AVIXA CTS AV SYSTEMS DESIGN, INSTALLATION &
TROUBLESHOOTING EXAM Questions and Answers
1. What is the BEST way to determine how reverberant a space is?
a. Clap your hands and listen for an echo
b. Ask the client if anyone has complained that the room is too noisy
c. Use an RT60 meter
d. Use a DB SPL meter
Answer: C
Explanation: The RT60 meter measures reverberation time, which is the standard method
for quantifying how long sound persists in a space. This provides objective acoustic data
rather than subjective perception. Clap tests and SPL meters do not measure decay time.
Therefore, RT60 is the correct professional tool.
2. The correct time to discuss visible finishes for wall plates, surface mount speakers, and
wall mounted screen casings is during the:
a. Ordering
b. Installation
c. Site survey
d. Contract award
Answer: C
Explanation: Finish coordination must happen early when evaluating the physical
environment. The site survey phase is when aesthetic and architectural integration is
reviewed. Delaying this can result in mismatches and costly redesigns. Therefore, site
survey is correct.
3. While surveying a conference room for a system upgrade, an engineer measures 55 dB
SPL A-wtd ambient noise. How should they proceed?
a. Add voice lift to the system proposal
b. Add more loudspeakers to the system proposal
c. Speak with the client about addressing the noise source
d. Do nothing
Answer: C
Explanation: Elevated ambient noise suggests an environmental issue such as HVAC or
building acoustics. The proper approach is to engage the client to investigate and mitigate
the source. Adding AV equipment alone does not solve the underlying problem.
Collaboration is required.
4. A client needs videoconferencing for high-level private meetings. Which space type
should be ruled out?
a. Divisible room
b. Boardroom
c. Conference room
d. Classroom
Answer: A
, Explanation: Divisible rooms are flexible and acoustically inconsistent due to movable
partitions. This makes them unsuitable for private, high-level meetings requiring
confidentiality. Boardrooms are typically designed for privacy. Therefore, divisible
rooms should be ruled out.
5. Which phase comes immediately AFTER the Program Phase?
a. Design Phase
b. Project Planning and Coordination Phase
c. Verification Phase
d. Documentation Phase
Answer: A
Explanation: The design phase directly follows programming. It translates user
requirements into technical AV system solutions. Other phases occur later in the project
lifecycle. Therefore, design is the correct answer.
6. Which is NOT presented in the program report:
a. Executive Summary
b. Detailed list of equipment
c. Budgets
d. Infrastructure Considerations
Answer: B
Explanation: The program report defines requirements and constraints, not detailed
system designs. Equipment lists are created during the design phase. Budgets and
infrastructure considerations are included at a high level. Therefore, detailed equipment
lists are excluded.
7. An executive summary should include:
a. Full technical specifications
b. Estimated change orders
c. Emerging technology deep dives
d. Overview of the programming process
Answer: D
Explanation: The executive summary provides a high-level overview of the programming
effort. It is intended for stakeholders who do not require technical depth. Detailed
specifications belong in later design documents. Therefore, process overview is correct.
8. Which system is used to show colors from a video display?
a. Additive color system
b. Subtractive color system
c. Plus/minus color system
d. Recover color system
Answer: A
Explanation: Video displays use emitted light based on RGB color mixing. This is known
as the additive color system. Subtractive systems apply to inks and pigments. Therefore,
additive is correct.
9. An installed audio system should be AT LEAST ____ above ambient noise floor.
a. 5 dB
b. 25 dB
c. 45 dB
d. 75 dB
, Answer: B
Explanation: A 25 dB margin ensures intelligibility of speech over background noise.
Lower margins reduce clarity. Higher margins may be unnecessary or impractical. This is
a standard AV design guideline.
10. A device is controlled using the pictured cable. What is the MOST LIKELY method of
control?
a. IR
b. RF
c. RS-232
d. Network
Answer: C
Explanation: RS-232 is a serial communication standard commonly used in AV control
systems. It provides reliable point-to-point device control. IR and RF are wireless, while
network control uses IP. Therefore, RS-232 is correct.
11. The minimum load safety rating for mounting audio visual equipment is:
a. 3:1
b. 5:1
c. 8:1
d. 10:1
Answer: B
Explanation: A 5:1 safety factor ensures structural reliability. It means the system can
support five times the expected load. This is a standard engineering safety requirement.
Therefore, 5:1 is correct.
12. As part of regular system maintenance, when is the BEST time to update device
firmware?
a. Friday afternoons
b. As soon as updates are available
c. Never after system sign-off
d. After coordination with the client, and when the system will be available for an
extended period of time
Answer: D
Explanation: Firmware updates should be scheduled during planned downtime. This
avoids disrupting system usage. Coordination ensures operational continuity. Therefore,
scheduled maintenance windows are best.
13. The brightness controls on a display adjusts which level?
a. Black Level
b. Chroma Level
c. Hue
d. White Level
Answer: A
Explanation: Brightness controls adjust black level, affecting shadow detail. Contrast
adjusts white level. Proper calibration ensures accurate image reproduction. Therefore,
black level is correct.
14. When verifying a display system, which should determine contrast ratio?
a. Multi-meter
b. Histogram
TROUBLESHOOTING EXAM Questions and Answers
1. What is the BEST way to determine how reverberant a space is?
a. Clap your hands and listen for an echo
b. Ask the client if anyone has complained that the room is too noisy
c. Use an RT60 meter
d. Use a DB SPL meter
Answer: C
Explanation: The RT60 meter measures reverberation time, which is the standard method
for quantifying how long sound persists in a space. This provides objective acoustic data
rather than subjective perception. Clap tests and SPL meters do not measure decay time.
Therefore, RT60 is the correct professional tool.
2. The correct time to discuss visible finishes for wall plates, surface mount speakers, and
wall mounted screen casings is during the:
a. Ordering
b. Installation
c. Site survey
d. Contract award
Answer: C
Explanation: Finish coordination must happen early when evaluating the physical
environment. The site survey phase is when aesthetic and architectural integration is
reviewed. Delaying this can result in mismatches and costly redesigns. Therefore, site
survey is correct.
3. While surveying a conference room for a system upgrade, an engineer measures 55 dB
SPL A-wtd ambient noise. How should they proceed?
a. Add voice lift to the system proposal
b. Add more loudspeakers to the system proposal
c. Speak with the client about addressing the noise source
d. Do nothing
Answer: C
Explanation: Elevated ambient noise suggests an environmental issue such as HVAC or
building acoustics. The proper approach is to engage the client to investigate and mitigate
the source. Adding AV equipment alone does not solve the underlying problem.
Collaboration is required.
4. A client needs videoconferencing for high-level private meetings. Which space type
should be ruled out?
a. Divisible room
b. Boardroom
c. Conference room
d. Classroom
Answer: A
, Explanation: Divisible rooms are flexible and acoustically inconsistent due to movable
partitions. This makes them unsuitable for private, high-level meetings requiring
confidentiality. Boardrooms are typically designed for privacy. Therefore, divisible
rooms should be ruled out.
5. Which phase comes immediately AFTER the Program Phase?
a. Design Phase
b. Project Planning and Coordination Phase
c. Verification Phase
d. Documentation Phase
Answer: A
Explanation: The design phase directly follows programming. It translates user
requirements into technical AV system solutions. Other phases occur later in the project
lifecycle. Therefore, design is the correct answer.
6. Which is NOT presented in the program report:
a. Executive Summary
b. Detailed list of equipment
c. Budgets
d. Infrastructure Considerations
Answer: B
Explanation: The program report defines requirements and constraints, not detailed
system designs. Equipment lists are created during the design phase. Budgets and
infrastructure considerations are included at a high level. Therefore, detailed equipment
lists are excluded.
7. An executive summary should include:
a. Full technical specifications
b. Estimated change orders
c. Emerging technology deep dives
d. Overview of the programming process
Answer: D
Explanation: The executive summary provides a high-level overview of the programming
effort. It is intended for stakeholders who do not require technical depth. Detailed
specifications belong in later design documents. Therefore, process overview is correct.
8. Which system is used to show colors from a video display?
a. Additive color system
b. Subtractive color system
c. Plus/minus color system
d. Recover color system
Answer: A
Explanation: Video displays use emitted light based on RGB color mixing. This is known
as the additive color system. Subtractive systems apply to inks and pigments. Therefore,
additive is correct.
9. An installed audio system should be AT LEAST ____ above ambient noise floor.
a. 5 dB
b. 25 dB
c. 45 dB
d. 75 dB
, Answer: B
Explanation: A 25 dB margin ensures intelligibility of speech over background noise.
Lower margins reduce clarity. Higher margins may be unnecessary or impractical. This is
a standard AV design guideline.
10. A device is controlled using the pictured cable. What is the MOST LIKELY method of
control?
a. IR
b. RF
c. RS-232
d. Network
Answer: C
Explanation: RS-232 is a serial communication standard commonly used in AV control
systems. It provides reliable point-to-point device control. IR and RF are wireless, while
network control uses IP. Therefore, RS-232 is correct.
11. The minimum load safety rating for mounting audio visual equipment is:
a. 3:1
b. 5:1
c. 8:1
d. 10:1
Answer: B
Explanation: A 5:1 safety factor ensures structural reliability. It means the system can
support five times the expected load. This is a standard engineering safety requirement.
Therefore, 5:1 is correct.
12. As part of regular system maintenance, when is the BEST time to update device
firmware?
a. Friday afternoons
b. As soon as updates are available
c. Never after system sign-off
d. After coordination with the client, and when the system will be available for an
extended period of time
Answer: D
Explanation: Firmware updates should be scheduled during planned downtime. This
avoids disrupting system usage. Coordination ensures operational continuity. Therefore,
scheduled maintenance windows are best.
13. The brightness controls on a display adjusts which level?
a. Black Level
b. Chroma Level
c. Hue
d. White Level
Answer: A
Explanation: Brightness controls adjust black level, affecting shadow detail. Contrast
adjusts white level. Proper calibration ensures accurate image reproduction. Therefore,
black level is correct.
14. When verifying a display system, which should determine contrast ratio?
a. Multi-meter
b. Histogram
