American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Discover strategies to excel in the AICP Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Gain confidence and readiness for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


How long did a family have to live on their homesteaded land to gain ownership under the Homestead Act?

  1. 2 years

  2. 5 years

  3. 10 years

  4. 15 years

The correct answer is: 5 years

Under the Homestead Act of 1862, families were required to live on and make improvements to their homesteaded land for a period of five years to gain ownership. This act was designed to encourage westward expansion by providing settlers with the opportunity to claim and cultivate land in exchange for a commitment to reside on it and enhance its value. The five-year requirement was intended to ensure that the land was actively developed and not merely claimed for speculative purposes. By establishing a timeframe for residency and improvement, the Homestead Act aimed to foster agricultural development while also helping families establish a sustainable living. In contrast, other durations mentioned in the choices do not align with the Homestead Act's provisions and thus do not reflect the historical requirements for land ownership under this legislation.