CDT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CDT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A student with dyslexia struggles most with reading pseudowords (nonsense words) compared to real words. This pattern primarily reflects a deficit in: → Phonological decoding using grapheme-phoneme rules
2. Which statement BEST describes the purpose of error analysis in CDT documentation? → To identify patterns in reading or spelling errors that inform instructional decisions
3. Which genetic finding best supports the hereditary nature of dyslexia? → Heritability estimates range from 40–70% with multiple candidate genes identified
4. Why is individualized instruction important for students with dyslexia? → It allows the teacher to address the specific challenges of each student.
5. According to Dehaene's research, the 'visual word form area' in skilled readers becomes specialized for: → Rapidly recognizing the visual patterns of familiar words
6. In a structured literacy lesson, the 'review' phase should include: → Drill of previously taught phonograms and concepts using all modalities
7. Which strategy BEST supports a student's ability to read multisyllabic words containing Latin roots? → Teaching morpheme analysis to identify roots, prefixes, and suffixes
8. When a CDT transfers a student's records to a new provider, what must be verified first? → A signed release of information from the appropriate guardian
9. An open syllable is one that: → Ends with a vowel sound, which typically produces the long vowel sound
10. What should a practitioner do when regulations conflict with employer policies? → Follow the regulation, as legal requirements supersede employer policies
11. What is the best practice for documenting assessment findings? → Record findings objectively using measurable criteria immediately after assessment
12. How does early intervention help children with dyslexia? → It helps reduce reading difficulties and improves overall academic performance.
13. Which brain imaging technique measures changes in blood oxygenation levels (BOLD signal) to infer neural activity and is widely used in dyslexia research? → fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
14. A parent requests to see all records the school holds about their child's dyslexia evaluation. Under FERPA, the school must provide access within how many days? → 45 days
15. When faced with a conflict of interest, what is the appropriate course of action? → Disclose the conflict and recuse yourself from the situation
16. The corpus callosum's role in reading is best described as: → Transferring visual information between the two cerebral hemispheres
17. How does maintaining proper credentials demonstrate regulatory compliance? → It proves the practitioner has met all requirements for legal practice
18. Why is regular preventive maintenance important? → It extends equipment life, ensures accuracy, and prevents unexpected failures
19. Simultaneous Oral Spelling (SOS) requires the student to: → Read a word, spell it aloud, then write it while saying each letter name
20. The 'phonological core deficit' model of dyslexia was most prominently developed and supported by which researcher? → Frank Vellutino
21. When calibrating a text-to-speech device for a student with dyslexia, which speech rate setting is typically recommended as a starting point? → A slightly slower than natural rate (around 80–90% of normal speed)
22. What is the correct order of steps when removing disposable gloves after handling potentially contaminated materials? → Pinch the outside of one glove to remove it, then slide fingers under the other glove cuff
23. Which deficit would MOST interfere with a student's ability to benefit from orthographic mapping? → Weak phonemic awareness and phonological processing
24. In dyslexia therapy documentation, what is the primary purpose of a 'baseline assessment'? → To establish a starting point against which future progress can be measured
25. Blending, as a phonological skill, is the process of: → Combining individual phonemes together to pronounce a recognizable word
26. When graphing a student's CBM (Curriculum-Based Measurement) scores, what does the 'aimline' represent? → The projected rate of progress needed to reach the goal by the deadline
27. Working memory is critically important in reading because it allows a reader to: → Hold decoded word parts in mind while blending them into a complete word
28. Which of the following best describes a dual relationship that a CDT therapist must avoid? → Providing therapy to a student who is also a family friend
29. What is the primary obligation of a certified professional regarding patient/client confidentiality? → Protect all personal information and disclose only with proper authorization
30. Which of the following background history factors is most relevant to include in a dyslexia assessment intake? → Family history of reading difficulties