AAERT- CER EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Describe Equipment Needed for All Types of Audio Recording Setups -
....ANSWER ...-Mics, Cables/Connectors/Digital
Mixer/Computer/Software
Identify Everything Necessary in Order to Create an Accurate Transcript -
....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 -
....ANSWER ...-Make annotation immediately (usually witness refuses to
answer question).
Check local rules for specific procedures.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 1
,Usually separate document listing these. Sign and give to atty.
Describe Basic Troubleshooting Steps During Video Conference & Telephonic
Proceedings - ....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. - ....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 - ....ANSWER ...-Only ONE
original for signature (by deponent).
Copies are clearly marked and certified (use Notary Seal).
Keep a copy for file.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 2
,Define Importance of an Accurate & Verbatim Record & How it Impacts Judicial
System - ....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 - ....ANSWER ...-Ask parties after hearing.
Describe Procedure When an Attorney Strikes Something from the Record -
....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 -
....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 - ....ANSWER ...-Record showing proper
maintenance of REAL evidence as opposed to mere documents.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 3
, Identify types of power sources - ....ANSWER ...-Internal battery source
External Power Source (Phantom Power-Mixer, etc)
(Batteries not suggested)
Identify Microphone Types and Sizes - ....ANSWER ...-Dynamic
Condenser
Combination of the 2
Describe how to actively adjust tracks for proper audio level -
....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 - ....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 -
....ANSWER ...-All need the same thing: assess recording room and take into
consideration all elements of the environment.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Describe Equipment Needed for All Types of Audio Recording Setups -
....ANSWER ...-Mics, Cables/Connectors/Digital
Mixer/Computer/Software
Identify Everything Necessary in Order to Create an Accurate Transcript -
....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 -
....ANSWER ...-Make annotation immediately (usually witness refuses to
answer question).
Check local rules for specific procedures.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 1
,Usually separate document listing these. Sign and give to atty.
Describe Basic Troubleshooting Steps During Video Conference & Telephonic
Proceedings - ....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. - ....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 - ....ANSWER ...-Only ONE
original for signature (by deponent).
Copies are clearly marked and certified (use Notary Seal).
Keep a copy for file.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 2
,Define Importance of an Accurate & Verbatim Record & How it Impacts Judicial
System - ....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 - ....ANSWER ...-Ask parties after hearing.
Describe Procedure When an Attorney Strikes Something from the Record -
....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 -
....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 - ....ANSWER ...-Record showing proper
maintenance of REAL evidence as opposed to mere documents.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 3
, Identify types of power sources - ....ANSWER ...-Internal battery source
External Power Source (Phantom Power-Mixer, etc)
(Batteries not suggested)
Identify Microphone Types and Sizes - ....ANSWER ...-Dynamic
Condenser
Combination of the 2
Describe how to actively adjust tracks for proper audio level -
....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 - ....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 -
....ANSWER ...-All need the same thing: assess recording room and take into
consideration all elements of the environment.
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 4
