M100 Community Association Management
Exam – Complete Practice Questions & Answers
2026
Question 1
Which document establishes the legal existence of a community association
as a corporation?
A. The Declaration (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions)
B. The Bylaws
C. The Articles of Incorporation
D. The Rules and Regulations
*Correct Answer: C. The Articles of Incorporation. *
Rationale: The Articles of Incorporation are filed with the state to create the
association as a legal corporate entity. Without them, the association cannot
enter contracts, own property, or sue/be sued in its own name .
Question 2
If an association's Bylaws conflict with the recorded Declaration (CC&Rs),
which document takes precedence?
A. The Bylaws automatically override the Declaration
B. The Declaration takes precedence, and the conflicting Bylaw provision is
legally invalid
C. Both documents are discarded, and state law takes over completely
D. The board can choose which document to follow
,*Correct Answer: B. The Declaration takes precedence, and the
conflicting Bylaw provision is legally invalid. *
Rationale: Higher-level governing documents (Declaration/CC&Rs) supersede
lower-level documents (Bylaws, Rules). Lower-level provisions cannot violate
higher ones .
Question 3
The governing documents that contain the "use restrictions" (e.g., limits on
parking, pets, leasing) are most specifically found in the:
A. Bylaws
B. Declaration (CC&Rs)
C. Articles of Incorporation
D. Resolutions
*Correct Answer: B. The Declaration (CC&Rs). *
Rationale: The Declaration (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, or
CC&Rs) contains the affirmative and restrictive covenants that run with the
land, including use restrictions. The Bylaws govern the operation of the
association, not property use .
Question 4
Under standard parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules of Order), what
follows a motion being made and seconded?
A. Immediate termination of the meeting
B. Open debate and discussion by the assembly before taking a formal vote
C. The chairperson casting a vote
D. The motion is automatically approved
,*Correct Answer: B. Open debate and discussion by the assembly
before taking a formal vote. *
Rationale: After a motion is made and seconded, the assembly engages in
debate and discussion before a formal vote is taken. This allows members to
consider the motion and express their views .
Question 5
A community association manager finds that the association's Rules and
Regulations conflict with a provision in the Bylaws. The manager should:
A. Follow the Rules and Regulations because they are newer
B. Follow the Bylaws because they are higher in the governing document
hierarchy
C. Follow whichever document the board prefers
D. Amend the Declaration immediately
*Correct Answer: B. Follow the Bylaws because they are higher in the
governing document hierarchy. *
Rationale: The Bylaws are higher in the governing document hierarchy than
Rules and Regulations. A rule that conflicts with the Bylaws is invalid unless
the Bylaws are amended first .
Question 6
What does a "Fully Funded Balance" represent in a reserve study?
A. The total amount of money collected from homeowners on day one of
purchase
B. The theoretical baseline dollar amount that should be in the reserve fund
based on the fraction of useful life elapsed for each component
, C. The maximum bank credit limit allowed for the association corporation
D. The exact cost of a community swimming pool remodel projected for the
year 2050
*Correct Answer: B. The theoretical baseline dollar amount that should
be in the reserve fund based on the fraction of useful life elapsed for
each component. *
Rationale: The Fully Funded Balance represents the theoretical amount that
should be in the reserve fund, calculated based on the fraction of useful life
that has elapsed for each major component .
Question 7
Which committee typically reviews property modification requests from
owners?
A. Finance Committee
B. Social Committee
C. Architectural Review Committee
D. Election Committee
*Correct Answer: C. Architectural Review Committee. *
Rationale: The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) evaluates owner
requests for structural or design changes to ensure they comply with the
association's architectural guidelines .
Question 8
A homeowner installs a fence that violates the association's architectural
guidelines. Under the governing documents, the association's primary
recourse is to:
Exam – Complete Practice Questions & Answers
2026
Question 1
Which document establishes the legal existence of a community association
as a corporation?
A. The Declaration (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions)
B. The Bylaws
C. The Articles of Incorporation
D. The Rules and Regulations
*Correct Answer: C. The Articles of Incorporation. *
Rationale: The Articles of Incorporation are filed with the state to create the
association as a legal corporate entity. Without them, the association cannot
enter contracts, own property, or sue/be sued in its own name .
Question 2
If an association's Bylaws conflict with the recorded Declaration (CC&Rs),
which document takes precedence?
A. The Bylaws automatically override the Declaration
B. The Declaration takes precedence, and the conflicting Bylaw provision is
legally invalid
C. Both documents are discarded, and state law takes over completely
D. The board can choose which document to follow
,*Correct Answer: B. The Declaration takes precedence, and the
conflicting Bylaw provision is legally invalid. *
Rationale: Higher-level governing documents (Declaration/CC&Rs) supersede
lower-level documents (Bylaws, Rules). Lower-level provisions cannot violate
higher ones .
Question 3
The governing documents that contain the "use restrictions" (e.g., limits on
parking, pets, leasing) are most specifically found in the:
A. Bylaws
B. Declaration (CC&Rs)
C. Articles of Incorporation
D. Resolutions
*Correct Answer: B. The Declaration (CC&Rs). *
Rationale: The Declaration (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, or
CC&Rs) contains the affirmative and restrictive covenants that run with the
land, including use restrictions. The Bylaws govern the operation of the
association, not property use .
Question 4
Under standard parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules of Order), what
follows a motion being made and seconded?
A. Immediate termination of the meeting
B. Open debate and discussion by the assembly before taking a formal vote
C. The chairperson casting a vote
D. The motion is automatically approved
,*Correct Answer: B. Open debate and discussion by the assembly
before taking a formal vote. *
Rationale: After a motion is made and seconded, the assembly engages in
debate and discussion before a formal vote is taken. This allows members to
consider the motion and express their views .
Question 5
A community association manager finds that the association's Rules and
Regulations conflict with a provision in the Bylaws. The manager should:
A. Follow the Rules and Regulations because they are newer
B. Follow the Bylaws because they are higher in the governing document
hierarchy
C. Follow whichever document the board prefers
D. Amend the Declaration immediately
*Correct Answer: B. Follow the Bylaws because they are higher in the
governing document hierarchy. *
Rationale: The Bylaws are higher in the governing document hierarchy than
Rules and Regulations. A rule that conflicts with the Bylaws is invalid unless
the Bylaws are amended first .
Question 6
What does a "Fully Funded Balance" represent in a reserve study?
A. The total amount of money collected from homeowners on day one of
purchase
B. The theoretical baseline dollar amount that should be in the reserve fund
based on the fraction of useful life elapsed for each component
, C. The maximum bank credit limit allowed for the association corporation
D. The exact cost of a community swimming pool remodel projected for the
year 2050
*Correct Answer: B. The theoretical baseline dollar amount that should
be in the reserve fund based on the fraction of useful life elapsed for
each component. *
Rationale: The Fully Funded Balance represents the theoretical amount that
should be in the reserve fund, calculated based on the fraction of useful life
that has elapsed for each major component .
Question 7
Which committee typically reviews property modification requests from
owners?
A. Finance Committee
B. Social Committee
C. Architectural Review Committee
D. Election Committee
*Correct Answer: C. Architectural Review Committee. *
Rationale: The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) evaluates owner
requests for structural or design changes to ensure they comply with the
association's architectural guidelines .
Question 8
A homeowner installs a fence that violates the association's architectural
guidelines. Under the governing documents, the association's primary
recourse is to:
