OHIO STATE BAR ASSOCIATION (OSBA)
PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION PRACTICE
EXAM|2026/2027 LATEST EXAM UPDATE
|QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES |INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
abrogation
the end or modification of a law
ad adendum clause
the element of the complaint that asks for damages; also called prayer for relief or the
wherefore clause
ad hoc
Latin for "what is at hand"
ad litem
Latin for "the current legal matter"
additur
occurs when the judge adds to the amount a jury as awarded. Typically, the judge will give
the party who must pay the award the choice of increasing the award or undergoing a new
trial
PAGE1
,abjudicate
to judge
admonition
advice or reprimand by a judge to a jury, attorney, party, or witness
advance sheet
a pamphlet that comes out in advance of the hardbound volume; most commonly used by
case law books and Shepard's Citators
adversary hearing
hearing where both parties are present to state their respective opinions
adverse judgement
a judgement against the party represented
advisement
under review
affiant
A person making a representation, or statement, in writing under oath; one who signs an
affidavit
affidavit
a written statement made under oath testifying to certain facts
affirm
to uphold or establish generally.
affirmative defense
PAGE2
,a form of defense in which the defendant affirms or admits that some allegation did occur,
but explains that the fault lies somewhere else; this defense does not require a response by
the plaintiff
aforethought
considered in advance
aggravated assault
a serious form of assault, often with a deadly weapon
all fours
two relevant cases the client's case and a a case found through research that are
significantly similar also referred to as on-point
alternate juror
juror who sits through the trail but does not deliberate unless another juror is removed
alternate writ
similar to a show cause order, a court's demand that a person appear and explain
something, such as an absence from a previous hearing
amicus curiae
"friend of the court", a legal memo filed by a nonparty who has information or opinions that
may be instructive to the court
amnesty
the clearing of a record; similar to a pardon, but a pardon is forgiveness of an act, while
amnesty as as though the act never happened
amortization
the payment of a debt in equal, regular payments
PAGE3
, annuity
fixed sum of money paid to a person at fixed times
answer
the document that responds to the allegations in the complaint must be filed within a
specific period of time after service has been effectuated. The answer may also contain the
defendant's affirmative defenses, counterclaims, and cross claims, if any.
ante
before
appearance
the formal representation in court on behalf of another
appellant or petitioner
the party that loses at the trial level, or wins but is not satisfied with the result, and initiates
the appeal
appellee or respondant
the party that wins at the trial level; the party against whom the appeal is brought
appellate brief
a document filed with an appellate court arguing the fairness of a trial.
appellate level courts
There are two levels of courts: trial and appellate. Action is initiated at trial level courts,
where facts and evidence are presented. There is one judge and often a jury. Appellate
courts review the records of trial court decisions to determine whether the trial court erred.
Appellate courts have multiple judges. There are two kinds of appellate level courts: courts
of appeals and supreme courts
PAGE4
PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION PRACTICE
EXAM|2026/2027 LATEST EXAM UPDATE
|QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES |INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
abrogation
the end or modification of a law
ad adendum clause
the element of the complaint that asks for damages; also called prayer for relief or the
wherefore clause
ad hoc
Latin for "what is at hand"
ad litem
Latin for "the current legal matter"
additur
occurs when the judge adds to the amount a jury as awarded. Typically, the judge will give
the party who must pay the award the choice of increasing the award or undergoing a new
trial
PAGE1
,abjudicate
to judge
admonition
advice or reprimand by a judge to a jury, attorney, party, or witness
advance sheet
a pamphlet that comes out in advance of the hardbound volume; most commonly used by
case law books and Shepard's Citators
adversary hearing
hearing where both parties are present to state their respective opinions
adverse judgement
a judgement against the party represented
advisement
under review
affiant
A person making a representation, or statement, in writing under oath; one who signs an
affidavit
affidavit
a written statement made under oath testifying to certain facts
affirm
to uphold or establish generally.
affirmative defense
PAGE2
,a form of defense in which the defendant affirms or admits that some allegation did occur,
but explains that the fault lies somewhere else; this defense does not require a response by
the plaintiff
aforethought
considered in advance
aggravated assault
a serious form of assault, often with a deadly weapon
all fours
two relevant cases the client's case and a a case found through research that are
significantly similar also referred to as on-point
alternate juror
juror who sits through the trail but does not deliberate unless another juror is removed
alternate writ
similar to a show cause order, a court's demand that a person appear and explain
something, such as an absence from a previous hearing
amicus curiae
"friend of the court", a legal memo filed by a nonparty who has information or opinions that
may be instructive to the court
amnesty
the clearing of a record; similar to a pardon, but a pardon is forgiveness of an act, while
amnesty as as though the act never happened
amortization
the payment of a debt in equal, regular payments
PAGE3
, annuity
fixed sum of money paid to a person at fixed times
answer
the document that responds to the allegations in the complaint must be filed within a
specific period of time after service has been effectuated. The answer may also contain the
defendant's affirmative defenses, counterclaims, and cross claims, if any.
ante
before
appearance
the formal representation in court on behalf of another
appellant or petitioner
the party that loses at the trial level, or wins but is not satisfied with the result, and initiates
the appeal
appellee or respondant
the party that wins at the trial level; the party against whom the appeal is brought
appellate brief
a document filed with an appellate court arguing the fairness of a trial.
appellate level courts
There are two levels of courts: trial and appellate. Action is initiated at trial level courts,
where facts and evidence are presented. There is one judge and often a jury. Appellate
courts review the records of trial court decisions to determine whether the trial court erred.
Appellate courts have multiple judges. There are two kinds of appellate level courts: courts
of appeals and supreme courts
PAGE4
