New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR
Exam with 200 Latest Questions and
Correct Answers/ AAERT CDR Exam Prep
Latest 2026 (Brand new!)
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS
(Questions 1-40)
1. Is it appropriate for the reporter to interrupt after a witness has answered a
question non-verbally and ask the witness to answer out loud?
• A) Yes
• B) No
• C) Only if the attorney requests it
• D) Only during depositions
Answer: A) Yes
Rationale: The digital reporter must ensure a complete and clear audio record. When a
witness responds non-verbally (e.g., nodding or shaking their head), the reporter should
politely interrupt and ask the witness to provide a verbal answer for the record. This
preserves an accurate verbatim record that can be transcribed properly .
2. What describes the role of the digital reporter in relation to a case?
• A) An advocate for the party that hired them
• B) An impartial, non-party to the case
• C) A legal advisor to the judge
• D) A representative of the court administration
,Answer: B) An impartial, non-party to the case
Rationale: AAERT standards require digital reporters to maintain neutrality and
impartiality throughout all proceedings. The reporter's duty is to the accurate record,
not to any party in the case. This professional behavior is a core ethical obligation .
3. What is a conflict of interest in the context of court reporting?
• A) When the reporter knows one of the attorneys personally
• B) A situation where a person in a position of responsibility has competing
professional or personal interests that make it difficult to fulfill duties impartially
• C) When the reporter disagrees with a legal argument
• D) When the reporter has worked for a law firm previously
Answer: B) A situation where a person in a position of responsibility has
competing professional or personal interests that make it difficult to fulfill duties
impartially
Rationale: Conflicts of interest compromise the reporter's ability to remain neutral.
AAERT ethics guidelines require reporters to identify, disclose, and appropriately handle
any situation that could impair impartiality .
4. How should a digital reporter handle a conflict of interest situation?
• A) Ignore it and continue working
• B) Disclose it to the appropriate parties and recuse themselves if necessary
• C) Only disclose it if asked
• D) Continue working but favor one side
Answer: B) Disclose it to the appropriate parties and recuse themselves if
necessary
Rationale: AAERT ethical guidelines require transparent handling of conflicts. The
reporter must disclose any potential conflict and remove themselves from the
proceeding if impartiality cannot be maintained .
,5. What is the appropriate way to avoid the appearance of impropriety?
• A) Accept small gifts from attorneys
• B) Maintain professional boundaries and avoid any behavior that could suggest
bias
• C) Socialize with parties after proceedings
• D) Share case information with colleagues
Answer: B) Maintain professional boundaries and avoid any behavior that could
suggest bias
Rationale: AAERT ethics emphasize not only actual ethical conduct but also avoiding the
appearance of impropriety. Reporters must maintain professional boundaries and
behaviors that would not create any perception of bias or partiality .
6. What is the ethical stance on gift giving in court reporting?
• A) All gifts are acceptable
• B) Small gifts under $25 are always acceptable
• C) Reporters must avoid accepting gifts that could create a conflict of interest or
appearance of favoritism
• D) Gifts are only acceptable during holidays
Answer: C) Reporters must avoid accepting gifts that could create a conflict of
interest or appearance of favoritism
Rationale: AAERT ethics guidelines address gift giving as a potential source of
impropriety. Reporters should avoid accepting anything that could appear to influence
their impartial performance .
7. What does maintaining confidentiality require of a digital reporter?
• A) Discussing cases with family members
• B) Restricting access to legal recordings and protecting sensitive information
, • C) Sharing transcripts with colleagues for training
• D) Storing files on unsecured devices
Answer: B) Restricting access to legal recordings and protecting sensitive
information
Rationale: Confidentiality is a cornerstone of court reporting ethics. Reporters must
protect all case-related information and recordings from unauthorized access,
tampering, or disclosure .
8. How does HIPAA apply to digital reporting?
• A) It does not apply to court reporters
• B) Reporters handling medical information in proceedings must comply with
privacy and security requirements
• C) Only applies to hospital settings
• D) Reporters are exempt from HIPAA requirements
Answer: B) Reporters handling medical information in proceedings must comply
with privacy and security requirements
Rationale: When proceedings involve protected health information, digital reporters
must understand and apply HIPAA requirements to maintain proper confidentiality and
security of sensitive medical data .
9. What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in the context of court reporting?
• A) A contract between attorneys
• B) A legal agreement that restricts the sharing of confidential information
• C) A court order for evidence
• D) A transcript certification form
Answer: B) A legal agreement that restricts the sharing of confidential information
Exam with 200 Latest Questions and
Correct Answers/ AAERT CDR Exam Prep
Latest 2026 (Brand new!)
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS
(Questions 1-40)
1. Is it appropriate for the reporter to interrupt after a witness has answered a
question non-verbally and ask the witness to answer out loud?
• A) Yes
• B) No
• C) Only if the attorney requests it
• D) Only during depositions
Answer: A) Yes
Rationale: The digital reporter must ensure a complete and clear audio record. When a
witness responds non-verbally (e.g., nodding or shaking their head), the reporter should
politely interrupt and ask the witness to provide a verbal answer for the record. This
preserves an accurate verbatim record that can be transcribed properly .
2. What describes the role of the digital reporter in relation to a case?
• A) An advocate for the party that hired them
• B) An impartial, non-party to the case
• C) A legal advisor to the judge
• D) A representative of the court administration
,Answer: B) An impartial, non-party to the case
Rationale: AAERT standards require digital reporters to maintain neutrality and
impartiality throughout all proceedings. The reporter's duty is to the accurate record,
not to any party in the case. This professional behavior is a core ethical obligation .
3. What is a conflict of interest in the context of court reporting?
• A) When the reporter knows one of the attorneys personally
• B) A situation where a person in a position of responsibility has competing
professional or personal interests that make it difficult to fulfill duties impartially
• C) When the reporter disagrees with a legal argument
• D) When the reporter has worked for a law firm previously
Answer: B) A situation where a person in a position of responsibility has
competing professional or personal interests that make it difficult to fulfill duties
impartially
Rationale: Conflicts of interest compromise the reporter's ability to remain neutral.
AAERT ethics guidelines require reporters to identify, disclose, and appropriately handle
any situation that could impair impartiality .
4. How should a digital reporter handle a conflict of interest situation?
• A) Ignore it and continue working
• B) Disclose it to the appropriate parties and recuse themselves if necessary
• C) Only disclose it if asked
• D) Continue working but favor one side
Answer: B) Disclose it to the appropriate parties and recuse themselves if
necessary
Rationale: AAERT ethical guidelines require transparent handling of conflicts. The
reporter must disclose any potential conflict and remove themselves from the
proceeding if impartiality cannot be maintained .
,5. What is the appropriate way to avoid the appearance of impropriety?
• A) Accept small gifts from attorneys
• B) Maintain professional boundaries and avoid any behavior that could suggest
bias
• C) Socialize with parties after proceedings
• D) Share case information with colleagues
Answer: B) Maintain professional boundaries and avoid any behavior that could
suggest bias
Rationale: AAERT ethics emphasize not only actual ethical conduct but also avoiding the
appearance of impropriety. Reporters must maintain professional boundaries and
behaviors that would not create any perception of bias or partiality .
6. What is the ethical stance on gift giving in court reporting?
• A) All gifts are acceptable
• B) Small gifts under $25 are always acceptable
• C) Reporters must avoid accepting gifts that could create a conflict of interest or
appearance of favoritism
• D) Gifts are only acceptable during holidays
Answer: C) Reporters must avoid accepting gifts that could create a conflict of
interest or appearance of favoritism
Rationale: AAERT ethics guidelines address gift giving as a potential source of
impropriety. Reporters should avoid accepting anything that could appear to influence
their impartial performance .
7. What does maintaining confidentiality require of a digital reporter?
• A) Discussing cases with family members
• B) Restricting access to legal recordings and protecting sensitive information
, • C) Sharing transcripts with colleagues for training
• D) Storing files on unsecured devices
Answer: B) Restricting access to legal recordings and protecting sensitive
information
Rationale: Confidentiality is a cornerstone of court reporting ethics. Reporters must
protect all case-related information and recordings from unauthorized access,
tampering, or disclosure .
8. How does HIPAA apply to digital reporting?
• A) It does not apply to court reporters
• B) Reporters handling medical information in proceedings must comply with
privacy and security requirements
• C) Only applies to hospital settings
• D) Reporters are exempt from HIPAA requirements
Answer: B) Reporters handling medical information in proceedings must comply
with privacy and security requirements
Rationale: When proceedings involve protected health information, digital reporters
must understand and apply HIPAA requirements to maintain proper confidentiality and
security of sensitive medical data .
9. What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in the context of court reporting?
• A) A contract between attorneys
• B) A legal agreement that restricts the sharing of confidential information
• C) A court order for evidence
• D) A transcript certification form
Answer: B) A legal agreement that restricts the sharing of confidential information
