AAERT CER PRACTICE EXAM 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
⩥ Identify Everything Necessary in Order to Create an Accurate
Transcript. Answer: Equipment set up and tested.
All parties arrived: business cards received and cells off.
Read certain info into record: name, company address, date, time,
location, case caption, party who ordered, notice or stipulation, witness
name, names of parties.
Swear in Witness.
Record and Annotate.
⩥ Describe Procedure When an Attorney Certifies a Question. Answer:
Make annotation immediately (usually witness refuses to answer
question).
Check local rules for specific procedures.
Usually separate document listing these. Sign and give to atty.
⩥ Describe Basic Troubleshooting Steps During Video Conference &
Telephonic Proceedings. Answer: Sound quality crucial.
Use a high-quality speakerphone.
Speakers identified as they speak (when 2 or more).
Place mics where they pick up best sound.
,⩥ Describe How to Effectively Work with a Videographer.. Answer:
Take charge of room upon arrival.
Be professional and polite but firm.
Explain where you need to set up and why.
Video must frame the witness.
Videographer will have a script to follow that they put on their record.
Explain this to attys.
⩥ Compare and Contrast Original vs Copy. Answer: Only ONE original
for signature (by deponent).
Copies are clearly marked and certified (use Notary Seal).
Keep a copy for file.
⩥ Define Importance of an Accurate & Verbatim Record & How it
Impacts Judicial System. Answer: Minutes of events as they occur.
Becomes part of the Court's official record.
You are acting as an impartial quasi-officer of the court.
⩥ Describe How to Request and/or Research Proper Nouns to Verify
Spelling for Transcription. Answer: Ask parties after hearing.
,⩥ Describe Procedure When an Attorney Strikes Something from the
Record. Answer: Removes a portion of the record from consideration by
a fact-finder.
The material stricken remains physically in evidence-in case the ruling
to strike is found on appeal to be in error.
⩥ Describe procedure when an Attorney marks something confidential.
Answer: Check State, Federal, Local Guidelines.
Use a Watermark or Footer on each pg of testimony to clearly show the
transcript is subject to protection.
"Subject to Protective Order" or "Confidential & Sealed"
⩥ Describe Chain of Custody. Answer: Record showing proper
maintenance of REAL evidence as opposed to mere documents.
⩥ Identify types of power sources. Answer: Internal battery source
External Power Source (Phantom Power-Mixer, etc)
(Batteries not suggested)
⩥ Identify Microphone Types and Sizes. Answer: Dynamic
Condenser
Combination of the 2
, ⩥ Describe how to actively adjust tracks for proper audio level. Answer:
Use the gain pad to adjust levels on audio channels (on mixer).
Find a "home" position for each control (average amount of gain).
May need to be adjusted by environment.
⩥ Discuss Confidence Monitoring. Answer: Digital Recording Software
MUST provide a method to monitor the recorded content after it has
been written to the computer's hard disc.
Provides the reporter confidence that they are capturing a quality
recording.
⩥ Identify permanently installed equipment vs mobile equipment.
Answer: All need the same thing: assess recording room and take into
consideration all elements of the environment.
Permanent- Stuck with what is already there.
Independent- Select own equipment and placement
⩥ Describe proper audio recording equipment maintenance. Answer:
Cords: Make sure no cracks or bends.
Mixer: Lights properly.
Mics: Proper storage (original packaging or bubble wrap)
CDs: Stored in plastic storage boxes
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
⩥ Identify Everything Necessary in Order to Create an Accurate
Transcript. Answer: Equipment set up and tested.
All parties arrived: business cards received and cells off.
Read certain info into record: name, company address, date, time,
location, case caption, party who ordered, notice or stipulation, witness
name, names of parties.
Swear in Witness.
Record and Annotate.
⩥ Describe Procedure When an Attorney Certifies a Question. Answer:
Make annotation immediately (usually witness refuses to answer
question).
Check local rules for specific procedures.
Usually separate document listing these. Sign and give to atty.
⩥ Describe Basic Troubleshooting Steps During Video Conference &
Telephonic Proceedings. Answer: Sound quality crucial.
Use a high-quality speakerphone.
Speakers identified as they speak (when 2 or more).
Place mics where they pick up best sound.
,⩥ Describe How to Effectively Work with a Videographer.. Answer:
Take charge of room upon arrival.
Be professional and polite but firm.
Explain where you need to set up and why.
Video must frame the witness.
Videographer will have a script to follow that they put on their record.
Explain this to attys.
⩥ Compare and Contrast Original vs Copy. Answer: Only ONE original
for signature (by deponent).
Copies are clearly marked and certified (use Notary Seal).
Keep a copy for file.
⩥ Define Importance of an Accurate & Verbatim Record & How it
Impacts Judicial System. Answer: Minutes of events as they occur.
Becomes part of the Court's official record.
You are acting as an impartial quasi-officer of the court.
⩥ Describe How to Request and/or Research Proper Nouns to Verify
Spelling for Transcription. Answer: Ask parties after hearing.
,⩥ Describe Procedure When an Attorney Strikes Something from the
Record. Answer: Removes a portion of the record from consideration by
a fact-finder.
The material stricken remains physically in evidence-in case the ruling
to strike is found on appeal to be in error.
⩥ Describe procedure when an Attorney marks something confidential.
Answer: Check State, Federal, Local Guidelines.
Use a Watermark or Footer on each pg of testimony to clearly show the
transcript is subject to protection.
"Subject to Protective Order" or "Confidential & Sealed"
⩥ Describe Chain of Custody. Answer: Record showing proper
maintenance of REAL evidence as opposed to mere documents.
⩥ Identify types of power sources. Answer: Internal battery source
External Power Source (Phantom Power-Mixer, etc)
(Batteries not suggested)
⩥ Identify Microphone Types and Sizes. Answer: Dynamic
Condenser
Combination of the 2
, ⩥ Describe how to actively adjust tracks for proper audio level. Answer:
Use the gain pad to adjust levels on audio channels (on mixer).
Find a "home" position for each control (average amount of gain).
May need to be adjusted by environment.
⩥ Discuss Confidence Monitoring. Answer: Digital Recording Software
MUST provide a method to monitor the recorded content after it has
been written to the computer's hard disc.
Provides the reporter confidence that they are capturing a quality
recording.
⩥ Identify permanently installed equipment vs mobile equipment.
Answer: All need the same thing: assess recording room and take into
consideration all elements of the environment.
Permanent- Stuck with what is already there.
Independent- Select own equipment and placement
⩥ Describe proper audio recording equipment maintenance. Answer:
Cords: Make sure no cracks or bends.
Mixer: Lights properly.
Mics: Proper storage (original packaging or bubble wrap)
CDs: Stored in plastic storage boxes
