Free Practice Questions for AVIXA CTS Exam

During an initial site survey, understanding the overall scope of the AV solution provides the foundational insight needed for designing a system that meets client requirements. This ensures alignment with objectives and informs subsequent phases of the project.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

The CTS curriculum advises focusing on the AV solution scope to guide design and implementation processes effectively, ensuring client needs are addressed.

Using a cable tester and running a protocol is the best way to verify the proper performance of a CAT cable with a new termination. Cable testers can check for continuity, wiring configuration, signal quality, and performance standards compliance (e.g., Cat 5e, Cat 6). They can detect faults such as open circuits, short circuits, and incorrect wiring, ensuring the cable is terminated correctly and capable of supporting the desired network speeds and protocols.

When upgrading an AV system in a boardroom and adding control of the lights and shades to the control panel, the most relevant information to gather is the communications protocols. Understanding the protocols used by the lighting and shading systems ensures compatibility with the AV control panel, enabling seamless integration. Axis Technology Specialist documentation highlights the necessity of knowing communication protocols to ensure different systems can interact correctly and be managed from a unified control interface.

When running three cables inside a conduit, the maximum allowable fill is 40% of the conduit's internal cross-sectional area. This percentage is specified to ensure that there is adequate space for pulling the cables through without causing damage and to allow for proper airflow to prevent overheating.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

According to the CTS guidelines and National Electrical Code (NEC), conduits should not exceed 40% fill for three or more cables to ensure safety and maintain the integrity of the cables during installation and use.

The goal is to understand what the system needs to do, i.e., its functionality. This lays the groundwork for system design that supports the client’s real-world needs.

“Initial design discussions must identify desired outcomes and functional expectations. This guides all future technical decisions.”

— CTS Exam Guide, Project Design Phase

Higher resolution (like 1080p) increases bandwidth demands. While the cable was sufficient for 720p, switching to 1080p may exceed its capabilities—especially over longer distances (like 8 meters), leading to sparkling, dropouts, or signal instability.

“HDMI signal degradation over long runs is often caused by insufficient bandwidth handling, particularly at higher resolutions like 1080p or 4K.”

— CTS Exam Guide, Signal Integrity and Cabling Standards

Before selecting equipment, it's essential to understand how the system will be used. This includes the application (e.g., video conferencing, digital signage, education) and user requirements. This insight drives all design and equipment decisions.

“Understanding the application allows the integrator to tailor the system design to user needs, functionality, and budget.”

— CTS Exam Guide, AV Needs Analysis Chapter

A Gantt chart is a project management tool that visually represents project tasks along a timeline. It shows the start and end dates of tasks, their duration, dependencies between tasks, and the relationships between activities. Gantt charts are widely used to plan, schedule, and monitor project progress, providing a clear overview of the project timeline and helping ensure that tasks are completed on schedule.

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A condenser microphone requires a power source to operate because it uses an electrostatic principle to convert sound into an electrical signal. This power is typically provided by phantom power supplied by a mixer or an audio interface. Without this power source, the condenser microphone will not function. It is crucial to include a power source in the system design to ensure the microphone operates correctly.

Multicast transmission in a network AV solution significantly reduces network bandwidth when using multiple decoders. With multicast, a single stream of data is sent from the source and is then distributed to multiple recipients by the network infrastructure. This contrasts with unicast, where a separate stream is sent to each recipient, leading to higher bandwidth consumption. Multicast is particularly efficient in scenarios where the same content needs to be delivered to multiple devices, such as digital signage or IPTV.