AVIXA CTS-D Exam Exam Study Guide (2026)
Everything the CTS-Design (CTS-D) tests, topic by topic: what each section covers, the facts that come up most, and how to study it. Pair it with the free 15-question practice test.
The exam at a glance
| Questions | 110 four-option multiple-choice questions: 100 scored and 10 unscored pilot questions you cannot identify |
|---|---|
| Time | 150 minutes, plus a brief on-screen tutorial before and a brief survey after |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 350 on a 0 to 500 scale, set by a criterion-referenced process. The scale is fixed, so 350 is not exactly 70% of questions on every form |
| Format | Closed book; an on-screen calculator, on-screen math formulas and a non-erasable note board are provided, and no references or personal calculators are allowed |
| Certifying body | AVIXA Certification Committee |
| Test provider | Pearson VUE test centers only (secure, in person; no remote option) |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
Read the complete AVIXA CTS-D Exam study notes for “Needs Assessment and Program Report”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 12 minutes of reading: Identifying functional requirements (7%) · Client technology master plan (7%) · Generating and reviewing the program report (6%) · Regulatory and project goals, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
1. Needs Assessment and Program Report
Duty A, Conduct a Needs Assessment, is 20% of the exam: identify functional requirements (7%), review or formulate the client technology master plan (7%), and generate or review the program report (6%).
Key facts
- Functional requirements describe user outcomes, often written as user stories, without naming products.
- Benchmarking compares a client's goals with comparable spaces or existing standards.
- A technology master plan records the client's standards, lifecycle approach and long-term direction.
- A program report documents needs, describes each space and sets out effects on other trades and budget for sign-off.
- Reconcile conflicting stakeholder requests in writing and record who made each decision.
- Identify regulatory and project certification goals, such as accessibility or sustainability targets, during programming.
- Each requirement should be testable, so that verification can later show it was met.
Flashcards
Exam tip: If a requirement in an answer option names a brand or a model, it is usually not a functional requirement.
2. Coordinating Architecture, Structure and MEP
Duty B, Coordinate with Other Professionals, is 28% overall. This topic covers architectural and interior design (6%), structural (4%), and mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals (6%): 16% of the exam.
Key facts
- Coordinate room shape, finishes, ceiling heights and sightlines with the architect and interior designer.
- Structural engineers confirm that structure can carry the load and approve attachment methods for heavy or overhead items.
- Give the electrical engineer load schedules, circuit locations and any technical power or isolated ground requirement.
- Continuous loads are limited to 80% of a breaker's rating under North American practice.
- Give the mechanical engineer equipment heat loads, using BTU/hr = watts x 3.4 for general equipment.
- HVAC noise and diffuser placement affect both acoustics and ceiling device layout.
- Review A/E drawings for conflicts between AV items and lights, diffusers, sprinklers and structure.
Flashcards
Exam tip: On coordination questions, identify which trade owns the decision. The designer informs and coordinates, and does not take over the engineer's role.
3. Coordinating IT, Acoustics and Life Safety
The rest of Duty B: IT and network security (4%), acoustics (4%), life safety and security (2%), and site-specific professionals such as content creators (2%): 12% of the exam.
Key facts
- Tell the IT team about bandwidth, latency, multicast, VLAN, QoS and PoE needs early.
- Decide whether the AV uses a converged or dedicated network, weighing budget, redundancy and security.
- Network security requirements affect device access, updates and wireless design.
- Acoustic criteria cover isolation, reverberation and background noise.
- Reverberation is corrected by room treatment. DSP cannot remove it.
- Fire alarm systems may require AV audio to mute during an alarm, and that interface must be coordinated with the life safety designer.
- Security interfaces and camera placements are coordinated with the security consultant.
- Work with content creators, theatrical consultants and exhibit designers on project-specific needs.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Bring numbers to IT: bitrate, ports, power and multicast group counts make coordination questions easy.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question AVIXA CTS-D Exam test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. Conceptual Design and Site Compatibility
Duty C, Develop and Document AV Designs, is 38% overall. Create conceptual AV design is 11% and Revise conceptual design to be compatible with site conditions and/or the A&E package is 7%: 18% of the exam.
Key facts
- Projector brightness = (L x C x A / Sg) / Dr, with screen gain 1 and derating 0.75 unless the question says otherwise.
- Contrast targets: 7:1 passive viewing, 15:1 basic decision making, 50:1 analytical decision making, 80:1 full-motion video.
Flashcards
Exam tip: The formula sheet is on screen, so train on using it: name each variable, match its units, then calculate.
5. Final Design and Drawing Package
Duty C task: Produce final design and drawing package is 10% of the exam. Covers infrastructure, signal flow, rack elevations, details and conduit sizing.
Key facts
- A drawing package typically includes infrastructure plans, signal flow diagrams, rack elevations, details and schedules.
- Conduit capacity depends on quantity: one cable uses 0.53, two use 0.31, three or more use 0.40.
Flashcards
Exam tip: For each drawing type, know who uses it and for what. That decides most drawing questions.
6. Project Documentation
Duty C task: Finalize project documentation is 10% of the exam, including the bill of materials, bid specification, drawings and scope of work.
Key facts
- A bid package should describe the work fully and consistently, so that bidders price the same scope.
- Performance specifications state required results. Prescriptive specifications name products or methods.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Read documentation questions by asking which document controls the issue, and at what stage of the project.
7. Deploying and Verifying AV Designs
Duty D, Deploy AV Designs, is 14% of the exam: support project execution (5%), verify system performance (5%), and conduct project close out activities (4%), including as-builts, manuals, training and programming information.
Key facts
- Design intent is supported during construction by responding to RFIs and reviewing submittals.
- Substitutions must be reviewed against the design criteria before they are accepted.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Verification questions turn on evidence. Prefer the option that measures and records against agreed criteria.
How to pass
- Developing and documenting designs is 38% of the scored items, and coordinating with other professionals is 28%. Together those two duties are two-thirds of the exam.
- Learn when to use each formula, since AVIXA shows formulas on screen. Practice PAG and NAG, loudspeaker coverage and power, projector brightness, conduit capacity and data rate.
- 110 questions in 150 minutes is about 82 seconds each. Calculate on the note board and check that each input is in the unit the formula expects.
- You need a valid CTS before you apply. After a failed attempt there is a 30-day wait, and a retest application filed within 120 days gets the US$150 fee.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the AVIXA CTS-D Exam exam?
Most working candidates need 4 to 8 weeks at 45 to 60 minutes a day. Book your exam once your Readiness Score has stayed at 80 or higher for about a week.
Can I take the AVIXA CTS-D Exam exam online?
BICSI's v15 handbook describes the RCDD exam at Pearson VUE test centers, not remote proctoring. Format: closed book; an on-screen calculator, on-screen math formulas and a non-erasable note board are provided, and no references or personal calculators are allowed. Check pearsonvue.com/bicsi for the options in your country.
What score do I need to pass the AVIXA CTS-D Exam exam?
Scaled score of 350 on a 0 to 500 scale, set by a criterion-referenced process. The scale is fixed, so 350 is not exactly 70% of questions on every form. The exam has 110 four-option multiple-choice questions: 100 scored and 10 unscored pilot questions you cannot identify and a time limit of 150 minutes, plus a brief on-screen tutorial before and a brief survey after.
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers needs assessment and program report, coordinating architecture, structure and mep, coordinating it, acoustics and life safety, conceptual design and site compatibility, final design and drawing package, project documentation, deploying and verifying av designs. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
The premium AVIXA CTS-D Exam study path
Premium AVIXA CTS-D Exam prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1Needs Assessment and Program Report9 key notes, 115 flashcards, then 450 practice questions in 18 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Coordinating Architecture, Structure and MEP9 key notes, 115 flashcards, then 425 practice questions in 17 sets of 25Premium
- 3Coordinating IT, Acoustics and Life Safety9 key notes, 115 flashcards, then 425 practice questions in 17 sets of 25Premium
- 4Conceptual Design and Site Compatibility9 key notes, 115 flashcards, then 425 practice questions in 17 sets of 25Premium
- 5Final Design and Drawing Package8 key notes, 115 flashcards, then 425 practice questions in 17 sets of 25Premium
- 6Project Documentation8 key notes, 115 flashcards, then 425 practice questions in 17 sets of 25Premium
- 7Deploying and Verifying AV Designs8 key notes, 110 flashcards, then 425 practice questions in 17 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams110 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.Premium
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- The RCDD exam: full prep for the v15 blueprint
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: numbers and formulas sheet, standards atlas, study planner and more
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Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Summarized from BICSI's official candidate information and the rules cited, checked October 2026. Confirm current requirements with AVIXA Certification Committee.