AAERT CDR EXAM PREP QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
1. Is it true when a witness drops their speaking volume at the end of
their sentence, the digital court reporter must NOT interrupt the
proceedings? They should wait until a recess to inquire of the witness
to find out what was said.
Answer: False
Explanation: The reporter should politely interrupt as soon as possible
to ask the witness to repeat the inaudible portion while it is still fresh.
Waiting until a recess risks losing accurate testimony.
2. Is it true when attorneys quote case law, it is advisable for the
digital court reporter to ask for a copy of the document(s) the attorney
referenced to find spellings of the case law?
Answer: True
Explanation: Asking for a copy ensures accurate spelling of case names
and citations, which is critical for transcript accuracy.
3. Why is it important to say, "swear or affirm," when swearing in
witnesses?
Answer: In case a witness has an issue swearing, they can affirm
Explanation: Some witnesses have religious or personal objections to
,swearing an oath; offering affirmation respects their beliefs and remains
legally binding.
4. Is it true when a lawyer says, "Strike that," the digital reporter
doesn't need to do anything special for the transcriptionist?
Answer: True
Explanation: "Strike that" means the lawyer wants the previous
statement removed from the record. The reporter should annotate it,
but no special formatting is required beyond noting the instruction.
5. What should you do if while on the record, a lawyer starts saying
things that you think they would want off the record?
Answer: Quickly ask if they are still on the record. If the lawyer says
they want to go off, glance around to make sure no party objects, then
state, "We are now off the record."
Explanation: The reporter must clarify the record status immediately to
avoid capturing privileged or off-the-record discussions.
6. What type of transcript (aka mini transcript) usually contains four
pages of transcript on one PDF page?
Answer: Condensed
Explanation: Condensed transcripts reduce four pages into one for easy
reference during hearings or trials.
,7. What is an errata sheet?
Answer: The form filled out by the witness if they have any changes
they want to made to the transcript
Explanation: Witnesses review their testimony and use an errata sheet
to correct errors, which becomes part of the official record.
8. Is it true an acoustically "live" room will echo sound off of hard
surfaces like marble?
Answer: True
Explanation: Hard surfaces reflect sound waves, causing echoes and
reverberation, which degrades audio clarity.
9. Exhibit stickers should include what three things?
Answer: Exhibit number, party presenting the exhibit, date of the
deposition
Explanation: Proper labeling prevents confusion and ensures exhibits
are correctly identified in the transcript and court record.
10. What does "et seq." mean?
Answer: And the following
Explanation: Used in legal citations to refer to the following sections or
pages (e.g., "Rule 15 et seq.").
11. What does "Pro se" mean?
Answer: A party who represents themselves instead of hiring a lawyer
, Explanation: Pro se litigants handle their own case without legal
counsel, which requires the reporter to be especially clear in
annotations.
12. What does "Pro Hac Vice" mean?
Answer: Adding a lawyer to a case in a jurisdiction in which they are
not licensed
Explanation: Allows an out-of-state attorney to appear for a specific
case with court permission.
13. What does "et al." mean?
Answer: In regards to a case, this means there are more parties that
are not listed
Explanation: Short for "et alia" (and others); used in case names like
"Smith et al. v. Jones."
14. What is the correct language to swear in a witness?
Answer: "Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you give today
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Explanation: This exact phrasing legally binds the witness and offers the
affirmation alternative.
15. Who can order the deposition transcript?
Answer: The witness, a pro se party (self represented), a lawyer who
represents a party
ANSWERS & DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
1. Is it true when a witness drops their speaking volume at the end of
their sentence, the digital court reporter must NOT interrupt the
proceedings? They should wait until a recess to inquire of the witness
to find out what was said.
Answer: False
Explanation: The reporter should politely interrupt as soon as possible
to ask the witness to repeat the inaudible portion while it is still fresh.
Waiting until a recess risks losing accurate testimony.
2. Is it true when attorneys quote case law, it is advisable for the
digital court reporter to ask for a copy of the document(s) the attorney
referenced to find spellings of the case law?
Answer: True
Explanation: Asking for a copy ensures accurate spelling of case names
and citations, which is critical for transcript accuracy.
3. Why is it important to say, "swear or affirm," when swearing in
witnesses?
Answer: In case a witness has an issue swearing, they can affirm
Explanation: Some witnesses have religious or personal objections to
,swearing an oath; offering affirmation respects their beliefs and remains
legally binding.
4. Is it true when a lawyer says, "Strike that," the digital reporter
doesn't need to do anything special for the transcriptionist?
Answer: True
Explanation: "Strike that" means the lawyer wants the previous
statement removed from the record. The reporter should annotate it,
but no special formatting is required beyond noting the instruction.
5. What should you do if while on the record, a lawyer starts saying
things that you think they would want off the record?
Answer: Quickly ask if they are still on the record. If the lawyer says
they want to go off, glance around to make sure no party objects, then
state, "We are now off the record."
Explanation: The reporter must clarify the record status immediately to
avoid capturing privileged or off-the-record discussions.
6. What type of transcript (aka mini transcript) usually contains four
pages of transcript on one PDF page?
Answer: Condensed
Explanation: Condensed transcripts reduce four pages into one for easy
reference during hearings or trials.
,7. What is an errata sheet?
Answer: The form filled out by the witness if they have any changes
they want to made to the transcript
Explanation: Witnesses review their testimony and use an errata sheet
to correct errors, which becomes part of the official record.
8. Is it true an acoustically "live" room will echo sound off of hard
surfaces like marble?
Answer: True
Explanation: Hard surfaces reflect sound waves, causing echoes and
reverberation, which degrades audio clarity.
9. Exhibit stickers should include what three things?
Answer: Exhibit number, party presenting the exhibit, date of the
deposition
Explanation: Proper labeling prevents confusion and ensures exhibits
are correctly identified in the transcript and court record.
10. What does "et seq." mean?
Answer: And the following
Explanation: Used in legal citations to refer to the following sections or
pages (e.g., "Rule 15 et seq.").
11. What does "Pro se" mean?
Answer: A party who represents themselves instead of hiring a lawyer
, Explanation: Pro se litigants handle their own case without legal
counsel, which requires the reporter to be especially clear in
annotations.
12. What does "Pro Hac Vice" mean?
Answer: Adding a lawyer to a case in a jurisdiction in which they are
not licensed
Explanation: Allows an out-of-state attorney to appear for a specific
case with court permission.
13. What does "et al." mean?
Answer: In regards to a case, this means there are more parties that
are not listed
Explanation: Short for "et alia" (and others); used in case names like
"Smith et al. v. Jones."
14. What is the correct language to swear in a witness?
Answer: "Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you give today
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Explanation: This exact phrasing legally binds the witness and offers the
affirmation alternative.
15. Who can order the deposition transcript?
Answer: The witness, a pro se party (self represented), a lawyer who
represents a party
