ALTA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ALTA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The title business is closely related to which of the following professions? → Law and accounting
2. Which of the following items would NOT typically be shown on an ALTA/NSPS land title survey? → Underground storage tank locations unless evidenced above ground
3. In American Land Title Association, what role does continuing education play in title search? → To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices
4. What is a best practice in American Land Title Association lien priority? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
5. A title commitment is best described as: → A promise by the title company to issue a policy once stated conditions are satisfied
6. What is 'Table A' in an ALTA/NSPS land title survey? → A set of optional additional survey items a client may request
7. What is the primary objective of lien priority in American Land Title Association? → To ensure competence and proficiency in core lien priority concepts
8. Which of the following IS regulated by RESPA? → The purchase of a residential condominium unit with a mortgage.
9. How does a title company typically manage gap risk at closing? → By recording the deed and mortgage simultaneously or obtaining a gap indemnity agreement
10. Which of the following is a common fraud scheme that title companies must guard against? → Wire fraud involving diverted closing funds
11. What is a best practice in American Land Title Association closing procedures? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
12. The effective date of a title commitment is significant because it: → Establishes the date through which the public records were searched
13. Of the following descriptions, which does the term “land” encompass? → The exposed surface of the Earth.
14. What is the relationship between theory and practice in American Land Title Association lien priority? → Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application
15. Which of the following is a typical requirement found in Schedule B-I of a title commitment for a purchase transaction? → Payment and satisfaction of all outstanding taxes and assessments of record
16. In American Land Title Association, why is title search knowledge important for professional certification? → It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards
17. What is the relationship between theory and practice in American Land Title Association real estate transactions? → Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application
18. Which type of sentence error occurs when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation? → Run-on sentence
19. In most states, the body of law made by published decisions of appellate courts is called what? → The Common Law
20. Real estate is the foundation of all _________. → wealth
21. In an ALTA/NSPS survey, what must the surveyor do if a gap or overlap is discovered along a boundary line? → Show it on the survey and note it in the surveyor's report or certificate
22. In a title commitment, taxes that have been assessed but are not yet due and payable are typically: → Listed as a Schedule B-II exception that remains in the final policy
23. In most states, the law governing real property comes from two bodies of law. Which are they? → The Common Law
24. A security instrument in real estate generally secures an obligation of the borrower to repay a ________________. → Bond or note
25. In American Land Title Association, what is the primary function of strategic planning in escrow management? → To set long-term goals and determine the best approach to achieve them
26. Which party typically orders an ALTA/NSPS land title survey in a commercial real estate transaction? → The buyer, lender, or both
27. In ALTA, what is the relationship between standards and advanced concepts? → Standards provide the framework and benchmarks that guide professional practice
28. What is the common instrument used to convey title to real property? → A deed
29. The validity of a deed depends on which of the following attributes? → Its execution is according to legal technical requirements.
30. In American Land Title Association, why is lien priority knowledge important for professional certification? → It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards