Pennsylvania Auctioneer exam-style practice test
with correct answers and detailed rationale. cover
licensing, law, procedure, ethics, auction types,
contracts, bidding mechanics, real estate auctions,
recordkeeping, and common situations you’ll need
to understand for the PA Auctioneer exam.
1. When an auction is advertised as “absolute,” what does that mean?
A. The seller can withdraw the property before the sale.
B. The highest bid will buy the item regardless of price.
C. The seller sets a minimum reserve price.
D. Bidders must pre-qualify before bidding.
Answer: B
Rationale: “Absolute” auction means the item will be sold to the highest
bidder without a reserve.
2. A “reserve” auction means:
A. Bidders reserve items in advance.
B. The seller may refuse the highest bid if it doesn’t meet a minimum.
C. The auctioneer reserves the right to bid on behalf of the seller.
D. Only a reserve group of bidders may participate.
Answer: B
Rationale: Reserve auctions allow the seller to set a minimum below which
the item will not be sold.
3. A buyer’s premium is:
A. A bonus paid to the auctioneer.
B. A percentage added to the hammer price paid by the buyer.
C. A discount given to frequent buyers.
D. The deposit required to register as a bidder.
Answer: B
Rationale: Buyer’s premium is an additional fee (percentage or flat) added to
hammer price and paid by buyer.
4. The “hammer price” is:
A. The amount a buyer pays including taxes and fees.
B. The final bid amount accepted by the auctioneer.
C. The auctioneer’s commission.
D. The reserve price.
Answer: B
Rationale: Hammer price equals the winning bid at fall of the hammer
(exclusive of buyer’s premium).
1
,5. In Pennsylvania, an auctioneer must:
A. Always be an attorney.
B. Hold a license when required by state law.
C. Never accept electronic payments.
D. Only auction real estate.
Answer: B
Rationale: Auctioneers must comply with state licensing requirements where
applicable.
6. An auctioneer’s fiduciary duty to a principal includes:
A. Always acting in the principal’s best interest and disclosing conflicts.
B. Taking part of the proceeds without disclosure.
C. Prioritizing buyer’s interests over the seller.
D. Keeping all offers secret from the seller.
Answer: A
Rationale: Fiduciary duty requires loyalty, disclosure, and acting in principal’s
best interest.
7. Which document typically transfers real property sold at auction?
A. Bill of sale.
B. Deed.
C. Title insurance.
D. Promissory note.
Answer: B
Rationale: Real property transfers require a deed to convey title from seller to
buyer.
8. If an auctioneer knowingly misrepresents an item’s condition, this is:
A. Puffery and allowed.
B. Unlawful misrepresentation or fraud.
C. A standard sales tactic.
D. A regulated tax.
Answer: B
Rationale: Knowingly false claims about an item’s condition constitute fraud
and can lead to liability.
9. “Chattels” at an auction refers to:
A. Real estate.
B. Personal property.
C. Bonds and stocks.
D. Auctioneer’s tools.
Answer: B
Rationale: Chattels mean movable personal property, not real estate.
10. An auctioneer receives a $5,000 check for a buyer but deposits it into their
personal account and uses it. This is likely:
A. Proper handling of funds.
B. Commingling and possibly conversion.
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, C. A good business practice.
D. A tax deduction.
Answer: B
Rationale: Mixing client funds with personal funds is commingling and may
be illegal; misuse is conversion.
11. “Reserve not met” is announced; the highest bid was $8,000 but reserve was
$10,000. The seller:
A. Must accept the $8,000.
B. May refuse the sale.
C. Can immediately accept $9,000.
D. Loses right to refuse.
Answer: B
Rationale: With reserve not met, the seller can refuse to sell because
minimum not reached.
12. Which of the following is required for proper bidder registration?
A. Presentation of government-issued ID and signing terms/conditions.
B. Payment of full purchase price.
C. Ownership proof.
D. Auctioneer’s verbal approval only.
Answer: A
Rationale: Auction houses typically require ID and agreement to terms to
protect all parties.
13. The auctioneer’s chant: its primary function is to:
A. Hide the bid amounts.
B. Encourage rapid bidding and keep rhythm.
C. Announce taxes owed.
D. Serve as a legal contract.
Answer: B
Rationale: Chanting maintains pace and encourages competitive bidding.
14. If a bidder is the auctioneer’s agent and bids secretly for the seller without
disclosure, this is:
A. Acceptable.
B. A conflict of interest and deceptive unless disclosed.
C. Standard practice.
D. Encouraged.
Answer: B
Rationale: Undisclosed agency or shill bidding is unethical and often illegal.
15. A “shill bidder” is:
A. A licensed auctioneer.
B. A fake bidder used to drive up price.
C. A registered bidder who pays fees.
D. A buyer’s agent.
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with correct answers and detailed rationale. cover
licensing, law, procedure, ethics, auction types,
contracts, bidding mechanics, real estate auctions,
recordkeeping, and common situations you’ll need
to understand for the PA Auctioneer exam.
1. When an auction is advertised as “absolute,” what does that mean?
A. The seller can withdraw the property before the sale.
B. The highest bid will buy the item regardless of price.
C. The seller sets a minimum reserve price.
D. Bidders must pre-qualify before bidding.
Answer: B
Rationale: “Absolute” auction means the item will be sold to the highest
bidder without a reserve.
2. A “reserve” auction means:
A. Bidders reserve items in advance.
B. The seller may refuse the highest bid if it doesn’t meet a minimum.
C. The auctioneer reserves the right to bid on behalf of the seller.
D. Only a reserve group of bidders may participate.
Answer: B
Rationale: Reserve auctions allow the seller to set a minimum below which
the item will not be sold.
3. A buyer’s premium is:
A. A bonus paid to the auctioneer.
B. A percentage added to the hammer price paid by the buyer.
C. A discount given to frequent buyers.
D. The deposit required to register as a bidder.
Answer: B
Rationale: Buyer’s premium is an additional fee (percentage or flat) added to
hammer price and paid by buyer.
4. The “hammer price” is:
A. The amount a buyer pays including taxes and fees.
B. The final bid amount accepted by the auctioneer.
C. The auctioneer’s commission.
D. The reserve price.
Answer: B
Rationale: Hammer price equals the winning bid at fall of the hammer
(exclusive of buyer’s premium).
1
,5. In Pennsylvania, an auctioneer must:
A. Always be an attorney.
B. Hold a license when required by state law.
C. Never accept electronic payments.
D. Only auction real estate.
Answer: B
Rationale: Auctioneers must comply with state licensing requirements where
applicable.
6. An auctioneer’s fiduciary duty to a principal includes:
A. Always acting in the principal’s best interest and disclosing conflicts.
B. Taking part of the proceeds without disclosure.
C. Prioritizing buyer’s interests over the seller.
D. Keeping all offers secret from the seller.
Answer: A
Rationale: Fiduciary duty requires loyalty, disclosure, and acting in principal’s
best interest.
7. Which document typically transfers real property sold at auction?
A. Bill of sale.
B. Deed.
C. Title insurance.
D. Promissory note.
Answer: B
Rationale: Real property transfers require a deed to convey title from seller to
buyer.
8. If an auctioneer knowingly misrepresents an item’s condition, this is:
A. Puffery and allowed.
B. Unlawful misrepresentation or fraud.
C. A standard sales tactic.
D. A regulated tax.
Answer: B
Rationale: Knowingly false claims about an item’s condition constitute fraud
and can lead to liability.
9. “Chattels” at an auction refers to:
A. Real estate.
B. Personal property.
C. Bonds and stocks.
D. Auctioneer’s tools.
Answer: B
Rationale: Chattels mean movable personal property, not real estate.
10. An auctioneer receives a $5,000 check for a buyer but deposits it into their
personal account and uses it. This is likely:
A. Proper handling of funds.
B. Commingling and possibly conversion.
2
, C. A good business practice.
D. A tax deduction.
Answer: B
Rationale: Mixing client funds with personal funds is commingling and may
be illegal; misuse is conversion.
11. “Reserve not met” is announced; the highest bid was $8,000 but reserve was
$10,000. The seller:
A. Must accept the $8,000.
B. May refuse the sale.
C. Can immediately accept $9,000.
D. Loses right to refuse.
Answer: B
Rationale: With reserve not met, the seller can refuse to sell because
minimum not reached.
12. Which of the following is required for proper bidder registration?
A. Presentation of government-issued ID and signing terms/conditions.
B. Payment of full purchase price.
C. Ownership proof.
D. Auctioneer’s verbal approval only.
Answer: A
Rationale: Auction houses typically require ID and agreement to terms to
protect all parties.
13. The auctioneer’s chant: its primary function is to:
A. Hide the bid amounts.
B. Encourage rapid bidding and keep rhythm.
C. Announce taxes owed.
D. Serve as a legal contract.
Answer: B
Rationale: Chanting maintains pace and encourages competitive bidding.
14. If a bidder is the auctioneer’s agent and bids secretly for the seller without
disclosure, this is:
A. Acceptable.
B. A conflict of interest and deceptive unless disclosed.
C. Standard practice.
D. Encouraged.
Answer: B
Rationale: Undisclosed agency or shill bidding is unethical and often illegal.
15. A “shill bidder” is:
A. A licensed auctioneer.
B. A fake bidder used to drive up price.
C. A registered bidder who pays fees.
D. A buyer’s agent.
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