PS Study Plans
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam Study Plans
Get a Structured 3-Month and 6-Month study timeline designed to help you prepare confidently for the PS Exam.
Whether you’re a first-time test taker, working professional, or retaking the exam.
Designed for Every PS Exam Candidate
Explore a preview of our comprehensive Principles of Surveying (PS) Exam Workshop, designed to help surveyors transition from technical knowledge to professional judgment, legal application, and real-world decision-making required to pass the PS exam.
First-Time PS Exam Takers
- Guided progression from professional foundations to complex legal topics
- Builds confidence in ethics, responsible charge, and boundary law
- Prevents overload by reinforcing judgment before advanced scenarios
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Working Professionals
- Flexible pacing designed for full-time surveyors
- Modular lessons focused on applied decision-making
- Real-world examples tied to professional practice
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Repeat Exam Testers
- Targeted focus on historically challenging PS topics
- Emphasis on boundary law, legal interpretation, and case scenarios
- Practice exams to improve pacing and judgment confidence
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What's included in the study plans
3-Month PS Study Plan
Best for
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Full-time professionals
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Candidates transitioning from technical work to professional practice
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Those wanting to emphasize professional judgment and legal principles
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Candidates can commit to consistent weekly study time
What it covers
- Condensed, high-intensity PS exam preparation
- PLSS, professional practice, boundary law, and legal aspects
- Standards, business practices, and applied surveying scenarios
- Full-length practice exams and final readiness review
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6-Month PS Study Plan
BEST FOR
- Full-time working professionals
- Surveyors transitioning into professional office roles
- Candidates wanting deeper repetition of boundary law and standards
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What it covers
- Structured review of all PS exam modules
- Emphasis on legal principles, boundary determination, and standards
- Business practices, risk mitigation, and professional liability
- Dedicated final review with full-length practice exams
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3-Month PS Plan Overview
Month 1: Exam Orientation, Professional Practice & PLSS
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PS exam format, CBT navigation, scoring, and pacing strategies
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PLSS framework, aliquot parts, and proportionate measurement
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Existent, obliterated, and lost corners
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Ethics, professional responsibility, and documentation practices
Month 2: Legal Aspects & Boundary Law
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U.S. legal system and land rights
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Easements, encumbrances, and unwritten rights
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Boundary determination principles and priority of calls
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Adverse possession and riparian/littoral boundaries
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Deed interpretation and conveyance scenarios
Month 3: Standards, Business & Final Review
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ALTA/NSPS standards and FEMA considerations
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Business practices, contracts, fees, and liability
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Areas of practice: subdivisions, topo, and regulation
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Full-length practice exam and final exam readiness
6-Month PS Plan Overview
Months 1–2: Orientation, PLSS & Professional Foundations
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CBT navigation, pacing, and exam logistics
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PLSS terminology, corner restoration, and proportioning
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Research methods, ethics, and professional documentation
Months 3–4: Legal Aspects & Boundary Law
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Easements, adverse possession, and water boundary law
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Priority of calls and boundary determination principles
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Record evidence interpretation and conflict resolution
Month 5: Standards, Business & Areas of Practice
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ALTA/NSPS standards and positional accuracy
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Business management, contracts, and risk mitigation
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Applied surveying scenarios and regulatory topics
Month 6: Final Review & Exam Readiness
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Full-length timed PS practice exams
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Weak-area refinement and scenario-based review
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Ethics refresher and final pacing strategy
How to Get the Most Out of These Study Plans
- Study 3–5 days per week, even 30–60 minutes per session
- Prioritize practice problems over passive reading
- Track weak topics and revisit them regularly
- Master calculator workflows early
Download the Free PS Study Plan
Get both the 3-month and 6-month study timelines delivered straight to your inbox.
Principles And Practices of Surveying (PS)
Online Course
Preparing for the Principles & Practice of Surveying Exam?
what's included
- Full online PS exam preparation course
- Video lessons, concept reviews, and guided instruction
- Full-length practice exam aligned with NCEES
- Lesson handouts and downloadable resources
- Designed to pair with structured study plans
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Not sure where to start? → Download the free PS Study Plan
FAQ
What is included in the free course previews for the FS and PS exams?
Do I need to create an account to access the free preview mode?
Is there a time limit to the free preview mode, or can I access it anytime?
Once you register, you’ll have unlimited access to the free course preview. This allows you to explore the content at your own pace and revisit lessons, quizzes, or practice questions as often as you need to determine whether to continue with the full course. (Even if you are not an enrolled student, you may want to visit our blog page for additional resources.)
How can I transition from the free preview to the full FS or PS exam prep course?
What specific topics are covered in the free preview for the FS and PS exams?
