CMCA PRACTICE EXAM 80
QUESTIONS + DETAILED
RATIONALES
Domain 1: Governance & Meetings (Approx. 20%)
1. A community association's governing documents are being amended. Which document typically
requires the highest vote threshold for amendment?
A) Bylaws
B) Articles of Incorporation
C) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
D) Rules and Regulations
Answer: C) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
*Rationale: The Declaration (also called CC&Rs) is the foundational document that runs with the land. It
typically requires a supermajority vote of all owners (e.g., 67-75%), while bylaws and articles often
require a lower percentage or board approval. Rules and regulations are usually adopted by board
resolution.*
2. During a board meeting, an owner becomes disruptive and refuses to yield the floor. The board has
no formal rule on disruptive behavior. What is the board's best course of action?
A) Call the police immediately to remove the owner.
B) Adopt a temporary rule of order to address the disruption.
C) Adjourn the meeting and reconvene at a later date.
D) Allow the owner to continue speaking to avoid conflict.
Answer: B) Adopt a temporary rule of order to address the disruption.
Rationale: Boards have the inherent authority to maintain order at meetings. If no rule exists, the board
can adopt a temporary rule by majority vote (e.g., limiting speaking time) to manage the disruption.
Calling police is a last resort for safety threats. Adjourning rewards disruptive behavior.
,3. Which of the following is a requirement for a valid board meeting under most state statutes and
governing documents?
A) Approval of the meeting agenda by the membership
B) A quorum of board members present
C) Presence of the association's legal counsel
D) Unanimous consent of all board members for all decisions
Answer: B) A quorum of board members present
Rationale: A quorum—the minimum number of board members required to conduct business—is a
fundamental requirement for a valid meeting. Agenda approval is an internal board process. Legal
counsel is not required. Decisions require majority vote, not unanimous consent.
4. The board is considering a contract with a landscaping company owned by a board member's
brother. What is the board's primary obligation?
A) Award the contract if the price is the lowest bid.
B) Disclose the conflict of interest and recuse the board member from discussion and voting.
C) Avoid hiring any vendor related to a board member to avoid appearance of impropriety.
D) Ratify the contract at the next annual meeting.
Answer: B) Disclose the conflict of interest and recuse the board member from discussion and
voting.
Rationale: Fiduciary duty requires transparency. The board member must disclose the relationship,
abstain from voting, and ideally step away from discussion. While the contract may still be awarded if it’s
in the association’s best interest, proper disclosure and recusal are mandatory to avoid self-dealing.
5. Which parliamentary authority is most commonly adopted by community associations in their
bylaws?
A) Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
B) The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure
C) Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure
D) Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure
Answer: A) Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
Rationale: Robert's Rules of Order is the most widely adopted parliamentary authority for community
associations in the U.S. It provides a framework for fair and orderly meetings. The other options are used
but are less common in the community association context.
, Domain 2: Operations & Maintenance (Approx. 20%)
6. A community association manager notices water stains on a ceiling below a unit. What is the
immediate first step?
A) Order a complete mold remediation of the affected area.
B) Contact the owner of the unit above to investigate the source.
C) File an insurance claim on behalf of the association.
D) Issue a violation notice to the owner of the unit with the stained ceiling.
Answer: B) Contact the owner of the unit above to investigate the source.
Rationale: The priority is to identify and stop the source of the water to prevent further damage. This
typically involves the unit owner above, as the association’s responsibility often stops at the studs or
original surfaces. Mold remediation, insurance, and violations come after the source is identified and
stopped.
7. Which type of reserve study provides a physical inspection of the components?
A) Level I (Full)
B) Level II (Update with Site Visit)
C) Level III (Update without Site Visit)
D) Level IV (Financial Analysis Only)
Answer: A) Level I (Full)
Rationale: A Level I (Full) Reserve Study includes a physical inspection of the common area components
to assess their condition, along with a financial analysis. A Level II includes a site visit but may not be a
full inspection of all components; a Level III is an update with no site visit.
8. The association receives a bid for $20,000 to repave a walking path, which exceeds the manager's
spending authority. The board has not met in two months. What should the manager do?
A) Proceed with the work as it is an urgent safety issue.
B) Solicit two more bids and present all three to the board for approval at the next meeting.
C) Authorize the work up to $15,000 and ask the vendor to reduce the scope.
D) Pay for the work from the reserve account without board approval.
Answer: B) Solicit two more bids and present all three to the board for approval at the next
meeting.
Rationale: The manager must operate within the spending authority delegated by the board. For a
project exceeding that authority, the manager should gather competitive bids and present them to the
board for approval. Unless it’s an immediate safety emergency, the board must authorize such
expenditures.
QUESTIONS + DETAILED
RATIONALES
Domain 1: Governance & Meetings (Approx. 20%)
1. A community association's governing documents are being amended. Which document typically
requires the highest vote threshold for amendment?
A) Bylaws
B) Articles of Incorporation
C) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
D) Rules and Regulations
Answer: C) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
*Rationale: The Declaration (also called CC&Rs) is the foundational document that runs with the land. It
typically requires a supermajority vote of all owners (e.g., 67-75%), while bylaws and articles often
require a lower percentage or board approval. Rules and regulations are usually adopted by board
resolution.*
2. During a board meeting, an owner becomes disruptive and refuses to yield the floor. The board has
no formal rule on disruptive behavior. What is the board's best course of action?
A) Call the police immediately to remove the owner.
B) Adopt a temporary rule of order to address the disruption.
C) Adjourn the meeting and reconvene at a later date.
D) Allow the owner to continue speaking to avoid conflict.
Answer: B) Adopt a temporary rule of order to address the disruption.
Rationale: Boards have the inherent authority to maintain order at meetings. If no rule exists, the board
can adopt a temporary rule by majority vote (e.g., limiting speaking time) to manage the disruption.
Calling police is a last resort for safety threats. Adjourning rewards disruptive behavior.
,3. Which of the following is a requirement for a valid board meeting under most state statutes and
governing documents?
A) Approval of the meeting agenda by the membership
B) A quorum of board members present
C) Presence of the association's legal counsel
D) Unanimous consent of all board members for all decisions
Answer: B) A quorum of board members present
Rationale: A quorum—the minimum number of board members required to conduct business—is a
fundamental requirement for a valid meeting. Agenda approval is an internal board process. Legal
counsel is not required. Decisions require majority vote, not unanimous consent.
4. The board is considering a contract with a landscaping company owned by a board member's
brother. What is the board's primary obligation?
A) Award the contract if the price is the lowest bid.
B) Disclose the conflict of interest and recuse the board member from discussion and voting.
C) Avoid hiring any vendor related to a board member to avoid appearance of impropriety.
D) Ratify the contract at the next annual meeting.
Answer: B) Disclose the conflict of interest and recuse the board member from discussion and
voting.
Rationale: Fiduciary duty requires transparency. The board member must disclose the relationship,
abstain from voting, and ideally step away from discussion. While the contract may still be awarded if it’s
in the association’s best interest, proper disclosure and recusal are mandatory to avoid self-dealing.
5. Which parliamentary authority is most commonly adopted by community associations in their
bylaws?
A) Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
B) The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure
C) Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure
D) Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure
Answer: A) Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
Rationale: Robert's Rules of Order is the most widely adopted parliamentary authority for community
associations in the U.S. It provides a framework for fair and orderly meetings. The other options are used
but are less common in the community association context.
, Domain 2: Operations & Maintenance (Approx. 20%)
6. A community association manager notices water stains on a ceiling below a unit. What is the
immediate first step?
A) Order a complete mold remediation of the affected area.
B) Contact the owner of the unit above to investigate the source.
C) File an insurance claim on behalf of the association.
D) Issue a violation notice to the owner of the unit with the stained ceiling.
Answer: B) Contact the owner of the unit above to investigate the source.
Rationale: The priority is to identify and stop the source of the water to prevent further damage. This
typically involves the unit owner above, as the association’s responsibility often stops at the studs or
original surfaces. Mold remediation, insurance, and violations come after the source is identified and
stopped.
7. Which type of reserve study provides a physical inspection of the components?
A) Level I (Full)
B) Level II (Update with Site Visit)
C) Level III (Update without Site Visit)
D) Level IV (Financial Analysis Only)
Answer: A) Level I (Full)
Rationale: A Level I (Full) Reserve Study includes a physical inspection of the common area components
to assess their condition, along with a financial analysis. A Level II includes a site visit but may not be a
full inspection of all components; a Level III is an update with no site visit.
8. The association receives a bid for $20,000 to repave a walking path, which exceeds the manager's
spending authority. The board has not met in two months. What should the manager do?
A) Proceed with the work as it is an urgent safety issue.
B) Solicit two more bids and present all three to the board for approval at the next meeting.
C) Authorize the work up to $15,000 and ask the vendor to reduce the scope.
D) Pay for the work from the reserve account without board approval.
Answer: B) Solicit two more bids and present all three to the board for approval at the next
meeting.
Rationale: The manager must operate within the spending authority delegated by the board. For a
project exceeding that authority, the manager should gather competitive bids and present them to the
board for approval. Unless it’s an immediate safety emergency, the board must authorize such
expenditures.
