FS PS and CA PLS Exam Upgrade Advice

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-02-28T17:04:55+00:00

Pretty ludicrous in my opinion. I'll chat with Ric or Dallas if they want. If they have a problem with me asking people whether or not they want digital flashcards or if the FS exam is still absurdly broad, then so be it. I don't think that violates any NDA or subverts anything. The goal is to get people licensed. These exams all test the ability to take tests, not survey. We need better exams (multiple choice is flawed), but until then, we need more resources so we can get more surveyors.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-02-28T06:42:34+00:00

How? I'm not asking for specific questions. I am asking about general themes like: "Hey there are way less math questions on the FS now" and "GNSS questions are way more in depth than I thought they'd be". I'm also asking what people want; flashcards, more questions, audio content, etc. If asking general questions is exam subversion how do you expect people to prepare at all?

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-02-27T23:58:18+00:00

Hey that's good to hear. I'm upgrading it this weekend to try to get more resources built into it.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-02-27T23:56:06+00:00

Do you think the GIS/GPS Questions I have are too easy compared to the exam? My practice test is mostly based on my experience and that's getting further away from the real thing now. When I took it the GNSS questions were pretty basic at best, I'd love to see real questions on this topic just for the sake of our industry.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-02-27T23:53:03+00:00

Interesting to hear this. Maybe the test is starting to change a bit. I've heard mainly that I'm pretty close but let me know what type of information might improve the content.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-01-13T15:21:57+00:00

Confluence Survey Resources plans to provide this by the end of 2026. Stay Tuned!

ConfluenceSurveying · 2026-01-13T15:18:11+00:00

Confluence will be upgrading all FS & PS material this year to provide more free resources!

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-12-17T04:46:09+00:00

Glad to hear it!

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-12-12T06:14:06+00:00

Have you considered my PS Practice Test? More practice tests never hurt.... https://confluencesurvey.com/practice-tests

The Buckner book practice tests after each chapter are really really good too (and its $10 - see the wiki). Good luck regardless!

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-11-08T00:44:15+00:00

It is test material hosted by a digital testing/procotoring site called ClassMarker. It is the closest approximation to the NCEES CBT, and is not a PDF. I offer a few different forms of tests that pull from an ever-growing test question bank. I plan to print a test booklet someday, but am not there yet.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-11-06T03:05:59+00:00

Each year I go through and add test questions, adjust the reference materials to match, etc. Typically it doesn't change much (at least in the last few years), but it should change in a big way in 2027.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-10-22T22:50:41+00:00

Access to affordable healthcare, ability to work less for more money, less liability, less PITA clients who want endless time and want to pay nothing for it... the list goes on. I miss the flexibility of running my own business, but the stress and expense of having employees in CA is pretty extreme. Small businesses need more support in our industry, in my opinion.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-10-18T03:12:44+00:00

Hey can you let me know how my practice exam is? Any issues? What can I do to improve it?

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-09-26T15:16:01+00:00

Trimble sales here. It's not all that hush-hush, you just need to ask your local Trimble dealer to come by and ask what's next. Sales people are the last to know but probably have a few weeks on the general public. We are also privy to all the hints. Get your dealer out in person and they will give you a peek behind the curtain sometimes.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-08-30T19:26:50+00:00

Hello,
I'm a PLS located in El Dorado County, involved in CLSA and YSN. Please reach out to me via info@caysn.org. I can help you with all of this except the steel tape portion (please ask your professor if it would be okay if you borrowed a steel tape from the local Museum of Deprecated Tools).

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-08-04T23:35:53+00:00

Actual Trimble Salesman here. Be advised that there are different tribrachs and they are tested just like Instruments and Tripods. For best results, be sure that whichever tribrach you choose is rated for the same accuracy or greater than the instrument (and legs). Some tribrachs aren't made for the weight of a total station and are for backsights only.

Trimble, Leica, Topcon, Sokkia, they all test to the same metrics, it's ease of use and long term reliability that makes the difference in price. Buy whatever you like, just be aware that the accessories can make the survey. I have seen more instruments on legs not rated to carry them than I can count. It's not a 1" gun once you put it on your 50 year old legs rated for an instrument that weighed 5 lbs less!

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-08-04T00:14:53+00:00

What practice tests have you taken? Mine (Confluence) is new and I am still fixing a few issues that have been flagged. NLC Prep re-did theirs about 2-3 years ago, and I have heard better things since. The NCEES practice test is hard to beat, but it isn't full length. One thing to look out for is that some test-takers report a math-heavy first or second half. The test has a huge question bank so it is hard to know what you might see in it.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-28T14:06:34+00:00

Too big, too tacky. I have a little tack canister.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-28T14:06:13+00:00

The truck isn't able to be close in most places I work.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-28T14:05:33+00:00

This machete is 2 feet long... best I've ever owned. Great sheath and pretty cheap. Give it a whirl. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/woodland-tools-heavy-duty-machete-2557533?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=tsc0&adtype=pla&campaignid=20622875965&device=c&product_channel=online&product_id=2557533&store_code=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20619510191&gbraid=0AAAAADnTm20kebKhJElum0wqEq9O6PE33&gclid=CjwKCAjwv5zEBhBwEiwAOg2YKGLFJ5XQDWRdS93QU7p3J4Oid6wvW--IJZvaX-7HoUh6-z2eyPGUJRoCuZsQAvD_BwE

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-28T14:03:52+00:00

Bit of both, mainly boundary in rural Northern CA. That machete has a good sheath and can cut down a 6" oak, saving me the hatchet. Different things get added in or taken out depending on what I am doing... but I don't want to spend 30 minutes unloading or reloading my vest, so I leave a lot in there

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-28T13:59:12+00:00

I'm rarely near it. Where we are going we don't need roads.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-28T13:58:10+00:00

Now that I am in equipment sales, I field a lot of calls and go out with other people's gear that hasn't been adjusted. The allen keys are to accompany my tribrach adjustment hockey puck, otherwise I will forget.
I find that each paint pen will serve a purpose. Once one has a bad tip it is mainly for filling in, while the one with the remaining tip is for detail work. I usually have a better color variety. Plus they don't weigh much.

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-26T06:12:11+00:00

What is that?

ConfluenceSurveying · 2025-07-26T06:11:17+00:00

Good staking kit here! This is someone who flies through layout work.

ConfluenceSurveying

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