Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

How many acres are there in one section?

1. 10

2. 20

3. 40

4. 100

The correct answer is: 10

One section is equivalent to 640 acres. This measure is a standard unit within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which divides land into manageable sections for sale and development. Each section is typically one square mile, and since there are 640 acres in one square mile, that solid figure is essential for various real estate and appraisal calculations. Understanding this measurement is crucial for appraisers when assessing land, calculating property values, and evaluating larger parcels of land in relation to zoning, land use, and market conditions. The other responses reflect smaller quantities that do not align with the standard definition of a section in land measurement, emphasizing the necessity of memorizing key figures in the appraisal profession for accuracy and efficiency.