NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free FS Practice Questions and Study Guide

Systematic error refers to consistent, repeatable inaccuracies that occur in the measurement process due to flaws or biases that can be identified and corrected through observational procedures. These errors can stem from various sources, such as instrument calibration issues, effects of environmental conditions, or human factors that lead to consistent deviations from the true value.

Since systematic errors are predictable and often related to specific conditions, they can be corrected with proper procedures such as recalibrating instruments, making adjustments for known biases, or applying correction factors based on prior observations. This correct identification and mitigation of systematic errors enhance the accuracy of survey data.

In contrast, random errors are inherently unpredictable and fluctuate in a manner that is not consistent, making them difficult to correct systematically. Calibrated error typically does not pertain to a recognized classification of measurement errors within surveying, and documented error is not a standard term used to describe error types. Thus, the most appropriate description of a measurement error that can be corrected through observational procedures is systematic error.