FOA CFOT CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
A fiber optic inspection microscope can increase the danger of high
powered light sources by focusing the light coming out of a fiber into
your eye. True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER True
A fiber optic power meter measures absolute power in dBM (dB
referenced to 1 mw) and, when used with a light source, can measure
insertion loss expressed in dB. True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER
True
When we say 62.5/125 fiber, what does "62.5" mean? - CORRECT
ANSWER core size, the diameter in microns
When we say 50/125 fiber, what does "125" mean? - CORRECT
ANSWER cladding size, the diameter in microns
OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber with a 50/125 micron core are now a
popular option in premises cabling systems because they _____. -
CORRECT ANSWER Are "laser optimized" which gives more
distance capability with gigabit networks using laser sources
,In-multimode fiber, the attenuation (reduction in optical power) of the
fiber is _____ at 850 nm than at 1300 nm. - CORRECT ANSWER
Higher
Which of the following represents a singlemode (smaller core size) fiber
size? - CORRECT ANSWER 9/125 micron
Singlemode fiber has _____ bandwidth than multimode fiber. -
CORRECT ANSWER greater
Most plastic optical fibers are _____. - CORRECT ANSWER large
core step-index
When you strip singlemode or graded index multimode mode glass fiber,
you are removing the ____. - CORRECT ANSWER Primary buffer
coating
The proper method of pulling optical fiber cables is to attach the pull
wire or tape to the ____ of the cable. - CORRECT ANSWER Strength
members
According to the references, hybrid cables are cables that contain ____. -
CORRECT ANSWER Both singelmode and multimode optical fibers
What type of fiber cable design allows for large numbers of fibers with
ultra-high density, small size (diameter) and lower cost? - CORRECT
ANSWER ribbon
,According to the references, composite cables refer to cables that
contain ____> - CORRECT ANSWER both optical fibers and copper
conductors
Which optical fiber cables must be grounded? - CORRECT ANSWER
all cables that contain metallic elements
Fiber optic cable for use inside a building must _______. - CORRECT
ANSWER Be rated to meet the requirements of local building and fire
codes
Optical fiber cable with a orange colored jacket generally indicates the
cable contains _____. - CORRECT ANSWER Multimode fiber
Premises cable jackets are usually color-coded in what color to indicate
singlemode fiber? - CORRECT ANSWER Yellow
Premises cable jackets are usually color-coded in what color to indicate
laser-optimized 50/125 OM3 or OM4 fiber? - CORRECT ANSWER
Aqua
When pulling long lengths of cable in conduit or innerduct, you may
need to ____. - CORRECT ANSWER Any or all of these as
appropriate (Pull form the center to the ends, Use a breakaway swivel or
monitor tension, Lubricate the cable)
, In a loose tube cable, a gel or absorbent tape or powder is normally used
_____. - CORRECT ANSWER To prevent water from entering the
cable
Which type of cable is best suited for indoor installation when fibers ar
to be directly terminated inside a patch panel with adhesive/polish or
prepolished splice connectors? - CORRECT ANSWER tight buffer
distribution cable
What type of cable may require installation of a breakout kit (also called
a furcation or fan out kit) for termination? - CORRECT ANSWER
loose tube (loose buffer) cable
When pulling cables, the minimum bend radius under tension is
generally specified as ______. - CORRECT ANSWER 20 times the
cable diameter
Cable ties used on fiber optic cables ____. - CORRECT ANSWER Can
harm cables if too tight, so they should be hand-tightened.
Fiber optic joints (connectors or splices) should have ____. -
CORRECT ANSWER low loss, minimal reflectance and high
mechanical strength
To reduce _____ as well as loss, the end of a connector ferrule is
polished to a PC (physical contact) finish. - CORRECT ANSWER
Reflectance
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
A fiber optic inspection microscope can increase the danger of high
powered light sources by focusing the light coming out of a fiber into
your eye. True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER True
A fiber optic power meter measures absolute power in dBM (dB
referenced to 1 mw) and, when used with a light source, can measure
insertion loss expressed in dB. True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER
True
When we say 62.5/125 fiber, what does "62.5" mean? - CORRECT
ANSWER core size, the diameter in microns
When we say 50/125 fiber, what does "125" mean? - CORRECT
ANSWER cladding size, the diameter in microns
OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber with a 50/125 micron core are now a
popular option in premises cabling systems because they _____. -
CORRECT ANSWER Are "laser optimized" which gives more
distance capability with gigabit networks using laser sources
,In-multimode fiber, the attenuation (reduction in optical power) of the
fiber is _____ at 850 nm than at 1300 nm. - CORRECT ANSWER
Higher
Which of the following represents a singlemode (smaller core size) fiber
size? - CORRECT ANSWER 9/125 micron
Singlemode fiber has _____ bandwidth than multimode fiber. -
CORRECT ANSWER greater
Most plastic optical fibers are _____. - CORRECT ANSWER large
core step-index
When you strip singlemode or graded index multimode mode glass fiber,
you are removing the ____. - CORRECT ANSWER Primary buffer
coating
The proper method of pulling optical fiber cables is to attach the pull
wire or tape to the ____ of the cable. - CORRECT ANSWER Strength
members
According to the references, hybrid cables are cables that contain ____. -
CORRECT ANSWER Both singelmode and multimode optical fibers
What type of fiber cable design allows for large numbers of fibers with
ultra-high density, small size (diameter) and lower cost? - CORRECT
ANSWER ribbon
,According to the references, composite cables refer to cables that
contain ____> - CORRECT ANSWER both optical fibers and copper
conductors
Which optical fiber cables must be grounded? - CORRECT ANSWER
all cables that contain metallic elements
Fiber optic cable for use inside a building must _______. - CORRECT
ANSWER Be rated to meet the requirements of local building and fire
codes
Optical fiber cable with a orange colored jacket generally indicates the
cable contains _____. - CORRECT ANSWER Multimode fiber
Premises cable jackets are usually color-coded in what color to indicate
singlemode fiber? - CORRECT ANSWER Yellow
Premises cable jackets are usually color-coded in what color to indicate
laser-optimized 50/125 OM3 or OM4 fiber? - CORRECT ANSWER
Aqua
When pulling long lengths of cable in conduit or innerduct, you may
need to ____. - CORRECT ANSWER Any or all of these as
appropriate (Pull form the center to the ends, Use a breakaway swivel or
monitor tension, Lubricate the cable)
, In a loose tube cable, a gel or absorbent tape or powder is normally used
_____. - CORRECT ANSWER To prevent water from entering the
cable
Which type of cable is best suited for indoor installation when fibers ar
to be directly terminated inside a patch panel with adhesive/polish or
prepolished splice connectors? - CORRECT ANSWER tight buffer
distribution cable
What type of cable may require installation of a breakout kit (also called
a furcation or fan out kit) for termination? - CORRECT ANSWER
loose tube (loose buffer) cable
When pulling cables, the minimum bend radius under tension is
generally specified as ______. - CORRECT ANSWER 20 times the
cable diameter
Cable ties used on fiber optic cables ____. - CORRECT ANSWER Can
harm cables if too tight, so they should be hand-tightened.
Fiber optic joints (connectors or splices) should have ____. -
CORRECT ANSWER low loss, minimal reflectance and high
mechanical strength
To reduce _____ as well as loss, the end of a connector ferrule is
polished to a PC (physical contact) finish. - CORRECT ANSWER
Reflectance
