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Preparing for the Exam-Exam Format & Specifications

Examination Format

The Certified Paralegal examination will consist of two required sections taken in the following order:

• Knowledge Exam

• The Knowledge Exam will consist of multiple choice questions covering the topic areas listed in Appendix A.
• The Knowledge Exam will be administered on-demand, year-round at testing centers with preliminary result reporting upon completion.
• Candidates must successfully complete the Knowledge Exam in order to be eligible to take the Skills Exam.
• Three (3) hours testing time.

• Skills Exam

• The Skills Exam will consist of a written assignment; specifications are set forth in Appendix A.
• The Skills Exam will be administered during four testing windows each year:  February, April, July, and October.
• Two (2) hours testing time.

Successful completion of both the Knowledge and Skills Exams is required to obtain the Certified Paralegal credential.

Appendix A

Knowledge Exam		100 points
1	United States Legal System	15
1.A	Sources of Law
1.B	Judicial System
1.C	Remedies
1.D	Administrative Law
2	Civil Litigation	15
2.A	Jurisdiction
2.B	Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
3	Contracts	15
3.A	Formation, Rights, and Duties
3.B	Enforcement and Defenses
4	Corporate/Commercial Law	10
4.A	Business Organizations
4.B	Rights and Responsibilities
4.C	Transactions
5	Criminal Law and Procedure	5
5.A	Criminal Law
5.B	Criminal Procedure
6	Estate Planning and Probate	5
6.A	Estates and Trusts
6.B	Wills
7	Real Estate and Property	10
7.A	Property Rights and Ownership
7.B	Transactions
8	Torts	10
8.A	Intentional Torts
8.B	Negligence
8.C	Strict Liability
9	Professional and Ethical Responsibility	15
9.A	American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Prof. Conduct
9.B	Unauthorized Practice of Law
Skills Exam		30 points
1	Writing	12
1.A	Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation	6
1.B	Clarity of Expression	6
2	Critical Thinking	18
2.A	Reading and Comprehension	6
2.B	Analysis of Information	6
2.C	Decision Making	6