CAE Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What is the purpose of calibration in a mass appraisal model? → To adjust the model to reflect market data
2. How should challenges in industry best practices be addressed? → Apply systematic problem-solving, seek expert guidance when needed, and document decisions
3. What ethical standard governs continuing education requirements practice? → Adherence to the profession's code of ethics and applicable laws and regulations
4. What quality assurance measure supports continuing education requirements? → Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards
5. What is the first step a property owner typically must take before filing a formal appeal of their assessment? → Seek an informal review or conference with the assessor's office
6. What is the primary purpose of a tax rate in the context of property taxation? → To calculate the amount of tax owed based on assessed value
7. What quality assurance measure supports assessment and evaluation? → Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards
8. What is the primary principle behind the sales comparison approach? → Substitution
9. Which entity in most U.S. states is responsible for administering exemptions such as the homestead exemption? → Local county or municipal assessor
10. In mass appraisal, what is the significance of stratification? → To group similar properties for analysis
11. Which valuation method is most appropriate for income-producing properties? → Income approach
12. What ethical standard governs assessment and evaluation practice? → Adherence to the profession's code of ethics and applicable laws and regulations
13. What is the foundational principle of professional standards and ethics in the Certified Assessment Evaluator field? → Maintaining competence, integrity, and service to stakeholders
14. Which principle requires that all taxable property within a jurisdiction be assessed at the same percentage of market value? → Uniformity
15. What does 'exhaustion of administrative remedies' require of a taxpayer before seeking judicial review? → The taxpayer must use all available administrative appeal steps before going to court
16. The debt coverage ratio (DCR) method for deriving a capitalization rate requires knowing the: → Loan-to-value ratio, mortgage constant, and required DCR
17. A property generates an NOI of $75,000 and recently sold for $937,500. What is the extracted overall capitalization rate? → 8.0%
18. What is the foundational principle of assessment and evaluation in the Certified Assessment Evaluator field? → Maintaining competence, integrity, and service to stakeholders
19. Which provision commonly limits the annual increase in a property's assessed value in many U.S. states? → Assessment cap or limitation
20. How should challenges in continuing education requirements be addressed? → Apply systematic problem-solving, seek expert guidance when needed, and document decisions
21. Which of the following legal concepts allows governments to tax private property for public use? → Taxation power
22. What is the primary purpose of property tax laws? → To fund public services through taxation
23. Which approach is most appropriate when the subject property has no recent sales but comparable properties have sold? → Sales comparison approach using adjusted comparable sales
24. What quality assurance measure supports professional standards and ethics? → Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards
25. Which of the following is a key method used in the cost approach to valuation? → Depreciated replacement cost
26. What is the function of a Board of Review (or Board of Equalization) in the property tax appeal process? → To provide administrative review of assessment complaints before judicial proceedings
27. Market extraction (abstraction) derives an overall capitalization rate by: → Dividing the NOI of comparable sales by their sale prices
28. How should professionals apply applied methods and techniques in daily practice? → Consistently integrate best practices into every aspect of professional work
29. What ethical standard governs industry best practices practice? → Adherence to the profession's code of ethics and applicable laws and regulations
30. What quality assurance measure supports industry best practices? → Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards