ALA Evaluation Structure & Content 3

Question 1

Which component of a performance evaluation cycle involves setting measurable goals at the start of the review period?

Accepted Answer

Goal-setting or planning phase

Answer

The planning phase at the beginning of a review cycle establishes clear, measurable performance expectations against which the employee will later be assessed.

Question 2

A CLM candidate is reviewing a firm's evaluation form that uses a 5-point scale where '3' means 'Meets Expectations.' What rating distribution problem should she watch for?

Accepted Answer

Central tendency error

Answer

Central tendency error occurs when raters avoid extreme ratings and cluster most employees around the midpoint, reducing the evaluation's discriminative value.

Question 3

In preparing evaluation content for legal administrators, which SMART goal attribute ensures the goal has a defined completion point?

Accepted Answer

Time-bound

Answer

The 'Time-bound' attribute of SMART goals establishes a deadline or timeframe, making it clear when performance will be evaluated against the goal.

Question 4

Which evaluation method is most appropriate for assessing collaborative skills of legal administrators who work across multiple departments?

Accepted Answer

Multi-rater (360-degree) feedback

Answer

360-degree feedback collects input from supervisors, peers, and subordinates, providing a well-rounded view of collaboration across organizational boundaries.

Question 5

Which practice best protects a law firm from legal challenges to a termination decision based on poor performance evaluations?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring evaluations are documented, consistent, and provided to employees

Answer

Documented, consistent evaluations shared with employees create a defensible record demonstrating that performance issues were communicated and addressed.

(ALA) Association of Legal Administrators CLM Practice Test

(ALA) Association of Legal Administrators CLM Practice Test

ALA Evaluation Structure & Content 3