INDIANA CERTIFIED
SHORTHAND REPORTER
Exam Practice Questions
2026-2027 Edition
Verified Answers Plus Rationales
Q&A; | Instant Download PDF
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allocation: 3 Hours
Total Questions: Skills + Written Test
Question Format: Multiple Choice + Dictation Speed
Minimum Competency: 95% Accuracy at 225 wpm
Core Focus: Steno Theory, Legal Terminology, Ethics, Indiana Law
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter Exam Prep 2026-2027 Page 1
, Exam Overview & Content Outline
EXAM PURPOSE
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) certification covers machine shorthand, transcription,
legal terminology, court procedures, and ethics. Based on NCRA, Indiana Code 33-41, and Indiana
Supreme Court rules for official court reporters and freelance reporters.
CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
• Machine Shorthand & Transcription (30%) — Stenotype theory, speed building, transcript format,
proofreading, CAT software
• Legal Terminology & Procedures (25%) — Latin terms, court procedures, depositions, trials,
hearings, objections
• English Grammar & Punctuation (20%) — Grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization,
transcript style
• Professional Practices & Ethics (15%) — NCRA Code of Ethics, impartiality, confidentiality,
conflicts of interest
• Indiana Law & Court Rules (10%) — IC 33-41, Trial Rules, deposition rules, certification
requirements, continuing education
QUESTION FORMAT & SCORING
Written exam: multiple choice. Skills exam: dictation at 180 wpm literary, 200 wpm jury charge, 225
wpm Q&A; with 95% accuracy. Every question includes detailed rationale with court reporting
standards. Indiana requires passing both written and skills.
STUDY STRATEGY
Master stenotype theory and briefs. Know legal terminology and Latin phrases. Understand transcript
format per NCRA. Review Indiana Trial Rules and IC 33-41. Study ethics and conflicts. Practice
speed building to 225 wpm with 95% accuracy. Review medical and technical terminology.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Questions reflect 2026-2027 standards: NCRA RPR exam, Indiana Code 33-41 Court Reporters,
Indiana Trial Rules, Indiana Rules of Evidence, NCRA Code of Professional Ethics, and Indiana
continuing education requirements.
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter Exam Prep 2026-2027 Page 2
, SECTION I: Machine Shorthand & Transcription
1. NCRA transcript format requires speaker identification:
A. First name only
✓ B. Q and A for question/answer, full name for colloquy
C. No identification
D. Initials only
Rationale: NCRA format: Q. for question, A. for answer. Colloquy: MR. SMITH: or THE COURT: Speaker ID
on first appearance, then Q/A. Parentheticals: (Pause), (Witness nods). Verbatim record. No summarizing.
Indent Q/A. Page numbers. Title page, index, certificate required.
2. Certified question in deposition means:
A. Question approved by judge
✓ B. Question objected to, witness instructed not to answer, certified to court
C. Question about certificates
D. Approved question
Rationale: Certified question: Attorney objects, instructs witness not to answer, certifies question to court for
ruling. Reporter marks 'Certified' and includes in transcript. Common: privilege, privacy. Judge later rules.
Reporter remains neutral, does not advise. Document objection verbatim.
3. Readback during deposition:
A. Never allowed
✓ B. Upon request, reporter reads from record verbatim
C. Reporter summarizes
D. Attorney reads
Rationale: Readback: Attorney or witness requests prior testimony read. Reporter reads verbatim from steno
notes or screen, no interpretation. Mark in record: (Record read). Not off the record. Maintains impartiality. If
unclear, state 'inaudible' not guess. Indiana Trial Rule 30.
4. Stenotype machine uses:
A. QWERTY keyboard
✓ B. 22-key phonetic keyboard, chords
C. Voice only
D. Handwriting
Rationale: Stenotype: 22 keys, left hand consonants, thumbs vowels, right hand consonants. Chords =
multiple keys simultaneously. Phonetic: KAT = cat. Briefs = shortcuts. Real-time to CAT software. 225+ wpm
possible. Requires training. Alternative: voice writing, pen writers obsolete.
5. Transcript delivery timeframe in Indiana:
A. 1 year
✓ B. 30 days for ordinary, 10 days expedited, unless court order
C. No deadline
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter Exam Prep 2026-2027 Page 3
SHORTHAND REPORTER
Exam Practice Questions
2026-2027 Edition
Verified Answers Plus Rationales
Q&A; | Instant Download PDF
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allocation: 3 Hours
Total Questions: Skills + Written Test
Question Format: Multiple Choice + Dictation Speed
Minimum Competency: 95% Accuracy at 225 wpm
Core Focus: Steno Theory, Legal Terminology, Ethics, Indiana Law
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter Exam Prep 2026-2027 Page 1
, Exam Overview & Content Outline
EXAM PURPOSE
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) certification covers machine shorthand, transcription,
legal terminology, court procedures, and ethics. Based on NCRA, Indiana Code 33-41, and Indiana
Supreme Court rules for official court reporters and freelance reporters.
CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
• Machine Shorthand & Transcription (30%) — Stenotype theory, speed building, transcript format,
proofreading, CAT software
• Legal Terminology & Procedures (25%) — Latin terms, court procedures, depositions, trials,
hearings, objections
• English Grammar & Punctuation (20%) — Grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization,
transcript style
• Professional Practices & Ethics (15%) — NCRA Code of Ethics, impartiality, confidentiality,
conflicts of interest
• Indiana Law & Court Rules (10%) — IC 33-41, Trial Rules, deposition rules, certification
requirements, continuing education
QUESTION FORMAT & SCORING
Written exam: multiple choice. Skills exam: dictation at 180 wpm literary, 200 wpm jury charge, 225
wpm Q&A; with 95% accuracy. Every question includes detailed rationale with court reporting
standards. Indiana requires passing both written and skills.
STUDY STRATEGY
Master stenotype theory and briefs. Know legal terminology and Latin phrases. Understand transcript
format per NCRA. Review Indiana Trial Rules and IC 33-41. Study ethics and conflicts. Practice
speed building to 225 wpm with 95% accuracy. Review medical and technical terminology.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Questions reflect 2026-2027 standards: NCRA RPR exam, Indiana Code 33-41 Court Reporters,
Indiana Trial Rules, Indiana Rules of Evidence, NCRA Code of Professional Ethics, and Indiana
continuing education requirements.
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter Exam Prep 2026-2027 Page 2
, SECTION I: Machine Shorthand & Transcription
1. NCRA transcript format requires speaker identification:
A. First name only
✓ B. Q and A for question/answer, full name for colloquy
C. No identification
D. Initials only
Rationale: NCRA format: Q. for question, A. for answer. Colloquy: MR. SMITH: or THE COURT: Speaker ID
on first appearance, then Q/A. Parentheticals: (Pause), (Witness nods). Verbatim record. No summarizing.
Indent Q/A. Page numbers. Title page, index, certificate required.
2. Certified question in deposition means:
A. Question approved by judge
✓ B. Question objected to, witness instructed not to answer, certified to court
C. Question about certificates
D. Approved question
Rationale: Certified question: Attorney objects, instructs witness not to answer, certifies question to court for
ruling. Reporter marks 'Certified' and includes in transcript. Common: privilege, privacy. Judge later rules.
Reporter remains neutral, does not advise. Document objection verbatim.
3. Readback during deposition:
A. Never allowed
✓ B. Upon request, reporter reads from record verbatim
C. Reporter summarizes
D. Attorney reads
Rationale: Readback: Attorney or witness requests prior testimony read. Reporter reads verbatim from steno
notes or screen, no interpretation. Mark in record: (Record read). Not off the record. Maintains impartiality. If
unclear, state 'inaudible' not guess. Indiana Trial Rule 30.
4. Stenotype machine uses:
A. QWERTY keyboard
✓ B. 22-key phonetic keyboard, chords
C. Voice only
D. Handwriting
Rationale: Stenotype: 22 keys, left hand consonants, thumbs vowels, right hand consonants. Chords =
multiple keys simultaneously. Phonetic: KAT = cat. Briefs = shortcuts. Real-time to CAT software. 225+ wpm
possible. Requires training. Alternative: voice writing, pen writers obsolete.
5. Transcript delivery timeframe in Indiana:
A. 1 year
✓ B. 30 days for ordinary, 10 days expedited, unless court order
C. No deadline
Indiana Certified Shorthand Reporter Exam Prep 2026-2027 Page 3
