FCLE PRACTICE EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔Magna Carta (1215) - ✔✔Influenced by the charter of liberties and the coronation
charter. Established the principle that King's power was not absolute and that the
monarchy was subject to the law.
✔✔Mayflower Compact (1620) - ✔✔Influenced by social contract theory. Inspired by
pilgrims to desire for self government and the belief that individuals should collectively
agree to establish adjust and equal society.
✔✔English Bill of Rights (1689) - ✔✔Reflected the struggle for individual liberties
against Royal absolutism and emphasizing the rights of parliament, fair trials and
freedom from cruel and unusual punishment
✔✔Common Sense by Thomas Paine - ✔✔Influenced by John Locke, advocated for
American independence from British rule promoting the principles of self governance
and democratic representation
✔✔Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) - ✔✔Served as a model for the Bill of Rights in
the constitution and laid the groundwork for individual rights and the protection of
personal freedoms
✔✔Anti-Federalist Papers - ✔✔Including Brutus 1, fearing it would consolidate power
and endanger individual liberties. Voiced concerns about the lack of a bill of rights and
the potential for an overwhelming central government.
✔✔Marbury versus Madison 1803 - ✔✔Established the principle of judicial review.
Granted the Supreme Court, the authority to review and invalidate laws or actions that
are found to be unconstitutional. Solidified the courts role as the ultimate interpreter of
the constitution
✔✔McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - ✔✔Upheld the constitutionality of the establishment
of a national bank and affirmed the principle of implied powers. Congress has the
authority to take actions not explicitly mentioned in the constitution as long as they are
necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers
✔✔Dred Scott v. Sanford - ✔✔Denied citizenship to African-Americans stating they
weren't citizens and had no rights under the constitution. Also declared that Congress
could not prohibit slavery in the territories further exacerbating tensions between the
north and south.
✔✔Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) - ✔✔Established separate but equal doctrine. Allowed
racial segregation in public facilities as long as they were deemed equal.
, ✔✔Schenck v. United States (1919) - ✔✔Ruled that free speech could be limited during
times of war or national security concerns
✔✔Korematsu v. United States (1944) - ✔✔Upheld the constitutionality of the forced
relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Has been
discredited for its violation of civil liberties and equal protection rights.
✔✔Brown v. Board of Education (1954) - ✔✔Declared racial segregation in public
schools unconstitutional
✔✔Mapp v. Ohio - ✔✔Prohibits the use of evidence obtained illegally in criminal trials.
Strengthened the fourth amendment, protections against unreasonable searches, and
seizures.
✔✔Baker v. Carr - ✔✔Federal courts could intervene in cases involving alleged
gerrymandering, ensuring more equal representation in state legislative districts.
Protection of the principal one person one vote.
✔✔Engel v. Vitale (1962) - ✔✔Prohibits the government from endorsing or promoting
religion. Prayer sponsored by the government in public schools, violated the first
amendment.
✔✔Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - ✔✔Ensures that individuals who cannot afford an
attorney would be provided with one
✔✔Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - ✔✔Protected the fifth amendment right against self-
incrimination. Individuals in police custody must be informed of their rights before being
interrogated.
✔✔Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - ✔✔First amendment rights are protected in public
schools. Students right to free speech cannot be restricted unless it significantly
disrupted the schools operation.
✔✔New York Times v. US - ✔✔Upheld the first amendment protections for freedom of
the press. Asserts the right of newspapers to publish classified information without prior
restraint from the government.
✔✔Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) - ✔✔Allowed the Amish to remove their children from
public schools after the eighth grade. The states' interest in compulsory education did
not outweigh the Amish parents first amendment right to freedom of religion.
✔✔Roe v. Wade (1973) - ✔✔Established a woman's right to choose abortion during the
first trimester. Women's constitutional right to have an abortion under the right to privacy
implied in the 14th amendment.
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔Magna Carta (1215) - ✔✔Influenced by the charter of liberties and the coronation
charter. Established the principle that King's power was not absolute and that the
monarchy was subject to the law.
✔✔Mayflower Compact (1620) - ✔✔Influenced by social contract theory. Inspired by
pilgrims to desire for self government and the belief that individuals should collectively
agree to establish adjust and equal society.
✔✔English Bill of Rights (1689) - ✔✔Reflected the struggle for individual liberties
against Royal absolutism and emphasizing the rights of parliament, fair trials and
freedom from cruel and unusual punishment
✔✔Common Sense by Thomas Paine - ✔✔Influenced by John Locke, advocated for
American independence from British rule promoting the principles of self governance
and democratic representation
✔✔Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) - ✔✔Served as a model for the Bill of Rights in
the constitution and laid the groundwork for individual rights and the protection of
personal freedoms
✔✔Anti-Federalist Papers - ✔✔Including Brutus 1, fearing it would consolidate power
and endanger individual liberties. Voiced concerns about the lack of a bill of rights and
the potential for an overwhelming central government.
✔✔Marbury versus Madison 1803 - ✔✔Established the principle of judicial review.
Granted the Supreme Court, the authority to review and invalidate laws or actions that
are found to be unconstitutional. Solidified the courts role as the ultimate interpreter of
the constitution
✔✔McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - ✔✔Upheld the constitutionality of the establishment
of a national bank and affirmed the principle of implied powers. Congress has the
authority to take actions not explicitly mentioned in the constitution as long as they are
necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers
✔✔Dred Scott v. Sanford - ✔✔Denied citizenship to African-Americans stating they
weren't citizens and had no rights under the constitution. Also declared that Congress
could not prohibit slavery in the territories further exacerbating tensions between the
north and south.
✔✔Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) - ✔✔Established separate but equal doctrine. Allowed
racial segregation in public facilities as long as they were deemed equal.
, ✔✔Schenck v. United States (1919) - ✔✔Ruled that free speech could be limited during
times of war or national security concerns
✔✔Korematsu v. United States (1944) - ✔✔Upheld the constitutionality of the forced
relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Has been
discredited for its violation of civil liberties and equal protection rights.
✔✔Brown v. Board of Education (1954) - ✔✔Declared racial segregation in public
schools unconstitutional
✔✔Mapp v. Ohio - ✔✔Prohibits the use of evidence obtained illegally in criminal trials.
Strengthened the fourth amendment, protections against unreasonable searches, and
seizures.
✔✔Baker v. Carr - ✔✔Federal courts could intervene in cases involving alleged
gerrymandering, ensuring more equal representation in state legislative districts.
Protection of the principal one person one vote.
✔✔Engel v. Vitale (1962) - ✔✔Prohibits the government from endorsing or promoting
religion. Prayer sponsored by the government in public schools, violated the first
amendment.
✔✔Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - ✔✔Ensures that individuals who cannot afford an
attorney would be provided with one
✔✔Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - ✔✔Protected the fifth amendment right against self-
incrimination. Individuals in police custody must be informed of their rights before being
interrogated.
✔✔Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - ✔✔First amendment rights are protected in public
schools. Students right to free speech cannot be restricted unless it significantly
disrupted the schools operation.
✔✔New York Times v. US - ✔✔Upheld the first amendment protections for freedom of
the press. Asserts the right of newspapers to publish classified information without prior
restraint from the government.
✔✔Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) - ✔✔Allowed the Amish to remove their children from
public schools after the eighth grade. The states' interest in compulsory education did
not outweigh the Amish parents first amendment right to freedom of religion.
✔✔Roe v. Wade (1973) - ✔✔Established a woman's right to choose abortion during the
first trimester. Women's constitutional right to have an abortion under the right to privacy
implied in the 14th amendment.
