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. What does the term 'gain' mean in the context of a projector screen? → The ratio of light reflected compared to a standard reference white
3. What is the primary advantage of using VLANs when deploying an AV over IP system alongside a corporate IT network? → VLANs segment AV multicast traffic so it does not flood the corporate network
4. Which tool is most appropriate for verifying that a concrete floor is level before installing equipment racks? → A spirit level or digital inclinometer
5. A display system requires HDR content delivery. Which HDMI version is the minimum required to support both 4K/60Hz and HDR10 simultaneously? → HDMI 2.0b
6. 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
7. A presentation system uses a 1×8 HDMI distribution amplifier. If the source outputs 5V HDMI, what voltage should each output ideally provide? → 5V (regenerated at full level)
8. What does EDID stand for in display technology? → Extended Display Identification Data
9. Which standard governs the interoperability of control systems in AV environments through a common API? → REST API over TCP/IP
10. 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
11. What system is utilized to present colors on a video display? → Additive color system
12. When troubleshooting a video system that displays a green tint across the entire screen, which component should you suspect first? → A faulty red channel in the signal path or display
13. 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
14. 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
15. In AV system design, what does 'latency' refer to? → The delay between input and output of a signal
16. Which AVIXA document defines minimum performance standards for projected image size and viewing distances in AV systems? → AVIXA F501.01:2015 (DISCAS)
17. 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
18. A digital signage installation requires content to update automatically every morning without manual intervention. Which system component enables this? → A scheduled task or CMS with automated content push
19. When configuring a matrix switcher for a large installation, the technician should verify which parameter to prevent signal degradation when routing 4K content? → The switcher's HDCP compliance and 4K/HDMI 2.0 bandwidth support
20. What is the function of a digital signal processor (DSP) in a professional AV audio system? → Providing real-time equalization, delay, compression, and routing of audio signals
21. In video, what does 'aspect ratio' describe? → The proportional relationship between the width and height of an image
22. 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
23. 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
24. When applying the inverse square law to measurements of sound pressure level: → A doubling of distance correlates to a loss of 6dB.
25. 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
26. A display engineer notices color banding artifacts on a gradient when the signal path is set to 8-bit color depth. What is the most effective solution? → Switch the signal path to 10-bit color depth
27. What does the term 'gain structure' refer to in an AV audio system? → The optimized setting of each device's gain to maximize signal quality and minimize noise
28. 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
29. Which system is used to show colors from a video display? → Additive color system
30. AV professionals determine the end user's needs by examining three things: the required applications, the tasks, and the: → Functions to support the applications