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CRR Certified Realtime Reporter study materials
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CRR Certified Realtime Reporter practice questions

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Question 1Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Which best describes realtime translation in court reporting?

  1. Converting stenographic keystrokes into English text as the words are spoken Correct answer.
  2. Recording the audio of a proceeding for later transcription
  3. Sending the finished transcript to the client by email
  4. Translating a deposition into a second language for a witness

Explanation

Realtime translation is the process by which CAT software converts each steno stroke into English text immediately, so the words appear on screen as they are spoken. It is distinct from audio recording, foreign-language interpreting, and post-job delivery of a transcript.

Question 2Realtime writing and translation accuracy

The abbreviation CAT, as used in reporting technology, stands for:

  1. Courtroom Audio Transcription
  2. Certified Automatic Transfer
  3. Computer-Assisted Typing
  4. Computer-Aided Transcription Correct answer.

Explanation

CAT refers to Computer-Aided Transcription, the software that translates stenographic strokes into text and manages dictionaries, editing, and realtime output. The other expansions describe unrelated concepts that do not match the software's function.

Question 3Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What does an untranslate represent in a CAT transcript?

  1. A steno stroke or series of strokes with no dictionary definition, displayed as raw steno Correct answer.
  2. A portion of the audio that failed to record
  3. A word the reporter deliberately spelled phonetically
  4. A sentence the software could not punctuate

Explanation

An untranslate occurs when the software encounters an outline that has no matching entry in the active dictionaries, so it outputs the steno itself rather than English. The reporter resolves it by defining the stroke or rewriting with a known outline. Punctuation and audio problems are separate issues.

Question 4Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In CAT terminology, a conflict occurs when:

  1. The dictionary file grows too large to load properly
  2. The same steno outline is defined to two different English translations Correct answer.
  3. Two different steno outlines are defined to the same English word
  4. A stroke is struck with too many keys at once

Explanation

A conflict means one outline is linked to more than one English word or phrase, so the software must pick one and may output the wrong term in context. Multiple outlines for a single word are normal alternates or briefs and are not conflicts. Excess keys produce misstrokes, and file size is a performance concern.

Question 5Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What is a brief in stenographic writing?

  1. A minimum speed requirement set by a certifying board
  2. A short summary of the day's testimony prepared for the judge
  3. A stroke or short combination of strokes that writes a longer word or phrase Correct answer.
  4. A note the reporter adds to flag an uncertain word

Explanation

A brief is a shortened outline, often one stroke, that produces a full word or phrase through a dictionary entry. Briefs raise speed and reduce stroke count, but they must be defined carefully so they translate correctly. The other options describe unrelated reporting concepts.

Question 6Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A reporter phrases aggressively, writing whole clauses in single strokes. What is the main realtime risk of this practice?

  1. The machine's memory fills faster than with unphrased writing
  2. Phrase strokes drop out of the feed because they are not in the base dictionary
  3. Phrased writing cannot be edited after the proceeding ends
  4. A phrase outline can collide with other outlines and translate incorrectly in contexts the reporter did not anticipate Correct answer.

Explanation

Long phrase strokes are efficient but fragile: if the same outline is needed in a different grammatical context, or overlaps another entry, the software outputs the wrong text. Reporters therefore phrase conservatively and review phrase entries for conflicts. Machine memory, dictionary scope, and editability are not the core risk.

Question 7Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Which practice most directly reduces the number of untranslates appearing in a realtime feed?

  1. Using only outlines that are already stored in the active dictionary Correct answer.
  2. Using a wide variety of improvised outlines during the job
  3. Disabling the job dictionary so only the main dictionary is active
  4. Writing as fast as possible so fewer strokes are missed

Explanation

An untranslate results from an outline the software cannot find in its dictionaries, so writing defined outlines is the direct remedy. Improvising new outlines on the fly creates untranslates almost immediately. Speed alone and disabling the job dictionary increase, rather than reduce, the problem.

Question 8Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A job dictionary, or case dictionary, is best used to:

  1. Hold the reporter's speed-building practice drills
  2. Replace the reporter's main personal dictionary for the duration of a job
  3. Record the audio of the proceeding for later reference
  4. Store case-specific names, terms, and spellings so they translate correctly during that assignment Correct answer.

Explanation

A job dictionary supplements the main dictionary with entries tailored to a particular assignment, such as unusual names, product terms, and spellings. It is layered on top of the main dictionary rather than replacing it, and it has nothing to do with audio capture or practice material.

Question 9Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Mid-proceeding, a stroke translates incorrectly in the live feed. What is the most efficient correction?

  1. Leave it in place for a scopist to catch later
  2. Restart the CAT software to clear the error
  3. Stop writing and rebuild the dictionary entry before continuing
  4. Use the software's delete-stroke or undo function to remove the error and rewrite the intended stroke Correct answer.

Explanation

Delete-stroke or stroke-undo removes the faulty translation while the reporter continues writing, keeping the feed accurate with minimal delay. Rebuilding a dictionary entry mid-job costs too much time, and restarting the software would interrupt the feed entirely. Deferring the fix degrades the live product the client is paying for.

Question 10Realtime writing and translation accuracy

On a stenotype keyboard, the asterisk key is most commonly used to:

  1. Capitalize the next word
  2. Insert a space between words
  3. Delete the previous stroke Correct answer.
  4. Shift into number mode

Explanation

In standard theory the asterisk serves as the correction key, deleting or undoing the stroke just written so it can be rewritten. Spacing and capitalization are handled by dictionary entries or software settings, and numerals come from the number bar rather than the asterisk.

Question 11Realtime writing and translation accuracy

On a standard stenotype machine, numerals are produced by:

  1. Pressing the vowel keys simultaneously
  2. Holding the asterisk while typing letters
  3. Pressing the number bar together with keys in the top letter row Correct answer.
  4. Using a separate numeric keypad

Explanation

The number bar converts the top letter row into digits when depressed with the appropriate keys. There is no numeric keypad on a stenotype, vowel keys produce vowels, and the asterisk is the correction key rather than a number shift.

Question 12Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In a multi-speaker proceeding being fed in realtime, the reporter should:

  1. Insert speaker designations or change the speaker identifier in the software at each change of speaker Correct answer.
  2. Wait until the end of the job to mark who said what
  3. Let the software assign speaker names automatically through voice recognition
  4. Use a single speaker identifier throughout to keep the feed clean

Explanation

Because realtime viewers read the feed as it is produced, speaker changes must be marked as they happen, usually with a speaker identifier or designation entry. Voice recognition is not a reliable substitute, and retroactive marking or a single identifier robs the live reader of essential context.

Question 13Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Before beginning a realtime job with a client's equipment, the reporter should first:

  1. Turn off all automatic features to reduce lag
  2. Delete the job dictionary so no case terms appear
  3. Print the dictionary for the client to review
  4. Test the connection and confirm the feed is displaying correctly Correct answer.

Explanation

A pre-job test verifies cabling, software settings, and the viewer's display so problems are solved before the record begins. Printing dictionaries and stripping automatic features serve no purpose, and deleting the job dictionary would guarantee untranslated case terms.

Question 14Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Why do many realtime reporters run a second computer receiving the same steno input during a job?

  1. To store a second copy of the audio recording
  2. To provide an immediate fallback if the primary computer or connection fails Correct answer.
  3. To double the translation speed of the primary machine
  4. To let the client edit the text during the proceeding

Explanation

A mirrored backup computer lets the reporter switch over instantly if the primary machine crashes or its connection drops, protecting the continuity of the feed. It does not increase translation speed, give clients editing rights, or serve primarily as an audio archive.

Question 15Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Linking the steno notes to the audio recording allows a reader to:

  1. Translate the transcript into another language
  2. Remove the need for a court reporter
  3. Jump to the audio corresponding to any point in the transcript for playback Correct answer.
  4. Convert the audio into text automatically

Explanation

Audio synchronization ties each segment of text to its moment in the recording, so clicking a line plays the matching audio. It is a verification and review aid; it does not perform speech-to-text conversion, replace the reporter, or translate the transcript.

Question 16Realtime writing and translation accuracy

After a job, a reporter considers a global search-and-replace to fix one misused homophone. Why is this risky?

  1. Global replace always changes the file format
  2. The software refuses to save after a global replace
  3. Global replace cannot be performed on a transcript file
  4. The target word may legitimately appear elsewhere in the transcript, so a blind replace would corrupt those instances Correct answer.

Explanation

A global replace changes every occurrence, including correct ones, so the reporter must review each instance in context instead. Search-and-replace is a standard feature that preserves file format and saving, so those concerns are unfounded.

Question 17Realtime writing and translation accuracy

To ensure proper nouns appear capitalized in the realtime feed, the reporter should:

  1. Type the name in uppercase on the steno machine
  2. Define the entry with the correct capitalization in the dictionary Correct answer.
  3. Add a note about the spelling to the transcript's title page
  4. Rely on the software to capitalize after every period

Explanation

Capitalization in the feed comes from the dictionary entry, so the reporter defines the name with its proper capital letters. The steno keyboard has no separate case function, automatic post-period capitalization will not catch names mid-sentence, and title-page notes do not affect the live text.

Question 18Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In realtime reporting, a feed is:

  1. The audio channel sent to the judge's bench
  2. The daily backup copy of the steno file
  3. The continuous stream of translated text delivered to viewers' devices Correct answer.
  4. The paper tape produced by the stenotype machine

Explanation

The feed is the live output of translated text that realtime viewers receive on their screens as the proceeding unfolds. It is text, not audio, and it is a live stream rather than a paper tape or a backup file.

Question 19Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A steno dictionary in CAT software is:

  1. The spell-check list supplied by the software vendor
  2. A log of untranslated strokes generated each session
  3. The file that maps steno outlines to their English translations Correct answer.
  4. A list of words the reporter is forbidden to use

Explanation

The dictionary is the core lookup table that converts each outline into the English word or phrase the reporter intends. It is built and maintained by the reporter and is not a prohibition list, a vendor spell-check file, or an error log.

Question 20Realtime writing and translation accuracy

During a live feed, if the reporter writes an outline with no dictionary entry, the viewer will typically see:

  1. A red warning box on the viewer's screen
  2. The raw steno outline or a placeholder in the text Correct answer.
  3. Nothing at all, because the stroke is silently skipped
  4. The last correctly translated word repeated

Explanation

When translation fails, the software outputs the steno characters themselves or a placeholder so the text stream stays synchronized with the reporter's writing. The stroke is not silently discarded, words are not duplicated, and viewers generally do not receive pop-up warnings.

Question 21Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Which equipment setup is required to provide a realtime feed?

  1. A printer
  2. A scanner
  3. A stenotype machine connected to a computer running CAT software Correct answer.
  4. A digital voice recorder

Explanation

Realtime requires the reporter's stenotype machine to send strokes to a computer whose CAT software translates them and distributes the text. Scanners, recorders, and printers are peripheral tools that do not produce a live translated feed.

Question 22Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A conflict exists because one outline translates to both right and write. Which resolution reflects standard practice?

  1. Remove both entries and let the software choose based on context
  2. Keep the outline for the more frequent word and create a separate outline for the other Correct answer.
  3. Delete the job dictionary and rebuild it from scratch
  4. Assign the outline to whichever word comes first alphabetically

Explanation

The outline is retained for the higher-frequency word, and a distinct outline is built for the other so each translation is unambiguous. CAT software does not resolve meaning from context on its own, alphabetical order is arbitrary, and destroying the job dictionary compounds the problem.

Question 23Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In steno theory, punctuation marks are typically written:

  1. By pressing the asterisk twice in a row
  2. With dedicated strokes or finger combinations defined in the dictionary Correct answer.
  3. By doubling the final letter of the preceding word
  4. Automatically by the software at the end of each sentence

Explanation

Punctuation is produced with specific strokes or key combinations that the reporter defines in the dictionary, such as a stroke for a question mark or a paragraph mark. Doubling letters and double-asterisk sequences are not punctuation conventions, and the software does not place punctuation by itself.

Question 24Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Which CAT feature lets a reporter add a missing word or name to the dictionary without interrupting the feed?

  1. The spell checker
  2. The define or add-to-dictionary function, which captures the untranslate and its intended text Correct answer.
  3. Global search-and-replace
  4. The audio synchronization tool

Explanation

The define function lets the reporter select the untranslate, type the intended word, and store the mapping immediately, so the entry is available for later occurrences within the same job. Search-and-replace, spell check, and audio sync operate on existing text rather than creating new translation entries.

Question 25Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A reporter writes a familiar outline, but on this job it translates to a different word than usual. Which explanation is most likely?

  1. The realtime connection dropped
  2. The stenotype machine is malfunctioning
  3. The software has lost its main dictionary
  4. The active job dictionary contains an entry that overrides the main dictionary for that outline Correct answer.

Explanation

Job dictionaries take precedence over the main dictionary, so a case-specific entry can reassign an outline the reporter normally uses for another word. A hardware fault or connection loss would disrupt the feed broadly rather than change a single consistent outline, and losing the main dictionary would produce widespread untranslates.

Question 26Realtime writing and translation accuracy

On a standard stenotype keyboard, which hand is responsible for writing the initial consonants of a stroke?

  1. The thumb keys
  2. The left hand Correct answer.
  3. The number bar
  4. The right hand

Explanation

On a standard stenotype keyboard, the left hand writes initial consonants, the right hand writes final consonants, and the thumbs write vowel sounds. This division allows one stroke to encode a full syllable.

Question 27Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In steno terminology, what is a "brief"?

  1. A written summary of the proceedings prepared for the judge
  2. A short outline for a word or phrase Correct answer.
  3. A punctuation mark that ends a sentence
  4. A temporary dictionary used for one witness only

Explanation

A brief is a shortened steno outline assigned to a word or phrase so it can be written in fewer keys. Briefs are a core part of realtime writing because they increase speed and reduce stroke count.

Question 28Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Which keys on a stenotype machine are used to write vowel sounds?

  1. The number bar
  2. The four thumb keys Correct answer.
  3. The left-hand consonants
  4. The right-hand consonants

Explanation

Vowel sounds are written with the four thumb keys, which sit below the consonant keys. Consonants are written with the finger keys on the left and right sides.

Question 29Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In CAT software, what does the "define" function do?

  1. It deletes the most recent stroke from the notes
  2. It prints the current job dictionary for review
  3. It converts the steno notes into an audio file
  4. It links a steno outline to a specific translation Correct answer.

Explanation

The define function creates or edits a dictionary entry by associating a steno outline with a specific translation. It is the standard way to add words, names, or phrases to a dictionary.

Question 30Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A single stroke on a stenotype machine can represent:

  1. Only a number value
  2. Only one letter at a time
  3. Several keys at once Correct answer.
  4. Only a punctuation mark

Explanation

A stenotype stroke is a chord: the reporter presses several keys simultaneously to represent a syllable, word, or phrase. The machine records which keys were pressed together.

Question 31Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What does "phrasing" mean in realtime steno writing?

  1. Using only the number bar for all words
  2. Adding a pause between every word in the feed
  3. Combining words into one stroke Correct answer.
  4. Writing each word with two separate strokes

Explanation

Phrasing combines two or more words into a single stroke, such as a common phrase or phrase brief. It increases speed but must be defined carefully to avoid conflicts.

Question 32Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What does CAT stand for in court reporting?

  1. Court-assigned text
  2. Computerized audio tracking
  3. Computer-aided transcription Correct answer.
  4. Certified audio transcript

Explanation

CAT stands for computer-aided transcription, the software that converts steno strokes into text. It also manages dictionaries, realtime output, and editing.

Question 33Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In a legal setting, what is the primary purpose of providing a realtime feed?

  1. To show text as speech is spoken Correct answer.
  2. To record the audio for later transcription
  3. To replace the official certified transcript
  4. To translate foreign languages for the court

Explanation

A realtime feed sends the translated text to viewers' screens as the reporter writes, so participants can read along during the proceeding. It supplements, rather than replaces, the official transcript.

Question 34Realtime writing and translation accuracy

When the same steno outline is defined in both the job dictionary and the main dictionary, which translation does CAT software normally use?

  1. The older of the two entries
  2. The main dictionary translation
  3. Neither; the outline becomes an untranslate
  4. The job dictionary translation Correct answer.

Explanation

CAT software normally gives the job dictionary priority over the main dictionary, so case-specific terms and names override general entries. This lets the reporter tailor translations without altering the main dictionary.

Question 35Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A reporter defines a new term in the job dictionary during a hearing. What is the scope of that entry?

  1. It applies to all future jobs automatically
  2. It applies only to the current job Correct answer.
  3. It is deleted when the feed is paused
  4. It replaces the main dictionary permanently

Explanation

A job dictionary, also called a case dictionary, is scoped to the current job. Entries added there do not automatically carry over to other jobs unless the reporter merges them.

Question 36Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Why does consistent fingering of the same word improve realtime translation accuracy?

  1. It reduces the need for punctuation
  2. It allows the reporter to skip dictionary entries
  3. One outline reliably matches the word Correct answer.
  4. It makes the stenotype machine write faster

Explanation

Realtime translation relies on dictionary matching, so the same word should be written with the same outline each time. Consistent fingering gives the software one reliable outline to translate.

Question 37Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In realtime reporting, the "untranslate rate" refers to:

  1. The speed at which the feed scrolls
  2. The share of strokes with no match Correct answer.
  3. The number of words edited after the job
  4. The number of audio sync failures

Explanation

The untranslate rate measures how often strokes fail to match a dictionary entry and therefore appear as raw steno or as an untranslate marker. A low rate is a key indicator of realtime accuracy.

Question 38Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What is the purpose of conflict checking in CAT software?

  1. To synchronize audio with the steno notes
  2. To measure the reporter's writing speed
  3. To check the spelling of every dictionary word
  4. To find conflicting outline translations Correct answer.

Explanation

Conflict checking identifies outlines that map to duplicate translations or translations that map to multiple outlines. Resolving conflicts before a job helps prevent unexpected mistranslations in the feed.

Question 39Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Before a job involving highly technical testimony, what is the best way to improve realtime accuracy?

  1. Load a job dictionary of expected terms Correct answer.
  2. Turn off realtime translation until the job ends
  3. Avoid using any briefs for the entire job
  4. Write more slowly than usual during the job

Explanation

Loading a job dictionary with expected technical terms gives the software correct translations before those terms are spoken. This reduces untranslates and mistranslations during the proceeding.

Question 40Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What is a common risk of relying on a large number of briefs?

  1. Briefs cannot be used in realtime
  2. Briefs automatically delete main entries
  3. Briefs may conflict or be misremembered Correct answer.
  4. Briefs increase the physical size of notes

Explanation

Briefs are short outlines, and many of them can collide with one another or be forgotten under pressure. A smaller, well-practiced brief set is usually more reliable in realtime.

Question 41Realtime writing and translation accuracy

When a reporter edits a global dictionary entry, which work is affected?

  1. Only the job that is currently open in the software
  2. All jobs using that dictionary Correct answer.
  3. Only the live realtime feed, not the notes
  4. Only jobs that have not yet been backed up

Explanation

A global dictionary entry is shared across all jobs that use that dictionary. Changes to it can affect past, present, and future work, so the reporter should edit carefully.

Question 42Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Why should a realtime reporter avoid writing through errors without correcting them?

  1. The stenotype machine will lock and stop accepting strokes
  2. The error shows in the live feed and confuses readers Correct answer.
  3. The error cannot be corrected after the job ends
  4. The audio recording will become out of sync automatically

Explanation

Uncorrected errors appear in the live feed and can mislead the judge, attorneys, or other readers. Realtime reporters therefore correct meaningful errors promptly rather than writing through them.

Question 43Realtime writing and translation accuracy

What is a steno outline?

  1. The set of keys pressed for a syllable or word Correct answer.
  2. A list of all witnesses scheduled to testify
  3. A handwritten note taken during the proceeding
  4. The printed summary at the top of a transcript page

Explanation

A steno outline is the specific combination of keys pressed to produce a syllable, word, or phrase. The dictionary maps that outline to its translation.

Question 44Realtime writing and translation accuracy

During a live feed, a reporter notices a mistranslation that affects meaning. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Wait until the end of the job to make all corrections
  2. Correct the translation in the feed without stopping Correct answer.
  3. Stop the proceedings and reboot the CAT software
  4. Ask the speaker to repeat the sentence

Explanation

When a mistranslation affects meaning, the reporter should correct it in the feed promptly while continuing to write. This keeps the realtime text accurate without disrupting the proceeding.

Question 45Realtime writing and translation accuracy

In realtime translation, why is it important to write punctuation consistently?

  1. Inconsistent punctuation deletes dictionary entries
  2. Punctuation keys are the only way to make capitals
  3. It prevents spacing and sentence-boundary errors Correct answer.
  4. Punctuation has no effect on the realtime feed

Explanation

Consistent punctuation strokes ensure proper spacing, capitalization, and sentence boundaries in the translated text. Inconsistent punctuation can produce run-on sentences or misplaced spaces.

Question 46Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A reporter wants to carry over new terms from a completed job into future work. What is the correct procedure?

  1. Keep the job dictionary open and never close it
  2. Merge the job dictionary into the main Correct answer.
  3. Delete the job dictionary after the job ends
  4. Rename the job dictionary to match the next job

Explanation

To preserve useful terms, the reporter merges the job dictionary into a personal or main dictionary after the job. This carries the entries forward without manually redefining them.

Question 47Realtime writing and translation accuracy

When choosing a brief for a frequently used word, what is the most important criterion for realtime reliability?

  1. It uses the maximum number of keys possible
  2. It is the shortest outline in the dictionary
  3. It matches the outline used by another reporter
  4. It writes consistently and avoids conflicts Correct answer.

Explanation

A reliable brief must be easy to write the same way every time and must not collide with another outline. Speed alone is not enough if the brief causes conflicts or memory errors.

Question 48Realtime writing and translation accuracy

When a witness spells an unfamiliar proper name, what is the most reliable realtime approach?

  1. Write the letters and define the correct spelling Correct answer.
  2. Use a generic placeholder for every name
  3. Ask the court for a written spelling before continuing
  4. Wait until the end of the job and guess the spelling

Explanation

Fingerspelling the letters and defining the resulting outline with correct capitalization creates a reliable dictionary entry for the name. This supports accurate realtime text for the rest of the job.

Question 49Realtime writing and translation accuracy

A reporter discovers that one outline translates to two different words depending on context. What is the standard solution?

  1. Ignore the problem because context always resolves it
  2. Use the outline only in the main dictionary
  3. Delete both entries and never use that outline
  4. Assign a different outline to one of the words Correct answer.

Explanation

When one outline maps to two words, the standard fix is to give one of the words a different outline so each translation has a unique stroke. This eliminates the ambiguity in realtime.

Question 50Realtime writing and translation accuracy

Which combination most directly supports high realtime translation accuracy?

  1. A complete dictionary and consistent fingering Correct answer.
  2. Frequent global replace and fewer briefs
  3. A faster stenotype machine and a larger monitor
  4. Writing every word with many alternative outlines

Explanation

Accurate realtime translation depends on a dictionary that contains the words being written and on consistent outlines that match those entries. Equipment speed and display size do not compensate for dictionary or fingering problems.