100+ Free STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Practice Questions

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Key Facts: STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Exam

£1,200 + VAT

Official Course & Exam Fee

STEP / CLT International

50%

Official Passing Score

STEP Regulations

3 Hours

Official Assessment Duration

STEP Assessment Specs

STEP / CLTi

Awarding Body

STEP

100

MCQ Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

The STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Estates (England and Wales) is assessed via an official 3-hour written/online scenario examination administered by STEP and CLT International (fee £1,200 + VAT, 50% pass mark). To assist candidates preparing for the qualification, OpenExamPrep provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation featuring 100 scenario-based questions across all five official blueprint domains: grants of representation and non-contentious probate (20%), asset and liability realization (20%), estate accounting and apportionment (20%), insolvent estate creditor priorities (20%), and distribution and personal representative liabilities (20%).

Sample STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A testator dies leaving a valid will that names a sole executor. The executor formally renounces probate in writing before intermeddling. The will leaves the entire residuary estate to an adult niece absolutely. Which person has first priority to apply for a grant of letters of administration with will annexed under Rule 20 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987?

A.The adult residuary legatee absolutely entitled

B.The deceased's surviving spouse under intestacy rules

C.The renounced executor's personal representative

D.A specific pecuniary legatee named in the will

Explanation: Under Rule 20 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987, when the executor named in a will renounces or cannot act, priority for a grant of letters of administration with will annexed passes to the residuary legatee or devisee held in trust or absolutely. Because the adult niece is the absolute residuary beneficiary, she holds higher priority than specific legatees, intestacy beneficiaries, or representatives of the renouncing executor.

2An intestate deceased dies leaving a surviving spouse and two adult children. Under Rule 22 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987, who has the top priority to apply for a grant of letters of administration?

A.The surviving spouse

B.The elder adult child

C.Both adult children acting jointly to the exclusion of the spouse

D.The Treasury Solicitor on behalf of the Crown

Explanation: Rule 22 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 establishes the strict order of priority for grants on total intestacy. The surviving spouse or civil partner ranks highest in class (1), taking precedence over the deceased's children who fall into class (2).

3What is the maximum number of personal representatives to whom probate or letters of administration may be granted in respect of the same estate under Section 114 of the Senior Courts Act 1981?

A.Four

B.Two

C.Three

D.Six

Explanation: Section 114(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 explicitly provides that representation shall not be granted to more than four persons in respect of the same property. If more than four executors are appointed in a will, only four may prove at one time, with power reserved to the others.

4An intestate deceased leaves an estate valued at £800,000, and one of the entitled beneficiaries is a seven-year-old child. Under Section 114 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, what is the minimum number of administrators required for the grant of letters of administration (assuming no trust corporation is acting)?

A.Two administrators

B.One administrator

C.Three administrators

D.Four administrators

Explanation: Section 114(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 specifies that if an interest under a will or intestacy is a minority interest or a life interest, letters of administration must be granted either to a trust corporation or to not less than two individuals. Because a minor child is entitled, at least two individual administrators are required.

5What is the primary legal effect of entering a caveat at the Probate Registry under Rule 44 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987?

A.It prevents any grant of representation from issuing without notice to the caveator for six months

B.It automatically revokes any existing grant of probate previously issued by the court

C.It freezes all bank accounts of the deceased without requiring court intervention

D.It forces the immediate sale of all real property forming part of the estate

Explanation: Under Rule 44 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987, entering a caveat prevents the Probate Registry from issuing a grant of representation without notifying the caveator. A caveat remains effective for six months from the date of entry and can be renewed.

6An executor named in a will wishes to formally relinquish their appointment prior to performing any acts of administration. Which formal procedure is legally required?

A.Executing a written renunciation signed by the executor and lodging it with the Probate Registry

B.Giving verbal notice to the residuary beneficiaries at a family meeting

C.Publishing a public notice in a national newspaper declaring refusal to act

D.Sending an informal email to the Probate Registry stating lack of interest

Explanation: To renounce probate, an executor must sign a formal legal instrument of renunciation, witnessed appropriately, and lodge it with the Probate Registry under the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987. Verbal statements or informal correspondence are legally ineffective.

7Before applying for probate, a named executor collects £15,000 of cash from the deceased's safe, pays off several trade creditors, and distributes chattels to relatives. Two months later, the executor decides the estate administration is too onerous and attempts to renounce. What is the legal outcome?

A.The executor cannot renounce because they have intermeddled in the estate

B.The executor may renounce freely provided they return the £15,000 to the estate

C.The executor can renounce if all residuary beneficiaries sign a written waiver

D.The executor can renounce automatically by filing an affidavit of hardship

Explanation: An executor who performs acts showing an intention to assume the office of executor (such as collecting assets and paying debts) has intermeddled in the estate ('executor in their own wrong' / intermeddling). Once an executor intermeddles, equity and probate law prevent them from renouncing, and they can be cited to take probate.

8An intestate deceased dies leaving no surviving spouse or issue. The surviving relatives are the deceased's father, a full-blood sister, and a half-blood brother. Who has top priority to apply for a grant of letters of administration under Rule 22 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987?

A.The father

B.The full-blood sister

C.The half-blood brother

D.The father and full-blood sister jointly as equal claimants

Explanation: Under NCPR 1987 Rule 22, parents of the deceased fall into class (3), which ranks ahead of brothers and sisters of full blood in class (4) and brothers and sisters of half blood in class (5). Therefore, the father has exclusive top priority over the siblings.

9Under Section 116 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, when does the High Court have power to pass over a person entitled to a grant of administration and appoint a different administrator?

A.When by reason of any special circumstances it appears to the court necessary or expedient to do so

B.Only when the person entitled has been convicted of an indictable criminal offense

C.Whenever any residuary beneficiary requests a change of administrator without giving reasons

D.Only when the entitled administrator resides outside the United Kingdom

Explanation: Section 116 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 grants the High Court broad statutory discretion to pass over an entitled person and appoint an alternative administrator if, by reason of any 'special circumstances' (such as insolvency, bad character, disappearance, or conflict of interest), it appears necessary or expedient.

10A sole trader dies leaving a warehouse filled with perishable food products. A dispute has arisen regarding the validity of the deceased's will, delaying a full grant. What type of limited grant can be obtained urgently to empower an administrator to collect and sell the perishable goods to prevent loss?

A.A grant ad colligenda bona

B.A grant de bonis non

C.A grant durante minore aetate

D.A grant cessate

Explanation: A grant ad colligenda bona is a limited grant issued by the Probate Registry in emergency situations specifically to collect and preserve estate assets (such as selling perishable goods or taking urgent legal action) where a full grant is delayed.

About the STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Exam

The STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Estates (England and Wales) is a specialist postgraduate-level qualification for trust and estate practitioners. It covers non-contentious probate procedures under Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987, entitlement to grants of representation, asset collection and realization under Administration of Estates Act 1925, estate accounts and statutory apportionment rules (Apportionment Act 1870, Howe v Lord Dartmouth, Re Earl of Chesterfield), insolvent estate priorities under Insolvency Act 1986 and DIPO 1986, personal representative liabilities (devastavit), statutory protection under Trustee Act 1925 s.27, and statutory distribution rules. Note: The official STEP assessment is a 3-hour written/online examination; OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English-language multiple-choice practice adaptation for revision purposes.

Assessment

Performance-based assessment

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

50%

Exam Fee

£1,200 + VAT (STEP / CLT International)

STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Exam Content Outline

20%

Grants of Representation and Non-Contentious Probate

Entitlement and priority for grants of probate and letters of administration under NCPR 1987 (Rules 20 & 22), minority and life interest requirements under SCA 1981 s.114, renunciation, caveats, citations, and special/limited grants.

20%

Collection and Realisation of Estate Assets and Liabilities

Vesting of estate property under AEA 1925 s.9, distinguishing probate assets from non-probate assets (joint tenancy, trusts, nominations), asset realization duties under TA 2000, and identifying secured/unsecured liabilities.

20%

Estate Accounts and Statutory Apportionment Rules

Preparation of capital, income, and distribution accounts, Apportionment Act 1870, equitable apportionment rules (Howe v Lord Dartmouth, Re Earl of Chesterfield, Allhusen v Whittell), and Trusts (Capital and Income) Act 2013 rules.

20%

Insolvent Estates and Creditor Priorities

Administration of insolvent estates under AEA 1925 s.34 and DIPO 1986, statutory priority of debts (funeral/administration expenses, preferential debts, ordinary unsecured debts, deferred debts), and insolvency administration orders.

20%

Distribution, Personal Representative Liabilities and Protection

Statutory advertising under Trustee Act 1925 s.27, Inheritance Act 1975 claims, devastavit (maladministration), relief under TA 1925 s.61, assents under AEA 1925 s.36, and statutory distribution rules under AEA 1925 s.46.

How to Pass the STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Assessment: Performance-based assessment
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: £1,200 + VAT

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

STEP AdvCert Estates (E&W) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorise NCPR 1987 Rule 20 and Rule 22 priority order for entitlement to grants of representation.

2Understand the strict application of Senior Courts Act 1981 s.114 requiring at least two administrators if there is a minority or life interest.

3Practise statutory debt waterfall calculations for insolvent estates under AEA 1925 s.34 and DIPO 1986.

4Master the distinction between capital and income under the Apportionment Act 1870 and equitable apportionment rules.

5Ensure thorough knowledge of Trustee Act 1925 s.27 advertising requirements to protect PRs against unknown creditor claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official format of the STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Estates exam?

The official STEP assessment is a 3-hour open-book written/online examination administered by STEP and CLT International. OpenExamPrep provides an English-language multiple-choice practice bank adaptation designed to reinforce key statutory rules, case law, and procedural scenarios.

What is the fee and passing mark for the STEP Advanced Certificate?

The course and assessment fee is £1,200 + VAT (administered by CLT International). The official pass mark is 50% (50–59% Pass, 60–69% Merit, 70%+ Distinction).

Who provides the qualification?

The qualification is awarded by STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) in partnership with training provider CLT International (CLTi).

What main legislation is covered in England & Wales Estate Administration?

Core statutes include the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (AEA 1925), Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 (NCPR 1987), Senior Courts Act 1981 (SCA 1981), Trustee Act 1925 (TA 1925 s.27 statutory notices), Trustee Act 2000, Apportionment Act 1870, Insolvency Act 1986 / DIPO 1986, and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

How are practice questions structured on OpenExamPrep?

OpenExamPrep offers 100 scenario-based multiple-choice questions mapped evenly across all 5 blueprint domains, featuring detailed teaching explanations and specific wrong-option breakdowns.