Which term describes a sentence that must be served after another sentence has begun, not at the same time?

• A. Calendar
• B. Consecutive sentence
• C. Certification
• D. Codicil

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how sentences from multiple offenses are scheduled to run. A sentence that must be served after another sentence has begun, rather than at the same time, is described as consecutive. This means the second sentence starts after the first has begun (and typically after it ends), so the defendant serves the two sentences one after another, adding up to a longer total term. For example, if there are two offenses with sentences that are consecutive, the total time is the sum of both sentences. This is different from a concurrent sentence, which runs the terms at the same time and results in a total time equal to the longest individual sentence. The other terms don’t describe how sentences are sequenced: calendar is about scheduling cases, certification is a formal attestation or license, and codicil is an amendment to a will.