Transcription Basic Transcription 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client instructs you to follow AP Style. How should you transcribe the time '3:00 PM'?
- 3:00 PM
- 3 p.m. (Correct answer)
- 3:00 p.m.
- Three o'clock in the afternoon
Correct answer: 3 p.m.
AP Style uses lowercase 'a.m.' and 'p.m.' with periods, and drops the ':00' when the time is on the hour.
Question 2: What is the main advantage of using transcription software (e.g., Express Scribe) over a standard media player?
- It automatically generates a perfect transcript
- It allows foot-pedal control and adjustable playback speed without losing pitch (Correct answer)
- It converts audio to text using AI with no errors
- It stores transcripts in the cloud automatically
Correct answer: It allows foot-pedal control and adjustable playback speed without losing pitch
Dedicated transcription software enables hands-free playback control via a foot pedal and pitch-corrected speed adjustment, dramatically improving efficiency.
Question 3: When handling a confidential client transcript, what is the most important security practice?
- Sharing the file on a public Google Drive link for easy access
- Storing and transmitting files using encrypted or password-protected methods (Correct answer)
- Emailing the transcript as plain text with no attachments
- Keeping the file on a shared public desktop
Correct answer: Storing and transmitting files using encrypted or password-protected methods
Confidential transcripts must be secured with encryption during storage and transfer to comply with client contracts and privacy laws like HIPAA.
Question 4: A speaker in a focus group says the same phrase three times in a row for emphasis. In clean verbatim style, how is this handled?
- Write the phrase all three times as spoken
- Write it once and add a note like [repeated for emphasis]
- Write it only once, omitting the repetitions (Correct answer)
- Replace repetitions with '[repeats]'
Correct answer: Write it only once, omitting the repetitions
Clean verbatim removes false starts and unintentional repetitions to improve readability while retaining full meaning.
Question 5: Which metric is most commonly used by transcription platforms to calculate pay?
- Per hour of work completed
- Per audio minute transcribed (Correct answer)
- Per page of transcript produced
- Per number of speakers identified
Correct answer: Per audio minute transcribed
The transcription industry standard pay metric is per audio minute (or per audio hour), reflecting the actual workload imposed by the source material.
Question 6: What should you do if an audio file contains a strong regional accent that slows your comprehension?
- Return the file to the client immediately
- Slow the playback speed and listen multiple times before guessing (Correct answer)
- Auto-transcribe it and submit without review
- Transcribe only the portions you understand clearly
Correct answer: Slow the playback speed and listen multiple times before guessing
Reducing playback speed and re-listening multiple times allows the ear to adapt to unfamiliar accent patterns and reduces errors.
Question 7: In medical transcription, why is it critical to never guess at a drug name?
- Drug names are always spelled phonetically and easy to guess
- An incorrectly transcribed drug name could lead to patient harm if used in clinical records (Correct answer)
- Medical clients do not review transcripts before use
- Drug names are not part of medical transcription scope
Correct answer: An incorrectly transcribed drug name could lead to patient harm if used in clinical records
Medical transcription errors in drug names can propagate into clinical records and orders, posing direct patient safety risks.
Transcription Basic Transcription 5
A client instructs you to follow AP Style.
How should you transcribe the time '3:00 PM'?