& Information Systems Exam Study Guide
2026 | Complete Practice Questions &
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Certified Records Manager (CRM) Exam
Prep PDF
ICRM PART 5: TECHNOLOGY, ELECTRONIC RECORDS & INFORMATION SYSTEMS
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
• This comprehensive guide contains 200 practice questions designed to test your
knowledge of technology and electronic records management within the records
management profession.
• Use this material to familiarize yourself with question formats, key concepts, and
exam expectations; review EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to deepen your
understanding of each topic area.
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QUESTION 1: Which of the following best defines an electronic record?
A) Any document created using a computer
B) A record created, maintained, and preserved in electronic format as part of
normal business activities
C) Any digital file stored on a server
D) A scanned copy of a paper record
E) Any file with a .pdf extension
CORRECT ANSWER: B) A record created, maintained, and preserved in
electronic format as part of normal business activities
EXPERT RATIONALE: Electronic records are specifically defined as records that are
created, stored, and maintained in digital format as integral to business processes.
They differ from scanned images or simple digital files because they maintain their
integrity, metadata, and business context throughout their lifecycle. The key
,distinction is that they are created in electronic form (not converted from paper)
and preserved in that format.
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QUESTION 2: What is the primary purpose of metadata in electronic records
management?
A) To increase the file size of documents
B) To provide context, content, and structure information that makes records
findable, manageable, and authentic
C) To encrypt sensitive information
D) To reduce storage costs
E) To replace the need for indexing systems
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To provide context, content, and structure information
that makes records findable, manageable, and authentic
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metadata serves as "data about data" and is essential for
managing electronic records. It includes information about creation date, creator,
retention schedule, classification, and access controls. This contextual information
enables records to be discovered, managed according to compliance requirements,
and proven authentic throughout their lifecycle.
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QUESTION 3: Which standard is most critical for electronic records
management systems?
A) ISO 9001
B) ISO 14721 (OAIS Reference Model)
C) ISO 27000 (Information Security)
D) Both B and C
E) None of the above
,CORRECT ANSWER: D) Both B and C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Both standards are critical for comprehensive electronic
records management. ISO 14721 establishes the Open Archival Information System
model, essential for long-term preservation of digital records. ISO 27000 series
provides information security management requirements necessary to protect
records from unauthorized access and ensure confidentiality, integrity, and
availability throughout their lifecycle.
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QUESTION 4: What does EDRMS stand for?
A) Electronic Data Repository Management System
B) Electronic Document and Records Management System
C) Encrypted Digital Record Management System
D) Electronic Data Retention and Maintenance System
E) Equivalent Digital Records Management Standard
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Electronic Document and Records Management System
EXPERT RATIONALE: EDRMS (Electronic Document and Records Management
System) is the standard term used in records management to describe integrated
software solutions that manage both documents and records throughout their
lifecycle. These systems incorporate capture, storage, retrieval, and disposition
functions while maintaining records integrity and compliance with regulatory
requirements.
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QUESTION 5: Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of an
authentic electronic record?
A) Documented chain of custody
B) Unbroken audit trail
, C) Ability to be freely modified by any user
D) Metadata preservation
E) Compliance with retention schedules
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Ability to be freely modified by any user
EXPERT RATIONALE: Authentic electronic records must have restricted
modification capabilities with documented changes tracked through audit trails.
The ability for any user to freely modify records compromises authenticity,
integrity, and legal admissibility. Authentic records require access controls, version
management, and complete documentation of any alterations that occur.
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QUESTION 6: What is the primary function of a records retention schedule in
managing electronic records?
A) To determine how long records must be kept and when they can be disposed of
B) To increase storage capacity
C) To simplify backup procedures
D) To reduce employee productivity
E) To eliminate the need for classification systems
CORRECT ANSWER: A) To determine how long records must be kept and when
they can be disposed of
EXPERT RATIONALE: A retention schedule is a critical tool in records management
that specifies the period during which records must be kept based on legal,
regulatory, and business requirements. It provides the framework for timely and
legally compliant disposition of records, ensuring that records are retained for their
required periods and disposed of appropriately when those periods expire.
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