SCTE FIELD TECH 2 CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION: 200
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
1) What is the primary benefit of using OFDM and LDPC, which were
introduced in DOCSIS 3.1?
A) They allow for the bonding of multiple QAM channels to increase
throughput.
B) They extend the viability of HFC networks by improving efficiency and
error correction.
C) They enable the use of higher frequencies in the upstream path.
D) They provide a method for scrambling video content to prevent theft
of service.
Correct Answer: B) They extend the viability of HFC networks by
improving efficiency and error correction.
Rationale: Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and low-
density parity-check (LDPC) are key features of DOCSIS 3.1 designed to
significantly increase spectral efficiency and improve error correction,
thereby extending the useful life of Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) networks .
2) If two QAM channels, each with a throughput of 38 Mbps, are
bonded, what is the total downstream throughput?
A) 38 Mbps
B) 76 Mbps
C) 114 Mbps
D) 19 Mbps
,Correct Answer: B) 76 Mbps
Rationale: Channel bonding combines multiple channels to increase
throughput. The total throughput is the sum of the individual channel
throughputs, so 38 Mbps + 38 Mbps = 76 Mbps .
3) In the OSI model, under which layer would a DOCSIS MAC
configuration error fall?
A) Physical Layer
B) Network Layer
C) Data Link Layer
D) Transport Layer
Correct Answer: C) Data Link Layer
Rationale: The Media Access Control (MAC) layer is a sublayer of the
Data Link Layer (Layer 2) in the OSI model. It is responsible for
controlling how devices on a network gain access to the medium and
transmit data, making it the correct location for a DOCSIS MAC
configuration error .
4) What is the term for the phenomenon where noise from multiple
sources in the upstream path combines, potentially disrupting
communications for an entire neighborhood?
A) Ingress
B) Echo
C) Noise Funneling
D) Video Backhaul
Correct Answer: C) Noise Funneling
Rationale: Noise funneling describes the cumulative effect of noise
entering the upstream path from various customer premises. This noise
,travels back to the node and combines, potentially degrading the signal-
to-noise ratio for all subscribers served by that node .
5) What is the purpose of a Point of Entry (PoE) MoCA filter?
A) To amplify MoCA signals throughout the home network.
B) To prevent MoCA signals from traveling beyond the customer's cable
drop and to isolate the MoCA network.
C) To convert MoCA signals to a format compatible with older set-top
boxes.
D) To encrypt the data being sent over the MoCA network.
Correct Answer: B) To prevent MoCA signals from traveling beyond the
customer's cable drop and to isolate the MoCA network.
Rationale: A PoE MoCA filter is installed at the point where the cable
service enters the home. Its primary purpose is to keep MoCA signals
(used for whole-home DVR and networking) confined to the customer's
premises, preventing them from leaking out and interfering with
neighbors' service, and also isolating the home network from external
signals .
6) Which of the following is a common cause of a "hum bar" or
horizontal bars moving through a television picture?
A) Loose connections in the signal path.
B) A faulty ground or bonding connection.
C) An amplifier that is too strong for the signal.
D) Mismatched impedance from an incorrect splitter.
Correct Answer: B) A faulty ground or bonding connection.
Rationale: Hum bars are typically caused by a 60 Hz (or 120 Hz) AC
voltage imposed on the video signal, often resulting from poor
, grounding and bonding connections. This creates visible horizontal bars
that drift or "roll" through the picture .
7) What is the significance of a channel plan stored in a Signal Level
Meter (SLM)?
A) It stores the technician's schedule for the day.
B) It contains the frequencies and modulation types needed for the
meter to properly measure channels.
C) It is a record of all the customers' billing information.
D) It is used to unlock advanced features of the meter.
Correct Answer: B) It contains the frequencies and modulation types
needed for the meter to properly measure channels.
Rationale: An SLM's channel plan is a database that tells the meter the
specific characteristics of each channel, such as its center frequency,
bandwidth, and modulation type. This allows the meter to correctly lock
onto and measure the signal .
8) Which IEEE 802.11 standard operates in the 5 GHz frequency band
and is commonly used for high-speed Wi-Fi networks?
A) 802.11b
B) 802.11g
C) 802.11n
D) 802.11a
Correct Answer: D) 802.11a
Rationale: While 802.11n and later standards can use both 2.4 GHz and
5 GHz, the 802.11a standard was one of the first to operate exclusively
in the 5 GHz band. The 802.11b and 802.11g standards primarily use
the 2.4 GHz band .
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
1) What is the primary benefit of using OFDM and LDPC, which were
introduced in DOCSIS 3.1?
A) They allow for the bonding of multiple QAM channels to increase
throughput.
B) They extend the viability of HFC networks by improving efficiency and
error correction.
C) They enable the use of higher frequencies in the upstream path.
D) They provide a method for scrambling video content to prevent theft
of service.
Correct Answer: B) They extend the viability of HFC networks by
improving efficiency and error correction.
Rationale: Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and low-
density parity-check (LDPC) are key features of DOCSIS 3.1 designed to
significantly increase spectral efficiency and improve error correction,
thereby extending the useful life of Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) networks .
2) If two QAM channels, each with a throughput of 38 Mbps, are
bonded, what is the total downstream throughput?
A) 38 Mbps
B) 76 Mbps
C) 114 Mbps
D) 19 Mbps
,Correct Answer: B) 76 Mbps
Rationale: Channel bonding combines multiple channels to increase
throughput. The total throughput is the sum of the individual channel
throughputs, so 38 Mbps + 38 Mbps = 76 Mbps .
3) In the OSI model, under which layer would a DOCSIS MAC
configuration error fall?
A) Physical Layer
B) Network Layer
C) Data Link Layer
D) Transport Layer
Correct Answer: C) Data Link Layer
Rationale: The Media Access Control (MAC) layer is a sublayer of the
Data Link Layer (Layer 2) in the OSI model. It is responsible for
controlling how devices on a network gain access to the medium and
transmit data, making it the correct location for a DOCSIS MAC
configuration error .
4) What is the term for the phenomenon where noise from multiple
sources in the upstream path combines, potentially disrupting
communications for an entire neighborhood?
A) Ingress
B) Echo
C) Noise Funneling
D) Video Backhaul
Correct Answer: C) Noise Funneling
Rationale: Noise funneling describes the cumulative effect of noise
entering the upstream path from various customer premises. This noise
,travels back to the node and combines, potentially degrading the signal-
to-noise ratio for all subscribers served by that node .
5) What is the purpose of a Point of Entry (PoE) MoCA filter?
A) To amplify MoCA signals throughout the home network.
B) To prevent MoCA signals from traveling beyond the customer's cable
drop and to isolate the MoCA network.
C) To convert MoCA signals to a format compatible with older set-top
boxes.
D) To encrypt the data being sent over the MoCA network.
Correct Answer: B) To prevent MoCA signals from traveling beyond the
customer's cable drop and to isolate the MoCA network.
Rationale: A PoE MoCA filter is installed at the point where the cable
service enters the home. Its primary purpose is to keep MoCA signals
(used for whole-home DVR and networking) confined to the customer's
premises, preventing them from leaking out and interfering with
neighbors' service, and also isolating the home network from external
signals .
6) Which of the following is a common cause of a "hum bar" or
horizontal bars moving through a television picture?
A) Loose connections in the signal path.
B) A faulty ground or bonding connection.
C) An amplifier that is too strong for the signal.
D) Mismatched impedance from an incorrect splitter.
Correct Answer: B) A faulty ground or bonding connection.
Rationale: Hum bars are typically caused by a 60 Hz (or 120 Hz) AC
voltage imposed on the video signal, often resulting from poor
, grounding and bonding connections. This creates visible horizontal bars
that drift or "roll" through the picture .
7) What is the significance of a channel plan stored in a Signal Level
Meter (SLM)?
A) It stores the technician's schedule for the day.
B) It contains the frequencies and modulation types needed for the
meter to properly measure channels.
C) It is a record of all the customers' billing information.
D) It is used to unlock advanced features of the meter.
Correct Answer: B) It contains the frequencies and modulation types
needed for the meter to properly measure channels.
Rationale: An SLM's channel plan is a database that tells the meter the
specific characteristics of each channel, such as its center frequency,
bandwidth, and modulation type. This allows the meter to correctly lock
onto and measure the signal .
8) Which IEEE 802.11 standard operates in the 5 GHz frequency band
and is commonly used for high-speed Wi-Fi networks?
A) 802.11b
B) 802.11g
C) 802.11n
D) 802.11a
Correct Answer: D) 802.11a
Rationale: While 802.11n and later standards can use both 2.4 GHz and
5 GHz, the 802.11a standard was one of the first to operate exclusively
in the 5 GHz band. The 802.11b and 802.11g standards primarily use
the 2.4 GHz band .
