CSR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027|
CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTER WRITTEN
EXAMINATION WITH ANSWER RATIONALES
SECTION 1: REPORTING PROCEEDINGS (Questions 1-25)
1. In California, a certified shorthand reporter must be present at which of the
following proceedings unless waived by all parties?
A. Small claims hearings
B. Felony preliminary hearings
C. Civil trials only
D. All depositions
Answer: B
Rationale: Under California Penal Code § 869, felony preliminary hearings must
be reported by a certified shorthand reporter unless waived. Small claims (A)
are typically not reported. Civil trials (C) can be reported but are not
universally mandatory. Depositions (D) are often reported but can be waived
or conducted via other means.
2. When a witness refuses to answer a question based on the Fifth Amendment,
the
reporter should:
A. Instruct the witness to answer
B. Mark the objection and note the witness's refusal in the record
C. Stop the deposition immediately
D. Call the judge
Answer: B
Rationale: The reporter is a neutral officer of the court and must accurately
record what occurs. Marking the objection and the refusal (B) is the proper
non-adversarial action. Instructing the witness (A) is the judge's role.
Stopping the deposition (C) is not the reporter's call. Calling the judge (D)
is outside the reporter's scope.
3. The term "voir dire" refers to:
1
, A. The final closing argument
B. The jury selection process
C. The reading of the verdict
D. The judge's instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: Voir dire (from Old French meaning "to speak the truth") is the
process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability. It is
not closing argument (A), verdict reading (C), or jury instructions (D).
4. Under California law, who can administer an oath or affirmation to a witness?
A. Only a judge
B. Any certified shorthand reporter
C. Any notary public or court officer authorized by law
D. Any attorney of record
Answer: C
Rationale: California Code of Civil Procedure § 2093 permits notaries public
and other court officers to administer oaths. A certified reporter (B) can
only do so if also a notary or specifically authorized. Judges (A) are not the
exclusive authority. Attorneys (D) generally cannot administer oaths unless
they are also notaries.
5. A "sidebar conference" is:
A. A meeting at the judge's bench, off the record
B. A conference between opposing attorneys in the hallway
C. A jury deliberation session
D. A pretrial settlement conference
Answer: A
Rationale: A sidebar is a private conference at the judge's bench, usually
held off the record to discuss legal issues. It is not between attorneys
alone (B), jury deliberations (C), or a settlement conference (D).
6. When a witness is "duly sworn," the reporter must:
A. Note the fact in the transcript
2
, B. Record the specific oath used verbatim
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Rationale: The reporter's transcript must reflect both that the oath was
administered and the exact wording of the oath used, per standard California
transcript formatting rules. A alone is incomplete; B alone is incomplete.
7. In a criminal trial, the prosecution's opening statement is made:
A. Before voir dire
B. After the jury is sworn but before evidence is presented
C. After the defense's opening statement
D. During closing arguments
Answer: B
Rationale: The prosecution gives its opening statement after the jury is
sworn and before the presentation of evidence. It is not before voir dire (A),
after defense (C), or during closing (D).
8. An "offer of proof" is made by an attorney to:
A. Introduce physical evidence
B. Explain to the court what the expected testimony would be if a question
were allowed
C. Challenge the credibility of a witness
D. Request a continuance
Answer: B
Rationale: An offer of proof is a statement made to the judge explaining the
substance of proposed testimony to preserve the issue for appeal after an
objection is sustained. It is not introducing evidence (A), impeachment (C),
or a continuance request (D).
9. Which of the following is a court of limited jurisdiction in California?
A. Superior Court
B. Supreme Court
3
, C. Courts of Appeal
D. Small Claims Court
Answer: D
Rationale: Small Claims Court is a division of the Superior Court but has
limited jurisdiction (monetary cap). Superior Court (A) is a court of general
jurisdiction. Supreme Court (B) and Courts of Appeal (C) are appellate courts.
10. When a party requests a "continuance," they are asking for:
A. A change of venue
B. A postponement of the trial or hearing
C. A dismissal of the case
D. A new judge
Answer: B
Rationale: A continuance is a request to delay or postpone a proceeding.
It is not a change of venue (A), dismissal (C), or recusal (D).
11. A "stipulation" in a legal proceeding means:
A. A formal objection
B. An agreement between parties on a specific point
C. A court order
D. A motion for summary judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: A stipulation is a voluntary agreement between opposing counsel
(or parties) on a matter relating to the proceedings. It is not an objection
(A), court order (C), or motion (D).
12. The court reporter's "certificate" on a transcript certifies:
A. The attorney's fees
B. That the transcript is a true and correct record of the proceedings
C. The judge's ruling
D. The verdict of the jury
Answer: B
Rationale: The reporter's certificate attests to the accuracy and truthfulness
4
CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTER WRITTEN
EXAMINATION WITH ANSWER RATIONALES
SECTION 1: REPORTING PROCEEDINGS (Questions 1-25)
1. In California, a certified shorthand reporter must be present at which of the
following proceedings unless waived by all parties?
A. Small claims hearings
B. Felony preliminary hearings
C. Civil trials only
D. All depositions
Answer: B
Rationale: Under California Penal Code § 869, felony preliminary hearings must
be reported by a certified shorthand reporter unless waived. Small claims (A)
are typically not reported. Civil trials (C) can be reported but are not
universally mandatory. Depositions (D) are often reported but can be waived
or conducted via other means.
2. When a witness refuses to answer a question based on the Fifth Amendment,
the
reporter should:
A. Instruct the witness to answer
B. Mark the objection and note the witness's refusal in the record
C. Stop the deposition immediately
D. Call the judge
Answer: B
Rationale: The reporter is a neutral officer of the court and must accurately
record what occurs. Marking the objection and the refusal (B) is the proper
non-adversarial action. Instructing the witness (A) is the judge's role.
Stopping the deposition (C) is not the reporter's call. Calling the judge (D)
is outside the reporter's scope.
3. The term "voir dire" refers to:
1
, A. The final closing argument
B. The jury selection process
C. The reading of the verdict
D. The judge's instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: Voir dire (from Old French meaning "to speak the truth") is the
process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability. It is
not closing argument (A), verdict reading (C), or jury instructions (D).
4. Under California law, who can administer an oath or affirmation to a witness?
A. Only a judge
B. Any certified shorthand reporter
C. Any notary public or court officer authorized by law
D. Any attorney of record
Answer: C
Rationale: California Code of Civil Procedure § 2093 permits notaries public
and other court officers to administer oaths. A certified reporter (B) can
only do so if also a notary or specifically authorized. Judges (A) are not the
exclusive authority. Attorneys (D) generally cannot administer oaths unless
they are also notaries.
5. A "sidebar conference" is:
A. A meeting at the judge's bench, off the record
B. A conference between opposing attorneys in the hallway
C. A jury deliberation session
D. A pretrial settlement conference
Answer: A
Rationale: A sidebar is a private conference at the judge's bench, usually
held off the record to discuss legal issues. It is not between attorneys
alone (B), jury deliberations (C), or a settlement conference (D).
6. When a witness is "duly sworn," the reporter must:
A. Note the fact in the transcript
2
, B. Record the specific oath used verbatim
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Rationale: The reporter's transcript must reflect both that the oath was
administered and the exact wording of the oath used, per standard California
transcript formatting rules. A alone is incomplete; B alone is incomplete.
7. In a criminal trial, the prosecution's opening statement is made:
A. Before voir dire
B. After the jury is sworn but before evidence is presented
C. After the defense's opening statement
D. During closing arguments
Answer: B
Rationale: The prosecution gives its opening statement after the jury is
sworn and before the presentation of evidence. It is not before voir dire (A),
after defense (C), or during closing (D).
8. An "offer of proof" is made by an attorney to:
A. Introduce physical evidence
B. Explain to the court what the expected testimony would be if a question
were allowed
C. Challenge the credibility of a witness
D. Request a continuance
Answer: B
Rationale: An offer of proof is a statement made to the judge explaining the
substance of proposed testimony to preserve the issue for appeal after an
objection is sustained. It is not introducing evidence (A), impeachment (C),
or a continuance request (D).
9. Which of the following is a court of limited jurisdiction in California?
A. Superior Court
B. Supreme Court
3
, C. Courts of Appeal
D. Small Claims Court
Answer: D
Rationale: Small Claims Court is a division of the Superior Court but has
limited jurisdiction (monetary cap). Superior Court (A) is a court of general
jurisdiction. Supreme Court (B) and Courts of Appeal (C) are appellate courts.
10. When a party requests a "continuance," they are asking for:
A. A change of venue
B. A postponement of the trial or hearing
C. A dismissal of the case
D. A new judge
Answer: B
Rationale: A continuance is a request to delay or postpone a proceeding.
It is not a change of venue (A), dismissal (C), or recusal (D).
11. A "stipulation" in a legal proceeding means:
A. A formal objection
B. An agreement between parties on a specific point
C. A court order
D. A motion for summary judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: A stipulation is a voluntary agreement between opposing counsel
(or parties) on a matter relating to the proceedings. It is not an objection
(A), court order (C), or motion (D).
12. The court reporter's "certificate" on a transcript certifies:
A. The attorney's fees
B. That the transcript is a true and correct record of the proceedings
C. The judge's ruling
D. The verdict of the jury
Answer: B
Rationale: The reporter's certificate attests to the accuracy and truthfulness
4
