ALOA Certified Master Locksmith (CML)

In a Grand Master Key (GMK) system, how many levels of keying does a standard three-level system contain?

• AChange key, master key, grand master key
• BChange key and master key only
• CMaster key, grand master, great grand master
• DControl key, change key, master key

What is selective master keying?

• AA system where every key operates every lock
• BA system where any key can be designated to operate any lock regardless of hierarchy
• CA system with only one master level
• DA system using only interchangeable cores

Maison keying is characterized by which attribute?

• AOne key operating common-area locks while individual change keys operate tenant doors
• BA single key operating only one cylinder
• CKeys cut only on odd-numbered depths
• DA system that requires no master pins

The total theoretical capacity of a standard 5-pin system with 10 depths and MACS of 7 is approximately:

• A10^5 = 100,000 keys
• BUnlimited
• CAbout 32,000 usable bittings after MACS restrictions
• DExactly 7!

In Best interchangeable core (IC) terminology, what does the 'A2' designation refer to?

• AA keyway family used in Best IC products
• BAn automotive key blank
• CA safe deposit box key
• DA combination dial series

What is the primary security disadvantage of constructive master keying?

• AIt cannot be used in commercial buildings
• BCreation of phantom keys that unintentionally operate other cylinders
• CIt requires special tools to pin
• DIt only works with dimple keys

In an interchangeable core system, the control key is used to:

• AOperate every lock in the facility
• BRemove and replace the core without disassembling the lock
• CReset the combination
• DOpen only the master lock

What does the term 'cross keying' refer to in master key system design?

• ATwo or more change keys each operating a single cylinder but from different master groups
• BA key cut with crossed bittings
• CA lock installed at a cross-corridor
• DA master key cut using cross-hatching

In a two-step progression, the master pin sizes placed in each chamber must:

• ABe identical across all chambers
• BResult in cuts that differ from both the master and change by the progression step
• CAlways equal one
• DBe zero

A 'TMK' block in a bitting array represents what?

• ATransmission Master Key
• BTop Master Key — the master or grand master bittings held constant
• CTwo-step Master Kit
• DTrap Master Key

In a total position progression (TPP) master key system, what distinguishes it from a rotating constant method?

• AOnly one chamber is held constant at a time
• BAll chambers progress simultaneously with no chambers held constant across subgroups
• CIt uses only odd cuts
• DIt cannot exceed 2 levels

What is the maximum level designation in ALOA/ANSI master key nomenclature?

• AGMK (3 levels)
• BGGMK (4 levels)
• CGGGMK / Level 5+ (multi-level systems exist above 4)
• DCK (1 level)

When pinning a cylinder with a master pin and a bottom pin, the master pin is:

• AAlways placed below the bottom pin
• BPlaced between the bottom pin and the top (driver) pin
• CPlaced in the bible only
• DMade of brass only

In Best IC systems, what is the purpose of the build-up pin?

• ATo create the control shear line above the operating shear line
• BTo replace worn bottom pins
• CTo provide spare pins for emergencies
• DTo fill empty chambers

What does ANSI A156.28 primarily address?

• ARecommendations for master keying system design and documentation
• BFire door hardware ratings
• CPanic hardware standards
• DElectronic strike specifications

The Medeco Biaxial pin design requires the key to:

• AOnly be pushed deeper than Original Medeco
• BRotate pins about a vertical axis only
• CHave cuts both side-milled and angled fore/aft as well as left/right
• DUse a magnetic element

The Medeco M3 introduced what additional security feature?

• ASide bar interaction with a slider element in the key
• BMagnetic pins
• CElectronic chip
• DRemovable core

Mul-T-Lock MT5+ uses what key pin configuration?

• ASingle row of conventional pins
• BDimple key with multiple rows of telescoping pin-in-pin elements plus a movable alpha ele…
• CWafer tumblers
• DMagnetic pins only

ASSA Abloy's Protec2 cylinder adds which mechanism beyond the original Protec?

• AAn electronic CLIQ element (active locking finger and secondary sidebar)
• BA magnetic pin
• CInterchangeable core
• DDimple cuts

Abloy Protec2 disc detainer cylinders are resistant to traditional pin tumbler picking because:

• AThey use rotating discs with a sidebar rather than vertical pin tumblers
• BThey are made of hardened steel
• CThey use wafers
• DThey have no keyway

Schlage Primus uses what secondary security element?

• AFinger pins engaging a sidebar, read from side-milled cuts on the key
• BMagnetic pins
• CAngled pin tumblers
• DRotating discs

What is the defining feature of the BiLock cylinder?

• ATwo parallel rows of pin tumblers with a U-shaped key
• BA rotating disc mechanism
• CMagnetic elements only
• DSingle row with sidebar

Schlage Everest 29 replaced what patent in the Everest lineup?

• AThe original Everest (keyway patent expired 2013)
• BPrimus
• CClassic
• DC keyway

The 'Medeco 3' or 'M3' keyway extension provides how many added movable elements versus Biaxial?

• AZero
• BOne (a movable slider in the key)
• CFive angled pins
• DTen side bars

Kaba Peaks/Gemini high-security cylinders use what mechanism?

• ARadial pins in addition to standard pin tumblers
• BDisc detainer only
• CWafer tumblers only
• DMagnetic pins only

A Medeco cylinder defeats standard lock bumping primarily because:

• AThe pins must rotate to the correct angle as well as rise to the shear line
• BThe pins are magnetic
• CThe cylinder uses rotating discs
• DThe keyway is restricted only

A 'transponder' in automotive locksmithing is:

• AA chip in the key head that exchanges a coded signal with the vehicle immobilizer ECU
• BA small radio that replays signals
• CA mechanical cut pattern
• DA traction control sensor

The Philips 'Crypto' transponder (ID46) uses which encryption scheme?

• AFixed code rolling
• BHitag2 (48-bit proprietary)
• CAES-128
• DDES-56

Texas Instruments DST40 transponders (early Toyota/Lexus) were famously broken by:

• AJohns Hopkins / RSA Labs cryptanalysis (2005)
• BNIST audit
• CRandom forest attack
• DDPA side-channel only

BMW CAS (Car Access System) modules from CAS2 onward typically store immobilizer data where?

• AIn the ignition cylinder
• BIn the CAS ECU EEPROM, synchronized with the DME/engine ECU
• CIn the speedometer only
• DOn the key blank

Mercedes-Benz EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) / ESL (Electronic Steering Lock) programming on W204/W212 typically requires:

• AOnly OBD plug-and-play
• BEIS password calculation, SSID extraction, key file generation, and personalization
• CCutting a blank mechanically only
• DNo tools at all

GM PassKey 3 differs from PassKey 2 primarily in:

• AEliminating the pellet resistor key in favor of transponder communication with the BCM
• BUsing only a mechanical key
• CAdding a magnetic switch
• DRemoving the immobilizer entirely

Ford PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) on vehicles from 2011+ commonly uses which transponder type?

• A80-bit AES (H-chip / 128-bit on later models)
• BResistor pellet
• CMagnetic stripe
• DMechanical wafer only

VW/Audi 5th generation immobilizer (Immo 5) on MQB vehicles is significant because:

• AIt requires online connection to VW servers for key generation (FAZIT/SFD)
• BIt has no encryption
• CIt uses only mechanical keys
• DIt is identical to Immo 2

A 'smart proximity key' vehicle typically uses which frequencies?

• AUltrasonic only
• BLow-frequency (LF ~125 kHz) for localization from vehicle to key, UHF (315/433/868 MHz) f…
• CWiFi 2.4 GHz only
• DInfrared only

What does the UL listing 'TL-30' on a safe indicate?

• A30 minutes of net working time resistance against tool attack by a trained technician usi…
• B30 pounds weight
• C30 years warranty
• D30 decibel noise rating

A 'TRTL-30X6' rating adds what to a TL-30X6?

• ATorch resistance for 30 minutes on all 6 sides in addition to tool resistance
• BRadiation protection
• CFire resistance only
• DAn additional electronic lock

An RSC rating from UL indicates:

• AResidential Security Container — 5 minutes of tool attack resistance
• BRated Safe Combination
• CReady Safe Cabinet
• DRelocking Safety Certificate

A 'B-rate' safe traditionally means:

• ASteel body less than 1/2 inch thick and door less than 1 inch thick (insurance-defined, n…
• BA UL TL-30 safe
• CA safe rated by the FBI
• DA safe rated by the DoD

A safe relocker is triggered by:

• AEntering the correct combination
• BAttack events such as drilling or punching that release a spring-loaded secondary locking…
• COpening the safe normally
• DTime delay expiration

A 'punch-resistant' safe lock protects against:

• ABlows that attempt to drive the dial through the door, shearing the spindle
• BTorch attacks
• CDrill bits only
• DCombination manipulation

The scope used for safe drilling and inspection is typically:

• AA borescope / fiber optic scope allowing visual inspection of lock internals through a sm…
• BAn ophthalmoscope
• CAn X-ray machine
• DA microscope

UL Group 1 mechanical combination locks are rated against what threat?

• AManipulation resistance of at least 20 man-hours by expert
• BFire only
• CElectronic attack
• DTorch only

A time lock in a bank vault is used to:

• APrevent opening the vault until a preset time has elapsed, defeating hold-up coercion
• BAutomatically change combinations
• CTime stamp paperwork
• DMonitor employee hours

Safe deposit box locks typically use which key system?

• ADual-control — guard/renter key plus a customer key, both required simultaneously
• BElectronic card only
• CSingle key issued to renter
• DTime lock only

A common method to open a safe deposit box when the renter's key is lost is:

• ADrilling the renter's cylinder in the presence of a bank officer with documented chain of…
• BUsing a bump key
• CPicking with a paperclip
• DReplacing the entire vault

In a standard 3-wheel mechanical combination lock, the 'fence' contacts:

• AOnly the drive cam
• BThe gates of all three wheels when correctly aligned, allowing the lever to drop
• CThe spindle
• DThe dial face

To change the combination of a Sargent & Greenleaf 6730 mechanical lock, you must:

• AOpen the safe, insert the correct change key, set the new combination by dialing, and rem…
• BCut a new key
• CReplace the entire lock body
• DCall the factory only