistency, and the role of digital land information systems.
263 words, about 1 min1515. Professional Practice, Ethics and Survey Office Management
This domain tests professional conduct, liability, records, quality assurance and office systems. Expect ethical scenarios, conflict-of-interest rules, confidentiality and the surveyor's duty to the public and the profession.
232 words, about 1 min1616. Hydrographic and Special-Purpose Surveys
This domain tests water-depth measurement, tide and datum reduction, positioning and specialised surveys. Expect sounding reductions, chart datum, vertical reference and volume computations.
247 words, about 1 min