CCE Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. When creating a style sheet for a multi-author book, which of the following elements is MOST critical to include to ensure consistency? → Decisions on capitalization of recurring terms and treatment of numbers.
2. Which of the following factual details in a manuscript warrants the HIGHEST priority for a copyeditor to verify? → A direct quotation attributed to a living person.
3. Which dash is correct for expressing a range of years in Chicago style (e.g., 2010 to 2015)? → En dash: 2010–2015
4. In the following sentence, which word should be used to fill in the blank? 'The new policy will _______ the entire department.' → affect
5. How should tables and figures be handled in manuscript formatting? → Tables and figures should be labeled, numbered, and placed near relevant text.
6. Which of the following is a key element of a style guide? → It includes punctuation, capitalization, heading styles, and citation formats.
7. According to The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), which of the following sentences correctly punctuates a vertical list? → The project requires the following items:
8. What is the role of page numbers in manuscript formatting? → They help maintain the manuscript’s order and facilitate referencing.
9. What does 'callout' mean in the context of manuscript editing? → A text reference indicating where a figure, table, or sidebar should appear.
10. When a table column heading applies to data expressed in a specific unit (e.g., dollars or kilograms), what is the preferred editorial practice? → State the unit in the column heading rather than repeating it in every cell.
11. When should an acronym be spelled out on first reference in a document? → Whenever the reader may not recognize it
12. What is the purpose of a source note beneath a table? → To credit the origin of the data or to cite the source of the table.
13. What is a 'stub' in the context of a table? → The leftmost column that lists the row headings or categories.
14. Which element of manuscript formatting is crucial for readability? → Line spacing, font size, and margins.
15. What is the primary benefit of adhering to a style guide during editing? → It ensures a consistent voice and meets editorial standards.
16. In AP (Associated Press) style, how are numbers one through nine typically written? → Spelled out as words
17. What is the function of a style guide? → It provides detailed formatting and style guidelines for consistency.
18. What is the correct use of a hyphen? → She is a well-known author.
19. What is the role of punctuation in proofreading? → To clarify meaning and separate ideas.
20. Which aspect of writing does a style guide help standardize? → It standardizes punctuation, spelling, layout, and citation formats.
21. Which of the following sentences contains the correct use of a dash? → I like ice cream – especially chocolate.
22. A copyeditor encounters a bulleted list with some items capitalized at the start and others not. What should be done? → Standardize capitalization throughout the list per the applicable style guide.
23. Which of the following is the correct editorial label for a non-table, non-photograph illustration such as a diagram or chart? → Figure
24. How should headings and subheadings be formatted in a manuscript? → They should be consistent in style, size, and placement.
25. Which is the correct use of 'disinterested' in an editorial context? → 'Disinterested' means impartial or unbiased, not the same as 'uninterested.'
26. An author writes 'the criteria is met.' What should the copyeditor do? → Change to 'the criteria are met' because 'criteria' is the plural of 'criterion.'
27. According to Chicago style, what is the correct format for a time of day in running text? → 3:00 p.m.
28. Which sentence is an example of correct subject-verb agreement? → The dogs run fast.
29. What does the abbreviation 'i.e.' mean? → That is
30. Which sentence uses 'who' versus 'whom' correctly? → To whom should I address the letter?