Page 1 of 31
31 May 2026
New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR Exam with 130
Latest Questions and Correct Answers/ AAERT CDR
Exam Prep Latest 2026 (Brand new!)
MCQ 1: Is it appropriate for the reporter to interrupt after a witness has answered a question non-
verbally and ask the witness to answer out loud?
A. No, non-verbal responses are sufficient
✅ B. Yes
C. Only if requested by an attorney
D. Only during trial
Correct Answer: B. Yes
Rationale: A verbal response is needed to create a clear and complete record for the transcript.
MCQ 2: In the event of an electronic failure, whose responsibility is it to interrupt the proceeding?
A. The judge
B. The witness
C. The attorney
✅ D. The digital court reporter
Correct Answer: D. The digital court reporter
Rationale: The reporter is responsible for ensuring an accurate record and must immediately
address recording failures.
MCQ 3: Which is preferable when recording audio?
A. Live room
✅ B. Dead room
C. Echo room
D. Open room
Correct Answer: B. Dead room
Rationale: A dead room minimizes echoes and background noise, resulting in higher-quality
recordings.
MCQ 4: Consistency is not important when making annotations because the transcriptionist can
usually figure it out.
A. True
✅ B. False
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31 May 2026
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Consistent annotations improve accuracy and efficiency during transcription.
MCQ 5: What should happen when a certified question is requested?
A. Stop the proceeding
B. Notify the judge immediately
✅ C. Make an annotation about the certified question
D. Refuse to answer
Correct Answer: C. Make an annotation about the certified question
Rationale: The reporter should clearly annotate the certified question so it can be properly
identified in the transcript.
MCQ 6: Which transcript is usually provided to the first attorney who orders it?
A. Rough draft
B. Condensed transcript
✅ C. Original transcript
D. Certified copy
Correct Answer: C. Original transcript
Rationale: The original transcript is generally provided to the first attorney who places the order.
MCQ 7: A cardioid pickup pattern is best when trying to capture what?
A. Entire room audio
B. Multiple speakers equally
✅ C. A single speaking participant
D. Outdoor sounds
Correct Answer: C. A single speaking participant
Rationale: Cardioid microphones focus on sound from one direction and reduce background
noise.
MCQ 8: An annotation is required when an exhibit is entered on the record and the exhibit
description is stated aloud.
✅ A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
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31 May 2026
Rationale: Exhibits and their descriptions should be documented through annotations to aid
transcription.
MCQ 9: Every person present for a hearing or trial must be added to the appearance sheet,
including gallery spectators.
A. True
✅ B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Only relevant participants such as attorneys, parties, witnesses, and court personnel
are listed.
MCQ 10: Which is NOT a reason a reporter is asked to perform playback?
A. Clarify testimony
B. Resolve a dispute
C. Review prior testimony
✅ D. Ensure audio is being recorded properly
Correct Answer: D. Ensure audio is being recorded properly
Rationale: Playback is used to review testimony, not to test recording equipment.
MCQ 11: During a deposition, an attorney says “off the record,” and nobody responds. Should you
remain on the record?
✅ A. Yes, remain on the record
B. No, go off the record
Correct Answer: A. Yes, remain on the record
Rationale: Without agreement or clear direction from all parties, the proceeding remains on the
record.
MCQ 12: If an interpreter is present, when should they be sworn in?
A. After the witness
✅ B. Before the witness
C. At the end of testimony
D. Only if requested
Correct Answer: B. Before the witness
Rationale: The interpreter must be sworn in first to accurately interpret the witness's testimony.
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31 May 2026
MCQ 13: What is the correct order of examination?
A. Cross, Direct, Redirect, Recross
B. Direct, Redirect, Cross, Recross
✅ C. Direct, Cross, Redirect, Recross
D. Direct, Cross, Recross, Redirect
Correct Answer: C. Direct, Cross, Redirect, Recross
Rationale: This is the standard sequence used in legal proceedings.
MCQ 14: Transcripts, recordings, and exhibits should be kept ______ and ______ released to the
public.
A. Public; freely
B. Archived; always
✅ C. Confidential; should not be
D. Temporary; later
Correct Answer: C. Confidential; should not be
Rationale: Court records are confidential and protected from unauthorized disclosure.
MCQ 15: One attorney wants to go off the record, but the other attorney objects. Should you stay
on the record?
✅ A. Yes
B. No
Correct Answer: A. Yes
Rationale: All parties must agree before going off the record.
MCQ 16: Even if they represent a party to the case, not all lawyers can order the deposition
transcript.
A. True
✅ B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Attorneys representing parties generally have the right to order transcripts.
MCQ 17: AAERT recommends at least how many recording devices?
A. One
✅ B. Two
31 May 2026
New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR Exam with 130
Latest Questions and Correct Answers/ AAERT CDR
Exam Prep Latest 2026 (Brand new!)
MCQ 1: Is it appropriate for the reporter to interrupt after a witness has answered a question non-
verbally and ask the witness to answer out loud?
A. No, non-verbal responses are sufficient
✅ B. Yes
C. Only if requested by an attorney
D. Only during trial
Correct Answer: B. Yes
Rationale: A verbal response is needed to create a clear and complete record for the transcript.
MCQ 2: In the event of an electronic failure, whose responsibility is it to interrupt the proceeding?
A. The judge
B. The witness
C. The attorney
✅ D. The digital court reporter
Correct Answer: D. The digital court reporter
Rationale: The reporter is responsible for ensuring an accurate record and must immediately
address recording failures.
MCQ 3: Which is preferable when recording audio?
A. Live room
✅ B. Dead room
C. Echo room
D. Open room
Correct Answer: B. Dead room
Rationale: A dead room minimizes echoes and background noise, resulting in higher-quality
recordings.
MCQ 4: Consistency is not important when making annotations because the transcriptionist can
usually figure it out.
A. True
✅ B. False
, Page 2 of 31
31 May 2026
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Consistent annotations improve accuracy and efficiency during transcription.
MCQ 5: What should happen when a certified question is requested?
A. Stop the proceeding
B. Notify the judge immediately
✅ C. Make an annotation about the certified question
D. Refuse to answer
Correct Answer: C. Make an annotation about the certified question
Rationale: The reporter should clearly annotate the certified question so it can be properly
identified in the transcript.
MCQ 6: Which transcript is usually provided to the first attorney who orders it?
A. Rough draft
B. Condensed transcript
✅ C. Original transcript
D. Certified copy
Correct Answer: C. Original transcript
Rationale: The original transcript is generally provided to the first attorney who places the order.
MCQ 7: A cardioid pickup pattern is best when trying to capture what?
A. Entire room audio
B. Multiple speakers equally
✅ C. A single speaking participant
D. Outdoor sounds
Correct Answer: C. A single speaking participant
Rationale: Cardioid microphones focus on sound from one direction and reduce background
noise.
MCQ 8: An annotation is required when an exhibit is entered on the record and the exhibit
description is stated aloud.
✅ A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
, Page 3 of 31
31 May 2026
Rationale: Exhibits and their descriptions should be documented through annotations to aid
transcription.
MCQ 9: Every person present for a hearing or trial must be added to the appearance sheet,
including gallery spectators.
A. True
✅ B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Only relevant participants such as attorneys, parties, witnesses, and court personnel
are listed.
MCQ 10: Which is NOT a reason a reporter is asked to perform playback?
A. Clarify testimony
B. Resolve a dispute
C. Review prior testimony
✅ D. Ensure audio is being recorded properly
Correct Answer: D. Ensure audio is being recorded properly
Rationale: Playback is used to review testimony, not to test recording equipment.
MCQ 11: During a deposition, an attorney says “off the record,” and nobody responds. Should you
remain on the record?
✅ A. Yes, remain on the record
B. No, go off the record
Correct Answer: A. Yes, remain on the record
Rationale: Without agreement or clear direction from all parties, the proceeding remains on the
record.
MCQ 12: If an interpreter is present, when should they be sworn in?
A. After the witness
✅ B. Before the witness
C. At the end of testimony
D. Only if requested
Correct Answer: B. Before the witness
Rationale: The interpreter must be sworn in first to accurately interpret the witness's testimony.
, Page 4 of 31
31 May 2026
MCQ 13: What is the correct order of examination?
A. Cross, Direct, Redirect, Recross
B. Direct, Redirect, Cross, Recross
✅ C. Direct, Cross, Redirect, Recross
D. Direct, Cross, Recross, Redirect
Correct Answer: C. Direct, Cross, Redirect, Recross
Rationale: This is the standard sequence used in legal proceedings.
MCQ 14: Transcripts, recordings, and exhibits should be kept ______ and ______ released to the
public.
A. Public; freely
B. Archived; always
✅ C. Confidential; should not be
D. Temporary; later
Correct Answer: C. Confidential; should not be
Rationale: Court records are confidential and protected from unauthorized disclosure.
MCQ 15: One attorney wants to go off the record, but the other attorney objects. Should you stay
on the record?
✅ A. Yes
B. No
Correct Answer: A. Yes
Rationale: All parties must agree before going off the record.
MCQ 16: Even if they represent a party to the case, not all lawyers can order the deposition
transcript.
A. True
✅ B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Attorneys representing parties generally have the right to order transcripts.
MCQ 17: AAERT recommends at least how many recording devices?
A. One
✅ B. Two
