AAERT CET (Certified Electronic
Transcriber) Certification Exam
Study Guide: 100 Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations
2025/2026 Edition | Based on AAERT Official Examination Blueprints
Covers: Ethics, Digital Reporting, Legal System, Transcript Formatting, Terminology
Practical Exam Passing Score Requirement: 95%
SECTION 1: ETHICS, CONFIDENTIALITY & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR (Domains
1010010300)
Question 1
What is the primary ethical obligation of a digital reporter regarding impartiality?
A) To advocate for the party that retained them
B) To remain an impartial, nonparty to the case
C) To assist the judge in making rulings
D) To provide legal advice to witnesses
Answer: B
Explanation: Digital reporters must maintain neutrality and act as impartial, nonparties to the
case. They do not advocate, assist in judicial decisions, or provide legal advice. [citation:6]
Question 2
Which situation BEST describes a conflict of interest for a digital reporter?
A) Working for a law firm that frequently hires them
B) Having a personal relationship with one of the parties in the proceeding
C) Using recording equipment from different manufacturers
D) Transcribing a deposition remotely
Answer: B
Explanation: A conflict of interest occurs when a personal, financial, or professional relationship
could compromise impartiality. Having a personal relationship with a party creates an
appearance of impropriety. [citation:6]
Question 3
,How should a digital reporter handle a situation where a confidential document is inadvertently
recorded?
A) Include it in the transcript as "inadvertently recorded"
B) Ignore it and continue transcribing
C) Follow protocol for protecting confidential information and consult with the retaining party
D) Publish it on social media as an example
Answer: C
Explanation: Reporters must protect confidential information and follow established protocols for
handling inadvertently recorded confidential material. [citation:6]
Question 4
How does HIPAA apply to digital reporters?
A) It does not apply at all to legal proceedings
B) Reporters must maintain confidentiality of protected health information that becomes part of a
proceeding
C) HIPAA only applies to medical professionals
D) Reporters can ignore HIPAA if they are not medical providers
Answer: B
Explanation: When protected health information (PHI) is disclosed in a legal proceeding, digital
reporters have an obligation to maintain its confidentiality as required by law. [citation:6]
Question 5
Which action demonstrates proper professional appearance and behavior?
A) Arriving at the proceeding location exactly at the scheduled start time
B) Dressing casually to make participants feel comfortable
C) Arriving early to set up equipment and appearing in professional attire
D) Eating lunch at the counsel table during a break
Answer: C
Explanation: Professional behavior includes punctuality (arriving early to prepare) and
appropriate professional attire. Eating at counsel tables is generally inappropriate. [citation:6]
Question 6
How should a digital reporter respond to an attorney's request for a readback of prior testimony?
A) Refuse because readbacks are not part of digital reporting
B) Immediately read back the requested testimony using playback software
,C) Tell the attorney to listen to the recording themselves
D) Only provide readbacks if the judge orders it
Answer: B
Explanation: Digital reporters should be prepared to perform playback or readback of requested
testimony using their software's playback capabilities. [citation:6]
Question 7
What is the appropriate protocol for audio requests from parties in a proceeding?
A) Provide audio to anyone who asks without restriction
B) Refuse all audio requests to maintain confidentiality
C) Follow established protocol for distribution, which may include obtaining consent or following
court rules
D) Only provide audio to the party who retained the reporter
Answer: C
Explanation: Protocol for audio requests must balance access with confidentiality and follow
applicable laws, court rules, and party agreements. [citation:6]
SECTION 2: DIGITAL RECORDING & EQUIPMENT (Domains 2010021800)
Question 8
What is the primary responsibility of the electronic reporter during a proceeding?
A) Taking verbatim notes
B) Obtaining a high quality recording
C) Ruling on objections
D) Managing exhibits independently
Answer: B
Explanation: The electronic reporter's primary duty is to capture a highquality, complete, and
accurate audio recording of the proceeding. [citation:1]
Question 9
What should be checked EACH TIME a reporter begins a recording session?
A) The digital mixer, input and output connections, and power sources
B) Only the battery level
C) Only the microphone placement
D) Only the recording software version
, Answer: A
Explanation: Before each recording session, reporters must verify all equipment including digital
mixers, connections, and power sources to ensure proper function. [citation:1]
Question 10
A room with hard surfaces like plaster, marble, and wood paneling will result in what acoustic
characteristic?
A) An acoustically "dead" room
B) An acoustically "live" room with sound reflections
C) Perfect sound absorption
D) No impact on audio quality
Answer: B
Explanation: Hard, nonporous surfaces reflect sound waves, creating an acoustically "live" room
with echoes and reverberations that can affect recording quality. [citation:1]
Question 11
What defines a multichannel recording?
A) Recording with a single microphone
B) Recording multiple audio sources on separate tracks simultaneously
C) Recording only the judge's voice
D) Recording with a smartphone
Answer: B
Explanation: Multichannel recording captures different audio sources (e.g., judge, witness,
counsel) on separate tracks, allowing for better audio control during transcription. [citation:6]
Question 12
Which microphone type generally offers the highest audio quality for professional legal
proceedings?
A) Smartphone builtin microphone
B) USB headset microphone
C) Professional condenser or dynamic microphones with XLR connections
D) Webcam microphone
Answer: C
Transcriber) Certification Exam
Study Guide: 100 Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations
2025/2026 Edition | Based on AAERT Official Examination Blueprints
Covers: Ethics, Digital Reporting, Legal System, Transcript Formatting, Terminology
Practical Exam Passing Score Requirement: 95%
SECTION 1: ETHICS, CONFIDENTIALITY & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR (Domains
1010010300)
Question 1
What is the primary ethical obligation of a digital reporter regarding impartiality?
A) To advocate for the party that retained them
B) To remain an impartial, nonparty to the case
C) To assist the judge in making rulings
D) To provide legal advice to witnesses
Answer: B
Explanation: Digital reporters must maintain neutrality and act as impartial, nonparties to the
case. They do not advocate, assist in judicial decisions, or provide legal advice. [citation:6]
Question 2
Which situation BEST describes a conflict of interest for a digital reporter?
A) Working for a law firm that frequently hires them
B) Having a personal relationship with one of the parties in the proceeding
C) Using recording equipment from different manufacturers
D) Transcribing a deposition remotely
Answer: B
Explanation: A conflict of interest occurs when a personal, financial, or professional relationship
could compromise impartiality. Having a personal relationship with a party creates an
appearance of impropriety. [citation:6]
Question 3
,How should a digital reporter handle a situation where a confidential document is inadvertently
recorded?
A) Include it in the transcript as "inadvertently recorded"
B) Ignore it and continue transcribing
C) Follow protocol for protecting confidential information and consult with the retaining party
D) Publish it on social media as an example
Answer: C
Explanation: Reporters must protect confidential information and follow established protocols for
handling inadvertently recorded confidential material. [citation:6]
Question 4
How does HIPAA apply to digital reporters?
A) It does not apply at all to legal proceedings
B) Reporters must maintain confidentiality of protected health information that becomes part of a
proceeding
C) HIPAA only applies to medical professionals
D) Reporters can ignore HIPAA if they are not medical providers
Answer: B
Explanation: When protected health information (PHI) is disclosed in a legal proceeding, digital
reporters have an obligation to maintain its confidentiality as required by law. [citation:6]
Question 5
Which action demonstrates proper professional appearance and behavior?
A) Arriving at the proceeding location exactly at the scheduled start time
B) Dressing casually to make participants feel comfortable
C) Arriving early to set up equipment and appearing in professional attire
D) Eating lunch at the counsel table during a break
Answer: C
Explanation: Professional behavior includes punctuality (arriving early to prepare) and
appropriate professional attire. Eating at counsel tables is generally inappropriate. [citation:6]
Question 6
How should a digital reporter respond to an attorney's request for a readback of prior testimony?
A) Refuse because readbacks are not part of digital reporting
B) Immediately read back the requested testimony using playback software
,C) Tell the attorney to listen to the recording themselves
D) Only provide readbacks if the judge orders it
Answer: B
Explanation: Digital reporters should be prepared to perform playback or readback of requested
testimony using their software's playback capabilities. [citation:6]
Question 7
What is the appropriate protocol for audio requests from parties in a proceeding?
A) Provide audio to anyone who asks without restriction
B) Refuse all audio requests to maintain confidentiality
C) Follow established protocol for distribution, which may include obtaining consent or following
court rules
D) Only provide audio to the party who retained the reporter
Answer: C
Explanation: Protocol for audio requests must balance access with confidentiality and follow
applicable laws, court rules, and party agreements. [citation:6]
SECTION 2: DIGITAL RECORDING & EQUIPMENT (Domains 2010021800)
Question 8
What is the primary responsibility of the electronic reporter during a proceeding?
A) Taking verbatim notes
B) Obtaining a high quality recording
C) Ruling on objections
D) Managing exhibits independently
Answer: B
Explanation: The electronic reporter's primary duty is to capture a highquality, complete, and
accurate audio recording of the proceeding. [citation:1]
Question 9
What should be checked EACH TIME a reporter begins a recording session?
A) The digital mixer, input and output connections, and power sources
B) Only the battery level
C) Only the microphone placement
D) Only the recording software version
, Answer: A
Explanation: Before each recording session, reporters must verify all equipment including digital
mixers, connections, and power sources to ensure proper function. [citation:1]
Question 10
A room with hard surfaces like plaster, marble, and wood paneling will result in what acoustic
characteristic?
A) An acoustically "dead" room
B) An acoustically "live" room with sound reflections
C) Perfect sound absorption
D) No impact on audio quality
Answer: B
Explanation: Hard, nonporous surfaces reflect sound waves, creating an acoustically "live" room
with echoes and reverberations that can affect recording quality. [citation:1]
Question 11
What defines a multichannel recording?
A) Recording with a single microphone
B) Recording multiple audio sources on separate tracks simultaneously
C) Recording only the judge's voice
D) Recording with a smartphone
Answer: B
Explanation: Multichannel recording captures different audio sources (e.g., judge, witness,
counsel) on separate tracks, allowing for better audio control during transcription. [citation:6]
Question 12
Which microphone type generally offers the highest audio quality for professional legal
proceedings?
A) Smartphone builtin microphone
B) USB headset microphone
C) Professional condenser or dynamic microphones with XLR connections
D) Webcam microphone
Answer: C
