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

Question 1: What is 'realtime' reporting in the context of court reporting?

A type of audio-assisted transcription completed in real time
Reporting conducted without preparation or review time
The instantaneous display of a stenographic translation on a screen as the reporter writes (Correct answer)
A reporting method that eliminates the need for a written transcript

Correct answer: The instantaneous display of a stenographic translation on a screen as the reporter writes

Realtime reporting displays a translated transcript on connected devices simultaneously as the reporter writes.

Question 2: During literary dictation, what should an RPR do if they miss a word or phrase?

Indicate the omission with a placeholder (Correct answer)
Skip it and move on
Stop the dictation to ask for clarification
Guess the missing word or phrase

Correct answer: Indicate the omission with a placeholder

During literary dictation, if an RPR misses a word or phrase, they must never guess or attempt to fill in the blank. Instead, the correct procedure is to indicate the omission with a placeholder, such as a blank line or a notation like '(inaudible)'. This maintains the integrity of the transcript by clearly showing what was not captured, rather than introducing potential inaccuracies.

Question 3: What is 'dyspnea' as used in medical testimony?

Difficulty swallowing
Abnormal heartbeat rhythm
Difficulty or labored breathing (Correct answer)
Chest pain upon exertion

Correct answer: Difficulty or labored breathing

Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Question 4: Which type of subpoena compels a witness to bring documents or tangible evidence to a deposition?

Subpoena pro tempore
Subpoena ad testificandum
Subpoena duces tecum (Correct answer)
Subpoena in limine

Correct answer: Subpoena duces tecum

A subpoena duces tecum (Latin for 'bring with you') requires the recipient to produce documents or other items at the deposition.

Question 5: In a court transcript, how should a verbatim interjection such as 'uh-huh' be rendered?

As 'Yes' to clarify meaning
As '[affirmative]' in brackets
Omitted as it is non-substantive
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 6: When a witness spells out a word during testimony, how should it appear in a transcript?

Written out as 'He spelled the name Thomas'
Exactly as spelled, with hyphens between each letter: T-H-O-M-A-S (Correct answer)
In brackets: [Thomas, spelled]
In all capitals: THOMAS

Correct answer: Exactly as spelled, with hyphens between each letter: T-H-O-M-A-S

When a witness spells aloud, each letter is transcribed separated by hyphens to reflect exactly what was said.

Question 7: What information is typically included on the label or sticker placed on a deposition exhibit?

The judge's docket number and case division only
Only the exhibit number for brevity
The witness's name, signature, and date of birth
The case name, exhibit number, and date of the deposition (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The case name, exhibit number, and date of the deposition

Exhibit labels typically include the case name, exhibit number, and deposition date so the exhibit can be definitively identified and linked to the correct proceeding.

Question 8: What does the NCRA define as a 'conflict of interest' for a court reporter?

Any relationship or financial interest that could impair or appear to impair the reporter's impartiality (Correct answer)
Any case involving a relative who is an attorney
A situation where two attorneys disagree about the transcript
A preference for one law firm's transcript formatting requirements

Correct answer: Any relationship or financial interest that could impair or appear to impair the reporter's impartiality

A conflict of interest for a reporter includes any personal or financial tie that could affect their objectivity.

Question 9: What is the expected course of action if an RPR discovers they made an error in a transcript?

Ignore the error if it is minor
Correct the error and notify the relevant parties (Correct answer)
Wait until someone else finds the error
Delete the entire transcript to avoid issues

Correct answer: Correct the error and notify the relevant parties

The RPR Code of Ethics mandates that if a reporter discovers an error in a transcript, they have a professional obligation to correct it promptly. Furthermore, they must notify all relevant parties involved in the proceeding about the correction. This ensures the accuracy and integrity of the official record, which is critical for legal documentation.

Question 10: A Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) designation indicates which of the following?

A reporter who works exclusively in federal courts
A state-licensed court reporter who has passed a state certification examination (Correct answer)
A reporter who uses only computer-aided transcription software
A reporter certified solely in medical and technical terminology

Correct answer: A state-licensed court reporter who has passed a state certification examination

A CSR holds a state-issued license, typically obtained by passing that state's certification examination for court reporters.

Question 11: What does it mean when a deponent 'waives' signature on a deposition transcript?

The deponent gives up the right to review the transcript and note changes before it is finalized (Correct answer)
The deponent must sign the transcript within 24 hours of completion
All parties agree not to use the transcript as evidence at trial
The court reporter waives their certification requirement for that transcript

Correct answer: The deponent gives up the right to review the transcript and note changes before it is finalized

Waiving signature means the deponent relinquishes their right under FRCP 30(e) to review the transcript and submit an errata sheet.

Question 12: What does the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics require regarding conflicts of interest?

Reporters must disclose any financial or personal interest in the outcome of a proceeding (Correct answer)
Reporters can work for one law firm exclusively without disclosure
Reporters may accept gifts from attorneys of less than $50 in value
Reporters need not disclose relationships unless directly asked

Correct answer: Reporters must disclose any financial or personal interest in the outcome of a proceeding

The NCRA Code requires reporters to disclose any conflict of interest that could compromise their impartiality.

Question 13: When an attorney instructs a witness not to answer a question during a deposition, what is the court reporter's proper course of action?

Ask the witness to answer anyway to preserve the record
Strike the question and instruction from the transcript
Immediately adjourn the deposition
Accurately note the instruction not to answer on the record and continue (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Accurately note the instruction not to answer on the record and continue

The reporter must faithfully record the instruction not to answer, preserving the record for any subsequent motion to compel testimony.

Question 14: 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 receive a written warning for a first offense only
They may face suspension or revocation of their NCRA credential (Correct answer)
The matter is referred to state bar association review

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 15: In stenographic theory, what is a 'brief form' or 'brief'?

A shortened stenographic outline for a frequently used word (Correct answer)
A summary of a witness's testimony
A one-page summary of exhibits
A condensed version of a full transcript

Correct answer: A shortened stenographic outline for a frequently used word

A brief form is a memorized abbreviated stroke for a common word used to increase writing speed.

Question 16: In steno theory, what is a 'conflict' or 'steno conflict'?

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

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 17: Under NCRA guidelines, what must a reporter do before agreeing to provide services if a potential conflict exists?

Simply inform the judge before the proceeding begins
Disclose the conflict to all parties and obtain their consent or decline the assignment (Correct answer)
Request that a supervisor make the decision on their behalf
Proceed normally as long as the conflict is minor

Correct answer: Disclose the conflict to all parties and obtain their consent or decline the assignment

Full disclosure to all parties and obtaining consent is required before proceeding with a conflicted assignment.

Question 18: What does 'pro se' mean in a US court case?

A party representing themselves without an attorney (Correct answer)
A sealed court record
An attorney representing a client for free
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 19: When a deponent wishes to make changes to their deposition transcript after reviewing it, which document is used?

A supplemental affidavit
An amendment notice
An errata sheet (Correct answer)
A correction certificate

Correct answer: An errata sheet

An errata sheet lists the specific page and line numbers of any changes the deponent wishes to make to the transcript record.

Question 20: What type of material is typically used for literary dictation in RPR certification tests?

News reports
Technical manuals
Literary works such as novels, essays, or speeches (Correct answer)
Legal documents

Correct answer: Literary works such as novels, essays, or speeches

For RPR certification tests, literary dictation typically uses excerpts from literary works such as novels, essays, or speeches. These materials are chosen for their varied vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and diverse pacing, which challenge a reporter's stenographic skills and ability to maintain accuracy under pressure. This prepares them for the diverse language encountered in legal settings.

Question 21: How can RPRs ensure the security and confidentiality of their digital transcripts?

By sharing transcripts only via email
By limiting access to transcription software
By using strong passwords and encryption for digital files (Correct answer)
By printing all transcripts and storing them physically

Correct answer: By using strong passwords and encryption for digital files

To ensure the security and confidentiality of digital transcripts, RPRs must implement robust cybersecurity practices. Using strong, unique passwords prevents unauthorized access to sensitive files and systems, while encryption scrambles the data, rendering it unreadable without the correct key. These measures are critical for protecting private legal information and maintaining client trust.

Question 22: Which term describes the person who gives testimony during a deposition?

Deponent (Correct answer)
Appellant
Amicus
Respondent

Correct answer: Deponent

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

Question 23: Which is the correct way to transcribe a dollar amount stated as 'four hundred and fifty thousand dollars'?

$450 thousand
$450,000 (Correct answer)
$450.000
Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars

Correct answer: $450,000

Legal transcripts and standard style use numerical format with dollar signs for monetary amounts.

Question 24: What does the term 'untranslate' mean in the context of CAT software?

A stroke recorded in the log but omitted from the transcript
A word deleted from the personal dictionary
A previously translated word that the reporter manually changed
A steno stroke that the CAT software could not translate into a word (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A steno stroke that the CAT software could not translate into a word

An untranslate is a raw steno outline that the software could not match to any dictionary entry.

Question 25: In the RPR context, what does 'jury charge dictation' refer to in the skills exam?

Questions posed by jurors to witnesses
Instructions delivered by a judge to the jury read at a faster formal pace (Correct answer)
A witness giving testimony about jury service
Legal arguments made by attorneys during closing statements

Correct answer: Instructions delivered by a judge to the jury read at a faster formal pace

The jury charge leg simulates a judge reading legal instructions to the jury, which is dense and precise dictation.

Question 26: What is a key ethical responsibility of an RPR when handling confidential information?

Keeping it secure and not disclosing it without authorization (Correct answer)
Sharing it with other reporters for verification
Using it for personal gain
Discussing it with friends and family

Correct answer: Keeping it secure and not disclosing it without authorization

A key ethical responsibility of an RPR is to maintain the utmost confidentiality of all information encountered during legal proceedings. They are privy to sensitive and private details, and it is imperative that they keep this information secure and never disclose it without proper authorization. This duty upholds the integrity of the legal process and protects the privacy of individuals.

Question 27: What is the purpose of 'dictionary management' as an ongoing practice for working reporters?

Removing old case files from the CAT software archive
Continuously adding new terms, names, and briefs to maintain high realtime translation accuracy (Correct answer)
Organizing transcripts alphabetically by case name
Standardizing transcript formatting across different client preferences

Correct answer: Continuously adding new terms, names, and briefs to maintain high realtime translation accuracy

Active dictionary management ensures the CAT software accurately translates specialized terminology, names, and new briefs encountered in practice.

Question 28: What accuracy percentage is required to pass each leg of the RPR skills exam?

90%
95% (Correct answer)
85%
98%

Correct answer: 95%

Each RPR skills leg requires a 95% accuracy rate, meaning no more than 5 errors per 100 words.

Question 29: What is the term for a formal written statement made under oath used as evidence in court?

Affidavit (Correct answer)
Injunction
Subpoena
Deposition

Correct answer: Affidavit

An affidavit is a sworn written statement used as evidence in legal proceedings.

Question 30: What is the recommended method for a reporter to handle a word they do not know how to stroke during a proceeding?

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

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 31: What is the function of the 'myocardium'?

It is the chamber that receives blood from the lungs
It is the valve that controls blood flow to the aorta
It is the muscular tissue of the heart responsible for pumping blood (Correct answer)
It is the outer protective lining of the heart

Correct answer: It is the muscular tissue of the heart responsible for pumping blood

The myocardium is the heart muscle that contracts to pump blood throughout the body.

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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