AAERT CDR EXAM / ACTUAL AAERT CDR EXAM
2026/2027 TEST BANK PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM FULL
REVISED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100%
RELIABLE ANSWERS)
SECTION 1: WORKING AS A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL
Q1. A digital reporter is assigned to cover a deposition for a law firm that
previously employed the reporter's spouse as a paralegal. The spouse left the firm
on good terms two years ago. What is the most appropriate course of action
regarding this situation?
A. Proceed with the assignment since the spouse no longer works there
B. Decline the assignment and disclose the potential conflict of interest to the
assigning agency
C. Proceed but inform the attorney that the reporter's spouse used to work there
D. Accept the assignment and wait to see if anyone objects
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under AAERT ethical standards, a digital reporter must avoid
even the appearance of impropriety. A spouse's prior employment with a firm
involved in the proceeding creates a potential conflict of interest that should be
disclosed. The reporter should decline the assignment and inform the agency,
allowing them to assign an impartial reporter. Simply proceeding or waiting for an
objection does not meet the proactive ethical obligation required by AAERT's
Code of Professional Ethics.
,Q2. During a deposition break, an attorney offers a digital reporter a $50 gift card
to a local coffee shop as a token of appreciation for always being punctual. Which
response best aligns with AAERT ethical guidelines?
A. Accept the gift card since it is a small token and does not influence objectivity
B. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from parties to a case is
against professional ethics
C. Accept the gift card but report it to the reporting firm's management
D. Accept the gift card only if all attorneys present agree to it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT's Code of Professional Ethics prohibits reporters from
accepting gifts from attorneys, parties, or anyone connected to a case proceeding.
Even small gifts can create the appearance of bias or favoritism. The correct
response is to politely decline and explain the ethical prohibition. Accepting under
any condition, even with reporting, is not appropriate because the ethical
standard is absolute, not conditional.
Q3. A digital reporter discovers that the court reporting firm they work for has
been overbilling clients by inflating the number of pages in transcripts. The firm
owner instructs the reporter not to mention this to anyone. What is the reporter's
ethical obligation?
A. Follow the employer's instructions since the reporter is an employee and owes
loyalty to the firm
B. Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate professional authority or
regulatory body
C. Confront the firm owner directly and demand they stop the practice
D. Quietly find employment with a different firm and say nothing about the billing
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: AAERT ethical standards require reporters to maintain integrity
in all professional dealings. Fraudulent billing is a serious ethical violation and
potentially illegal. The reporter has an obligation to report such misconduct to the
appropriate authority, which may include AAERT, state certification boards, or
other regulatory bodies. Following improper employer instructions, confronting
the owner without escalation, or simply leaving without reporting all fail to
address the ethical violation.
Q4. A digital reporter learns that their cousin is a party in a case they have been
assigned to cover. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Proceed with the deposition as scheduled since it is only a cousin
B. Disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw
C. Withdraw immediately without explanation
D. Ask the cousin to reschedule the deposition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A conflict of interest exists when the reporter has a personal or
professional relationship with any party involved in the case. The reporter should
disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw. Failure to do so
could compromise the impartiality of the record and violate AAERT ethical
standards.
Q5. Which of the following scenarios would constitute an ethical violation for a
digital reporter?
A. Accepting a cup of coffee from the court clerk during a break
B. Discussing the details of a deposition with a friend who is not involved in the
case
C. Using the restroom during a scheduled break
D. Arriving 15 minutes early to set up equipment
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discussing details of a deposition with anyone not involved in
the case violates confidentiality obligations. All information obtained during a
proceeding is confidential and should not be disclosed without proper
authorization. Accepting modest refreshments is generally acceptable, but gifts of
significant value should be declined.
Q6. A digital reporter is offered a $100 gift card by a law firm after a particularly
long and complex deposition. What should the reporter do?
A. Accept the gift card as a token of appreciation
B. Decline the gift card to avoid the appearance of impropriety
C. Accept the gift card but report it to the AAERT ethics committee
D. Accept the gift card and share it with the transcriptionist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accepting gifts of significant value from parties involved in a
proceeding can create the appearance of impropriety or bias. AAERT standards
suggest that gifts should be declined to maintain impartiality and avoid any
perception of influence.
Q7. A digital reporter is working on a deposition that involves medical records.
Which law applies to the handling of this information?
A. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
B. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
C. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
D. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Correct Answer: A
2026/2027 TEST BANK PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM FULL
REVISED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100%
RELIABLE ANSWERS)
SECTION 1: WORKING AS A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL
Q1. A digital reporter is assigned to cover a deposition for a law firm that
previously employed the reporter's spouse as a paralegal. The spouse left the firm
on good terms two years ago. What is the most appropriate course of action
regarding this situation?
A. Proceed with the assignment since the spouse no longer works there
B. Decline the assignment and disclose the potential conflict of interest to the
assigning agency
C. Proceed but inform the attorney that the reporter's spouse used to work there
D. Accept the assignment and wait to see if anyone objects
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under AAERT ethical standards, a digital reporter must avoid
even the appearance of impropriety. A spouse's prior employment with a firm
involved in the proceeding creates a potential conflict of interest that should be
disclosed. The reporter should decline the assignment and inform the agency,
allowing them to assign an impartial reporter. Simply proceeding or waiting for an
objection does not meet the proactive ethical obligation required by AAERT's
Code of Professional Ethics.
,Q2. During a deposition break, an attorney offers a digital reporter a $50 gift card
to a local coffee shop as a token of appreciation for always being punctual. Which
response best aligns with AAERT ethical guidelines?
A. Accept the gift card since it is a small token and does not influence objectivity
B. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from parties to a case is
against professional ethics
C. Accept the gift card but report it to the reporting firm's management
D. Accept the gift card only if all attorneys present agree to it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAERT's Code of Professional Ethics prohibits reporters from
accepting gifts from attorneys, parties, or anyone connected to a case proceeding.
Even small gifts can create the appearance of bias or favoritism. The correct
response is to politely decline and explain the ethical prohibition. Accepting under
any condition, even with reporting, is not appropriate because the ethical
standard is absolute, not conditional.
Q3. A digital reporter discovers that the court reporting firm they work for has
been overbilling clients by inflating the number of pages in transcripts. The firm
owner instructs the reporter not to mention this to anyone. What is the reporter's
ethical obligation?
A. Follow the employer's instructions since the reporter is an employee and owes
loyalty to the firm
B. Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate professional authority or
regulatory body
C. Confront the firm owner directly and demand they stop the practice
D. Quietly find employment with a different firm and say nothing about the billing
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: AAERT ethical standards require reporters to maintain integrity
in all professional dealings. Fraudulent billing is a serious ethical violation and
potentially illegal. The reporter has an obligation to report such misconduct to the
appropriate authority, which may include AAERT, state certification boards, or
other regulatory bodies. Following improper employer instructions, confronting
the owner without escalation, or simply leaving without reporting all fail to
address the ethical violation.
Q4. A digital reporter learns that their cousin is a party in a case they have been
assigned to cover. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Proceed with the deposition as scheduled since it is only a cousin
B. Disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw
C. Withdraw immediately without explanation
D. Ask the cousin to reschedule the deposition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A conflict of interest exists when the reporter has a personal or
professional relationship with any party involved in the case. The reporter should
disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw. Failure to do so
could compromise the impartiality of the record and violate AAERT ethical
standards.
Q5. Which of the following scenarios would constitute an ethical violation for a
digital reporter?
A. Accepting a cup of coffee from the court clerk during a break
B. Discussing the details of a deposition with a friend who is not involved in the
case
C. Using the restroom during a scheduled break
D. Arriving 15 minutes early to set up equipment
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discussing details of a deposition with anyone not involved in
the case violates confidentiality obligations. All information obtained during a
proceeding is confidential and should not be disclosed without proper
authorization. Accepting modest refreshments is generally acceptable, but gifts of
significant value should be declined.
Q6. A digital reporter is offered a $100 gift card by a law firm after a particularly
long and complex deposition. What should the reporter do?
A. Accept the gift card as a token of appreciation
B. Decline the gift card to avoid the appearance of impropriety
C. Accept the gift card but report it to the AAERT ethics committee
D. Accept the gift card and share it with the transcriptionist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accepting gifts of significant value from parties involved in a
proceeding can create the appearance of impropriety or bias. AAERT standards
suggest that gifts should be declined to maintain impartiality and avoid any
perception of influence.
Q7. A digital reporter is working on a deposition that involves medical records.
Which law applies to the handling of this information?
A. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
B. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
C. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
D. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Correct Answer: A
