CST Program - Reboot

I do not recall any web based training, but it has been a few years since I looked.

We put together our own study guide but depending on what level test you're studying for almost everything you need is in either Ghilani - Wolf or the FGCS Standards and Specifications for Geodetic Control Networks. Since it's open book we also throw a copy of the BLM Glossary of Terms in there.

You definitely want two quick reference pages - one with every conversion factor and one with every common formula.

The practice tests are pretty representative of the actual tests. On the CST III I was surprised at how much computational stuff I missed (I still passed the test with 82%); I'm wondering if I got something wrong early on in a problem that they kept revisiting.

Supposedly the tests have been changed (modernized?) since I took mine, but there were a ton of questions about instrument care, adjustment, and maintenance; error sources and error propagation; and a lot of every unit conversion imaginable. In some instances they'll ask something like what's the error in a 24" angular bust at 748' - if you just assume 0.001' per 200' you WILL get it wrong, you have to do the rigorous computation and round correctly.

The tests are no joke, as I've said before on here. But if you study and are familiar with your reference material they're very doable - since it's open book, being familiar with your reference materials and bookmarking the stuff you know you'll need is important.

I agree with what Lee said about the reference books, having a few "cheat sheets", and about the tests being no joke. I was involved in conducting study classes at the local chapter level of our state surveying society when I lived in Florida. We also proctored the test. I have known a few people that took the level 2 or 3 test as a practice/review for their PLS exam to get them back into the swing of test taking.

Like Lee, I also put together my own study guide. I have taken level I, level II field and office, and Level III field and office. (The company I worked for at the time gave a pretty healthy bonus for every cert) The field and office tests are almost identical. Lots of the same questions on both tests. If you are competent in what you do, it shouldn't take much studying to pass the test. Brush up on your math. I took a slew of reference books into both level III tests and the only thing I really needed were my conversion charts and my trusty old copy of the TBPLS Minimum Standards. I scanned most of my study material so others could benifit. Send me an email at kfairley at wds-us dot com and I will send a link to my notes.

Thanx for all of your responses to my inquiry. Good stuff.