CA Court Reporter exam-day guide
CA Court Reporter · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name matching your registration. If your name has changed or differs slightly from your registration record, confirm with the provider in advance what documentation they accept.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location. Some sites require it at check-in; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Your own stenographic equipment and backup supplies
Bring your writer, cables, paper or media as applicable, and a backup of anything failure-prone. Confirm with the provider which equipment is permitted and whether site machines are provided or you must bring your own.
Laptop and software for transcription/scoping portions
If any segment requires computer transcription, bring your own laptop with the required software installed and tested. Confirm with the provider the exact software, file formats, and whether personal laptops are allowed in the testing room.
Power and connectivity accessories
Extra batteries, charged power bank, and any permitted cables. Do not assume outlets or Wi-Fi are available; confirm with the provider what is provided at the site.
Approved reference materials (if any)
Some exams permit a dictionary or specified reference. Confirm with the provider the exact list of allowed materials and whether they must be in print or may be digital.
Test-day logistics plan
Map the route, parking, and check-in location, and plan to arrive with buffer time. Confirm with the provider the check-in cutoff and what happens if you arrive late.
Rest, meals, and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep, a light meal, and water. Check with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the workstation during the test.
Personal comfort and medical items
Bring any needed medication and a layer for room temperature. Confirm with the provider the policy on bringing medications and personal items into the testing room.
Leave prohibited items at home or in the car
Phones, smart watches, and other devices are commonly restricted. Confirm with the provider the prohibited-items list and secure-storage options at the site.
Backup plan for equipment failure
Know in advance what you will do if your writer or laptop fails mid-test. Confirm with the provider whether stoppages for equipment failure are accommodated and how to report a failure during the test.
Score-report and retake information
Know how and when results are released and what the retake policy is. Confirm with the provider the reporting timeline and any appeal or review process.
Plan the day
Confirm the test date, time, and location and re-read the provider's candidate instructions, including the allowed-materials and ID rules. Do a full equipment check: clean and test your writer, test your laptop and transcription software end to end, and charge or replace batteries. Take one or two timed practice passages at test pace rather than drilling new material, and review your own error patterns. Keep sleep and meals regular and avoid cramming new content in the last day.
Pack the bag: ID, confirmation, equipment, backup supplies, power accessories, and any approved references. Lay out clothing and confirm the route, parking, and check-in time. Charge everything overnight. Do a short light practice session only, then stop and rest. Set two alarms and confirm the check-in cutoff with the provider if you have any doubt.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive with buffer time to allow for check-in and security. Do a quick equipment self-test before entering the room, keep your ID and confirmation accessible, and silence and stow devices as instructed. Use any waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute study.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly and note the start and stop signals for each segment. Write steadily and prioritize accuracy and clean strokes over speed; when you miss something, keep moving rather than freezing. Use permitted breaks to stand, stretch, and reset, and return promptly. If equipment fails or you believe there is a testing irregularity, stop and notify the proctor immediately and note the time.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID in the name on your registration; if your name differs, confirm with the provider what documentation is accepted before test day.
Follow all proctor instructions on permitted materials, devices, and workspace setup; confirm with the provider the prohibited-items list and secure-storage arrangements.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share or discuss test content afterward; treat all exam materials as confidential.
Follow the provider's break policy exactly, including whether breaks are scheduled or on request and whether the clock runs during breaks; confirm with the provider if this is unclear.
Report any equipment failure, interruption, or irregularity to the proctor immediately and note the time, since remedies may depend on timely notice; confirm with the provider how such reports are handled.
Understand how your performance is scored and what constitutes a passing result, including whether segments are weighted or must each be passed; confirm with the provider the scoring method and pass standard.
Know the retake and score-review policies before test day, including any waiting period or limit on attempts; confirm with the provider the current rules.
If you have a disability or need an accommodation, arrange it with the provider well before test day rather than raising it at check-in.