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Free BFTS Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Broadband Fiber Transport Specialist (BFTS) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free BFTS practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A fiber is specified on a datasheet as 9/125 µm. What does this specification tell the technician?

  1. It is multimode fiber, because 9 µm describes the cladding
  2. It is single-mode fiber, with a 9 µm core and 125 µm cladding
  3. It is multimode fiber, with a 9 µm core and 125 µm cladding
  4. It is single-mode fiber, with a 125 µm core and 9 µm cladding
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - It is single-mode fiber, with a 9 µm core and 125 µm cladding

Question 2

On a long single-mode link operating at a high bit rate, pulses spread out because the different wavelengths emitted by the source travel at slightly different speeds. This effect is called:

  1. Modal dispersion
  2. Rayleigh scattering
  3. Polarization mode dispersion
  4. Chromatic dispersion
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Chromatic dispersion

Question 3

An engineer plans to add an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) to a wavelength-division link. Which statement about the EDFA is correct?

  1. It provides optical gain primarily in the C-band, roughly 1530 to 1565 nm
  2. It amplifies every CWDM channel across the full spectrum by an equal amount
  3. It fully regenerates the signal by reamplifying, reshaping, and retiming it
  4. It delivers its highest gain when operated in the 1310 nm window
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - It provides optical gain primarily in the C-band, roughly 1530 to 1565 nm

Question 4

In a Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) built on Remote PHY, which function is relocated out to the node?

  1. Both the MAC and the PHY layers are moved out to the node
  2. The subscriber billing and provisioning systems are relocated to the node
  3. The physical (PHY) layer, while the MAC/core remains in the headend
  4. Nothing moves; Remote PHY keeps all processing in the headend
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - The physical (PHY) layer, while the MAC/core remains in the headend

Question 5

Which approach transports traditional RF cable signals over a fiber plant all the way to an optical unit at the subscriber's home?

  1. GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network)
  2. RFoG (RF over Glass)
  3. XGS-PON (10 Gigabit symmetric PON)
  4. Standard DOCSIS delivered over the coaxial drop
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - RFoG (RF over Glass)

Question 6

A 40 km span uses fiber rated at 0.25 dB/km, has 4 connectors at 0.5 dB each, and 8 fusion splices at 0.1 dB each. What is the total link loss?

  1. 10.8 dB
  2. 12.0 dB
  3. 12.8 dB
  4. 16.8 dB
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 12.8 dB

Question 7

A receiver datasheet lists its sensitivity as -25 dBm. What does the 'm' in dBm signify?

  1. An absolute power level referenced to 1 milliwatt
  2. A relative loss of 25 decibels measured in milliwatts
  3. A negative gain of 25 decibels across the link
  4. The optical loss expressed for each kilometer of fiber
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - An absolute power level referenced to 1 milliwatt

Question 8

Testing a short patch cord with an OTDR, a technician cannot resolve a connector event located very close to the launch point. What is the MOST likely reason?

  1. The fiber under test is single-mode rather than multimode
  2. The test wavelength has been set to 1550 nm
  3. The pulse width is set too short for the measurement
  4. The connector event falls within the OTDR's dead zone
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - The connector event falls within the OTDR's dead zone

Question 9

Which method provides the MOST accurate end-to-end insertion-loss measurement of an installed fiber link?

  1. A single-ended OTDR trace taken from just one end of the link
  2. A calibrated light source paired with an optical power meter
  3. A visual fault locator injecting red light into the fiber
  4. An optical spectrum analyzer connected at the receiver
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - A calibrated light source paired with an optical power meter

Question 10

Before any underground fiber boring or trenching begins, the FIRST required action is to:

  1. Pressure-test the conduit along the planned route
  2. Energize the tracer wire so the path can be toned
  3. Request utility locates so existing lines are marked
  4. Notify affected subscribers of a planned service outage
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Request utility locates so existing lines are marked

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