AAERT CDR Exam Practice Test Bank
Below is a structured test bank covering key knowledge domains for the Certified Deposition
Reporter (CDR) exam, based on the AAERT exam blueprint and verified practice materials.
Section 1: Ethics & Professional Responsibility (20%)
Q1. What is the primary ethical responsibility of a Certified Deposition Reporter?
• A) To provide advice to the parties about their legal strategy
• B) To remain impartial and ensure an accurate, complete record of the proceeding
• C) To protect the interests of the attorney who hired them
• D) To summarize testimony and provide legal opinions on the evidence
Correct Answer: B
Q2. Which document formally establishes the rules and requirements for Certified Deposition
Reporters?
• A) The United States Constitution
• B) State Bar Association Guidelines only
• C) AAERT Professional Standards and Code of Conduct
• D) The attorney's retainer agreement
Correct Answer: C
Q3. The ethical implication of accepting a gift from an attorney whose deposition you are reporting
is:
• A) Acceptable if the gift is under $50
• B) An ethical violation
• C) Permissible if disclosed to all parties
• D) Only a violation if the case is ongoing
Correct Answer: B
Q4. What are a reporter's personal notes and dictionary considered?
• A) Public record
• B) Proprietary and confidential
• C) The property of the hiring attorney
• D) Subject to subpoena without restriction
Correct Answer: B
Q5. When a lawyer says "Strike that," what should the digital reporter do for the transcriptionist?
, • A) Nothing special is required
• B) Annotate the instruction
• C) Ignore the instruction
• D) Stop recording immediately
Correct Answer: B
Q6. What is an "errata sheet"?
• A) A form for the witness to make changes to the transcript
• B) An error log kept by the reporter
• C) A court order for corrections
• D) A list of objections made during the deposition
Correct Answer: A
Section 2: Digital Reporting & Equipment (40%)
Q7. Which is preferable when recording audio: a "live" or a "dead" room?
• A) Live
• B) Dead
• C) Either is equally suitable
• D) It depends on the number of speakers
Correct Answer: B
Q8. An acoustically "live" room will:
• A) Absorb all sound
• B) Echo sound off hard surfaces
• C) Have no effect on recording quality
• D) Improve audio clarity
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A cardioid pickup pattern (unidirectional) is best when trying to capture:
• A) A single speaking participant
• B) Multiple speakers at once
• C) Ambient room noise
• D) A group discussion
Correct Answer: A
Below is a structured test bank covering key knowledge domains for the Certified Deposition
Reporter (CDR) exam, based on the AAERT exam blueprint and verified practice materials.
Section 1: Ethics & Professional Responsibility (20%)
Q1. What is the primary ethical responsibility of a Certified Deposition Reporter?
• A) To provide advice to the parties about their legal strategy
• B) To remain impartial and ensure an accurate, complete record of the proceeding
• C) To protect the interests of the attorney who hired them
• D) To summarize testimony and provide legal opinions on the evidence
Correct Answer: B
Q2. Which document formally establishes the rules and requirements for Certified Deposition
Reporters?
• A) The United States Constitution
• B) State Bar Association Guidelines only
• C) AAERT Professional Standards and Code of Conduct
• D) The attorney's retainer agreement
Correct Answer: C
Q3. The ethical implication of accepting a gift from an attorney whose deposition you are reporting
is:
• A) Acceptable if the gift is under $50
• B) An ethical violation
• C) Permissible if disclosed to all parties
• D) Only a violation if the case is ongoing
Correct Answer: B
Q4. What are a reporter's personal notes and dictionary considered?
• A) Public record
• B) Proprietary and confidential
• C) The property of the hiring attorney
• D) Subject to subpoena without restriction
Correct Answer: B
Q5. When a lawyer says "Strike that," what should the digital reporter do for the transcriptionist?
, • A) Nothing special is required
• B) Annotate the instruction
• C) Ignore the instruction
• D) Stop recording immediately
Correct Answer: B
Q6. What is an "errata sheet"?
• A) A form for the witness to make changes to the transcript
• B) An error log kept by the reporter
• C) A court order for corrections
• D) A list of objections made during the deposition
Correct Answer: A
Section 2: Digital Reporting & Equipment (40%)
Q7. Which is preferable when recording audio: a "live" or a "dead" room?
• A) Live
• B) Dead
• C) Either is equally suitable
• D) It depends on the number of speakers
Correct Answer: B
Q8. An acoustically "live" room will:
• A) Absorb all sound
• B) Echo sound off hard surfaces
• C) Have no effect on recording quality
• D) Improve audio clarity
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A cardioid pickup pattern (unidirectional) is best when trying to capture:
• A) A single speaking participant
• B) Multiple speakers at once
• C) Ambient room noise
• D) A group discussion
Correct Answer: A
