NCRA Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Written Knowledge Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is a 'glob' or 'phrase' in stenographic writing?

A single stroke that represents an entire phrase or multi-word expression (Correct answer)
An unrecognized stroke in the dictionary
A brief pause in dictation
An error where too many keys are pressed simultaneously

Correct answer: A single stroke that represents an entire phrase or multi-word expression

A phrase stroke (glob) encodes a common multi-word sequence in a single steno stroke to accelerate writing speed.

Question 2: In steno theory, what is a 'conflict' or 'steno conflict'?

When two different words produce the same steno stroke outline (Correct answer)
A mistranslation due to a software glitch
A disagreement between a reporter and attorney over a word
An error caused by pressing the wrong key

Correct answer: When two different words produce the same steno stroke outline

A steno conflict occurs when a single outline could represent two or more different words, requiring resolution in the dictionary.

Question 3: In a court transcript, how should a verbatim interjection such as 'uh-huh' be rendered?

Omitted as it is non-substantive
As '[affirmative]' in brackets
As 'Yes' to clarify meaning
Exactly as spoken: 'Uh-huh.' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Exactly as spoken: 'Uh-huh.'

Court reporters must transcribe verbatim affirmative sounds exactly as spoken unless instructed otherwise.

Question 4: What must a court reporter's certification attached to a deposition transcript attest to?

That the transcript has been reviewed and approved by the judge
That the transcript is a true, correct, and complete record of the testimony (Correct answer)
That the attorneys behaved professionally throughout the proceeding
That all exhibits have been filed with the clerk of court

Correct answer: That the transcript is a true, correct, and complete record of the testimony

The reporter's certification is a sworn statement that the transcript accurately and completely reflects what occurred in the proceeding.

Question 5: When must an RPR-credentialed reporter notify NCRA of a felony conviction?

Within 30 days of the conviction (Correct answer)
Only if the conviction is work-related
There is no requirement to disclose criminal convictions
At the next renewal period

Correct answer: Within 30 days of the conviction

NCRA bylaws require credentialed members to report felony convictions promptly, within 30 days.

Question 6: What is the primary role of a Registered Professional Reporter in legal settings?

To record and transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form (Correct answer)
To enforce court rules and regulations
To manage courtroom procedures
To provide legal advice to clients

Correct answer: To record and transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form

The primary role of a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) in legal settings is to create an accurate, verbatim record of spoken proceedings. Using specialized equipment like stenotype machines, they transcribe spoken words into written form, producing official transcripts of depositions, court hearings, and other legal events. This ensures a precise and impartial record for all parties involved.

Question 7: What is the recommended procedure when a reporter discovers a material error in a certified transcript?

Quietly correct the error without notifying parties to avoid disruption
File the error with the court clerk and take no further action
Notify all parties, prepare an errata or corrected transcript, and re-certify it (Correct answer)
Notify only the requesting party and allow them to decide

Correct answer: Notify all parties, prepare an errata or corrected transcript, and re-certify it

Reporters are ethically obligated to correct material errors transparently and re-certify the corrected transcript.

Question 8: What is the NCRA's policy on a reporter who fails to maintain impartiality during proceedings?

No formal action is taken unless a judge files a complaint
They may face suspension or revocation of their NCRA credential (Correct answer)
The matter is referred to state bar association review
They receive a written warning for a first offense only

Correct answer: They may face suspension or revocation of their NCRA credential

Violations of NCRA's Code of Professional Ethics can result in credential suspension or revocation.

Question 9: Which of the following is a prerequisite for sitting for the RPR examination?

Passing the Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) exam first
Holding a valid Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) or Provisional RPR status OR completing an approved court reporting program (Correct answer)
A bachelor's degree in a legal field
Five years of active court reporting experience

Correct answer: Holding a valid Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) or Provisional RPR status OR completing an approved court reporting program

Candidates must meet NCRA eligibility requirements including approved education or provisional status.

Question 10: What is the correct format for a date in a formal court transcript header?

22 March 2026
March 22, 2026 (Correct answer)
22nd of March, 2026
03/22/26

Correct answer: March 22, 2026

Legal transcripts use month-day-year format with the month spelled out in the header.

Question 11: What does 'pro se' mean in a US court case?

A party representing themselves without an attorney (Correct answer)
An attorney representing a client for free
A sealed court record
A case heard by a judge without a jury

Correct answer: A party representing themselves without an attorney

Pro se is a Latin term for a litigant who acts as their own attorney in court.

Question 12: Which principle in the RPR Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest?

Impartiality and Conflicts of Interest (Correct answer)
Competence
Professionalism
Confidentiality

Correct answer: Impartiality and Conflicts of Interest

The RPR Code of Ethics includes a specific principle on "Impartiality and Conflicts of Interest" to guide professional conduct. This principle mandates that reporters remain unbiased and objective in their work, avoiding any situations where personal interests or relationships could compromise their neutrality. Adhering to this ensures fairness, integrity, and trust in the legal system.

Question 13: What is the role of a 'court reporter' during trial proceedings?

To create a verbatim transcript of all spoken words in the proceeding (Correct answer)
To summarize court testimony for the judge
To manage exhibits and document filing
To inform jurors of procedural rules

Correct answer: To create a verbatim transcript of all spoken words in the proceeding

A court reporter produces a complete, verbatim record of all statements made during legal proceedings.

Question 14: What is an 'electroencephalogram' (EEG) used to measure?

Pressure within the spinal column
Blood flow through the kidneys
Electrical activity of the brain (Correct answer)
Electrical activity of the heart

Correct answer: Electrical activity of the brain

An EEG records electrical impulses in the brain and is used to diagnose neurological conditions.

Question 15: How should a proper noun that is a compound title — such as 'Assistant District Attorney' — be capitalized in a transcript?

Use all capitals for any professional title
Capitalize only the first word of the compound title
Capitalize all principal words when used as a formal title before a name (Correct answer)
Lowercase all words unless at the start of a sentence

Correct answer: Capitalize all principal words when used as a formal title before a name

Formal titles are capitalized when they precede a person's name as part of the title.

Question 16: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(e), who has the right to review and sign a deposition transcript to note any changes?

The judge assigned to the case
Only the court reporter who certified it
The deponent (witness) (Correct answer)
Only the examining attorney

Correct answer: The deponent (witness)

FRCP Rule 30(e) grants the deponent the right to review the transcript and note changes in form or substance on an errata sheet.

Question 17: How should a reporter handle a word they could not hear during testimony?

Insert a phonetic spelling in parentheses or mark as [inaudible] (Correct answer)
Omit the word and continue transcribing
Request an immediate read-back before continuing
Insert the most likely word based on context

Correct answer: Insert a phonetic spelling in parentheses or mark as [inaudible]

Inaudible or unclear words should be marked with a notation such as [inaudible] to preserve accuracy.

Question 18: Which punctuation is correct when a speaker trails off mid-thought in testimony?

Parenthetical note: 'I thought that maybe (pause).'
Em dash: 'I thought that maybe —'
Ellipsis: 'I thought that maybe ...' (Correct answer)
A period: 'I thought that maybe.'

Correct answer: Ellipsis: 'I thought that maybe ...'

An ellipsis indicates a trailing off or pause, while a dash indicates an abrupt interruption.

Question 19: Which term describes the person who gives testimony during a deposition?

Respondent
Appellant
Amicus
Deponent (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Deponent

A deponent is the individual who provides sworn testimony in a deposition.

Question 20: In a deposition transcript, how is an 'off the record' remark typically indicated?

By simply omitting the comment entirely with no notation
With a notation such as '(Off the record.)' or '(Discussion off the record.)' (Correct answer)
By using the notation [REDACTED]
By enclosing the remark in double parentheses

Correct answer: With a notation such as '(Off the record.)' or '(Discussion off the record.)'

An off-the-record notation in parentheses preserves the transparency of the transcript without recording the actual content.

Question 21: Which technology is commonly used by RPRs to ensure accurate transcription of proceedings?

Handwritten notes
Voice recognition software
Stenotype machines (Correct answer)
Digital dictation devices

Correct answer: Stenotype machines

Stenotype machines are the primary technology used by RPRs for accurate transcription. These specialized keyboards allow reporters to type phonetic codes at very high speeds, often exceeding 200 words per minute. The phonetic input is then translated into readable English text by computer software, forming the basis of the official transcript.

Question 22: What is 'tachycardia'?

An abnormally fast heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute (Correct answer)
A blockage in a coronary artery
An irregular heartbeat pattern
An abnormally slow heart rate below 60 beats per minute

Correct answer: An abnormally fast heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute

Tachycardia is a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate, typically defined as over 100 bpm.

Question 23: What minimum speed must candidates demonstrate on the RPR skills component?

180 words per minute
225 words per minute (Correct answer)
250 words per minute
200 words per minute

Correct answer: 225 words per minute

RPR candidates must demonstrate the ability to write at 225 words per minute with 95% accuracy.

Question 24: What is the NCRA's 'TRAIN' program in the context of reporter professional development?

A stenography speed-training software application
A federal training program for government court reporters
A program for reporters transitioning to captioning work
A mentorship and continuing education platform for court reporters (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A mentorship and continuing education platform for court reporters

NCRA's TRAIN program provides continuing education resources and professional development for court reporters.

Question 25: What is the purpose of a scopist in the transcription process?

To verify the accuracy of the transcribed text (Correct answer)
To prepare the transcript for publication
To interpret legal jargon
To provide technical support for CAT software

Correct answer: To verify the accuracy of the transcribed text

A scopist plays a vital role in the transcription process by reviewing and editing the initial draft of a transcript produced by a court reporter. Their primary purpose is to meticulously verify the accuracy of the transcribed text against the audio recording, correcting any errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and proper names. This ensures the final legal document is precise and error-free.

Question 26: What is the recommended method for a reporter to handle a word they do not know how to stroke during a proceeding?

Ask the speaker to spell the word immediately
Stop writing and look up the word in a reference guide
Write it phonetically and flag it for later dictionary resolution (Correct answer)
Skip the word entirely and continue writing

Correct answer: Write it phonetically and flag it for later dictionary resolution

Phonetic writing preserves the sound of the word so the reporter can look it up and correct it during transcript editing.

Question 27: What is the function of a 'personal dictionary' in CAT (Computer-Aided Transcription) software?

A log of previous cases and their terminology
A spell-check library imported from standard word processors
A reporter-specific database mapping steno outlines to words for accurate translation (Correct answer)
A collection of preferred synonyms used during editing

Correct answer: A reporter-specific database mapping steno outlines to words for accurate translation

A personal dictionary contains customized steno-to-word mappings that improve translation accuracy for each reporter.

Question 28: What is a 'continuance' in a legal proceeding?

The resumption of testimony after a lunch break
A postponement of a scheduled court date to a later time (Correct answer)
An order to continue presenting evidence
A ruling that allows a case to proceed to trial

Correct answer: A postponement of a scheduled court date to a later time

A continuance postpones a court proceeding to a future date, often granted for good cause.

Question 29: What does 'prognosis' mean in a medical context?

The predicted course or outcome of a disease (Correct answer)
The history of a patient's prior illnesses
The prescribed treatment plan for a condition
The identification of a disease from its symptoms

Correct answer: The predicted course or outcome of a disease

A prognosis is a medical forecast of the likely progression and outcome of a patient's condition.

Question 30: What is an 'ex parte' communication in the legal context?

A written brief submitted to the appellate court
A motion filed after the verdict
A communication with the judge by only one party without notifying the other (Correct answer)
A joint statement agreed upon by both parties

Correct answer: A communication with the judge by only one party without notifying the other

An ex parte communication involves only one party contacting the judge, which is generally prohibited.

Question 31: How should a court reporter indicate laughter during proceedings?

By spelling it out: 'Ha ha ha.'
By writing '[EMOTIONAL RESPONSE]'
With a parenthetical notation: '(Laughter.)' (Correct answer)
It should be omitted as non-verbal

Correct answer: With a parenthetical notation: '(Laughter.)'

Non-verbal occurrences like laughter are captured with parenthetical notations in the transcript.

NCRA Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Written Knowledge Test

The RPR is NCRA's entry-level certification for court reporters, validating competency in technology and innovation, industry practices, and professional ethics required for professional stenographic reporting.

Questions

28 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

ncra.org — Eligibility, exam format, passing score, renewal, retake policy, time limit, score validity, test delivery, score release, fees · verified Nov 2026
pearsonvue.com — Test delivery · verified Nov 2026