Preparing for the Exam-Exam Format & Specifications
21 Aug 2015
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.
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 |