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SBE Certification Exam Preparation
SBE CertPreview
What will the exam be like? The SBE National Certification Committee offers sample test software for the SBE certification examinations.
Learn more about SBE CertPreview
SBE Suggested References
The National Certification Committee suggests a number of references for you to review in preparation for SBE certification examinations.
Suggested Reference Lists
Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT)
Certified Broadcast Technolgist (CBT)
Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) and Certified Video Engineer (CEV)
Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) and Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE)
Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE)
Certified Senior Radio Engineer (CSRE) and Certified Senior Television Engineer (CSTE)
AM Directional Specialist (AMD)
ATSC 3.0 Specialist (coming in 2020)
Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist (DRB)
Taking the Test
- Multiple choice questions are used, even for problems requiring calculations. Only in a portion of the Senior Broadcast Engineer and Specialist exams are there essay-type questions.
- Candidates will be allowed to utilize the internet, notes,standard reference texts and tables and calculators during open-book portions of the exam. Essay questions are closed book. Operator exams remain closed-book.
- Scratch paper may be used but must be re-sealed with the exam. Only blank paper may be taken from the examination room.
- The examinations are designed to be representative of the “real world” of broadcast engineering. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the ability to solve problems rather than on the memorization of answers.
- Each examination must be completed within three (3) hours.
- Each examination will be identified with the name of the candidate and will be handled in specially sealed envelopes.
- Each candidate will be required to sign a statement that he/she will not divulge the contents of any questions contained in his/her examination.
- Numerical scores will NOT be reported. Candidates will be notified ONLY of pass/fail results.
Passing Scores for the Exams
Certified Television Operator (CTO) - 90%
Certified Radio Operator (CRO) - 90%
Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) - 70%
Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT) - 70%
Certified Video Engineer (CEV) - 70%
Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) - 70%
Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE) - 70%
Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) - 70%
Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
Certified Senior Television Engineer (CSTE) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
Certified Senior Radio Engineer (CSRE) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
8-VSB Specialist (8-VSB) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
AM Directional Specialist (AMD) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
ATSC3 Specialist (ATSC3) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist (DRB) - 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
Helpful articles that have appeared in The Signal
June 2012
Creating the Perfect Question by Chriss Scherer, CPBE, CBNT
October 2011
The (not-so-) daunting essay question by Joe Snelson, CPBE, 8-VSB
June 2011
Economy requires standing out to employers by Doug Garlinger, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNT
December 2010
Senior Certification Essays by Ralph Hogan, CPBE, DRB, CBNT
October 2009
SBE Certification: Get it and Keep it. by Doug Garlinger, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNT
August 2009
The Formula for Certification Success by Paul Claxton, CPBE, CBNT
December 2008
What does your certification say about you? by Cris Alexander, CPBE, AMD, DRB
October 2008
The art of composing SBE Certification exams by Terry Baun, CPBE, AMD, CBNT
More questions? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions certification page.
