100+ Free NALS PLS/CLP Practice Questions

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Which sentence correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause?

The deposition, which lasted six hours, was contentious.

The deposition that lasted six hours, was contentious.

The deposition which, lasted six hours was contentious.

The deposition which lasted six hours was contentious.

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Key Facts: NALS PLS/CLP Exam

Exam Parts

NALS PLS/CLP exam overview

70%

Passing Score Per Part

NALS PLS/CLP scoring rules

~7 hrs

Total Exam Time

NALS one-day exam format

3 yrs

Experience Required

NALS PLS/CLP eligibility

2 yrs

Experience With ALP

NALS PLS/CLP eligibility

Designations Granted

PLS (historical) and CLP (modern)

The NALS PLS/CLP is a single four-part, one-day proctored exam that grants both the PLS (historical) and CLP (modern) designations. Candidates must score 70% on each of the four parts: Written Communications, Office Procedures and Technology, Ethics and Judgment, and Legal Knowledge and Skills. The exam runs about seven hours and sits a tier above the NALS ALP credential.

Sample NALS PLS/CLP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NALS PLS/CLP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

A.The deposition lasted four hours; and the witness was exhausted.

B.The deposition lasted four hours; the witness was exhausted.

C.The deposition lasted four hours, the witness was exhausted.

D.The deposition lasted; four hours the witness was exhausted.

Explanation: A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning without using a coordinating conjunction. Option A is wrong because the conjunction 'and' should not follow a semicolon joining clauses. Option C is a comma splice. Exam tip: Use a semicolon to replace a period when ideas are tightly linked.

2Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

A.The list of exhibits are attached to the brief.

B.The list of exhibits is attached to the brief.

C.The lists of exhibits is attached to the brief.

D.The lists of exhibits has attached to the brief.

Explanation: The subject is 'list' (singular), not 'exhibits' (object of the preposition). A singular subject takes the singular verb 'is.' Exam tip: Ignore prepositional phrases when identifying the true subject for agreement.

3Which word is spelled correctly in legal usage?

A.Judgement

B.Judgment

C.Judgemant

D.Judjment

Explanation: In American legal writing, 'judgment' (no 'e' after the 'g') is the standard spelling. 'Judgement' is acceptable in British English but inappropriate in U.S. court documents. Exam tip: Memorize court-preferred spellings such as judgment, acknowledgment, and indictment.

4Identify the correctly capitalized sentence.

A.The plaintiff filed a Motion for Summary Judgment in federal Court.

B.The Plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment in federal court.

C.The plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment in federal court.

D.The plaintiff filed a motion for Summary Judgment in Federal Court.

Explanation: Generic references to courts, motions, and parties are lowercase. Capitalize 'Court' or 'Plaintiff' only when referring to a specific named court or when used as a defined term within a particular pleading. Exam tip: Bluebook style favors restraint in capitalization.

5Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe?

A.The witness's testimony contradicted the defendants statements.

B.The witness' testimony contradicted the defendant's statements.

C.The witness's testimony contradicted the defendant's statements.

D.The witnesses testimony contradicted the defendants' statements.

Explanation: Singular possessives generally add 's regardless of whether the noun ends in 's' (witness's). The singular defendant takes 's' as well (defendant's). Exam tip: Modern legal style prefers 'witness's' over 'witness''.

6Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

A.Walking into the courtroom, the gavel sounded loudly.

B.Walking into the courtroom, the bailiff sounded the gavel loudly.

C.Walking into the courtroom, loudly sounded the gavel.

D.The gavel sounding loudly, walking into the courtroom.

Explanation: A participial phrase must modify the subject of the sentence. 'Walking into the courtroom' must logically describe the bailiff, not the gavel. Exam tip: Identify the noun the introductory phrase describes and make it the subject.

7Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

A.The attorney drafted the brief, filed the motion, and was attending the hearing.

B.The attorney drafted the brief, filed the motion, and attended the hearing.

C.The attorney was drafting the brief, filed the motion, and attended the hearing.

D.The attorney drafted the brief, filing the motion, and attended the hearing.

Explanation: Items in a series must share the same grammatical form. All three verbs are simple past tense ('drafted, filed, attended'). Exam tip: Check that lists, comparisons, and series use matching forms.

8Choose the correct word usage.

A.The court's ruling will effect the outcome of the case.

B.The court's ruling will affect the outcome of the case.

C.The court's ruling will affects the outcome of the case.

D.The court's ruling will effected the outcome of the case.

Explanation: 'Affect' is the verb meaning 'to influence.' 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning 'a result,' though it can be a verb meaning 'to cause to happen.' Exam tip: If you can substitute 'influence,' use 'affect.'

9Which sentence demonstrates the active voice?

A.The contract was signed by the parties on Monday.

B.The parties signed the contract on Monday.

C.The contract had been signed by the parties on Monday.

D.Signing the contract was done by the parties on Monday.

Explanation: Active voice places the actor before the verb: 'The parties signed.' Active voice is preferred in legal writing for clarity and brevity. Exam tip: Active voice usually makes legal writing stronger and shorter.

10Which is the correct comma usage in a series?

A.The firm represents corporations partnerships and individuals.

B.The firm represents corporations, partnerships, and individuals.

C.The firm represents corporations partnerships, and individuals.

D.The firm represents corporations, partnerships and, individuals.

Explanation: The Oxford (serial) comma before 'and' is standard in legal writing to avoid ambiguity. Exam tip: Most law firms and legal style guides require the serial comma.

About the NALS PLS/CLP Exam

The NALS Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) / Certified Legal Professional (CLP) is a mid-tier credential for experienced legal professionals administered by NALS, the Association for Legal Professionals. The same one-day, four-part proctored exam grants both designations: PLS is the historical title and CLP is the modern designation. The exam tests written communications, office procedures and technology, ethics and judgment, and substantive legal knowledge across civil procedure, contracts, torts, property, family law, estates, and business organizations. PLS/CLP sits above the entry-level ALP credential and signals broad competence for legal secretaries, legal administrative assistants, and legal office professionals.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

~7 hours (full day)

Passing Score

70% per part

Exam Fee

Per NALS schedule (NALS (Association for Legal Professionals))

NALS PLS/CLP Exam Content Outline

25%

Written Communications

Advanced grammar, punctuation, capitalization, word usage, proofreading, and legal writing styles

25%

Office Procedures and Technology

Legal office management, calendaring, e-filing, billing, Westlaw/Lexis, Word, Excel, and document management

25%

Ethics and Judgment

NALS Code of Ethics, ABA Model Rules concepts including UPL, conflicts, confidentiality, fees, and professional judgment

25%

Legal Knowledge and Skills

Civil procedure (FRCP), criminal procedure, contracts, torts, real property, family law, estates and trusts, and business organizations

How to Pass the NALS PLS/CLP Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% per part
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: ~7 hours (full day)
Exam fee: Per NALS schedule

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NALS PLS/CLP Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill advanced grammar, punctuation, and proofreading daily for Part 1 Written Communications

2Practice calendaring, e-filing workflows, and billing scenarios with Westlaw, Lexis, Word, and Excel

3Memorize the NALS Code of Ethics canons and key ABA Model Rules concepts (UPL, confidentiality, conflicts, fees)

4Build a substantive law cheat sheet covering FRCP basics, contracts, torts, property, family, estates, and business entities

5Take timed full-day practice runs to build endurance for the seven-hour exam

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NALS PLS/CLP exam?

The NALS PLS/CLP is a one-day, four-part proctored exam with approximately 100 questions distributed across the four parts.

What is the NALS PLS/CLP passing score?

Candidates must score at least 70% on each of the four parts to pass the overall exam.

Are PLS and CLP different exams?

No. The same NALS exam grants both designations: PLS (Professional Legal Secretary) is the historical title and CLP (Certified Legal Professional) is the modern designation.

How long is the NALS PLS/CLP exam?

The exam is administered over a full day and takes approximately seven hours to complete all four parts.

What are the eligibility requirements for the PLS/CLP exam?

Candidates need three years of legal experience, or two years of legal experience if they already hold the NALS ALP credential.

How does PLS/CLP compare to the NALS ALP credential?

PLS/CLP is a mid-tier credential that sits above ALP (Accredited Legal Professional), the entry-level NALS certification.

Can I retake a failed part separately?

Yes. NALS allows candidates who fail one or more parts to retake the failed parts at subsequent administrations under its retake guidelines.