Certified Paralegal (CP) Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which of the following best describes the paralegal’s role in client
interviewing?
A. Giving legal advice to the client
B. Preparing the client’s case independently
C. Assisting the attorney in gathering information
D. Representing the client in court
Rationale: Paralegals may gather information and assist in
interviews, but cannot give legal advice or represent clients.
2. Which of the following is an example of privileged communication?
A. Client telling a friend about a case
, B. Client telling the attorney about a legal matter
C. Client posting details online
D. Client discussing a case with a paralegal without supervision
Rationale: Attorney-client communications are privileged; sharing
with third parties may waive privilege.
3. What is the primary purpose of a deposition?
A. To finalize a settlement
B. To obtain sworn testimony from a witness before trial
C. To argue motions in court
D. To file pleadings with the court
Rationale: Depositions are pretrial discovery tools used to record
witness testimony under oath.
4. Which of the following is required for a valid contract?
A. Written document only
B. Notarization only
C. Offer, acceptance, and consideration
D. Filing with the court
Rationale: A contract requires an offer, acceptance, and
consideration to be legally binding.
5. A paralegal may NOT:
A. Draft legal documents under attorney supervision
B. Conduct factual investigations
C. Provide legal advice directly to clients
, D. File documents with the court
Rationale: Providing legal advice is the practice of law and is
prohibited for paralegals.
6. Which court has original jurisdiction over federal crimes?
A. State Supreme Court
B. Court of Appeals
C. United States District Court
D. Municipal Court
Rationale: Federal district courts are the trial courts with original
jurisdiction over federal crimes.
7. In litigation, a “motion to dismiss” is typically filed:
A. After trial
B. Before trial
C. During jury deliberation
D. After verdict
Rationale: A motion to dismiss challenges the legal sufficiency of a
complaint before the trial proceeds.
8. Which of the following is an example of discovery?
A. Filing a complaint
B. Issuing a verdict
C. Interrogatories and requests for production
D. Oral argument on appeal
, Rationale: Discovery involves the exchange of information between
parties, such as interrogatories, depositions, and document requests.
9. Which of the following best describes negligence?
A. Intentional harm
B. Breach of contract
C. Failure to exercise reasonable care causing harm
D. Strict liability
Rationale: Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care,
resulting in damage or injury.
10. Which of the following is NOT required in a will?
A. Testator’s signature
B. Witnesses
C. Notarization in all states
D. Testamentary intent
Rationale: Most states do not require notarization for a will; intent,
signature, and witnesses are essential.
11. A paralegal preparing a brief should:
A. Submit directly to the court
B. Draft under attorney supervision
C. Represent the client in oral argument
D. Make final legal determinations
Rationale: Paralegals may draft legal documents under attorney
supervision but cannot independently represent the client.
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the paralegal’s role in client
interviewing?
A. Giving legal advice to the client
B. Preparing the client’s case independently
C. Assisting the attorney in gathering information
D. Representing the client in court
Rationale: Paralegals may gather information and assist in
interviews, but cannot give legal advice or represent clients.
2. Which of the following is an example of privileged communication?
A. Client telling a friend about a case
, B. Client telling the attorney about a legal matter
C. Client posting details online
D. Client discussing a case with a paralegal without supervision
Rationale: Attorney-client communications are privileged; sharing
with third parties may waive privilege.
3. What is the primary purpose of a deposition?
A. To finalize a settlement
B. To obtain sworn testimony from a witness before trial
C. To argue motions in court
D. To file pleadings with the court
Rationale: Depositions are pretrial discovery tools used to record
witness testimony under oath.
4. Which of the following is required for a valid contract?
A. Written document only
B. Notarization only
C. Offer, acceptance, and consideration
D. Filing with the court
Rationale: A contract requires an offer, acceptance, and
consideration to be legally binding.
5. A paralegal may NOT:
A. Draft legal documents under attorney supervision
B. Conduct factual investigations
C. Provide legal advice directly to clients
, D. File documents with the court
Rationale: Providing legal advice is the practice of law and is
prohibited for paralegals.
6. Which court has original jurisdiction over federal crimes?
A. State Supreme Court
B. Court of Appeals
C. United States District Court
D. Municipal Court
Rationale: Federal district courts are the trial courts with original
jurisdiction over federal crimes.
7. In litigation, a “motion to dismiss” is typically filed:
A. After trial
B. Before trial
C. During jury deliberation
D. After verdict
Rationale: A motion to dismiss challenges the legal sufficiency of a
complaint before the trial proceeds.
8. Which of the following is an example of discovery?
A. Filing a complaint
B. Issuing a verdict
C. Interrogatories and requests for production
D. Oral argument on appeal
, Rationale: Discovery involves the exchange of information between
parties, such as interrogatories, depositions, and document requests.
9. Which of the following best describes negligence?
A. Intentional harm
B. Breach of contract
C. Failure to exercise reasonable care causing harm
D. Strict liability
Rationale: Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care,
resulting in damage or injury.
10. Which of the following is NOT required in a will?
A. Testator’s signature
B. Witnesses
C. Notarization in all states
D. Testamentary intent
Rationale: Most states do not require notarization for a will; intent,
signature, and witnesses are essential.
11. A paralegal preparing a brief should:
A. Submit directly to the court
B. Draft under attorney supervision
C. Represent the client in oral argument
D. Make final legal determinations
Rationale: Paralegals may draft legal documents under attorney
supervision but cannot independently represent the client.
