CSR Assessment & Evaluation Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NCRA RPR grading standard, which category of error carries the heaviest penalty weight?
- Punctuation errors
- Capitalization errors
- Omission of words or phrases (Correct answer)
- Spelling errors on common words
Correct answer: Omission of words or phrases
Omissions of words or phrases carry the heaviest penalty because they alter the substance of the record, making the transcript incomplete.
Question 2: In CSR evaluation, 'interpolation' refers to which type of error?
- Substituting one word for a similar-sounding word
- Adding words not present in the original dictation (Correct answer)
- Omitting an entire sentence from the transcript
- Incorrect punctuation that changes meaning
Correct answer: Adding words not present in the original dictation
Interpolation means inserting words that were not dictated, effectively fabricating transcript content.
Question 3: What minimum accuracy percentage is required to pass the testimony portion of most state CSR examinations?
- 90%
- 92%
- 95% (Correct answer)
- 98%
Correct answer: 95%
A 95% accuracy rate (no more than 5 errors per 100 words) is the standard passing threshold for testimony material on most state CSR exams.
Question 4: Which measurement tool is used by examiners to count syllables accurately when preparing CSR speed test materials?
- A metronome calibrated to wpm
- A syllabic counter or pre-marked dictation script (Correct answer)
- A stopwatch synchronized to keystrokes
- A CAT software syllable analyzer
Correct answer: A syllabic counter or pre-marked dictation script
Examiners use pre-marked dictation scripts where syllables are counted and marked in advance to ensure consistent, accurate speed delivery.
Question 5: A reporter reads back testimony and inadvertently changes 'did not' to 'didn't' in the read-back. How is this typically treated in a formal CSR evaluation?
- Counted as one substitution error
- Not counted as an error since meaning is preserved (Correct answer)
- Counted as two separate errors
- Flagged as a contempt-level offense
Correct answer: Not counted as an error since meaning is preserved
Contractions that preserve exact meaning are generally not penalized in read-back evaluations, as accuracy of substance rather than form is the standard.
Question 6: What is 'real-time accuracy' as distinct from transcript accuracy in CSR evaluation?
- Accuracy measured after post-production editing
- The percentage of correctly translated strokes displayed instantly during live proceedings (Correct answer)
- Speed of transcript delivery to the judge
- Accuracy of the audio backup recording
Correct answer: The percentage of correctly translated strokes displayed instantly during live proceedings
Real-time accuracy measures how correctly a reporter's CAT software instantly translates steno strokes to English on screen during live proceedings, without post-editing.
Question 7: When grading a CSR test, how are 'phonetic spellings' of unfamiliar proper nouns typically handled?
- Counted as full errors
- Accepted if phonetically close and not misleading (Correct answer)
- Ignored entirely in the final score
- Counted as half errors
Correct answer: Accepted if phonetically close and not misleading
Phonetic spellings of unfamiliar proper nouns that are not on the word list are usually accepted or counted as half-errors, recognizing the reporter's reasonable effort.
CSR Assessment & Evaluation Methods 3
Under the NCRA RPR grading standard, which category of error carries the heaviest penalty weight?