AAERT CDR CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION – 200-QUESTION TEST
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Simplified Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I Working as a Legal 40 2
Professional
II Digital Reporting 80 7
III Legal System 50 15
IV Terminology 30 20
Section I: Working as a Legal Professional (Questions 1–40)
1. A certified digital reporter is assigned to a deposition involving a
law firm where the reporter's sibling is currently employed as a
paralegal. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Proceed with the assignment because the sibling is not an attorney
B. Decline the assignment and disclose the potential conflict of interest
to the assigning agency
C. Proceed but inform the attorneys of the sibling's employment
D. Accept the assignment and wait to see if any party raises an
objection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT ethical standards require reporters to avoid even the
appearance of impropriety. A family member's employment with a firm
,involved in the proceeding creates a potential conflict of interest that
must be disclosed. The reporter should decline the assignment and
inform the agency so an impartial reporter can be assigned.
2. During a break in a deposition, an attorney offers a digital reporter
a $25 gift card to a local restaurant as a token of appreciation. How
should the reporter respond?
A. Accept the gift card because it is a small amount
B. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from parties
to a case is against professional ethics
C. Accept the gift card but report it to the reporting firm
D. Accept the gift card only if all attorneys present agree
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT's Code of Professional Ethics prohibits reporters from
accepting gifts from attorneys, parties, or anyone connected to a case.
Even small gifts can create the appearance of bias. The correct response
is to politely decline and explain the ethical prohibition.
3. A digital reporter discovers that their employer has been overbilling
clients by inflating transcript page counts. The firm owner instructs
the reporter not to disclose this. What is the reporter's ethical
obligation?
A. Follow the employer's instructions because the reporter is an
employee
B. Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate professional
authority
C. Confront the firm owner directly and demand they stop
D. Quietly find employment elsewhere and say nothing
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT ethical standards require reporters to maintain
integrity in all professional dealings. Fraudulent billing is a serious
ethical violation and potentially illegal. The reporter has an obligation to
report such misconduct to the appropriate authority, which may include
AAERT or state certification boards.
4. What is the primary ethical responsibility of a Certified Deposition
Reporter when taking a deposition?
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 ensure the deposition concludes as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The foundational ethical principle for all court reporters is
impartiality and accuracy. A CDR must create a verbatim, complete
record of all testimony and proceedings without bias toward any party.
5. A digital reporter learns that their cousin is a party in a case they
have been assigned to cover. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Proceed with the deposition as scheduled since it is only a cousin
B. Disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw
C. Withdraw immediately without explanation
D. Ask the cousin to reschedule the deposition
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A conflict of interest exists when the reporter has a personal
relationship with any party involved. The reporter should disclose the
relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw. Failure to do so could
compromise impartiality and violate AAERT ethical standards.
6. Which document formally establishes the professional standards
and code of conduct for Certified Deposition Reporters?
A. The United States Constitution
B. State Bar Association Guidelines only
C. AAERT Professional Standards and Code of Conduct
D. Local court administrative orders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: AAERT establishes the professional standards and code of
conduct that govern CDRs. While state bar associations and local courts
may have additional requirements, AAERT standards are the recognized
professional benchmark for certification.
7. Which of the following scenarios would constitute an ethical
violation for a digital reporter?
A. Accepting a cup of coffee from the court clerk during a break
B. Discussing the details of a deposition with a friend who is not
involved in the case
C. Using the restroom during a scheduled break
D. Arriving 15 minutes early to set up equipment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discussing details of a deposition with anyone not involved
in the case violates confidentiality obligations. All information obtained
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Simplified Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I Working as a Legal 40 2
Professional
II Digital Reporting 80 7
III Legal System 50 15
IV Terminology 30 20
Section I: Working as a Legal Professional (Questions 1–40)
1. A certified digital reporter is assigned to a deposition involving a
law firm where the reporter's sibling is currently employed as a
paralegal. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Proceed with the assignment because the sibling is not an attorney
B. Decline the assignment and disclose the potential conflict of interest
to the assigning agency
C. Proceed but inform the attorneys of the sibling's employment
D. Accept the assignment and wait to see if any party raises an
objection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT ethical standards require reporters to avoid even the
appearance of impropriety. A family member's employment with a firm
,involved in the proceeding creates a potential conflict of interest that
must be disclosed. The reporter should decline the assignment and
inform the agency so an impartial reporter can be assigned.
2. During a break in a deposition, an attorney offers a digital reporter
a $25 gift card to a local restaurant as a token of appreciation. How
should the reporter respond?
A. Accept the gift card because it is a small amount
B. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from parties
to a case is against professional ethics
C. Accept the gift card but report it to the reporting firm
D. Accept the gift card only if all attorneys present agree
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT's Code of Professional Ethics prohibits reporters from
accepting gifts from attorneys, parties, or anyone connected to a case.
Even small gifts can create the appearance of bias. The correct response
is to politely decline and explain the ethical prohibition.
3. A digital reporter discovers that their employer has been overbilling
clients by inflating transcript page counts. The firm owner instructs
the reporter not to disclose this. What is the reporter's ethical
obligation?
A. Follow the employer's instructions because the reporter is an
employee
B. Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate professional
authority
C. Confront the firm owner directly and demand they stop
D. Quietly find employment elsewhere and say nothing
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT ethical standards require reporters to maintain
integrity in all professional dealings. Fraudulent billing is a serious
ethical violation and potentially illegal. The reporter has an obligation to
report such misconduct to the appropriate authority, which may include
AAERT or state certification boards.
4. What is the primary ethical responsibility of a Certified Deposition
Reporter when taking a deposition?
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 ensure the deposition concludes as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The foundational ethical principle for all court reporters is
impartiality and accuracy. A CDR must create a verbatim, complete
record of all testimony and proceedings without bias toward any party.
5. A digital reporter learns that their cousin is a party in a case they
have been assigned to cover. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Proceed with the deposition as scheduled since it is only a cousin
B. Disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw
C. Withdraw immediately without explanation
D. Ask the cousin to reschedule the deposition
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A conflict of interest exists when the reporter has a personal
relationship with any party involved. The reporter should disclose the
relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw. Failure to do so could
compromise impartiality and violate AAERT ethical standards.
6. Which document formally establishes the professional standards
and code of conduct for Certified Deposition Reporters?
A. The United States Constitution
B. State Bar Association Guidelines only
C. AAERT Professional Standards and Code of Conduct
D. Local court administrative orders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: AAERT establishes the professional standards and code of
conduct that govern CDRs. While state bar associations and local courts
may have additional requirements, AAERT standards are the recognized
professional benchmark for certification.
7. Which of the following scenarios would constitute an ethical
violation for a digital reporter?
A. Accepting a cup of coffee from the court clerk during a break
B. Discussing the details of a deposition with a friend who is not
involved in the case
C. Using the restroom during a scheduled break
D. Arriving 15 minutes early to set up equipment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discussing details of a deposition with anyone not involved
in the case violates confidentiality obligations. All information obtained
