AAERT CDR Exam Prep 2026: 300 Practice Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Certified Digital Reporter Study
Guide
Question 1: What is the BEST practice concerning digital court reporting?
A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
B. Change the record to make it easier to read.
C. Guess when uncertain so the proceeding is not interrupted.
D. Ignore the issue unless someone complains.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the 7controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 2: A reporter encounters a problem involving digital court reporting. What should the reporter generally do
first?
A. Assume the most likely answer.
B. Delete the uncertain portion.
C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
D. Ask a participant to rewrite the testimony.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 3: Why is digital court reporting important?
A. It eliminates the need for quality control.
B. It allows the reporter to advocate for one side.
C. It guarantees that every speaker will always be audible.
D. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling digital court reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: D. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling digital court
reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is D. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 4: Which statement about digital court reporting is MOST accurate?
A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
B. The reporter should rely on memory instead of the record.
C. The reporter may improvise regardless of applicable rules.
D. Speed is always more important than accuracy.
Page 1
,CORRECT ANSWER: A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 5: When handling digital court reporting, which choice is SAFEST?
A. Remove inconvenient material from the record.
B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
C. Let another participant decide what the official record should contain.
D. Make an unsupported assumption.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is B. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 6: Which action BEST supports an accurate record when dealing with digital court reporting?
A. Record only the substantive testimony.
B. Skip documentation when busy.
C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
D. Favor the requesting attorney.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 7: If there is uncertainty involving digital court reporting, what should the reporter generally do?
A. Change the testimony to fit the context.
B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
C. Ignore the uncertainty.
D. Silently select an interpretation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is B. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 8: Which behavior demonstrates professionalism concerning digital court reporting?
A. Coach the witness toward a preferred answer.
B. Omit statements that seem unnecessary.
C. remain neutral, accurate, consistent, and professional while handling digital court reporting
D. Favor one party.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. remain neutral, accurate, consistent, and professional while handling digital court
reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Page 2
,Question 9: What outcome is most directly supported by proper handling of digital court reporting?
A. Fewer responsibilities for all participants.
B. A shorter proceeding regardless of accuracy.
C. Automatic resolution of legal disputes.
D. a more reliable and usable official record through proper digital court reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: D. a more reliable and usable official record through proper digital court reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is D. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 10: A new reporter is learning about digital court reporting. Which guidance is most appropriate?
A. learn the applicable procedure and use reliable reference materials when uncertain about digital court reporting
B. Never ask for clarification.
C. Treat informal notes as the official record.
D. Memorize one rule and apply it in every jurisdiction.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. learn the applicable procedure and use reliable reference materials when uncertain
about digital court reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 11: What is the BEST practice concerning on-the-record status?
A. Ignore the issue unless someone complains.
B. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
C. Guess when uncertain so the proceeding is not interrupted.
D. Change the record to make it easier to read.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is B. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 12: A reporter encounters a problem involving on-the-record status. What should the reporter generally
do first?
A. Delete the uncertain portion.
B. Assume the most likely answer.
C. Ask a participant to rewrite the testimony.
D. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
CORRECT ANSWER: D. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is D. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 13: Why is on-the-record status important?
Page 3
, A. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling on-the-record status
B. It eliminates the need for quality control.
C. It guarantees that every speaker will always be audible.
D. It allows the reporter to advocate for one side.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling on-the-record
status
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 14: Which statement about on-the-record status is MOST accurate?
A. The reporter should rely on memory instead of the record.
B. Speed is always more important than accuracy.
C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
D. The reporter may improvise regardless of applicable rules.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 15: When handling on-the-record status, which choice is SAFEST?
A. Make an unsupported assumption.
B. Remove inconvenient material from the record.
C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
D. Let another participant decide what the official record should contain.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 16: Which action BEST supports an accurate record when dealing with on-the-record status?
A. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
B. Record only the substantive testimony.
C. Skip documentation when busy.
D. Favor the requesting attorney.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 17: If there is uncertainty involving on-the-record status, what should the reporter generally do?
A. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
B. Silently select an interpretation.
Page 4
Answers with Rationales | Certified Digital Reporter Study
Guide
Question 1: What is the BEST practice concerning digital court reporting?
A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
B. Change the record to make it easier to read.
C. Guess when uncertain so the proceeding is not interrupted.
D. Ignore the issue unless someone complains.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the 7controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 2: A reporter encounters a problem involving digital court reporting. What should the reporter generally do
first?
A. Assume the most likely answer.
B. Delete the uncertain portion.
C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
D. Ask a participant to rewrite the testimony.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 3: Why is digital court reporting important?
A. It eliminates the need for quality control.
B. It allows the reporter to advocate for one side.
C. It guarantees that every speaker will always be audible.
D. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling digital court reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: D. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling digital court
reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is D. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 4: Which statement about digital court reporting is MOST accurate?
A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
B. The reporter should rely on memory instead of the record.
C. The reporter may improvise regardless of applicable rules.
D. Speed is always more important than accuracy.
Page 1
,CORRECT ANSWER: A. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 5: When handling digital court reporting, which choice is SAFEST?
A. Remove inconvenient material from the record.
B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
C. Let another participant decide what the official record should contain.
D. Make an unsupported assumption.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is B. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 6: Which action BEST supports an accurate record when dealing with digital court reporting?
A. Record only the substantive testimony.
B. Skip documentation when busy.
C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
D. Favor the requesting attorney.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 7: If there is uncertainty involving digital court reporting, what should the reporter generally do?
A. Change the testimony to fit the context.
B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
C. Ignore the uncertainty.
D. Silently select an interpretation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. verify that the recording system is functioning and producing intelligible audio
Rationale: The correct choice is B. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 8: Which behavior demonstrates professionalism concerning digital court reporting?
A. Coach the witness toward a preferred answer.
B. Omit statements that seem unnecessary.
C. remain neutral, accurate, consistent, and professional while handling digital court reporting
D. Favor one party.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. remain neutral, accurate, consistent, and professional while handling digital court
reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Page 2
,Question 9: What outcome is most directly supported by proper handling of digital court reporting?
A. Fewer responsibilities for all participants.
B. A shorter proceeding regardless of accuracy.
C. Automatic resolution of legal disputes.
D. a more reliable and usable official record through proper digital court reporting
CORRECT ANSWER: D. a more reliable and usable official record through proper digital court reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is D. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable
record. The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when
applicable.
Question 10: A new reporter is learning about digital court reporting. Which guidance is most appropriate?
A. learn the applicable procedure and use reliable reference materials when uncertain about digital court reporting
B. Never ask for clarification.
C. Treat informal notes as the official record.
D. Memorize one rule and apply it in every jurisdiction.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. learn the applicable procedure and use reliable reference materials when uncertain
about digital court reporting
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of digital court reporting helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 11: What is the BEST practice concerning on-the-record status?
A. Ignore the issue unless someone complains.
B. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
C. Guess when uncertain so the proceeding is not interrupted.
D. Change the record to make it easier to read.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is B. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 12: A reporter encounters a problem involving on-the-record status. What should the reporter generally
do first?
A. Delete the uncertain portion.
B. Assume the most likely answer.
C. Ask a participant to rewrite the testimony.
D. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
CORRECT ANSWER: D. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is D. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 13: Why is on-the-record status important?
Page 3
, A. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling on-the-record status
B. It eliminates the need for quality control.
C. It guarantees that every speaker will always be audible.
D. It allows the reporter to advocate for one side.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. it supports an accurate, reliable, and usable record when handling on-the-record
status
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 14: Which statement about on-the-record status is MOST accurate?
A. The reporter should rely on memory instead of the record.
B. Speed is always more important than accuracy.
C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
D. The reporter may improvise regardless of applicable rules.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 15: When handling on-the-record status, which choice is SAFEST?
A. Make an unsupported assumption.
B. Remove inconvenient material from the record.
C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
D. Let another participant decide what the official record should contain.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is C. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 16: Which action BEST supports an accurate record when dealing with on-the-record status?
A. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
B. Record only the substantive testimony.
C. Skip documentation when busy.
D. Favor the requesting attorney.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating
statements as part of the official record
Rationale: The correct choice is A. Proper handling of on-the-record status helps preserve an accurate and dependable record.
The reporter should also follow the controlling court, jurisdictional, contractual, or professional requirements when applicable.
Question 17: If there is uncertainty involving on-the-record status, what should the reporter generally do?
A. clearly establish whether proceedings are on or off the record before treating statements as part of the officialrecord
B. Silently select an interpretation.
Page 4
