What is the exam-ready answer?
| Roadmap lesson | 52 of 500 |
|---|---|
| Official syllabus topic | Metes and Bounds, Bearings, Monuments, and Point of Beginning |
| Official PSI area | Property Ownership |
| Published area weight | 10% of the 100-question national portion |
| Exam portion | National salesperson portion |
| Source edition | PSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026 |
| Last verified | August 2, 2026 |
The Rule
PSI publishes the weight for the complete content area, not a fixed question count for this lesson. Learn the rule well enough to apply it when PSI changes names, numbers, or parties in a new scenario.
Complete lesson
Read each concept as part of one decision system. The exam often gives one accurate statement and three statements that belong to a nearby concept.
Point of beginning
The description reaches a definite starting point, then follows the parcel perimeter. The final call should return to the point of beginning so the description closes.
Metes and bounds
Metes state distance and direction. Bounds refer to adjoining owners, roads, waterways, monuments, or other boundary features.
Bearings
A bearing such as N 35° E begins at north and turns 35 degrees toward east. The first and last letters identify the quadrant.
Monuments
Natural monuments include rivers and trees; artificial monuments include pins and marked stones. Questions may ask which call controls when evidence conflicts.
Closure
A description that does not return to its point of beginning may contain an error or omit a boundary call.
Decision rule
Georgia-specific distinction
Worked example
Scenario. A description begins at an iron pin, runs north 200 feet, east 100 feet, south 200 feet, and west 90 feet to the stated point of beginning.
Reason it through. The east and west distances differ by ten feet, so the calls do not return to the start.
Answer. The description does not close and should be investigated rather than assumed correct.
Common exam traps
- Starting at a benchmark instead of the point of beginning
- Reading N 20° E as twenty degrees from east
- Assuming every call has equal evidentiary weight
- Ignoring failure to close
Original practice questions with detailed explanations
These questions were written for instruction and mapped to the current outline. They are not copied from PSI or any live examination. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Question 1In metes and bounds, what are metes?
- A. Recorded plats
- B. Directions and distances
- C. Ownership interests
- D. Tax districts
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. Directions and distances
Metes measure the boundary through direction and distance; bounds use adjoining features or monuments.
Question 2What should the final call in a complete metes-and-bounds description do?
- A. Reach the nearest road
- B. Return to the point of beginning
- C. Name the current owner
- D. State the assessed value
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. Return to the point of beginning
Returning to the point of beginning closes the perimeter.
Question 3A bearing of S 15° W lies in which quadrant?
- A. Northeast
- B. Northwest
- C. Southeast
- D. Southwest
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: D. Southwest
The bearing begins south and turns toward west, placing it in the southwest quadrant.
Mastery tracking
Mark this lesson mastered only when every statement is true.
- State the direct answer and decision rule without notes.
- Explain every core concept in plain English.
- Solve the worked example after changing one important fact.
- Identify the Georgia distinction before reading answer choices.
- Answer all three questions correctly and reject every distractor.
- Repeat the topic in mixed practice on a later day.
Recommended next lesson
Continue with Lot and Block Legal Descriptions. Continue to roadmap lesson 53 and build on this decision rule.
Return to the Property Ownership hub to see every official branch and the complete lesson sequence for this content area.