GELE study materials
GELE study resources

GELE study plan

GELE · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 8 hours per week

Week 1

Geodesy and Geodetic Surveying

  • Derive and explain the geoid, ellipsoid, and reference-datum relationships without notes

  • Compute geodetic vs. geocentric vs. reduced latitude conversions for 10 sample points

  • Solve 8 direct and 8 inverse geodetic (Vincenty or similar) problems end to end

  • Build a 25-entry formula sheet covering ellipsoid parameters, radii of curvature, and datum transformations

Your checkpoint

A solved 30-item problem set on geodetic coordinates and ellipsoid geometry, scored against an answer key with every miss re-worked in writing

Week 2

Geodesy and Geodetic Surveying & Survey Computations, Adjustments, and Least Squares

  • Perform 6 datum transformations (e.g., PRS92-to-WGS84 style) using both 3-parameter and 7-parameter Helmert models

  • Compute geoid-spheroid separation effects on orthometric vs. ellipsoidal heights for 5 cases

  • Set up and solve 4 observation-equation systems by least squares, including weight matrices

  • Distinguish and apply conditional vs. observation equations to the same small network

Your checkpoint

One worked transformation-and-adjustment report (5-8 pages) showing a datum shift plus a least-squares adjustment of a 4-point traverse with residuals and a posteriori variance

Week 3

Cadastral Surveying and Land/Property Law Applications

  • Trace the cadastral survey workflow from survey authority to approved plan and register

  • Classify and differentiate types of cadastral surveys (original, subdivision, consolidation, relocation) with a worked example of each

  • Identify the rights, restrictions, and encumbrances recorded on a sample certificate of title and explain how each affects a survey

  • Compute lot areas, bearings, and closures for 5 subdivision scenarios, applying the governing area/bearing tolerance rules

Your checkpoint

A mock cadastral plan package for a 5-lot subdivision: technical description, closure computation, area tabulation, and a 1-page legal memo on the boundary evidence used

Week 4

Cadastral Surveying and Land/Property Law Applications & Survey Computations, Adjustments, and Least Squares

  • Apply boundary-evidence hierarchy and rules of construction to 6 boundary-dispute vignettes

  • Compute least-squares adjustment of a cadastral network with constrained and free stations, reporting standard errors on coordinates

  • Propagate coordinate uncertainty into area and bearing uncertainty for 3 parcels

  • Resolve 5 conflicting-monument scenarios and justify each decision in writing

Your checkpoint

A timed 50-item mock exam covering Domains 1-3 (geodesy, cadastral, adjustments), scored, with a written error log of every missed item

Week 5

Survey Computations, Adjustments, and Least Squares & Cartography, Mapping, and Geographic Information Systems

  • Adjust a leveling network and a triangulation network by least squares, computing residuals, reference variance, and error ellipses

  • Detect and interpret outliers using standardized residuals and a blunder-detection test

  • Explain and apply map projections (transverse Mercator, Lambert conformal conic) including scale factor and convergence of meridians

  • Compute grid-to-ground and ground-to-grid conversions for 8 coordinate pairs including combined scale factor

Your checkpoint

A projection-and-adjustment worksheet: 8 grid/ground conversions plus one fully documented network adjustment with error ellipses plotted on a sketch

Week 6

Cartography, Mapping, and Geographic Information Systems & Engineering Mathematics, Basic Sciences, and Survey Instrumentation

  • Design a GIS data model for a cadastral/utility dataset: layers, attributes, topology rules, and metadata fields

  • Perform and document spatial analysis operations (overlay, buffer, network trace) conceptually on the same dataset

  • Evaluate raster vs. vector choices and coordinate-system choices for 5 stated project scenarios

  • Solve 10 surveying math problems covering trigonometric leveling, curves, and earthwork volumes

  • Verify instrument specifications and calibrations (EDM, total station, level) against stated accuracy standards

Your checkpoint

A 2-page GIS project design plus a solved 15-item engineering-math and instrumentation set, both self-graded to a stated passing threshold

Week 7

Engineering Mathematics, Basic Sciences, and Survey Instrumentation & Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

  • Compute horizontal and vertical curves, spiral transitions, and volume/earthwork quantities from field data

  • Explain and apply error propagation to instrument-derived quantities (angle, distance, elevation)

  • Compute photogrammetric quantities: scale, flying height, relief displacement, and object-height determination

  • Solve 8 resection/intersection and bundle-adjustment-style photogrammetry problems

  • Interpret image resolution, GSD, and spectral-band choices for 5 remote-sensing applications

Your checkpoint

A photogrammetry problem set (10 items) plus a 1-page comparison table of active vs. passive sensors with a stated application for each

Week 8

Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing & Geodesy and Geodetic Surveying & Cadastral Surveying and Land/Property Law Applications & Survey Computations, Adjustments, and Least Squares & Cartography, Mapping, and Geographic Information Systems & Engineering Mathematics, Basic Sciences, and Survey Instrumentation

  • Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions

  • Re-solve every item missed across weeks 1-7 and categorize each miss by root cause

  • Recite from memory the 40 highest-yield formulas and constants across all six domains

  • Finalize a one-page per-domain summary sheet that can be reviewed in a single sitting

Your checkpoint

Two scored full mock exams with a consolidated error log and a final one-page-per-domain summary set (6 pages total)

Milestones

Week 2: Score at least 75% on a 25-item self-made Domain 1 quiz and complete all 6 datum transformations without referencing the solution

Week 4: Score at least 70% on the 50-item Domains 1-3 mock exam and submit the cadastral plan package with closures within tolerance

Week 6: Score at least 70% on a 30-item mixed mock covering Domains 3-5, with grid/ground conversions all correct to 0.01 m

Week 8: Score at least 75% on both full-length mock exams, with no single domain below 65%