IA Court Reporter exam-day guide
IA Court Reporter · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. A photocopy or expired document is normally refused. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a second form is required.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location or remote-session link. Some sites ask to see it at check-in; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Know your exact arrival time and location
Re-check the address, building entrance, parking, and transit options the day before. For remote delivery, test your link, camera, microphone, and browser ahead of time. Arrival cutoffs vary, so confirm the late-arrival rule with the provider.
Review the current candidate handbook or bulletin
The provider's handbook is the controlling source for ID, prohibited items, breaks, and scoring. Read the version in effect for your test date and note any recent changes.
Practice the skills the exam measures
For a court reporting practical, rehearse dictation-speed transcription, realtime output, and proofreading under timed conditions. Match your practice to the speeds and formats named in the current exam description.
Bring only permitted equipment
If the provider allows a stenotype machine, laptop, or software, confirm the approved models and settings in advance. Assume personal notes, study materials, and phones are prohibited unless the handbook says otherwise.
Plan for power and connectivity
For a remote or computer-based sitting, bring a charged device, charger, and backup power if allowed. Have a backup internet option such as a phone hotspot. Confirm with the provider what happens if the connection drops.
Prepare for security screening
Expect ID checks and possibly a metal detector or bag inspection. Leave prohibited items at home or in your vehicle. Confirm with the provider where personal items must be stored during the test.
Confirm break and accommodation policy
If you have an approved accommodation, verify it is on file and ask how it will be delivered on test day. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are permitted and how they affect timing.
Plan food, water, and medication
Eat a normal meal beforehand and bring water if the site allows it. If you need medication or a medical item during the test, confirm the provider's procedure in advance rather than assuming it will be allowed at your desk.
Know the scoring and retake basics
Understand how each section is scored and what constitutes a passing result before you sit. Ask the provider about score reporting timelines and retake or appeal procedures; policies differ and change.
Set up a calm test-day routine
Lay out ID, confirmation, and permitted equipment the night before. Plan to arrive with buffer time, and keep your phone silenced and stowed per the provider's rules.
Plan the day
Read the current candidate handbook end to end and confirm your test date, time, location or remote link, and ID requirements. Resolve any open questions with the provider now, not on test day.
Run at least one full timed practice under realistic conditions: same equipment, same dictation speeds, same section order. Review errors and target your weakest skill.
Check your equipment. If you use a stenotype machine or laptop, confirm it is charged, updated, and permitted. Test any required software and your backup power and internet options.
Confirm logistics: travel time, parking or transit, building entrance, and any check-in window. Note the provider's late-arrival and rescheduling rules.
Do a light review only: terminology, briefs, and formatting conventions. Avoid cramming new material that could unsettle established habits.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, permitted equipment, charger, and water if allowed. Lay out clothing and set two alarms.
Protect your sleep. Stop practice early enough to wind down, and avoid heavy meals or alcohol that could affect focus.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with buffer time. Re-check the confirmation for the exact arrival time and any last-minute instructions.
Leave prohibited items at home. Silence and stow your phone per the provider's rules before entering the test area.
At check-in, present your ID and confirmation, follow staff instructions, and ask where permitted equipment may be set up.
Read each section's directions before starting. Note the time allowance and pace yourself so you reach the end of every section.
For transcription sections, prioritize accurate capture and clean formatting over speed. Proofread for names, numbers, and punctuation before submitting.
If equipment fails or the connection drops, stop and follow the provider's incident procedure immediately. Note the time and details for any later report.
Use only approved breaks. If you feel unwell, raise your hand and alert the proctor rather than leaving unannounced.
Note any incident or accommodation issue and report it to the provider promptly if instructed. Then confirm how and when scores will be released.
Rules to check
Bring original, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is needed.
Follow all proctor instructions and the current candidate handbook. The handbook controls on permitted and prohibited items, and its rules can change between test cycles.
Do not bring notes, study materials, phones, smartwatches, or other unauthorized devices into the test area unless the handbook explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider where personal items must be stored.
Use only the equipment and software the provider approves for your test format. Confirm approved models and settings in advance; unapproved devices may be removed.
Take breaks only as permitted. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops during them.
Report equipment failures, connection problems, or illness to the proctor immediately. Do not attempt to fix or restart systems unless instructed, and note details for any incident report.
Understand the scoring method before test day. Ask the provider how each section is weighted, what counts as passing, and when results are released.
If you need accommodations, request them well before the test date and verify approval in writing. Confirm with the provider how approved accommodations will be delivered on test day.