CTS Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What should be done initially if a control system's touch screen is reported to be locked, frozen, or otherwise unresponsive? → Check all ports and check that the screen is not in power saver mode
2. Which tool is most appropriate for verifying that a concrete floor is level before installing equipment racks? → A spirit level or digital inclinometer
3. When measuring a room for display sizing per AVIXA DISCAS standards, what is the formula for calculating the maximum viewing distance for a display? → Maximum distance = display height × 8
4. What does EDID stand for in display technology? → Extended Display Identification Data
5. When documenting power availability during a site survey, which value is MOST critical for AV rack design? → The available amperage on dedicated circuits at the rack location
6. What system is utilized to present colors on a video display? → Additive color system
7. After reviewing the vendor's response to a client's Request for Proposal (RFP), how does the client determine the best value? → Consider the price, quality, approach, and ability of the vendor to fulfill the contract
8. Who is responsible for certifying that a ceiling structure can safely support a suspended projector or speaker during a site survey assessment? → A licensed structural engineer
9. Which AVIXA document defines minimum performance standards for projected image size and viewing distances in AV systems? → AVIXA F501.01:2015 (DISCAS)
10. An amplifier can provide 100 watts at 2 ohms. How many 8-ohm speakers may be linked in parallel without surpassing the amplifier's capacity? → 4
11. What is the primary advantage of using balanced audio cabling over unbalanced in a long AV cable run? → Rejection of common-mode noise and interference
12. What does 'MTBF' stand for and why is it relevant to AV equipment selection? → Mean Time Between Failures — estimates average reliability and uptime of a component
13. When applying the inverse square law to measurements of sound pressure level: → A doubling of distance correlates to a loss of 6dB.
14. A loudspeaker is rated at 95 dB SPL (1W/1m). How much additional power is required to increase the SPL by 6 dB at the same distance? → 4 watts
15. What is the purpose of an AV 'extender' in a signal distribution system? → Extends the transmission distance of a signal beyond the normal cable length limit
16. Which system is used to show colors from a video display? → Additive color system
17. AV professionals determine the end user's needs by examining three things: the required applications, the tasks, and the: → Functions to support the applications
18. During an AV site survey, what is the primary purpose of measuring the room's ambient noise level? → To establish the required signal-to-noise ratio for the audio system
19. When establishing initial contact with a client, try to develop a relationship early on with the: → Stakeholders
20. One major difference between the Service Level Agreement process and the traditional Program Report is the SLA focuses upon: → Measuring service delivery against agreed-upon targets and standards.
21. Noise in a space can distract users and reduce the efficacy of an audiovisual system. Which one of the following produces mechanical and structural noise? → HVAC fans, diffusers and air handlers
22. A quick and accurate means to estimate the dimensions of a commercial space during a site inspection would be to: → Count the number of ceiling tiles in a drop tile installation
23. Which of the following should be included in a comprehensive site survey report to ensure a smooth installation process? → Detailed photographs of the site, including potential obstructions
24. What does 'daisy chaining' mean in the context of AV signal distribution? → Passing a signal through multiple devices sequentially from one to the next
25. What does HDCP protect in an AV system? → Copyrighted digital content transmitted over HDMI or DVI
26. What is the primary reason for documenting ceiling height during an AV site survey? → To determine projector throw distance and display mounting options
27. What typically causes Alien Crosstalk (AXT) in a network system? → UTP cables are bundled with other low-voltage UTP cables.
28. Which of the following lists standards for measuring light? → Candela, Lux, Nits
29. Which display technology uses a spinning color wheel and a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) chip to create images? → DLP (Digital Light Processing)
30. When attending a maintenance contract service call, the technician should be prepared to: → Calibrate or adjust system devices and settings, and physically adjust equipment mounts.