CTS AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

When comparing two products, the first aspect to review should be the product specifications. Specifications provide detailed information about a product’s features, capabilities, and performance, which are essential to determine suitability for the intended application. Reviewing specifications ensures that the selected product meets the functional requirements of the project.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

CTS materials emphasize starting with product specifications to ensure that equipment will fulfill technical requirements, which is a foundational step in the selection process before considering factors like price or reliability.

All devices must share the same subnet to communicate. If a device is on a different subnet (e.g., 192.168.20.x instead of 192.168.10.x), it won’t communicate with others unless routing is configured.

“Mismatch in subnet masks or incorrect subnet addresses is a common cause of connectivity issues in AV networks.”

— CTS Exam Guide, Networking and IP Configuration Essentials

The throw distance of a projector can be calculated using the throw ratio formula: Throw Distance=Throw Ratio×Screen Width\text{Throw Distance} = \text{Throw Ratio} \times \text{Screen Width}Throw Distance=Throw Ratio×Screen Width

Given: Throw Ratio=2.3\text{Throw Ratio} = 2.3Throw Ratio=2.3 Screen Width=144 in\text{Screen Width} = 144 \text{ in}Screen Width=144 in

Throw Distance=2.3×144\text{Throw Distance} = 2.3 \times 144Throw Distance=2.3×144 Throw Distance=331.2 in\text{Throw Distance} = 331.2 \text{ in}Throw Distance=331.2 in

Therefore, the projector should be placed approximately 331 inches (8413 mm) from the screen.

The AV Project Manager is responsible for managing the schedule, budget, and scope of a project. This encompasses ensuring the project is completed on time (schedule), within the allocated funds (budget), and meets all the agreed-upon requirements (scope). These three aspects are often referred to as the "triple constraint" in project management and are critical for the successful completion of a project.

Quality of Service (QoS) in networking refers to the ability to manage and prioritize network traffic to ensure that the most important data receives the highest priority. This is particularly important for ensuring the performance of critical applications and services, such as video streaming, VoIP, and other latency-sensitive services. QoS mechanisms can allocate bandwidth, control jitter, and minimize latency, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the network.

The RS-232 standard is a common serial communication protocol often used for connecting and controlling various AV devices. It typically employs a DB9 connector, which is illustrated in Option C. The DB9 connector is a 9-pin D-sub connector, widely used in RS-232 connections due to its reliable performance in transmitting serial data.

Here’s an overview of the connector options in the image:

Option A: This is an RJ-45 connector, commonly used for Ethernet networking (data communication), not for RS-232.

Option B: This is a VGA connector, often used for video signals, typically between computers and monitors.

Option C: This is a DB9 (DE-9) connector, which is most commonly associated with RS-232 serial connections.

Option D: This is an XLR connector, generally used for audio signals, especially in professional audio applications.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

In AV systems integration, RS-232 is frequently employed for control and communication between devices such as projectors, displays, and control processors. According to CTS training materials, the DB9 connector is the most recognized form of connection for RS-232 due to its reliability and ease of integration in various AV systems.

A managed switch is essential for logically isolating control and media networks because it allows for advanced network configurations such as VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks). VLANs enable the segmentation of a network into separate, isolated sub-networks, ensuring that control traffic and media traffic do not interfere with each other. This isolation improves network performance, security, and manageability. Managed switches provide the necessary features to implement and manage these configurations effectively.

The aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of an image. In the given images, the larger display has a width of 47.6 inches and a height of 26.89 inches. The aspect ratio is calculated as: Aspect Ratio=WidthHeight=47.626.89≈1.77:1\text{Aspect Ratio} = \frac{\text{Width}}{\text{Height}} = \frac{47.6}{26.89} \approx 1.77:1Aspect Ratio=HeightWidth​=26.8947.6​≈1.77:1 This approximates to 16:9, which is a common widescreen aspect ratio used in modern displays and television screens.

An SPL (Sound Pressure Level) meter is commonly used during a site survey to measure the ambient noise level in a room. This measurement provides a baseline for audio system design, ensuring that the sound reinforcement system can deliver adequate volume levels above the background noise.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

According to CTS materials, assessing ambient noise levels with an SPL meter is a standard step in designing sound systems, especially in environments where speech intelligibility is critical.

Security restrictions can significantly impact the design and implementation of a Wi-Fi network-controlled system. Before proceeding, the integrator must verify with the client that there are no specific security policies or restrictions that could hinder the operation of the AV system over the network.

In a cardioid subwoofer array, phase shift is employed along with delay and equalization to control the directivity of the sound, focusing bass energy forward and minimizing it behind. Phase shifting alters the waveforms of sound signals, contributing to the cardioid pattern that reduces bass spill to unwanted areas.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

The CTS materials on sound system design explain that phase manipulation, alongside delay, is essential for cardioid subwoofer arrays to control low-frequency dispersion effectively.

The primary factor that must be considered when deciding how to attach a projector mount to a concrete ceiling is the condition of the concrete. Ensuring that the concrete is in good condition and can support the weight and stress of the projector mount is essential for safety and stability. Axis Technology Specialist documentation emphasizes assessing the integrity of the mounting surface to prevent structural failures and ensure secure installation.

The most important information to gather on a site visit when upgrading a camera system in an existing boardroom is the distance from the lens to the first participant. This measurement is crucial for determining the appropriate camera lens and its focal length to ensure all participants are clearly visible within the camera's field of view. It also affects the placement and angle of the camera to achieve the best possible coverage. Axis Technology Specialist documentation emphasizes the importance of precise measurements and placement to optimize camera performance and video quality in boardroom settings.

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Infrared (IR) assistive listening systems rely on line-of-sight transmission. The IR transmitter emits signals that must directly reach the receivers without obstruction. Therefore, it's imperative that the transmitter is positioned with a clear line-of-sight to the audience area to ensure effective signal transmission.

According to AVIXA standards for rack design, there should be a minimum distance of 100 mm (approximately 4 inches) between AC power cables and data twisted pair cables. This spacing helps to reduce the potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI) between power and data cables, ensuring signal integrity and reducing noise.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

The AVIXA standards emphasize proper cable management to minimize interference in AV installations. Maintaining a 100 mm separation aligns with best practices for reducing crosstalk and preserving data quality in networked systems.

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.

Commercial displays are built for longer operational hours, higher durability, and usually have features like extended warranties and service agreements that are not typically available with consumer-grade displays. Explaining these distinctions helps clients understand why professional AV solutions are priced differently than retail options.

CTS Technology Specialist Reference

According to CTS materials, technicians should be prepared to explain the value and benefits of commercial-grade equipment to justify cost differences.

When upgrading or modernizing a facility, it is essential to check that wireless microphones are operating on acceptable radio frequencies. This ensures compliance with local regulations and avoids interference with other wireless devices. The radio frequency spectrum can change over time, and certain frequencies may be reallocated or restricted, making it necessary to verify that existing equipment is still compliant and operational within the allowable frequency bands.

When an LED indicator on a projector blinks regularly, it typically signifies an error or a status message that needs attention. The correct course of action is to consult the projector's manual. The manual will provide specific information regarding what the blinking pattern means and the appropriate steps to resolve the issue. This method ensures that the engineer addresses the problem correctly without causing further damage or misdiagnosing the issue.