FYLSX Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which of the following is an essential element for a prima facie case of false imprisonment? → The plaintiff must be aware of the confinement or be harmed by it.
2. Why are legal citations important in essays? → They give credibility by referencing authority
3. For the FYLSX, forgery is best defined as: → Making or altering a writing with apparent legal significance with fraudulent intent
4. What is required to prove conspiracy? → An agreement and overt act
5. Which component of IRAC involves identifying the legal question? → Issue
6. What is the primary distinction between libel and slander? → Libel involves written or fixed-medium statements; slander involves spoken statements
7. Which of the following is an example of an absolute privilege in defamation law? → Statements made by a legislator during official legislative proceedings
8. An anti-assignment clause in a contract generally: → Bars assignment but the assignee may still have a claim for breach of contract damages
9. Which of the following statements is most likely protected as non-actionable opinion under defamation law? → 'In my opinion, John Smith is the most incompetent manager I have ever worked for'
10. Which party bears the burden of proof in contract enforcement? → The party asserting the breach
11. What is the Statute of Frauds? → A law requiring written contracts for specific agreements
12. Alice assigns her right to receive $5,000 from Bob to Carol. Bob pays Alice, not knowing of the assignment. Which statement is correct? → Bob is discharged because he paid before receiving notice of the assignment
13. Which of the following is an essential element the prosecution must prove to secure a conviction for first-degree murder, but not for second-degree murder? → Premeditation and deliberation
14. Which element of defamation is satisfied when one coworker gossips about another coworker's alleged criminal record to a third coworker at lunch? → Publication, because the statement was communicated to a person other than the plaintiff
15. Which of the following must be proven in a product liability case under strict liability? → That the product was unreasonably dangerous and caused injury
16. Which of the following is a complete defense to a defamation claim? → Substantial truth of the defamatory statement
17. What is 'constructive breaking' in the context of common law burglary? → Gaining entry through fraud or threat rather than physical force
18. What is the primary purpose of tort law? → To compensate victims for harm caused by others
19. Which type of third-party beneficiary acquires NO enforceable rights under a contract? → Incidental beneficiary
20. Which of the following is an essential element for the formation of any valid common law contract? → Mutual assent.
21. When a delegator delegates duties to a delegate, the delegator: → Remains secondarily liable unless there is a novation releasing the delegator
22. When is a contract considered 'executed'? → When all parties sign and complete obligations
23. Which of the following is an essential element of the crime of solicitation? → The defendant must intend for the person solicited to commit the target crime.
24. Robbery differs from larceny primarily because robbery requires: → Taking property from a person by force or intimidation
25. Delegation transfers the delegator's contractual duties to a delegate. Which of the following duties CANNOT be delegated? → The duty to paint a portrait based on personal artistic skill
26. Why is factual analysis important in legal writing? → It connects legal principles to real-world facts
27. What should be avoided in legal analysis essays? → Vague generalizations and emotional language
28. What is the primary distinction between murder and manslaughter? → Intent or malice aforethought
29. What is the primary element required for criminal liability? → A voluntary act and mens rea
30. Under which circumstance is a gratuitous assignment generally IRREVOCABLE? → When the assignee changes position in detrimental reliance on the assignment