AAERT CER Exam UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Describe Equipment Needed for All Types of Audio Recording Setups - CORRECT
ANSWER - Mics, Cables/Connectors/Digital Mixer/Computer/Software
Identify Everything Necessary in Order to Create an Accurate Transcript - CORRECT
ANSWER - Equipment set up and tested.
All parties arrived: business cards received and cells off.
Read certain info into record: name, company address, date, time, location, case caption, party
who ordered, notice or stipulation, witness name, names of parties.
Swear in Witness.
Record and Annotate.
Describe Procedure When an Attorney Certifies a Question - CORRECT ANSWER - Make
annotation immediately (usually witness refuses to answer question).
Check local rules for specific procedures.
Usually separate document listing these. Sign and give to atty.
Describe Basic Troubleshooting Steps During Video Conference & Telephonic Proceedings -
CORRECT ANSWER - Sound quality crucial.
Use a high-quality speakerphone.
Speakers identified as they speak (when 2 or more).
Place mics where they pick up best sound.
Describe How to Effectively Work with a Videographer. - CORRECT ANSWER - Take
charge of room upon arrival.
Be professional and polite but firm.
Explain where you need to set up and why.
Video must frame the witness.
,Videographer will have a script to follow that they put on their record. Explain this to attys.
Compare and Contrast Original vs Copy - CORRECT ANSWER - Only ONE original for
signature (by deponent).
Copies are clearly marked and certified (use Notary Seal).
Keep a copy for file.
Define Importance of an Accurate & Verbatim Record & How it Impacts Judicial System -
CORRECT ANSWER - Minutes of events as they occur.
Becomes part of the Court's official record.
You are acting as an impartial quasi-officer of the court.
Describe How to Request and/or Research Proper Nouns to Verify Spelling for Transcription -
CORRECT ANSWER - Ask parties after hearing.
Describe Procedure When an Attorney Strikes Something from the Record - CORRECT
ANSWER - Removes a portion of the record from consideration by a fact-finder.
The material stricken remains physically in evidence-in case the ruling to strike is found on
appeal to be in error.
Describe procedure when an Attorney marks something confidential - CORRECT ANSWER -
Check State, Federal, Local Guidelines.
Use a Watermark or Footer on each pg of testimony to clearly show the transcript is subject to
protection.
"Subject to Protective Order" or "Confidential & Sealed"
Describe Chain of Custody - CORRECT ANSWER - Record showing proper maintenance of
REAL evidence as opposed to mere documents.
Identify types of power sources - CORRECT ANSWER - Internal battery source
,External Power Source (Phantom Power-Mixer, etc)
(Batteries not suggested)
Identify Microphone Types and Sizes - CORRECT ANSWER - Dynamic
Condenser
Combination of the 2
Describe how to actively adjust tracks for proper audio level - CORRECT ANSWER - Use
the gain pad to adjust levels on audio channels (on mixer).
Find a "home" position for each control (average amount of gain).
May need to be adjusted by environment.
Discuss Confidence Monitoring - CORRECT ANSWER - Digital Recording Software MUST
provide a method to monitor the recorded content after it has been written to the computer's hard
disc.
Provides the reporter confidence that they are capturing a quality recording.
Identify permanently installed equipment vs mobile equipment - CORRECT ANSWER - All
need the same thing: assess recording room and take into consideration all elements of the
environment.
Permanent- Stuck with what is already there.
Independent- Select own equipment and placement
Describe proper audio recording equipment maintenance - CORRECT ANSWER - Cords:
Make sure no cracks or bends.
Mixer: Lights properly.
Mics: Proper storage (original packaging or bubble wrap)
CDs: Stored in plastic storage boxes
, Describe how to perform playback or read back requested testimony - CORRECT ANSWER -
Find annotation for what they want played or read back.
(This is to clear up a specific point raised in an objection.
Timestamp each objection to make it easier to find.)
Unplug headset and press play.
Discuss how to effectively set up equipment and software for remote and hybrid proceedings -
CORRECT ANSWER - Mic placement near the source speaker.
Use high quality speakerphone.
No non-verbal ques.
Discuss conduct during remote/virtual proceedings - CORRECT ANSWER - Oath by Notary-
Face to Face.
If you can't see them, is there a Notary there?
Everyone needs to hear everyone else speak without interrupting.
Define retention of all notes and records of proceedings as stipulated by applicable laws, rules,
and regulations - CORRECT ANSWER - Court Reporters: written and/or audio of proceeding
produce verbatim record (archive recordings).
Clerks: Evidence (documents)
Law Enforcement: Evidence (physical)
Describe instructions to participants and remind as necessary - CORRECT ANSWER - Speak
clearly and speak up
Avoid cross talk and non-verbal events, mumbling
No cells/Get business cards
Speakers near mics
No extraneous loud noises
No reading too fast
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Describe Equipment Needed for All Types of Audio Recording Setups - CORRECT
ANSWER - Mics, Cables/Connectors/Digital Mixer/Computer/Software
Identify Everything Necessary in Order to Create an Accurate Transcript - CORRECT
ANSWER - Equipment set up and tested.
All parties arrived: business cards received and cells off.
Read certain info into record: name, company address, date, time, location, case caption, party
who ordered, notice or stipulation, witness name, names of parties.
Swear in Witness.
Record and Annotate.
Describe Procedure When an Attorney Certifies a Question - CORRECT ANSWER - Make
annotation immediately (usually witness refuses to answer question).
Check local rules for specific procedures.
Usually separate document listing these. Sign and give to atty.
Describe Basic Troubleshooting Steps During Video Conference & Telephonic Proceedings -
CORRECT ANSWER - Sound quality crucial.
Use a high-quality speakerphone.
Speakers identified as they speak (when 2 or more).
Place mics where they pick up best sound.
Describe How to Effectively Work with a Videographer. - CORRECT ANSWER - Take
charge of room upon arrival.
Be professional and polite but firm.
Explain where you need to set up and why.
Video must frame the witness.
,Videographer will have a script to follow that they put on their record. Explain this to attys.
Compare and Contrast Original vs Copy - CORRECT ANSWER - Only ONE original for
signature (by deponent).
Copies are clearly marked and certified (use Notary Seal).
Keep a copy for file.
Define Importance of an Accurate & Verbatim Record & How it Impacts Judicial System -
CORRECT ANSWER - Minutes of events as they occur.
Becomes part of the Court's official record.
You are acting as an impartial quasi-officer of the court.
Describe How to Request and/or Research Proper Nouns to Verify Spelling for Transcription -
CORRECT ANSWER - Ask parties after hearing.
Describe Procedure When an Attorney Strikes Something from the Record - CORRECT
ANSWER - Removes a portion of the record from consideration by a fact-finder.
The material stricken remains physically in evidence-in case the ruling to strike is found on
appeal to be in error.
Describe procedure when an Attorney marks something confidential - CORRECT ANSWER -
Check State, Federal, Local Guidelines.
Use a Watermark or Footer on each pg of testimony to clearly show the transcript is subject to
protection.
"Subject to Protective Order" or "Confidential & Sealed"
Describe Chain of Custody - CORRECT ANSWER - Record showing proper maintenance of
REAL evidence as opposed to mere documents.
Identify types of power sources - CORRECT ANSWER - Internal battery source
,External Power Source (Phantom Power-Mixer, etc)
(Batteries not suggested)
Identify Microphone Types and Sizes - CORRECT ANSWER - Dynamic
Condenser
Combination of the 2
Describe how to actively adjust tracks for proper audio level - CORRECT ANSWER - Use
the gain pad to adjust levels on audio channels (on mixer).
Find a "home" position for each control (average amount of gain).
May need to be adjusted by environment.
Discuss Confidence Monitoring - CORRECT ANSWER - Digital Recording Software MUST
provide a method to monitor the recorded content after it has been written to the computer's hard
disc.
Provides the reporter confidence that they are capturing a quality recording.
Identify permanently installed equipment vs mobile equipment - CORRECT ANSWER - All
need the same thing: assess recording room and take into consideration all elements of the
environment.
Permanent- Stuck with what is already there.
Independent- Select own equipment and placement
Describe proper audio recording equipment maintenance - CORRECT ANSWER - Cords:
Make sure no cracks or bends.
Mixer: Lights properly.
Mics: Proper storage (original packaging or bubble wrap)
CDs: Stored in plastic storage boxes
, Describe how to perform playback or read back requested testimony - CORRECT ANSWER -
Find annotation for what they want played or read back.
(This is to clear up a specific point raised in an objection.
Timestamp each objection to make it easier to find.)
Unplug headset and press play.
Discuss how to effectively set up equipment and software for remote and hybrid proceedings -
CORRECT ANSWER - Mic placement near the source speaker.
Use high quality speakerphone.
No non-verbal ques.
Discuss conduct during remote/virtual proceedings - CORRECT ANSWER - Oath by Notary-
Face to Face.
If you can't see them, is there a Notary there?
Everyone needs to hear everyone else speak without interrupting.
Define retention of all notes and records of proceedings as stipulated by applicable laws, rules,
and regulations - CORRECT ANSWER - Court Reporters: written and/or audio of proceeding
produce verbatim record (archive recordings).
Clerks: Evidence (documents)
Law Enforcement: Evidence (physical)
Describe instructions to participants and remind as necessary - CORRECT ANSWER - Speak
clearly and speak up
Avoid cross talk and non-verbal events, mumbling
No cells/Get business cards
Speakers near mics
No extraneous loud noises
No reading too fast
