CSR Foundational Concepts & Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which body is primarily responsible for administering the CSR examination in the United States?
- National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) (Correct answer)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA)
- Federal Judicial Center
Correct answer: National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
The NCRA administers the RPR and related credentialing exams, and many states base CSR requirements on NCRA testing standards.
Question 2: In shorthand reporting, what does the term 'real-time' specifically refer to?
- Simultaneous display of text as it is being stenographically recorded (Correct answer)
- Playing back audio at the original speed of speech
- Transcribing notes within 24 hours of a proceeding
- Using a digital audio recorder alongside a steno machine
Correct answer: Simultaneous display of text as it is being stenographically recorded
Real-time reporting produces an instant readable text feed on a screen as the reporter writes, allowing attorneys or the deaf to read proceedings live.
Question 3: What is the minimum words-per-minute (WPM) speed typically required for CSR literary dictation tests in most US states?
- 150 WPM
- 180 WPM (Correct answer)
- 225 WPM
- 260 WPM
Correct answer: 180 WPM
Most state CSR literary speed tests require 180 WPM with a high accuracy threshold, though some states vary slightly.
Question 4: Which type of proceeding is MOST commonly covered by a certified shorthand reporter?
- Legislative hearings only
- Depositions, trials, and hearings (Correct answer)
- Corporate board meetings
- Medical examinations
Correct answer: Depositions, trials, and hearings
CSRs primarily work in legal proceedings including depositions, civil and criminal trials, arbitrations, and administrative hearings.
Question 5: What is a 'read-back' in the context of court reporting?
- The reporter's review of personal notes before transcribing
- The reporter reading aloud previously recorded testimony at the judge's or attorney's request (Correct answer)
- Sending a digital copy of the transcript to the client
- A quality-control check performed by a second reporter
Correct answer: The reporter reading aloud previously recorded testimony at the judge's or attorney's request
A read-back occurs when a court reporter reads back a portion of the stenographic record aloud, typically requested by the judge, jury, or attorneys.
Question 6: In steno theory, what is a 'brief form'?
- A short transcript excerpt submitted to the court
- An abbreviated stroke combination that represents a common word or phrase (Correct answer)
- A summary of the reporter's professional certifications
- A reduced-fee agreement between reporter and client
Correct answer: An abbreviated stroke combination that represents a common word or phrase
Brief forms are abbreviated stenographic outlines for high-frequency words or phrases that allow reporters to write faster than spelling each word out phonetically.
Question 7: Which ethical principle requires a court reporter to produce a verbatim record without editorializing or omitting content?
- Impartiality
- Confidentiality
- Verbatim accuracy (Correct answer)
- Client loyalty
Correct answer: Verbatim accuracy
Verbatim accuracy obligates the reporter to capture every spoken word, including false starts and speaker errors, without interpretation or omission.
CSR Foundational Concepts & Principles 2
Which body is primarily responsible for administering the CSR examination in the United States?