AAERT CDR EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Working as a Legal Professional (Ethics, Confidentiality, Professional Behavior)*
Digital Reporting (Audio Recording, Software, Annotations, Microphones)*
Knowledge of the Law and Legal Procedures*
Transcript Production and Management*
Equipment Setup and Troubleshooting*
Remote and Hybrid Reporting*
Exhibit Management and Chain of Custody*
Introduction
The AAERT Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) examination assesses the professional
knowledge and applied skills required to capture the verbatim record of depositions
and other out-of-court legal proceedings. This assessment evaluates competency in
digital audio recording, legal procedure, ethical obligations, and transcript
production. Questions are designed to test foundational theory alongside real-world
decision-making, utilizing multiple-choice and scenario-based formats. Candidates
must demonstrate the ability to maintain neutrality, manage digital equipment, and
adhere to strict confidentiality and regulatory standards in various legal
environments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. What is the primary ethical responsibility of a Certified Deposition Reporter
during a legal proceeding?
,A. To provide legal advice to the parties involved
B. To remain impartial and ensure an accurate, complete verbatim record
C. To protect the financial interests of the attorney who hired them
D. To summarize the testimony for the judge's convenience
🟢 Correct Answer: B. To remain impartial and ensure an accurate, complete
verbatim record
🔴 Explanation: The foundational ethical principle for all court reporters is
impartiality and accuracy. The CDR must create a verbatim record without bias
toward any party. Providing legal advice or favoring one side violates the reporter's
neutral role as an officer of the proceeding.
2. A digital reporter is assigned to cover a deposition for a law firm where the
reporter's spouse was previously employed as a paralegal 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. Decline the assignment and disclose the potential conflict of
interest to the assigning agency
🔴 Explanation: 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
and addressed proactively.
3. During a deposition break, an attorney offers a digital reporter a $50 gift card
to a local coffee shop as a token of appreciation. 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. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from
parties to a case is against professional ethics
🔴 Explanation: 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.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of the digital reporter as an
officer of the proceeding?
A. The reporter acts as an advocate for the party who retained their services
B. The reporter is a neutral, non-party participant responsible for capturing and
preserving the record
C. The reporter has the authority to rule on objections raised during the
proceeding
D. The reporter manages the schedule and determines when breaks will occur
🟢 Correct Answer: B. The reporter is a neutral, non-party participant responsible
for capturing and preserving the record
🔴 Explanation: The digital reporter serves as an impartial, non-party officer of the
proceeding. Their role is limited to capturing and preserving the verbatim record
while maintaining neutrality and professionalism throughout.
5. 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. Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate professional
authority or regulatory body
🔴 Explanation: 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.
6. Which of the following best describes the difference between ethical and
unethical behavior for a digital reporter according to AAERT standards?
A. Ethical behavior means always following the judge's instructions without
question
B. Ethical behavior means acting with integrity, impartiality, and in compliance with
professional codes regardless of personal interest
C. Unethical behavior only occurs when a reporter intentionally alters a transcript
D. Ethical behavior is determined solely by what is legal in the reporter's
jurisdiction
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Ethical behavior means acting with integrity, impartiality, and
in compliance with professional codes regardless of personal interest
🔴 Explanation: AAERT's ethical framework defines ethical behavior as conduct
demonstrating integrity, impartiality, and adherence to the professional code of
ethics, even when personal interests might suggest another course. Ethics extends
beyond mere legality.
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Working as a Legal Professional (Ethics, Confidentiality, Professional Behavior)*
Digital Reporting (Audio Recording, Software, Annotations, Microphones)*
Knowledge of the Law and Legal Procedures*
Transcript Production and Management*
Equipment Setup and Troubleshooting*
Remote and Hybrid Reporting*
Exhibit Management and Chain of Custody*
Introduction
The AAERT Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) examination assesses the professional
knowledge and applied skills required to capture the verbatim record of depositions
and other out-of-court legal proceedings. This assessment evaluates competency in
digital audio recording, legal procedure, ethical obligations, and transcript
production. Questions are designed to test foundational theory alongside real-world
decision-making, utilizing multiple-choice and scenario-based formats. Candidates
must demonstrate the ability to maintain neutrality, manage digital equipment, and
adhere to strict confidentiality and regulatory standards in various legal
environments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. What is the primary ethical responsibility of a Certified Deposition Reporter
during a legal proceeding?
,A. To provide legal advice to the parties involved
B. To remain impartial and ensure an accurate, complete verbatim record
C. To protect the financial interests of the attorney who hired them
D. To summarize the testimony for the judge's convenience
🟢 Correct Answer: B. To remain impartial and ensure an accurate, complete
verbatim record
🔴 Explanation: The foundational ethical principle for all court reporters is
impartiality and accuracy. The CDR must create a verbatim record without bias
toward any party. Providing legal advice or favoring one side violates the reporter's
neutral role as an officer of the proceeding.
2. A digital reporter is assigned to cover a deposition for a law firm where the
reporter's spouse was previously employed as a paralegal 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. Decline the assignment and disclose the potential conflict of
interest to the assigning agency
🔴 Explanation: 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
and addressed proactively.
3. During a deposition break, an attorney offers a digital reporter a $50 gift card
to a local coffee shop as a token of appreciation. 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. Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts from
parties to a case is against professional ethics
🔴 Explanation: 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.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of the digital reporter as an
officer of the proceeding?
A. The reporter acts as an advocate for the party who retained their services
B. The reporter is a neutral, non-party participant responsible for capturing and
preserving the record
C. The reporter has the authority to rule on objections raised during the
proceeding
D. The reporter manages the schedule and determines when breaks will occur
🟢 Correct Answer: B. The reporter is a neutral, non-party participant responsible
for capturing and preserving the record
🔴 Explanation: The digital reporter serves as an impartial, non-party officer of the
proceeding. Their role is limited to capturing and preserving the verbatim record
while maintaining neutrality and professionalism throughout.
5. 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. Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate professional
authority or regulatory body
🔴 Explanation: 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.
6. Which of the following best describes the difference between ethical and
unethical behavior for a digital reporter according to AAERT standards?
A. Ethical behavior means always following the judge's instructions without
question
B. Ethical behavior means acting with integrity, impartiality, and in compliance with
professional codes regardless of personal interest
C. Unethical behavior only occurs when a reporter intentionally alters a transcript
D. Ethical behavior is determined solely by what is legal in the reporter's
jurisdiction
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Ethical behavior means acting with integrity, impartiality, and
in compliance with professional codes regardless of personal interest
🔴 Explanation: AAERT's ethical framework defines ethical behavior as conduct
demonstrating integrity, impartiality, and adherence to the professional code of
ethics, even when personal interests might suggest another course. Ethics extends
beyond mere legality.
