CAT Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which document should a CAT use to formally request clarification on an ambiguous specification from an AV consultant during the design phase? → Request for Information (RFI)
2. What protocol do many commercial DSP systems use for third-party control integration such as with Crestron or AMX control systems? → TCP/IP socket commands or RS-232 serial using the manufacturer's API
3. What is the primary purpose of standardized procedures in Microphone Techniques? → To ensure consistency, safety, and quality across all practitioners
4. What does the acronym AES/EBU stand for in professional audio? → Audio Engineering Society / European Broadcasting Union
5. What is the most important foundational concept in Microphone Techniques? → Understanding core principles and their practical application in Microphone Techniques
6. What quality metrics are most important in Mixing and Processing? → Measurable outcomes, process compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction
7. Which standard governs the installation of fire alarm audio systems in commercial buildings in the United States? → NFPA 72
8. What does an IP65 rating signify for an outdoor commercial audio loudspeaker enclosure? → Fully dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction
9. In a commercial audio network using Dante, what physical network infrastructure is typically required? → Standard Ethernet (Cat5e or better) and switches
10. A digital audio network experiences random dropout events logged as 'priority errors' by the system. The most likely cause is: → Network switch not configured for audio quality of service (QoS) prioritization
11. During a live event, the audio output suddenly cuts out. What is the first step in troubleshooting this issue? → Check the power connections
12. Which amplifier class is most commonly used in high-efficiency commercial audio amplifiers due to its ability to switch between output states? → Class D
13. Which Dante network audio transport protocol layer does Dante audio primarily operate on? → Layer 2 (Ethernet) and Layer 3 (IP/UDP)
14. In a 70-volt distributed speaker system, what component is mounted at each speaker to match impedance? → A line-matching transformer
15. A passive loudspeaker measures 0 ohms across its terminals with an ohmmeter. This indicates: → A shorted voice coil or wiring
16. What role does continuing education play in Mixing and Processing? → Keeping practitioners current with evolving best practices and new developments
17. After a firmware update to a DSP, all preset scenes fail to load. The most appropriate first step is: → Check the firmware release notes for preset compatibility changes and re-import scenes
18. What is the primary safety concern when using a scissor lift to install overhead speakers in a commercial venue? → Falls from height, requiring fall protection per OSHA 1926.502
19. What connector is the industry standard for balanced XLR audio connections in commercial audio systems? → 3-pin XLR
20. What role does continuing education play in Sound System Design? → Keeping practitioners current with evolving best practices and new developments
21. When developing a project schedule for a multi-room AV installation, dependencies between tasks should be identified to: → Prevent scheduling tasks that cannot start until prerequisite tasks are complete
22. If there is unwanted feedback (a high-pitched noise) in the sound system, which of these solutions would most likely fix it? → Reduce the volume of high frequencies on the equalizer
23. A CAT receives a specification that calls for a product that has been discontinued. The appropriate action is to: → Submit an RFI with a proposed equivalent product for the consultant's written approval
24. A cardioid microphone on a podium picks up excessive low-frequency room noise. The best corrective tool on the console is: → A high-pass filter set appropriately below the voice fundamental
25. When bi-amping a speaker system, which driver typically receives the amplifier with higher power output? → The low-frequency (woofer) driver
26. What does the term 'word clock' refer to in a digital audio studio or live system? → A master timing signal that synchronizes the sample rate of multiple digital devices
27. What does a signal processor's 'attack time' setting control in a compressor? → How quickly the compressor begins reducing gain after the signal exceeds threshold
28. A client's facilities manager requests a training session for end users on the new AV control system. Scheduling this BEFORE substantial completion ensures: → Users can provide operational feedback that may affect final adjustments
29. Which cable type is most appropriate for high-frequency digital audio signals in a commercial install to minimize interference? → Shielded twisted pair (STP)
30. A project owner requests weekly status reports during a 6-month AV installation. These reports should PRIMARILY address: → Schedule adherence, budget status, and open issues/risks