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AAERT CDR Exam Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Certified Digital Reporter Study Guide |
Complete Questions and Verified Answers |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
AAERT CERTIFIED DIGITAL REPORTER (CDR) EXAMINATION
Study Guide and Practice Test
2026/2027 New Update
Section 1: Legal Terminology and Definitions
Questions 1-20
Question 1 In a legal proceeding, the party who initiates a lawsuit is called the:
A. Defendant
B. Plaintiff [CORRECT]
C. Respondent
D. Appellee
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The plaintiff is the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint. The defendant
(A) is the party being sued or accused. The respondent (C) is the party responding to an appeal or
petition. The appellee (D) is the party against whom an appeal is taken (the winner in the lower
court). Understanding party designations is fundamental to accurate transcript preparation, as
misidentification can create confusion in the record.
Question 2 A written order from a court commanding a person to appear and testify is called a:
A. Subpoena [CORRECT]
B. Summons
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C. Warrant
D. Deposition
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A subpoena (Latin for "under penalty") is a court order requiring a person to appear
and give testimony. A subpoena duces tecum additionally requires production of documents or
evidence. A summons (B) notifies a defendant they are being sued. A warrant (C) authorizes
arrest or search. A deposition (D) is the actual out-of-court testimony proceeding, not the order to
appear.
Question 3 The questioning of a witness by the opposing party after direct examination is called:
A. Direct examination
B. Cross-examination [CORRECT]
C. Redirect examination
D. Recross examination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-examination is conducted by the opposing counsel after direct examination to
test credibility and challenge testimony. Direct examination (A) is by the party who called the
witness. Redirect examination (C) follows cross-examination and allows the original party to
rehabilitate the witness. Recross examination (D) follows redirect and is conducted by the
opposing party again. Digital reporters must track these examination phases for accurate
transcript formatting.
Question 4 An objection that a witness's answer is based on something they heard from someone
else, not personal knowledge, is called:
A. Relevance
B. Hearsay [CORRECT]
C. Speculation
D. Leading
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted
and is generally inadmissible under the Rules of Evidence. Relevance (A) challenges whether
evidence relates to the issues. Speculation (C) is when a witness guesses or opines without
foundation. Leading (D) is when a question suggests the desired answer. Digital reporters must
accurately record objections and rulings as they affect the admissibility of testimony.
,3
Question 5 The final decision of a jury in a trial is called the:
A. Judgment
B. Decree
C. Verdict [CORRECT]
D. Order
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The verdict is the jury's formal decision on the factual issues presented. The
judgment (A) is the court's final official decision incorporating the verdict. A decree (B) is a
judgment in equity cases. An order (D) is a court directive on procedural or substantive matters.
Transcribers must distinguish between these terms when documenting trial conclusions.
Question 6 A person who represents themselves in court without an attorney is said to be
appearing:
A. Pro bono
B. Pro se [CORRECT]
C. Pro tem
D. Pro rata
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pro se (Latin for "for oneself") or pro per means representing oneself without legal
counsel. Pro bono (A) refers to free legal services provided by attorneys. Pro tem (C) means
temporary or provisional (as in judge pro tem). Pro rata (D) means proportional distribution.
Digital reporters must correctly identify pro se parties in transcripts as they require different
handling for objections and procedures.
Question 7 A formal written request made to a court asking for a specific ruling or action is
called a:
A. Stipulation
B. Motion [CORRECT]
C. Brief
D. Plea
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: A motion is a formal request for a court order or ruling. A stipulation (A) is an
agreement between parties on certain facts or procedures. A brief (C) is a written legal argument
submitted to the court. A plea (D) is a defendant's formal response to criminal charges. Motions
are commonly transcribed during proceedings, and reporters must capture the motion, arguments,
and ruling accurately.
Question 8 The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability to serve is
called:
A. Arraignment
B. Voir dire [CORRECT]
C. Deposition
D. Interrogatory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voir dire (French for "to speak the truth") is the examination of prospective jurors to
assess qualifications, biases, and ability to be impartial. Arraignment (A) is the initial criminal
hearing where charges are read. A deposition (C) is out-of-court sworn testimony. An
interrogatory (D) is a written question in discovery. Voir dire proceedings require careful
transcription as challenges for cause and peremptory challenges are recorded.
Question 9 A person who testifies under oath outside of court, with testimony recorded for later
use in court, is giving a:
A. Hearing
B. Deposition [CORRECT]
C. Arraignment
D. Mediation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony taken before a court reporter or digital
reporter for discovery or preservation of evidence. A hearing (A) is a court proceeding. An
arraignment (C) is a criminal court appearance. Mediation (D) is a settlement negotiation
process. Depositions follow specific transcript formatting rules including Q/A designation and
exhibit handling.
Question 10 The party who appeals a lower court's decision to a higher court is called the:
AAERT CDR Exam Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Certified Digital Reporter Study Guide |
Complete Questions and Verified Answers |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
AAERT CERTIFIED DIGITAL REPORTER (CDR) EXAMINATION
Study Guide and Practice Test
2026/2027 New Update
Section 1: Legal Terminology and Definitions
Questions 1-20
Question 1 In a legal proceeding, the party who initiates a lawsuit is called the:
A. Defendant
B. Plaintiff [CORRECT]
C. Respondent
D. Appellee
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The plaintiff is the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint. The defendant
(A) is the party being sued or accused. The respondent (C) is the party responding to an appeal or
petition. The appellee (D) is the party against whom an appeal is taken (the winner in the lower
court). Understanding party designations is fundamental to accurate transcript preparation, as
misidentification can create confusion in the record.
Question 2 A written order from a court commanding a person to appear and testify is called a:
A. Subpoena [CORRECT]
B. Summons
,2
C. Warrant
D. Deposition
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A subpoena (Latin for "under penalty") is a court order requiring a person to appear
and give testimony. A subpoena duces tecum additionally requires production of documents or
evidence. A summons (B) notifies a defendant they are being sued. A warrant (C) authorizes
arrest or search. A deposition (D) is the actual out-of-court testimony proceeding, not the order to
appear.
Question 3 The questioning of a witness by the opposing party after direct examination is called:
A. Direct examination
B. Cross-examination [CORRECT]
C. Redirect examination
D. Recross examination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-examination is conducted by the opposing counsel after direct examination to
test credibility and challenge testimony. Direct examination (A) is by the party who called the
witness. Redirect examination (C) follows cross-examination and allows the original party to
rehabilitate the witness. Recross examination (D) follows redirect and is conducted by the
opposing party again. Digital reporters must track these examination phases for accurate
transcript formatting.
Question 4 An objection that a witness's answer is based on something they heard from someone
else, not personal knowledge, is called:
A. Relevance
B. Hearsay [CORRECT]
C. Speculation
D. Leading
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted
and is generally inadmissible under the Rules of Evidence. Relevance (A) challenges whether
evidence relates to the issues. Speculation (C) is when a witness guesses or opines without
foundation. Leading (D) is when a question suggests the desired answer. Digital reporters must
accurately record objections and rulings as they affect the admissibility of testimony.
,3
Question 5 The final decision of a jury in a trial is called the:
A. Judgment
B. Decree
C. Verdict [CORRECT]
D. Order
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The verdict is the jury's formal decision on the factual issues presented. The
judgment (A) is the court's final official decision incorporating the verdict. A decree (B) is a
judgment in equity cases. An order (D) is a court directive on procedural or substantive matters.
Transcribers must distinguish between these terms when documenting trial conclusions.
Question 6 A person who represents themselves in court without an attorney is said to be
appearing:
A. Pro bono
B. Pro se [CORRECT]
C. Pro tem
D. Pro rata
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pro se (Latin for "for oneself") or pro per means representing oneself without legal
counsel. Pro bono (A) refers to free legal services provided by attorneys. Pro tem (C) means
temporary or provisional (as in judge pro tem). Pro rata (D) means proportional distribution.
Digital reporters must correctly identify pro se parties in transcripts as they require different
handling for objections and procedures.
Question 7 A formal written request made to a court asking for a specific ruling or action is
called a:
A. Stipulation
B. Motion [CORRECT]
C. Brief
D. Plea
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: A motion is a formal request for a court order or ruling. A stipulation (A) is an
agreement between parties on certain facts or procedures. A brief (C) is a written legal argument
submitted to the court. A plea (D) is a defendant's formal response to criminal charges. Motions
are commonly transcribed during proceedings, and reporters must capture the motion, arguments,
and ruling accurately.
Question 8 The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability to serve is
called:
A. Arraignment
B. Voir dire [CORRECT]
C. Deposition
D. Interrogatory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voir dire (French for "to speak the truth") is the examination of prospective jurors to
assess qualifications, biases, and ability to be impartial. Arraignment (A) is the initial criminal
hearing where charges are read. A deposition (C) is out-of-court sworn testimony. An
interrogatory (D) is a written question in discovery. Voir dire proceedings require careful
transcription as challenges for cause and peremptory challenges are recorded.
Question 9 A person who testifies under oath outside of court, with testimony recorded for later
use in court, is giving a:
A. Hearing
B. Deposition [CORRECT]
C. Arraignment
D. Mediation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony taken before a court reporter or digital
reporter for discovery or preservation of evidence. A hearing (A) is a court proceeding. An
arraignment (C) is a criminal court appearance. Mediation (D) is a settlement negotiation
process. Depositions follow specific transcript formatting rules including Q/A designation and
exhibit handling.
Question 10 The party who appeals a lower court's decision to a higher court is called the:
