CRI Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. How does technology aid modern reporting? → Enables realtime and editing
2. Which of the following is a best practice when creating new dictation passages for court reporting instruction? → Balance familiar and new vocabulary to challenge without overwhelming students
3. What is the recommended minimum frequency of dictation practice sessions per week for a student to progress effectively in court reporting training? → Three to five sessions per week
4. What is the main instructional advantage of maintaining structured dictation banks that are organized by speed and content type? → They ensure consistent speed, content, and difficulty across all student practice sessions
5. What accuracy percentage is the standard threshold for a student to pass an NCRA skills speed test? → 95%
6. How should a CRI instructor use error analysis after a failed speed take? → Identify patterns in missed strokes to target specific theory or vocabulary gaps
7. What role does audio quality play in steno speed accuracy training? → Poor audio can introduce artificial errors unrelated to student skill
8. What is the role of learning objectives? → To set clear goals
9. Which of the following best describes 'jury charge' dictation material used in court reporting training? → Legal instructions delivered by a judge to a jury, typically at a steady and measured pace
10. How does multimedia support learning? → It enhances understanding
11. What is validity in assessment? → Measuring intended skills accurately
12. When creating a syllabus for a court reporting course, what element is most important for managing student expectations? → Clear milestone speed benchmarks with specific dates and consequences for not meeting them
13. How can rubrics support evaluation? → Provide clear assessment criteria
14. Why is honesty crucial in professional conduct? → To build trust
15. Why is reliability important in assessment? → Consistent results over time
16. When developing a court reporting curriculum, which type of dictation content should typically be introduced first? → Simple literary or news-style passages
17. When selecting dictation passages for CRI-level instruction, which factor is MOST important in gauging appropriate difficulty? → Syllabic intensity and vocabulary complexity
18. How should a court reporting instructor vary dictation material types to maximize student skill development? → Rotate between literary, jury charge, and Q&A material throughout training
19. What is the primary purpose of a reporter's shorthand system? → To capture speech rapidly and accurately
20. Why is feedback essential in instruction? → To improve learning
21. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for curriculum design & development in CRI practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
22. What is the role of a realtime reporter? → Providing live transcription
23. How should a CRI instructor respond when multiple students ask the same question repeatedly throughout the semester? → Create a FAQ resource or dedicated lesson addressing the recurring topic
24. In a steno classroom, what is a recommended approach for handling a student who is consistently disruptive during dictation practice? → Have a private conversation to understand the cause and agree on a behavioral plan
25. In the context of CRI certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing machine shorthand theory? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
26. Which seating arrangement is generally most effective in a court reporting classroom to support peer learning and instructor monitoring? → A horseshoe or U-shape arrangement
27. When designing a speed-building curriculum, what percentage accuracy is generally considered the minimum passing threshold for a speed test take? → 97.5%
28. How does active learning benefit students? → It improves understanding and retention
29. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for legal terminology & procedures in CRI practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
30. Why is learner engagement important? → It improves motivation and retention