CLT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CLT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does 'variable speed playback' allow a transcriptionist to do? → Slow down or speed up audio without altering pitch, aiding comprehension
2. What is the purpose of voir dire in a trial? → Selection and questioning of potential jurors
3. During a kick-off meeting with a new law firm client, what should a legal transcriptionist clarify before beginning any work? → Preferred transcript format, turnaround times, and confidentiality protocols
4. A legal transcriptionist professional discovers a discrepancy during professional ethics & standards review. What is the most appropriate immediate action? → Engaging stakeholders collaboratively to align goals and expectations
5. How should a transcriptionist handle a conflict of interest? → Disclose the conflict and recuse if needed
6. Which document formally notifies a defendant that a lawsuit has been filed and requires their appearance or response? → Summons
7. What is a 'scope creep' risk in legal transcription quality assurance? → Transcriptionists making unauthorized editorial changes beyond verbatim transcription
8. In legal transcription, 'verbatim accuracy' is critical primarily because: → Courts rely on exact wording to determine facts, intent, and legal rights
9. What is an 'ex parte' communication in court proceedings? → Communication with the judge involving only one party
10. Which scenario represents a conflict of interest that a CLT must disclose or avoid? → Transcribing a deposition in a case where a family member is a party
11. In federal court transcription standards, what is the required format for page and line numbering? → Line numbers 1–25 per page, resetting on each new page
12. In the context of legal transcriptionist, which principle most directly governs transcription techniques practices? → Applying evidence-based methodologies with peer-reviewed support
13. In U.S. legal transcription, which style correctly formats a monetary amount in formal written text? → Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00)
14. Which scenario would require a legal transcriptionist professional to escalate a transcription techniques concern? → Creating feedback mechanisms that encourage continuous improvement
15. Which action best protects client confidentiality? → Encrypting and securing files
16. Why must transcriptionists avoid altering the tone or intent of recorded statements? → To preserve legal accuracy and intent
17. A new regulation impacts formatting & documentation standards procedures. What should a CLT professional do first? → Ensuring compliance with current regulatory requirements and standards
18. A transcript marked 'CONFIDENTIAL — ATTORNEYS' EYES ONLY' should be: → Restricted to the designated attorneys and not shared more broadly
19. What is the recommended frequency for reviewing and updating transcription techniques protocols? → Monitoring outcomes through regular data collection and trend analysis
20. What distinguishes an advanced legal transcriptionist practitioner's approach to professional ethics & standards from that of a novice? → Establishing cross-functional teams with clearly defined roles
21. Which tool or methodology is most appropriate for analyzing confidentiality & ethics outcomes? → Maintaining professional boundaries while building collaborative relationships
22. Compliance with state-specific transcript formatting rules is the responsibility of: → The transcriptionist, who must know and apply the rules of the relevant jurisdiction
23. What is a 'bench trial'? → A trial decided by a judge without a jury
24. A court reporter contacts you requesting collaboration on a lengthy multi-day hearing transcript. What communication step is essential before dividing the work? → Align on formatting standards, speaker identification conventions, and handoff procedures
25. In the context of legal transcriptionist, which principle most directly governs confidentiality & ethics practices? → Applying evidence-based methodologies with peer-reviewed support
26. When a transcriptionist is contacted by the media for information about a case they transcribed, they should: → Decline to comment and refer the inquiry to the law firm
27. Which court level in the US federal system has original jurisdiction over most federal criminal and civil cases? → US District Court
28. What does ASR stand for in the context of legal transcription technology? → Automated Speech Recognition
29. In a legal transcript, when is an em dash (—) used rather than a hyphen (-)? → To show an abrupt break, interruption, or strong parenthetical emphasis
30. When a supervising attorney requests an urgent transcript correction via email at 11 PM, what is the most appropriate response from a legal transcriptionist? → Acknowledge receipt immediately and confirm a realistic delivery timeline