ACP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ACP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During trial, a lay witness may generally testify to opinions that are: → Rationally based on their own perception and helpful to the trier of fact
2. A corporation's board of directors owes which primary fiduciary duties to the corporation? → Duty of care and duty of loyalty
3. A ACP professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing family law pleadings & custody duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
4. Why is continuing legal education important? → To stay informed on current laws and ethics
5. Trade dress protection under the Lanham Act can extend to product configuration only if the design is: → Inherently distinctive or has acquired distinctiveness and is non-functional
6. Which of the following is a primary source of law? → A federal statute enacted by Congress
7. The 'active voice' is preferred in legal writing because it: → Produces clearer, more direct sentences that identify who is acting
8. A deposition taken to preserve testimony for trial from a witness who may be unavailable is called a: → De bene esse deposition
9. A ACP professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing immigration petition preparation duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
10. Which term describes the doctrine that protects materials prepared by or for an attorney in anticipation of litigation from discovery by the opposing party? → Work product doctrine
11. The doctrine of res judicata bars relitigation of a claim that has been: → Previously decided on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction
12. Which clause in a parenting plan typically addresses what happens when one parent's scheduled time conflicts with a significant school or extracurricular event? → A right of first refusal or make-up time provision
13. When a will is admitted to probate, Letters Testamentary grant the personal representative the authority to: → Act on behalf of the estate in legal and financial matters
14. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'point heading' in a legal brief? → To provide a concise, argumentative statement summarizing the argument in that section
15. When preparing a custody complaint, which jurisdictional statute determines which state's courts have authority to decide custody? → The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
16. A paralegal is managing a complex multi-party litigation. Which document best tracks all deadlines, court dates, and filing requirements across parties? → A master litigation calendar
17. Under NALA's Model Standards, a paralegal's name on a document indicating their paralegal status is intended to: → Disclose their non-attorney status to the public and avoid misleading clients
18. What does a paralegal typically verify when reviewing a survey at a real estate closing? → Boundary lines, encroachments, easements, and the legal description match the deed
19. A paralegal is asked by a friend to review a contract and advise whether to sign it. Providing this advice would constitute: → Unauthorized practice of law
20. Which of the following is a fundamental principle of criminal defense case preparation as it applies to Advanced Certified Paralegal? → Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards
21. A defense paralegal discovers that a key prosecution witness has a prior felony conviction. What is the appropriate action? → Inform the supervising attorney immediately as it may be used for impeachment
22. What is the role of legal calendaring? → Tracking court and legal deadlines
23. A 'no-shop' clause in an acquisition agreement prohibits the target company from: → Soliciting or entertaining competing acquisition offers during negotiations
24. A temporary custody order entered at the start of a case is best described as: → A pendente lite order that remains in effect until a final order is entered
25. What is the purpose of a guardian ad litem appointed in a custody case? → To represent the interests of the minor child independent of either parent
26. Under the business judgment rule, courts will generally defer to a board decision if the directors acted with all of the following EXCEPT: → In their own personal financial interest
27. What is the homestead exemption in bankruptcy? → A protection that allows debtors to exempt equity in their primary residence
28. The concept of 'mandatory authority' in legal research means: → Binding precedent from a higher court within the same jurisdiction
29. What is the primary ethical obligation of a ACP professional when a conflict of interest arises during patent & trademark filing activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
30. In environmental law matters, which federal statute governs the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and establishes the Superfund program? → The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)