CMCA EXAM PREPARATION COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTION
BANK
200 QUESTIONS COVERING ALL TESTED DOMAINS FOR THE CERTIFIED
MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS EXAMINATION
COMPLETE WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
1) The legal hierarchy of community association documents dictates
that in the event of a conflict, which document is considered the
supreme authority?
A) The Articles of Incorporation
B) The Bylaws
C) The Rules and Regulations
D) The Declaration (CC&Rs)
Correct Answer: D) The Declaration (CC&Rs)
Rationale: The Declaration, also known as the Covenants, Conditions,
and Restrictions (CC&Rs), is the foundational document that creates the
association and runs with the land. In the hierarchy of governing
documents, it sits below only state and federal law and above all other
documents like the Bylaws and rules . Any lower document that
conflicts with the Declaration is generally considered unenforceable.
2) What is the main purpose of fidelity insurance for a community
association?
A) To protect the association from lawsuits by homeowners
B) To cover damage to common areas from natural disasters
C) To provide health insurance for the community manager
,D) To reimburse the association for funds lost due to dishonest acts by
board members, employees, or managers
Correct Answer: D) To reimburse the association for funds lost due to
dishonest acts by board members, employees, or managers
Rationale: Fidelity insurance, sometimes referred to as a fidelity bond or
crime insurance, is specifically designed to protect the association's
money and other assets from theft, embezzlement, fraud, or other
dishonest acts committed by individuals who have access to those
assets, such as board members, employees, or management company
staff .
3) Which functional area of management is primarily concerned with
the physical upkeep, repair, and replacement of common property?
A) Financial management
B) Administrative management
C) Facilities management
D) Risk management
Correct Answer: C) Facilities management
Rationale: Facilities management is the domain focused on the physical
assets of the association. It involves all tasks related to operating,
maintaining, repairing, and replacing common property to ensure it
remains functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing .
4) When determining whether to use a contractor or association staff
for a project, which scenario most strongly supports hiring an external
contractor?
A) The task is simple and tools are available on-site.
B) There is a high degree of urgency to complete the work.
C) The work requires specialized expertise and equipment not available
,to the staff.
D) A resident is available and willing to do the work for a lower cost.
Correct Answer: C) The work requires specialized expertise and
equipment not available to the staff.
Rationale: Associations generally hire contractors when a project
demands specialized skills, knowledge, licensing, or expensive
equipment that the association staff does not possess. This is the
primary factor distinguishing contractor work from in-house
maintenance tasks .
5) For an annual membership meeting to legally conduct business,
what is the foundational requirement that must be met?
A) A majority of the board of directors must be present.
B) The community manager must be in attendance.
C) The meeting must be held at a specific location as defined in the
bylaws.
D) A quorum of the members (owners) must be established.
Correct Answer: D) A quorum of the members (owners) must be
established.
Rationale: An annual membership meeting is a gathering of the owners,
not the board. To conduct official business, such as electing directors or
voting on amendments, a quorum of the membership, as defined in the
governing documents or state law, must be present .
6) Under a standard insurance framework, what type of incident is
typically covered by a condominium owner's personal HO-6 policy
rather than the association's master policy?
A) A slip-and-fall injury in the common area hallway
B) Wind damage to the building's structural roof
, C) Fire damage to the community clubhouse
D) A slip-and-fall injury that occurs within the owner's individual unit
Correct Answer: D) A slip-and-fall injury that occurs within the
owner's individual unit
Rationale: The association's master policy covers common elements and
association liability. An individual owner's HO-6 policy provides
coverage for their personal property, interior improvements, and
personal liability for incidents occurring within the boundaries of their
own unit .
7) The process for conducting board member elections is a critical
governance task. Who is typically responsible for overseeing this
process to ensure its integrity?
A) The association's attorney
B) The community manager
C) The president of the board
D) An appointed inspector of election
Correct Answer: D) An appointed inspector of election
Rationale: To ensure fairness and adherence to governing documents,
an inspector or registrar of elections is often appointed to oversee the
election process. This includes verifying voter eligibility, distributing and
collecting ballots, and counting votes .
8) What is the main function of a strategic plan for a community
association?
A) To provide a detailed guide for daily maintenance tasks
B) To outline the board's long-term goals and objectives
C) To serve as a legal defense against lawsuits
D) To establish the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year
BANK
200 QUESTIONS COVERING ALL TESTED DOMAINS FOR THE CERTIFIED
MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS EXAMINATION
COMPLETE WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
1) The legal hierarchy of community association documents dictates
that in the event of a conflict, which document is considered the
supreme authority?
A) The Articles of Incorporation
B) The Bylaws
C) The Rules and Regulations
D) The Declaration (CC&Rs)
Correct Answer: D) The Declaration (CC&Rs)
Rationale: The Declaration, also known as the Covenants, Conditions,
and Restrictions (CC&Rs), is the foundational document that creates the
association and runs with the land. In the hierarchy of governing
documents, it sits below only state and federal law and above all other
documents like the Bylaws and rules . Any lower document that
conflicts with the Declaration is generally considered unenforceable.
2) What is the main purpose of fidelity insurance for a community
association?
A) To protect the association from lawsuits by homeowners
B) To cover damage to common areas from natural disasters
C) To provide health insurance for the community manager
,D) To reimburse the association for funds lost due to dishonest acts by
board members, employees, or managers
Correct Answer: D) To reimburse the association for funds lost due to
dishonest acts by board members, employees, or managers
Rationale: Fidelity insurance, sometimes referred to as a fidelity bond or
crime insurance, is specifically designed to protect the association's
money and other assets from theft, embezzlement, fraud, or other
dishonest acts committed by individuals who have access to those
assets, such as board members, employees, or management company
staff .
3) Which functional area of management is primarily concerned with
the physical upkeep, repair, and replacement of common property?
A) Financial management
B) Administrative management
C) Facilities management
D) Risk management
Correct Answer: C) Facilities management
Rationale: Facilities management is the domain focused on the physical
assets of the association. It involves all tasks related to operating,
maintaining, repairing, and replacing common property to ensure it
remains functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing .
4) When determining whether to use a contractor or association staff
for a project, which scenario most strongly supports hiring an external
contractor?
A) The task is simple and tools are available on-site.
B) There is a high degree of urgency to complete the work.
C) The work requires specialized expertise and equipment not available
,to the staff.
D) A resident is available and willing to do the work for a lower cost.
Correct Answer: C) The work requires specialized expertise and
equipment not available to the staff.
Rationale: Associations generally hire contractors when a project
demands specialized skills, knowledge, licensing, or expensive
equipment that the association staff does not possess. This is the
primary factor distinguishing contractor work from in-house
maintenance tasks .
5) For an annual membership meeting to legally conduct business,
what is the foundational requirement that must be met?
A) A majority of the board of directors must be present.
B) The community manager must be in attendance.
C) The meeting must be held at a specific location as defined in the
bylaws.
D) A quorum of the members (owners) must be established.
Correct Answer: D) A quorum of the members (owners) must be
established.
Rationale: An annual membership meeting is a gathering of the owners,
not the board. To conduct official business, such as electing directors or
voting on amendments, a quorum of the membership, as defined in the
governing documents or state law, must be present .
6) Under a standard insurance framework, what type of incident is
typically covered by a condominium owner's personal HO-6 policy
rather than the association's master policy?
A) A slip-and-fall injury in the common area hallway
B) Wind damage to the building's structural roof
, C) Fire damage to the community clubhouse
D) A slip-and-fall injury that occurs within the owner's individual unit
Correct Answer: D) A slip-and-fall injury that occurs within the
owner's individual unit
Rationale: The association's master policy covers common elements and
association liability. An individual owner's HO-6 policy provides
coverage for their personal property, interior improvements, and
personal liability for incidents occurring within the boundaries of their
own unit .
7) The process for conducting board member elections is a critical
governance task. Who is typically responsible for overseeing this
process to ensure its integrity?
A) The association's attorney
B) The community manager
C) The president of the board
D) An appointed inspector of election
Correct Answer: D) An appointed inspector of election
Rationale: To ensure fairness and adherence to governing documents,
an inspector or registrar of elections is often appointed to oversee the
election process. This includes verifying voter eligibility, distributing and
collecting ballots, and counting votes .
8) What is the main function of a strategic plan for a community
association?
A) To provide a detailed guide for daily maintenance tasks
B) To outline the board's long-term goals and objectives
C) To serve as a legal defense against lawsuits
D) To establish the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year
