CBT Practice Test

The Society of Broadcast Engineers offers the Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) exam to anyone. You need no work experience to take it. This page has free practice sets for each topic, worked answers to sample questions, and the main exam facts: 50 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, a 70% passing score, the fees, and the next test window.

CBT Exam at a Glance

What changed for CBT in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery changed to In person via local SBE chapters (previously Paper exam, proctored in person through local SBE chapters).^[5]
• Oct 27, 2026: Eligibility changed to No experience required to take exam (previously No experience required to take the exam).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Next exam date changed to November 6–16, 2026 (previously November 6–16, 2026 (applications closed)).^[5]
• Oct 27, 2026: Registration deadline changed to January 4, 2027 (for February 5–15, 2027 window) (previously January 4, 2027 (for the February 5–15, 2027 window)).^[5]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy changed to One retake at the next scheduled testing period; subsequent attempts require a new application (previously One retake at the next exam period; after that, a new application).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Score release changed to Pass/fail only, within a couple days after reaching SBE National office (previously Pass/fail only, within a couple of days after the exam reaches SBE).^[3]
• Oct 27, 2026: Testing window changed to February 5–15, 2027 (previously February 5–15, 2027 (next window open for applications)).^[5]

What the CBT is and how it works

According to Society of Broadcast Engineers, “Exams are three hours and consist of 50 multiple-choice questions relating to either AM/FM or TV.”^[1]

The CBT is the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) certification for broadcast technologists. Some sites call it Certified Broadcast Technician, but the official name is Certified Broadcast Technologist. You need no work experience to take the exam.

Format and scoring. The exam lasts 3 hours and has 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions cover either AM/FM or TV, so you choose the version that fits your work. You need 70% to pass. You only find out whether you passed or failed. According to SBE, an exam with no essay question can be graded and the result sent back within a couple days of reaching the SBE National office.

Delivery and dates. Local SBE chapters usually run the exam in person, with proctors approved by the National Certification Committee. Registration for the November 6–16, 2026 window is closed. The next window is February 5–15, 2027, and you must register by January 4, 2027. Your local chapter sets the exact session time and place.

Fees, retakes and renewal. The exam costs $69 for SBE members and $174 for non-members. If you fail, you can retake it one more time at the next scheduled testing period for $46. After that, you need to send a new application. Certification lasts 5 years. To renew, you need broadcast employment in 3 of the last 5 years, or you can upgrade by passing another exam. Check current details on the official SBE site at sbe.org before you apply.

Worked examples: how to reason through CBT questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What distinguishes an advanced broadcast technician practitioner's approach to risk management & mitigation from that of a novice?

1. Assigning all responsibilities to a single department
2. Establishing cross-functional teams with clearly defined roles
3. Creating competition between teams to drive performance
4. Rotating responsibilities randomly to promote flexibility

Answer: B. Establishing cross-functional teams with clearly defined roles

Explanation:

B is correct. Risk in a broadcast facility involves engineering, operations, IT and management. A mature approach brings these groups together and makes clear who owns each task: who monitors, who escalates and who signs off. A is wrong because giving every responsibility to a single department leaves gaps that department cannot see. C is wrong because competing teams tend to hide problems instead of sharing them, and risk control depends on sharing. D is wrong because random rotation removes accountability. Nobody builds depth in an area, and during an incident nobody is sure who should act. Rule to remember: on scenario questions about risk, quality or compliance, choose the answer that combines teamwork with clear ownership.

Example 2

Question: What does 'headroom' mean when composing a camera shot for broadcast?

1. The audio gain reserve before clipping in the camera's microphone input
2. The space left between the top of a subject's head and the upper frame edge
3. The vertical clearance required for lighting grid rigging
4. The dynamic range available in the camera sensor above 18% gray

Answer: B. The space left between the top of a subject's head and the upper frame edge

Explanation:

B is correct. In camera framing, headroom is the space between the top of the subject's head and the top edge of the frame. Too much headroom makes the subject look like they are sinking in the shot. Too little makes the shot feel cramped or cuts off the top of the head. A is wrong because it describes audio headroom, the margin before a signal clips. That is a real term, but it is about audio levels, not shot composition. C is wrong because lighting grid clearance is a rigging matter, not a framing term. D is wrong because sensor dynamic range is about exposure, not framing. Rule to remember: some words mean different things in audio and video. Check the context of the question, here "composing a camera shot", before you choose.

Example 3

Question: What is 'color correction' as performed in broadcast post-production?

1. Fixing RGB bit errors introduced during video compression
2. Adjusting the color balance, contrast, and saturation of video to achieve a desired look or match
3. Calibrating camera viewfinders to the studio monitor standard
4. Converting between color spaces such as Rec. 709 and Rec. 2020

Answer: B. Adjusting the color balance, contrast, and saturation of video to achieve a desired look or match

Explanation:

B is correct. Color correction means adjusting color balance, contrast and saturation so that shots match each other or reach an intended look. A is wrong because bit errors from compression are an encoding or transmission problem. They are fixed with error correction or re-encoding, not by grading. C is wrong because calibrating viewfinders is equipment setup, done before or during production, not in post-production. D is wrong because converting between color spaces is a format conversion. It can happen during a grading workflow, but it changes how color values are mapped to a standard. It is not a creative or matching adjustment. Rule to remember: correction is about how the picture looks. Conversion and calibration are about standards and equipment.

How to use these practice tests

First decide whether you will take the AM/FM or the TV version, because the 50 questions cover one or the other. Then work through the sets in this order:

1. Foundations: CBT Electronic Fundamentals and CBT FCC Rules, Safety & Operational Standards.
2. Signal chain: Audio and Video Systems, Signal Processing & Distribution, Broadcast Transmission and Equipment and Broadcast Networking & IP Systems.
3. Operations and practice: Studio Operations & Production, Quality Assurance & Compliance, Risk Management & Mitigation, Professional Ethics & Standards and Communication & Stakeholder Engagement.

We wrote these questions with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Take each set without notes, then write down every question you missed in your own words. Look up each of those topics in official SBE material or a standard broadcast engineering reference. Later, retake the set and aim to score well above 70%, because the real exam is pass/fail at that mark. Close to test day, do a timed mixed run to practise pacing across 3 hours. Also confirm your session time and place with your local chapter.

Sources & last verified

1. Society of Broadcast Engineers — number of questions, time limit, eligibility (official source). “Exams are three hours and consist of 50 multiple-choice questions relating to either AM/FM or TV.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
2. Society of Broadcast Engineers — exam fee, retake policy (official source). “CBT – Certified Broadcast Technologist $69 $174 $284” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 16, 2026.
3. Society of Broadcast Engineers — passing score, retake fee, score release (official source). “Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) – 70%” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
4. Society of Broadcast Engineers — validity, renewal (official source). “SBE Certification is valid for a period of five years.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
5. Society of Broadcast Engineers — delivery, next exam date, registration deadline, testing window (official source). “SBE Certification examinations are usually administered through local chapters under the supervision of proctors approved by the National Certification Committee.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.