CTS Challenge: Tips and Tricks
Congrats on joining the CTS Challenge!
This page will be updated frequently so check back for more tips from your peers and CTS Prep Instructors.
Ready to get started? Download your CTS Challenge Tracker and Journal to keep track of your progress.
Post your commitment on social media with #AVIXACTS for a chance to win a copy of the CTS Exam Guide. We’ll be selecting a winner every month from January through March.
Videos with Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I
Check out the videos below to help you prepare for the exam. We'll be adding to this page regularly:
Study Tips From Your Peers and AVIXA Instructors
Effective Ways to Study
“I would definitely suggest never limiting your studying to just one platform (ex: webinars, books). Having access to all was very beneficial for me even though I’m usually good at studying from books. Actually having the webinars
as a study tool helped get me prepared a lot more.”
-CTS Holder
“I can’t say this enough but pick a date to take the exam. It gives you a deadline and makes you study or review the material.”
-CTS Holder
Finding Trouble Spots
“I highly recommend having a regimented study strategy that includes going over two or three chapters a week and then outlining the material by hand, as well as making flash cards for areas of expertise that you are not so sure about. I
also was surrounded by people that had a plethora of knowledge in regard to the industry as a whole and went to them with any additional questions I had. Also, on-site exposure is the reason that I was able to connect a lot of the missing
dots if you will in terms of my own learning process.”
-Patrick O’Rourke, CTS, Field Service Technician, Bridges System Integration
Tackling Multiple Choice Questions
“My only tip for studying would be to take a CTS Prep course. I attended the IATSE local 8 CTS Prep course in Philadelphia and the instructor covered some great tactics for approaching the questions. He brought up that
while there are many correct answers, you want the most correct answer. After that, it all made sense.”
-Daniel Tracy, CTS, Media Services Technician, CUNY Graduate Center
“Pearson Vue Center provides a silent area to take your exam. You don’t have to worry about another person in the
testing center distracting you. When you get to the testing center, write all the formulas onto the provided note
paper prior to beginning your exam as it will be a great reference guide for you.”
-AVIXA Staff Instructor
Variety to Reinforce Learning on Specific Sections
“I would say the biggest help for me were all of the online classes and webinars – I’m a big second guesser, so those classes gave me the confidence that I needed for me to sign up for the CTS and pass!”
-CTS Holder