Shorthand Practice Exam

Shorthand is a specialized writing system that uses symbols and abbreviations to represent spoken words. The Shorthand Exam evaluates your ability to write and transcribe shorthand at a specific speed and accuracy level.

Who Should Take This Exam

This exam is ideal for individuals interested in careers that require capturing spoken information quickly and accurately, such as:

• Court Reporters: Recording legal proceedings in court.
• Captionists: Providing real-time captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
• Scopists: Transcribing recordings from legal depositions, meetings, or interviews.
• Parliamentary Reporters: Recording speeches and debates in legislative settings.
• Broadcast Journalists: Capturing interviews and other spoken content for media outlets.

Skills Required

• Strong understanding of a shorthand system (e.g., Gregg Shorthand, Pitman Shorthand)
• Excellent listening comprehension skills
• Ability to write quickly and accurately
• Time management skills for keeping pace with dictation speed
• Excellent focus and concentration

Why This Exam is Important

Passing the Shorthand Exam demonstrates your proficiency in a valuable skill and can lead to:

• Increased Job Opportunities: Qualifying for various positions that require shorthand skills.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Improving your ability to capture spoken information accurately and quickly.
• Greater Versatility: Shorthand can be valuable in various professional settings beyond traditional stenographic roles.

Course Outline

• Module 1: Introduction to Shorthand Theory

  • Understanding the principles of shorthand (symbols, outlines, phrasing)
  • Learning basic shorthand outlines for common words and sounds
  • Practice writing shorthand for simple sentences

• Module 2: Building Shorthand Speed

  • Dictation exercises at gradually increasing speeds
  • Techniques for improving shorthand writing speed and accuracy
  • Introduction of brief forms and shortcuts

• Module 3: Advanced Shorthand Techniques

  • Dictation of complex sentences and technical vocabulary
  • Legal terminology and medical terminology in shorthand
  • Practice with transcription (reading and writing out shorthand notes)

• Module 4: Professional Development

  • Shorthand ethics and professional conduct
  • Shorthand software and computer-aided transcription (CAT) tools
  • Job search strategies for shorthand-based careers