CES JOB ANALYSIS – 2022
SECTION BREAKDOWN + TESTABLE TOPICS
(Aligned with your CES 2022 Test Plan requirement)
I. Survey Planning
Weight: 25%
Professional Activities
Distinguish purposes and procedures of different surveys (topographic, route, control, construction).
Use datums for horizontal and vertical control.
Determine scope of civil engineering surveying.
Testable Topics
A. Control surveys – purpose, procedures.
B. Alignment surveys – route surveys, horizontal/vertical alignment.
C. Topographic surveys – aerial, ground, utilities.
D. Data collection methods – leveling, LiDAR, etc.
E. Accuracy vs precision – measurement errors, applications.
F. Horizontal & vertical datums – including assumed datums.
G. GIS uses and limitations.
H. The role & limits of civil engineers in surveying tasks.
II. Field Data Collection
Weight: 15%
Professional Activities
Measure horizontal distances.
Measure angles.
Measure elevations.
Identify construction conflicts (utilities, structures).
Testable Topics
A. Establish or locate points/alignment using distances + angles.
B. Determine elevation using differential leveling or trig leveling.
C. Survey equipment – purpose & correct application.
D. Create and check level notes (misclosures, arithmetic checks).
III. Data Analysis and Evaluation
Weight: 30%
Professional Activities
Identify accuracy requirements & limits for survey data and maps.
Perform traverse calculations – closure, error, side shots.
Perform leveling calculations.
Do rectangular coordinate calculations.
Determine line & grade from plans/profiles.
Testable Topics
A. Instrument/measuring errors – distance, angle, leveling.
B. Error of closure – horizontal + vertical.
C. Compute distances – horizontal, slope, vertical.
D. Compute angles – azimuth, bearing, backbearing, deflection.
E. Horizontal curves – R, L, T, compound, reverse.
F. Vertical curves – high/low point, rate of grade, elevations.
G. Contours vs cross-sections – relationships.
H. Vertical clearances/interference – plan/profile, sections.
I. Offsets – perpendicular, parallel, incremental.
J. Area computations – including double meridian distance (DMD).
K. Rectangular coordinates – latitudes & departures.
IV. Mapping
Weight: 10%
Professional Activities
Interpret maps & plans – elevations, benchmarks, contours, fixed works.
Prepare topographic/planimetric maps from field data.
Testable Topics
A. Elevation interpolation.
B. Plotting topo features – contour intervals, field points.
C. Plotting profiles & cross-sections.
D. Map scales & accuracy standards.
V. Construction Surveying
Weight: 20%
Professional Activities
Use construction staking procedures – stationing, staking.
Set critical cross-section points – hinge, catch, grade break.
Set points along alignment – curves, tangents, grades.
Testable Topics
A. Staking procedures – stationing, cut/fill marking.
B. Critical cross-section points – hinge, catch, grade breaks.
C. Alignment points – horizontal & vertical curve layout.
ENGINEERING SURVEYING EXAMINATION
Civil Engineering Reference Manual
15th Edition, 2015
Michael Lindeburg
Professional Publications, Inc.
Surveying Principles
2nd Edition, 2003
Paul Cuomo
Professional Publications, Inc.
Elementary Surveying: Introduction to Geomatics
15th Edition, 2017
Charles Ghilani
Pearson
Elementary Surveying
9th Edition, 1997
Wolf and Brinker
Land Surveyors Publications
Surveying
10th Edition, 1997
Moffitt and Bossler
Prentice Hall
Surveying: Theory and Practice
7th Edition, 1998
Anderson and Mikhail
McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York
Surveying with Construction Applications
8th Edition, 2014
Kavanagh and Slattery
Pearson
Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms
2005
American Congress on Surveying and Mapping
Subdivision Map Act, 2015
Subdivision Map Act, Sections 66410 - 66499.58 of the Government Code
Available online from the Legislative Counsel's web site.
Available for purchase from:
ACEC-CA (American Council of Engineering Companies - California)
1303 J Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-7991
OR
CLSA - California Land Surveyors Association
2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95833
Tel.: (916) 239-4083 – Fax: (916) 924-7323
E-mail: clsa@californiasurveyors.org