Standards and Specifications Study Material

Dear Jeff,

The latest FGDC standards are found at:

http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/standards_publications/

Look halfway down for "Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards"

Parts 1,2, and 3 are probably what you want to look at.

(But, as you see, there are plenty of standards there...)

Best wishes,

Dennis

No survey textbooks or the BLM Manual?

Jeff

hopefully the NCEES has sent you the updated reference manual pdf link. they changed from about a ten page packet, which they have used for years, to about 130 pages. they did this about a month ago, quietly. had me pretty upset.

having said that, let me know if you need a copy. i could dig it up for you. best of luck, i have to retake NCEES myself in april.

Keith,

There will certainly be questions related to the PLSS, and the answers will be reflective of the Manual. Most often, the questions are reflective of the content that was in Chapters 3 & 5 of the 73 Manual - that stuff that can be reduced to a math problem with elements of being able to recognize what constitutes a monument (line trees, when they appear, always snag a lot of people), and how PLSS interacts with Spanish/Mexican Land Grants (Ranchos).

FYI, the (current) BLM Manual is the only non-statute reference specifically mentioned in the CA PLS Act.

I suspect that the OP has been studying the BLM Manual and many other standard boundary reference materials, but is asking this question because he has identified a specific topic likely to show up on either the NCEES or CA specific exam (or both) that he needs a little last minute preparation in.

For Jeff Wright:

Although the NMAS is becoming increasingly irrelevant, review it and the newer standards (NSSDA - see D. Milbert's link). NMAS may still show up in a problem, but in developing an exam several years ago, a mapping problem was developed according to NSSDA.

I would certainly hope that survey manuals were studied first!

Blacks Law Dictionary!

> The latest FGDC standards are found at:
> http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/standards_publications/

This recent document from the NGS makes no reference to the 1998 FGDC document while making specific reference to documents from 1984 and 1988.

> I would certainly hope that survey manuals were studied first!
Surveying is more than boundary.

Hi Keith,

I have been studying the manual along with many survey texts and popular references. After reviewing the NCEES and California test plans, I could tell that my weakest area was the "standards and specifications" category. I just want to make sure that the study material that I will rely on is up-to-date.

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Matt,

Do you recommend a particular edition of Black's?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff

Hi Moe,

Thanks for the information. I've been using the older short version. I'll look up the new one tonight.

Jeff

Thanks for the link. I think this will get me where I need to be for this category of the exam.

Thank you to everyone who posted! I greatly appreciate the help.

Jeff

Jeff

The NCEES 130 page reference booklet is the only material that is available during the PS exam so I would become totally familiar with it. This will also apply to when NCEES goes to computerized testing next year.

From NCEES:
The Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam is a closed-book exam. The PS Reference Handbook is the only material you may use in the exam room. You will not be allowed to bring your personal copy of the Handbook with you to the exam, but a proctor will provide one at the site. Basic theories, conversions, formulas, and definitions that examinees are expected to know have not been included in the PS Reference Handbook.

NCEES will periodically revise reference material. Each PS exam will be administered using the latest version of the PS Reference Handbook.

The National Map Accuracy Standards were intended for paper maps. For digital data, the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy may be more appropriate.

I can't speak for Matt, but I think, like with any dictionary, it's always good to have the latest. But, I would think for the Surveyor who has to occasionally look up some terms specific to surveying and boundary, just about any edition of Black's would be adequate. At least that's my 2¢ worth. I bought the 6th edition some years ago, and it seems fine for me to occasionally look up some item or term I want clarity on.

As Moe said, they made the exam completely closed book starting with this April's exam. The only material that will be allowed is the 130p NCEES reference book.