PS Surveying Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The NCEES PS computer-based test specifications describe a 100-question exam taken in 7 hours, which includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break; the exam is closed book with an electronic reference and uses the U.S. Customary System of units. The portal mock uses 100 questions and 420 minutes. The exam has multiple-choice questions and alternative item types such as multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop and fill in the blank; each item is scored correct or incorrect with no partial credit. The portal practice questions are multiple choice only. The specifications list five areas, each given as a range of questions rather than a fixed share: Legal Principles, Professional Survey Practices, Standards and Specifications, Business Practices and Areas of Practice.

The PS exam is the NCEES exam many state boards use as the final step to professional surveyor licensure, after the Fundamentals of Surveying exam and the required experience.

Surveyors with several years of professional experience preparing for the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying exam for state licensure.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

NCEES allows one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period; if you fail you receive a diagnostic report showing your performance in each major topic.

NCEES reports pass or fail and does not publish the passing score; your scaled result is compared with a minimum ability level set by subject-matter experts. The portal mock shows a percent score only as a rough self-check. Format: 100 questions in seven hours including a tutorial and an optional break; the portal mock has 100 multiple-choice questions in 420 minutes. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The NCEES PS computer-based test specifications describe a 100-question exam taken in 7 hours, which includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break; the exam is closed book with an electronic reference and uses the U.S. Customary System of units. The portal mock uses 100 questions and 420 minutes. The exam has multiple-choice questions and alternative item types such as multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop and fill in the blank; each item is scored correct or incorrect with no partial credit. The portal practice questions are multiple choice only. The specifications list five areas, each given as a range of questions rather than a fixed share: Legal Principles, Professional Survey Practices, Standards and Specifications, Business Practices and Areas of Practice. 100 questions · seven hours including a tutorial and an optional break · closed book with electronic reference · computer-based at Pearson centers · pass/fail result. NCEES reports pass or fail and does not publish the passing score; your scaled result is compared with a minimum ability level set by subject-matter experts. The portal mock shows a percent score only as a rough self-check.

NCEES gives the five PS areas as question ranges, so this guide lists the areas without fixed weights: Legal Principles, Professional Survey Practices, Standards and Specifications, Business Practices and Areas of Practice.

NCEES designs the PS exam for surveyors with at least four years of professional experience. Some state boards, such as the District of Columbia, require an application or approval before you register with NCEES, so start with your own board.

The NCEES fee is $375, paid when you register. Before the registration deadline you can cancel through MyNCEES and receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee; after the deadline fees are generally not refunded except for qualifying reasons with documentation. Your state board may charge its own fees.

Licensing, renewal and continuing education for professional surveyors are set by your state board, so check your board for what applies after you pass.

Work through the exam topics one area at a time, finish with timed full-length practice runs of 100 questions in one sitting.

This guide follows the NCEES PS CBT exam specifications effective beginning January 2019 (2024 update); NCEES revises specifications after each practice analysis, so check ncees.org before you register.