199+ Free PP Paralegal Practice Questions

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Which sentence correctly uses the plural possessive form?

The attorneys arguments were persuasive.

The attorney's arguments were persuasive.

The attorneys' arguments were persuasive.

The attorneys's arguments were persuasive.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PP Paralegal Exam

55-65%

First-Time Pass Rate

NALA estimate

120

Questions

2-hour time limit

20,000+

Certified Paralegals

NALA

$250-275

Exam Fee

NALA (member/non-member)

50 hrs/5yr

CLE Requirement

NALA maintenance

20%

Largest Sections

Litigation & Ethics

The NALA Professional Paralegal (PP) exam has an estimated 55-65% first-time pass rate. The 120-question exam must be completed in 2 hours and uses scaled scoring. The exam covers the U.S. legal system, civil litigation procedures, contracts, torts, business organizations, criminal law, and professional ethics. NALA reports over 20,000 certified paralegals. Eligibility requires graduation from a paralegal program or a combination of education and experience.

Sample PP Paralegal Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PP Paralegal exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 199+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which sentence correctly uses the plural possessive form?

A.The attorneys arguments were persuasive.

B.The attorney's arguments were persuasive.

C.The attorneys' arguments were persuasive.

D.The attorneys's arguments were persuasive.

Explanation: When showing possession for a plural noun that ends in "s," add only an apostrophe after the "s." Since "attorneys" is plural (more than one attorney), the correct form is "attorneys'" with the apostrophe after the final "s." For a singular noun like "attorney," you would use "attorney's." The double "s" in "attorneys's" is always incorrect.

2In legal writing, when should numerals be used instead of words for numbers?

A.Always use words for numbers in formal legal documents

B.Use numerals for numbers 10 and above, words for one through nine

C.Use numerals for all numbers to ensure clarity

D.Use words for round numbers and numerals for specific amounts

Explanation: Standard legal writing convention follows the general rule: spell out numbers one through nine, and use numerals for 10 and above. However, there are exceptions—always use numerals for measurements, percentages, time, money, and ages. Also use numerals when one number in a series is 10 or above (e.g., "3 of the 12 defendants").

3Which sentence correctly uses commas in a series?

A.The discovery requests included interrogatories, requests for production and requests for admission.

B.The discovery requests included interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.

C.The discovery requests included, interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.

D.The discovery requests included interrogatories requests for production and requests for admission.

Explanation: The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is placed before the coordinating conjunction in a series of three or more items. In legal writing, using the Oxford comma is strongly recommended because it prevents ambiguity. Without it, "requests for production and requests for admission" could be interpreted as a single item rather than two separate items.

4Which word is spelled correctly?

A.supercede

B.superseed

C.supersede

D.supersceed

Explanation: "Supersede" is the correct spelling, meaning to replace or take the place of. It is one of the most commonly misspelled words in legal writing because the "-sede" ending is unusual. Only three English words end in "-sede": supersede, intercede, and precede. Other similar-sounding words use "-cede" (recede, concede) or "-ceed" (succeed, proceed, exceed).

5Select 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 list of exhibits were attached to the brief.

D.The list of exhibits have been attached to the brief.

Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "list" (singular), not "exhibits" (plural). The prepositional phrase "of exhibits" modifies the subject but does not change its number. Therefore, the singular verb "is" is correct. To verify, remove the prepositional phrase: "The list is attached" clearly sounds correct, while "The list are attached" does not.

6Which semicolon usage is correct?

A.The defendant failed to respond; therefore; the court entered default.

B.The defendant failed to respond; therefore, the court entered default.

C.The defendant failed to respond, therefore; the court entered default.

D.The defendant failed to respond therefore the court entered default.

Explanation: A semicolon is used to join two closely related independent clauses. When a transitional word or phrase (like "therefore," "however," "furthermore") follows the semicolon, it is followed by a comma. The pattern is: [Independent clause]; [transitional word], [independent clause]. This creates a stronger connection than a period but a clearer separation than a comma alone.

7Which sentence uses the correct form of "its" versus "it's"?

A.The corporation must file it's annual report.

B.The corporation must file its annual report.

C.Its important to file the report on time.

D.The company and it's subsidiaries must comply.

Explanation: "Its" (no apostrophe) is the possessive form, indicating something belongs to "it." "It's" (with apostrophe) is a contraction meaning "it is" or "it has." In legal writing, contractions are generally avoided in formal documents, so "it's" rarely appears. The test is simple: if you can replace the word with "it is," use "it's"; otherwise, use "its."

8Which sentence demonstrates correct use of "affect" versus "effect"?

A.The new regulation will adversely effect small businesses.

B.The new regulation will adversely affect small businesses.

C.The affect of the regulation is still unknown.

D.The regulation will have a negative affect on business.

Explanation: "Affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence or change. "Effect" is typically a noun meaning a result or consequence. A helpful mnemonic: Affect = Action (both start with "A"), Effect = End result (both start with "E"). The phrase "adversely affect" correctly uses the verb form to show that the regulation will influence small businesses negatively.

9Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

A.The plaintiff alleged that the defendant breached the contract, committed fraud, and that negligence occurred.

B.The plaintiff alleged that the defendant breached the contract, committed fraud, and was negligent.

C.The plaintiff alleged breach of contract, that fraud was committed, and negligence.

D.The plaintiff alleged that the contract was breached, fraud was committed, and negligence occurred.

Explanation: Parallel structure requires that items in a series use the same grammatical form. In option B, all three items follow the pattern "defendant [verb]": "defendant breached," "defendant committed," and "defendant was negligent." The other options mix active and passive voice or change the grammatical structure, creating awkward and unparallel construction.

10Which is the correct way to write a date in a formal legal document?

A.The contract was executed on March 1st, 2026.

B.The contract was executed on March 1, 2026.

C.The contract was executed on 3/1/2026.

D.The contract was executed on the first of March, 2026.

Explanation: In formal legal writing, dates should be written as "March 1, 2026" without the "-st" ordinal suffix. Using numerals only (3/1/2026) can create confusion (is it March 1 or January 3?) and appears informal. Writing out "the first of March" is acceptable but less common in modern practice. The "-st, -nd, -rd, -th" endings are typically omitted in formal legal documents.

About the PP Paralegal Exam

The NALA Professional Paralegal (PP) exam (formerly Certified Paralegal/CP) is the most widely recognized paralegal certification in the United States. The exam tests knowledge across core paralegal competencies including U.S. legal system, civil litigation, contracts, torts, business organizations, and professional ethics. The PP credential demonstrates proficiency to employers and clients.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Scaled passing score

Exam Fee

$250 (members) / $275 (non-members) (National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA))

PP Paralegal Exam Content Outline

15%

U.S. Legal System

Federal and state court structures, jurisdiction, sources of law, constitutional principles, administrative agencies, alternative dispute resolution

20%

Civil Litigation

Pleadings, discovery, motions practice, trial procedures, evidence rules, appellate procedures, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, document management

15%

Contracts and Business Organizations

Contract formation, breach and remedies, UCC Article 2, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, formation documents, fiduciary duties, corporate governance

15%

Torts and Criminal Law

Negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, products liability, criminal law elements, criminal procedure, defenses, constitutional protections

15%

Legal Research and Writing

Primary and secondary sources, case law research, statutory research, legal citation (Bluebook), legal memoranda, brief writing, electronic research databases

20%

Professional Ethics and Practice

ABA Model Rules, unauthorized practice of law (UPL), confidentiality, conflicts of interest, paralegal professional responsibility, attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine

How to Pass the PP Paralegal Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled passing score
Exam length: 120 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $250 (members) / $275 (non-members)

Keys to Passing

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

PP Paralegal Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on civil litigation procedures - the largest content area at 20% along with ethics

2Master the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure including discovery rules, motion practice, and trial procedures

3Study professional ethics thoroughly - understand UPL, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest for paralegals

4Know contract formation elements: offer, acceptance, consideration, and common defenses

5For torts, understand negligence elements (duty, breach, causation, damages) and their applications

6Practice legal citation format (Bluebook) - you should know how to cite cases, statutes, and secondary sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NALA Professional Paralegal (PP) exam?

The Professional Paralegal (PP) exam, formerly known as the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam, is the most widely recognized paralegal certification in the United States. Administered by NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants), it tests core paralegal competencies including the U.S. legal system, civil litigation, contracts, torts, legal research, and professional ethics. Over 20,000 paralegals hold the PP credential.

What is the PP exam pass rate?

The NALA PP exam has an estimated first-time pass rate of 55-65%. The exam is considered moderately challenging, testing both knowledge and application of legal concepts. With thorough preparation including 200+ practice questions and 60-80 hours of study, you can improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.

What are the eligibility requirements for the PP exam?

NALA offers multiple eligibility pathways: (1) Graduation from a NALA-approved paralegal program, (2) Bachelor's degree in any field + 1 year paralegal experience, (3) Associate's degree in paralegal studies, (4) High school diploma + 7 years paralegal experience, or (5) Active paralegal with qualifying education and experience combinations. Check NALA's website for the most current pathways.

How many questions are on the PP exam?

The PP exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions. You have 2 hours to complete the exam. The exam uses scaled scoring to determine pass/fail status. Questions cover six content areas: U.S. Legal System, Civil Litigation, Contracts and Business Organizations, Torts and Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, and Professional Ethics.

How does the PP compare to the PCCE?

The PP (NALA) and PCCE (NFPA) are both respected paralegal certifications but differ in scope. PP is the most widely recognized and focuses on experienced paralegals with broader content coverage. PCCE targets entry-level paralegals and recent graduates. PP requires more experience for eligibility and is generally considered more comprehensive. Many employers recognize both credentials.

How do I maintain the PP credential?

PP holders must complete continuing legal education (CLE) to maintain their credential. NALA requires 50 hours of CLE every 5 years, including at least 5 hours in legal ethics. CLE can be obtained through NALA courses, bar association programs, approved paralegal programs, and other qualifying legal education providers.