A+ VERIFIED
CERTIFICATION · OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR Exam
— Complete
Official Exam
200 Questions Full Rationales Verified Answers
A+ 4 100%
QUESTIONS SECTIONS RATIONALES
Complete coverage Core exam domains Every answer explained
WHAT THIS COVERS
01 Working as a Legal Professional (20%)
02 Digital Reporting (40%)
03 Knowledge of the Law and Legal Procedures (20%)
04 Transcript Production (20%)
ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT
Build mastery in digital court reporting — from legal professionalism
and digital reporting procedures to knowledge of the law, legal
procedures, and transcript production. This original study bank targets
application and analysis skills for the AAERT Certified Deposition
Reporter (CDR) exam, with full rationales for every answer.
For review use only; not an institutional proctored assessment.
PASSING SCORE LEVEL FORMAT
70% Advanced (Certification) Application / Analysis
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM Page 1
, SECTION 1: Working as a Legal Professional
Q1. A digital deposition reporter is offered a $150 gift card by an attorney after a multi-day deposition. The reporter has worked with
this attorney on several prior matters. What is the most ethically appropriate response?
A. Accept the gift because it is under $200 and does not create an appearance of impropriety
B. Accept the gift but disclose it to the other parties present at the deposition
C. Accept the gift only if the attorney confirms it is not intended to influence future work
D. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from parties or counsel could compromise the appearance of impartiality
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Court reporters must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Accepting gifts from counsel, especially recurring counsel, can create the
perception of bias. Declining is the safest and most professional course consistent with AAERT ethical standards.
Q2. During a deposition the reporter realizes that one of the attorneys is a close personal friend from college. No one else in the room
is aware of the relationship. What should the reporter do first?
A. Disclose the relationship on the record and ask whether any party objects to the reporter continuing
B. Continue reporting because the friendship will not affect the accuracy of the record
C. Immediately stop the deposition and leave the room without explanation
D. Notify only the hiring attorney privately after the deposition ends
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A potential conflict of interest must be disclosed promptly so that the parties can decide whether the reporter should continue. Transparency
protects the integrity of the proceeding and the reporter’s professional reputation.
Q3. A reporter is asked by an attorney to ‘just summarize’ the witness’s answers instead of capturing a verbatim record because the
case is ‘not that important.’ How should the reporter respond?
A. Explain that the reporter’s duty is to produce a complete and accurate record and decline to summarize
B. Agree to summarize if both sides consent on the record
C. Summarize only the portions the attorney designates as unimportant
D. Refer the attorney to the local rules and continue with a full record only if the judge has ordered it
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Digital deposition reporters are responsible for creating a complete, accurate, and impartial record. Summarizing testimony at a party’s request
violates that core obligation regardless of the perceived importance of the case.
Q4. While packing equipment after a deposition, the reporter overhears two attorneys discussing confidential settlement figures. What
is the reporter’s ethical obligation?
A. Share the information with the hiring firm’s managing partner because it may affect billing
B. Document the conversation in the reporter’s personal notes for future reference
C. Inform the court reporter association ethics hotline immediately
D. Maintain strict confidentiality and not disclose the information to anyone outside the proceeding
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Reporters are bound by confidentiality regarding everything heard in the course of a proceeding. Settlement discussions are protected, and
disclosure to third parties is prohibited.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 2
, SECTION 1: Working as a Legal Professional
Q5. A client requests that the reporter alter the transcript to remove several instances of the witness saying ‘um’ and ‘you know.’ The
reporter believes the changes would improve readability. What is the correct action?
A. Refuse the request and explain that the transcript must remain a true and accurate reflection of the spoken words
B. Make the requested edits because they do not change the substantive meaning
C. Make the edits but note them in a parenthetical
D. Ask the opposing counsel whether they object to the changes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A transcript must be a faithful record of what was said. Removing verbal fillers at a party’s request constitutes an alteration of the record and is not
permitted without a court order or formal stipulation that is itself reflected on the record.
Q6. The reporter arrives at a remote deposition and discovers that the video platform password was shared with an unauthorized third
party by the noticing attorney. What is the best immediate step?
A. Notify all counsel on the record of the potential security breach and seek direction before continuing
B. Proceed with the deposition because the reporter is not responsible for platform security
C. Cancel the deposition unilaterally and leave the platform
D. Change the password without informing anyone and continue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the proceeding is a professional responsibility. Any known security compromise must be disclosed so
that counsel can decide how to proceed.
Q7. A reporter is asked to provide a rough draft to only one side before the official transcript is completed. The other side has not been
informed. What should the reporter do?
A. Provide the rough draft as a courtesy to the hiring attorney
B. Refuse to provide any rough draft under any circumstances
C. Inform both sides that a rough draft is available and offer it on equal terms
D. Provide the rough draft only if the hiring attorney pays an extra fee
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Equal treatment of all parties is a fundamental ethical requirement. Offering a work product to one side exclusively creates an appearance of
partiality.
Q8. During a deposition the witness becomes highly emotional and the examining attorney asks the reporter to ‘go off the record’ so
the witness can compose herself. The opposing attorney objects. What is the reporter’s proper response?
A. Remain on the record until both counsel agree or a ruling is obtained
B. Go off the record because the examining attorney requested it
C. Stop recording immediately to protect the witness’s dignity
D. Ask the witness whether she wants the record stopped
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The reporter does not decide when the record starts or stops. Both parties (or a judicial ruling) must agree before the reporter suspends recording.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 3
, SECTION 1: Working as a Legal Professional
Q9. A reporter is hired for a series of depositions by a large firm that also represents the reporter’s spouse in an unrelated civil matter.
What is the appropriate course of action?
A. Accept the work because the matters are unrelated
B. Disclose the relationship in writing to all parties and obtain informed consent before proceeding
C. Decline all work from that firm indefinitely
D. Disclose only to the hiring partner and keep the information private
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Even an indirect personal relationship can create an appearance of conflict. Full disclosure and consent from all parties is required to maintain
impartiality.
Q10. An attorney asks the reporter to certify that a particular exhibit was marked during the deposition even though the exhibit was
never formally marked on the record. How should the reporter respond?
A. Certify the exhibit as requested to maintain a good business relationship
B. Certify the exhibit but add a footnote explaining the circumstances
C. Refuse to certify something that did not occur on the record
D. Ask the opposing counsel to stipulate after the fact
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Certification must be truthful. A reporter cannot attest to events that never took place on the record.
Q11. The reporter notices that one channel of the multi-track recording has been silent for the past ten minutes because a microphone
was accidentally muted. What is the professional obligation?
A. Continue without interruption and hope the problem resolves itself
B. Immediately notify counsel that a technical problem exists and attempt to correct it on the record
C. Stop the deposition without explanation and call technical support
D. Wait until a break to mention the issue privately to the hiring attorney
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Confidence monitoring requires real-time awareness of recording quality. Any interruption in a critical channel must be announced so that
testimony is not lost.
Q12. A reporter is asked to work a deposition in a state where the reporter is not licensed or certified, and local rules require
certification. What is the correct action?
A. Decline the assignment or ensure compliance with local licensing requirements before accepting
B. Accept the job because digital reporting does not require state certification in every jurisdiction
C. Accept the job but do not sign any certificates
D. Ask the attorney to waive the certification requirement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reporters must comply with the licensing and certification rules of the jurisdiction in which the proceeding occurs.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 4
CERTIFICATION · OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
New Practice Test for the AAERT CDR Exam
— Complete
Official Exam
200 Questions Full Rationales Verified Answers
A+ 4 100%
QUESTIONS SECTIONS RATIONALES
Complete coverage Core exam domains Every answer explained
WHAT THIS COVERS
01 Working as a Legal Professional (20%)
02 Digital Reporting (40%)
03 Knowledge of the Law and Legal Procedures (20%)
04 Transcript Production (20%)
ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT
Build mastery in digital court reporting — from legal professionalism
and digital reporting procedures to knowledge of the law, legal
procedures, and transcript production. This original study bank targets
application and analysis skills for the AAERT Certified Deposition
Reporter (CDR) exam, with full rationales for every answer.
For review use only; not an institutional proctored assessment.
PASSING SCORE LEVEL FORMAT
70% Advanced (Certification) Application / Analysis
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM Page 1
, SECTION 1: Working as a Legal Professional
Q1. A digital deposition reporter is offered a $150 gift card by an attorney after a multi-day deposition. The reporter has worked with
this attorney on several prior matters. What is the most ethically appropriate response?
A. Accept the gift because it is under $200 and does not create an appearance of impropriety
B. Accept the gift but disclose it to the other parties present at the deposition
C. Accept the gift only if the attorney confirms it is not intended to influence future work
D. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from parties or counsel could compromise the appearance of impartiality
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Court reporters must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Accepting gifts from counsel, especially recurring counsel, can create the
perception of bias. Declining is the safest and most professional course consistent with AAERT ethical standards.
Q2. During a deposition the reporter realizes that one of the attorneys is a close personal friend from college. No one else in the room
is aware of the relationship. What should the reporter do first?
A. Disclose the relationship on the record and ask whether any party objects to the reporter continuing
B. Continue reporting because the friendship will not affect the accuracy of the record
C. Immediately stop the deposition and leave the room without explanation
D. Notify only the hiring attorney privately after the deposition ends
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A potential conflict of interest must be disclosed promptly so that the parties can decide whether the reporter should continue. Transparency
protects the integrity of the proceeding and the reporter’s professional reputation.
Q3. A reporter is asked by an attorney to ‘just summarize’ the witness’s answers instead of capturing a verbatim record because the
case is ‘not that important.’ How should the reporter respond?
A. Explain that the reporter’s duty is to produce a complete and accurate record and decline to summarize
B. Agree to summarize if both sides consent on the record
C. Summarize only the portions the attorney designates as unimportant
D. Refer the attorney to the local rules and continue with a full record only if the judge has ordered it
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Digital deposition reporters are responsible for creating a complete, accurate, and impartial record. Summarizing testimony at a party’s request
violates that core obligation regardless of the perceived importance of the case.
Q4. While packing equipment after a deposition, the reporter overhears two attorneys discussing confidential settlement figures. What
is the reporter’s ethical obligation?
A. Share the information with the hiring firm’s managing partner because it may affect billing
B. Document the conversation in the reporter’s personal notes for future reference
C. Inform the court reporter association ethics hotline immediately
D. Maintain strict confidentiality and not disclose the information to anyone outside the proceeding
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Reporters are bound by confidentiality regarding everything heard in the course of a proceeding. Settlement discussions are protected, and
disclosure to third parties is prohibited.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 2
, SECTION 1: Working as a Legal Professional
Q5. A client requests that the reporter alter the transcript to remove several instances of the witness saying ‘um’ and ‘you know.’ The
reporter believes the changes would improve readability. What is the correct action?
A. Refuse the request and explain that the transcript must remain a true and accurate reflection of the spoken words
B. Make the requested edits because they do not change the substantive meaning
C. Make the edits but note them in a parenthetical
D. Ask the opposing counsel whether they object to the changes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A transcript must be a faithful record of what was said. Removing verbal fillers at a party’s request constitutes an alteration of the record and is not
permitted without a court order or formal stipulation that is itself reflected on the record.
Q6. The reporter arrives at a remote deposition and discovers that the video platform password was shared with an unauthorized third
party by the noticing attorney. What is the best immediate step?
A. Notify all counsel on the record of the potential security breach and seek direction before continuing
B. Proceed with the deposition because the reporter is not responsible for platform security
C. Cancel the deposition unilaterally and leave the platform
D. Change the password without informing anyone and continue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the proceeding is a professional responsibility. Any known security compromise must be disclosed so
that counsel can decide how to proceed.
Q7. A reporter is asked to provide a rough draft to only one side before the official transcript is completed. The other side has not been
informed. What should the reporter do?
A. Provide the rough draft as a courtesy to the hiring attorney
B. Refuse to provide any rough draft under any circumstances
C. Inform both sides that a rough draft is available and offer it on equal terms
D. Provide the rough draft only if the hiring attorney pays an extra fee
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Equal treatment of all parties is a fundamental ethical requirement. Offering a work product to one side exclusively creates an appearance of
partiality.
Q8. During a deposition the witness becomes highly emotional and the examining attorney asks the reporter to ‘go off the record’ so
the witness can compose herself. The opposing attorney objects. What is the reporter’s proper response?
A. Remain on the record until both counsel agree or a ruling is obtained
B. Go off the record because the examining attorney requested it
C. Stop recording immediately to protect the witness’s dignity
D. Ask the witness whether she wants the record stopped
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The reporter does not decide when the record starts or stops. Both parties (or a judicial ruling) must agree before the reporter suspends recording.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 3
, SECTION 1: Working as a Legal Professional
Q9. A reporter is hired for a series of depositions by a large firm that also represents the reporter’s spouse in an unrelated civil matter.
What is the appropriate course of action?
A. Accept the work because the matters are unrelated
B. Disclose the relationship in writing to all parties and obtain informed consent before proceeding
C. Decline all work from that firm indefinitely
D. Disclose only to the hiring partner and keep the information private
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Even an indirect personal relationship can create an appearance of conflict. Full disclosure and consent from all parties is required to maintain
impartiality.
Q10. An attorney asks the reporter to certify that a particular exhibit was marked during the deposition even though the exhibit was
never formally marked on the record. How should the reporter respond?
A. Certify the exhibit as requested to maintain a good business relationship
B. Certify the exhibit but add a footnote explaining the circumstances
C. Refuse to certify something that did not occur on the record
D. Ask the opposing counsel to stipulate after the fact
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Certification must be truthful. A reporter cannot attest to events that never took place on the record.
Q11. The reporter notices that one channel of the multi-track recording has been silent for the past ten minutes because a microphone
was accidentally muted. What is the professional obligation?
A. Continue without interruption and hope the problem resolves itself
B. Immediately notify counsel that a technical problem exists and attempt to correct it on the record
C. Stop the deposition without explanation and call technical support
D. Wait until a break to mention the issue privately to the hiring attorney
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Confidence monitoring requires real-time awareness of recording quality. Any interruption in a critical channel must be announced so that
testimony is not lost.
Q12. A reporter is asked to work a deposition in a state where the reporter is not licensed or certified, and local rules require
certification. What is the correct action?
A. Decline the assignment or ensure compliance with local licensing requirements before accepting
B. Accept the job because digital reporting does not require state certification in every jurisdiction
C. Accept the job but do not sign any certificates
D. Ask the attorney to waive the certification requirement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reporters must comply with the licensing and certification rules of the jurisdiction in which the proceeding occurs.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 4
