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. Which scenario correctly illustrates the concept of 'stacking' credentials in NCRA's certification system? → Holding RPR → RMR → RDR, where each higher credential requires the previous one
2. What is the function of the asterisk (*) key in standard machine shorthand theory? → To delete or retro-correct the previous stroke
3. A court reporting instructor wants to use authentic assessment. Which example BEST reflects this approach? → Transcribing a live mock trial proceeding
4. Under professional standards, a court reporter who accepts a per-page fee arrangement where payment is contingent on a favorable verdict is committing: → A prohibited contingency fee arrangement
5. Which type of validity evidence confirms that a court reporting certification exam covers the full range of competencies required in the profession? → Content validity
6. Inter-rater reliability in court reporting transcript grading means: → Different instructors grading the same transcript reach consistent error counts
7. How does technology aid modern reporting? → Enables realtime and editing
8. 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
9. In the context of CRI ethics, 'professional competence' most directly requires a reporter-instructor to: → Maintain current skills and knowledge relevant to court reporting and instruction
10. 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
11. When a student disagrees with an instructor's error count on a graded transcript, best practice is to: → Review the disputed items together using the agreed-upon grading rubric
12. 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
13. An NCRA member is asked to provide a 'rough draft' transcript with a notation that it is unedited. Under NCRA ethics, this is: → Permissible as long as it is clearly labeled as a rough draft
14. What accuracy percentage is the standard threshold for a student to pass an NCRA skills speed test? → 95%
15. In steno theory, a 'phrase' differs from a 'brief form' primarily because a phrase: → Combines multiple words into one stroke or stroke sequence
16. Which Bloom's Taxonomy level is demonstrated when a student can break down a steno brief into its phonetic components? → Analyze
17. A CRI discovers an error in their submitted CE documentation after renewal is approved. What is the appropriate action? → Contact NCRA Testing & Certification to correct the record proactively
18. 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
19. A CRI instructor who serves as an NCRA committee volunteer for a full year can earn CE credit for that service under which classification? → Volunteer/professional service
20. When a reporter is asked by one attorney to withhold a transcript from opposing counsel, the reporter must: → Provide transcripts to all entitled parties regardless of one attorney's request
21. What is the purpose of an 'interlocutory appeal'? → To appeal a ruling made during the course of litigation before final judgment
22. A CRI instructor notices that students perform well on isolated drills but fail during practice testimony. This gap suggests a problem with: → Transfer of training
23. Why should a CART captioner avoid editing or correcting the live feed output during an active session without the consumer's knowledge? → Editing increases lag and can cause the consumer to miss real-time content
24. A CRI instructor notices that students plateau at 140 wpm despite daily practice. The BEST corrective strategy is to: → Diagnose specific stroke errors causing hesitation at speed
25. What role does audio quality play in steno speed accuracy training? → Poor audio can introduce artificial errors unrelated to student skill
26. What does 'in camera' mean in legal proceedings? → In the judge's private chambers or a closed session, away from the public and press
27. A CRI candidate reviewing a syllabus sees the phrase 'Students will appreciate the importance of accuracy.' Why is this a poor learning objective? → It uses an unobservable, unmeasurable verb
28. A mentee asks for feedback on an audio-recorded jury charge. The MOST effective mentor approach is to: → Annotate the transcript, noting error patterns and suggesting specific remediation drills
29. A CRI candidate is asked to demonstrate competency in 'curriculum development.' This MOST likely requires showing the ability to: → Design a sequenced course of study with aligned objectives, instruction, and assessments
30. A CRI observes that a student becomes significantly less accurate when dictation material involves medical testimony. This MOST likely indicates: → A vocabulary gap in medical terminology requiring targeted dictionary building