AAERT CDR
Practice Test 2026/2027
New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR Exam
with 200 Latest Questions and Correct Answers
AAERT CDR Exam Prep Latest 2026/2027 (Brand new!)
200 Questions | 5 Sections | 240 Minutes
American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers
Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) Certification
Sections Covered:
1. Court Reporting Fundamentals & Technology (40 Qs)
2. Legal Terminology & Procedure (40 Qs)
3. Transcription Standards & Grammar (40 Qs)
4. Professional Ethics & AAERT Guidelines (40 Qs)
5. Realtime Reporting & Advanced Technology (40 Qs)
,AAERT CDR Practice Test 2026/2027 Page 2
This practice test contains 200 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare candidates for the
AAERT Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) examination. Each question includes four answer choices
(A-D), the correct answer, and a detailed rationale. The questions are organized into five sections
covering the core competencies of deposition reporting.
Sections Covered:
1. Section 1: Court Reporting Fundamentals & Technology (40 Questions)
2. Section 2: Legal Terminology & Procedure (40 Questions)
3. Section 3: Transcription Standards & Grammar (40 Questions)
4. Section 4: Professional Ethics & AAERT Guidelines (40 Questions)
5. Section 5: Realtime Reporting & Advanced Technology (40 Questions)
Instructions: Read each question carefully and select the best answer. Refer to the answer key at the
end to check your responses. Good luck!
Copyright 2026 AAERT CDR Exam Prep | For practice purposes only
,AAERT CDR Practice Test 2026/2027 Page 3
Section 1: Court Reporting Fundamentals & Technology
Question 1
During a deposition, the reporter notices the CAT software is dropping strokes intermittently. What is the FIRST
step the reporter should take?
A. Restart the computer immediately
B. Check the steno machine connection and battery status
C. Continue writing and fix errors later
D. Switch to a backup machine without testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first step is to verify the hardware connection and power source, as these are the most common causes of
dropped strokes.
Question 2
Which CAT software feature allows a reporter to create a brief form for a frequently occurring phrase?
A. Realtime translation
B. Steno dictionary entry
C. Audio synchronization
D. Page formatting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steno dictionary entries enable reporters to define brief forms for phrases, improving speed and efficiency.
Question 3
A reporter is asked to provide realtime feed to counsel. What hardware component is ESSENTIAL for this
task?
A. External hard drive
B. Serial or USB cable connection to counsel's laptop
C. CD burner
D. Floppy disk drive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Realtime feed requires a direct connection via serial or USB cable to transmit steno translations to counsel's
device.
Copyright 2026 AAERT CDR Exam Prep | For practice purposes only
, AAERT CDR Practice Test 2026/2027 Page 4
Question 4
In steno theory, what does the term 'conflict' refer to?
A. Two different words with different meanings but the same steno outline
B. An argument between attorneys
C. A hardware malfunction
D. A software virus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A conflict occurs when two or more words with different meanings share the same steno outline, requiring
resolution.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of the steno machine's paper tape in modern court reporting?
A. To create a permanent physical record
B. To serve as a backup when electronic systems fail
C. To provide a decorative element
D. To weigh down the machine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paper tape serves as a backup record when electronic systems fail, ensuring no testimony is lost.
Question 6
A reporter is using a writer with 22 keys. How many keys are typically on the home row of a standard steno
machine?
A. 10 keys
B. 12 keys
C. 14 keys
D. 16 keys
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A standard steno machine has 12 keys on the home row, forming the base for all steno outlines.
Question 7
Which keyboard layout is used in stenography to produce words phonetically?
A. QWERTY
B. Dvorak
C. Steno keyboard
D. AZERTY
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The steno keyboard is specifically designed for phonetic input, allowing multiple keys to be pressed
simultaneously.
Copyright 2026 AAERT CDR Exam Prep | For practice purposes only
Practice Test 2026/2027
New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR Exam
with 200 Latest Questions and Correct Answers
AAERT CDR Exam Prep Latest 2026/2027 (Brand new!)
200 Questions | 5 Sections | 240 Minutes
American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers
Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) Certification
Sections Covered:
1. Court Reporting Fundamentals & Technology (40 Qs)
2. Legal Terminology & Procedure (40 Qs)
3. Transcription Standards & Grammar (40 Qs)
4. Professional Ethics & AAERT Guidelines (40 Qs)
5. Realtime Reporting & Advanced Technology (40 Qs)
,AAERT CDR Practice Test 2026/2027 Page 2
This practice test contains 200 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare candidates for the
AAERT Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) examination. Each question includes four answer choices
(A-D), the correct answer, and a detailed rationale. The questions are organized into five sections
covering the core competencies of deposition reporting.
Sections Covered:
1. Section 1: Court Reporting Fundamentals & Technology (40 Questions)
2. Section 2: Legal Terminology & Procedure (40 Questions)
3. Section 3: Transcription Standards & Grammar (40 Questions)
4. Section 4: Professional Ethics & AAERT Guidelines (40 Questions)
5. Section 5: Realtime Reporting & Advanced Technology (40 Questions)
Instructions: Read each question carefully and select the best answer. Refer to the answer key at the
end to check your responses. Good luck!
Copyright 2026 AAERT CDR Exam Prep | For practice purposes only
,AAERT CDR Practice Test 2026/2027 Page 3
Section 1: Court Reporting Fundamentals & Technology
Question 1
During a deposition, the reporter notices the CAT software is dropping strokes intermittently. What is the FIRST
step the reporter should take?
A. Restart the computer immediately
B. Check the steno machine connection and battery status
C. Continue writing and fix errors later
D. Switch to a backup machine without testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first step is to verify the hardware connection and power source, as these are the most common causes of
dropped strokes.
Question 2
Which CAT software feature allows a reporter to create a brief form for a frequently occurring phrase?
A. Realtime translation
B. Steno dictionary entry
C. Audio synchronization
D. Page formatting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steno dictionary entries enable reporters to define brief forms for phrases, improving speed and efficiency.
Question 3
A reporter is asked to provide realtime feed to counsel. What hardware component is ESSENTIAL for this
task?
A. External hard drive
B. Serial or USB cable connection to counsel's laptop
C. CD burner
D. Floppy disk drive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Realtime feed requires a direct connection via serial or USB cable to transmit steno translations to counsel's
device.
Copyright 2026 AAERT CDR Exam Prep | For practice purposes only
, AAERT CDR Practice Test 2026/2027 Page 4
Question 4
In steno theory, what does the term 'conflict' refer to?
A. Two different words with different meanings but the same steno outline
B. An argument between attorneys
C. A hardware malfunction
D. A software virus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A conflict occurs when two or more words with different meanings share the same steno outline, requiring
resolution.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of the steno machine's paper tape in modern court reporting?
A. To create a permanent physical record
B. To serve as a backup when electronic systems fail
C. To provide a decorative element
D. To weigh down the machine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paper tape serves as a backup record when electronic systems fail, ensuring no testimony is lost.
Question 6
A reporter is using a writer with 22 keys. How many keys are typically on the home row of a standard steno
machine?
A. 10 keys
B. 12 keys
C. 14 keys
D. 16 keys
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A standard steno machine has 12 keys on the home row, forming the base for all steno outlines.
Question 7
Which keyboard layout is used in stenography to produce words phonetically?
A. QWERTY
B. Dvorak
C. Steno keyboard
D. AZERTY
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The steno keyboard is specifically designed for phonetic input, allowing multiple keys to be pressed
simultaneously.
Copyright 2026 AAERT CDR Exam Prep | For practice purposes only
