Free Court Reporter Practice Test by State 2026: 1,800+ Questions

The Profession That Captures Every Word

Every legal proceeding in America --- from multi-billion-dollar corporate litigation to criminal trials that determine a defendant's freedom --- depends on a certified court reporter to create the official verbatim record. When appellate courts review cases, when attorneys prepare motions, and when judges reference testimony, they rely on the transcript produced by a court reporter. There is no substitute for this record, and there is no margin for error.

The court reporting profession is experiencing a critical workforce shortage. Enrollment in stenography programs has dropped 74% over the past decade, and nearly half of all stenography schools have closed. California alone reported a shortage of up to 458 full-time court reporters in 2026. Yet demand continues to rise --- the U.S. handles approximately 1.1 million court reporting cases annually, and the global court reporting services market is valued at $2.75 billion in 2026 (Industry Research, 2026), with North America accounting for 42% of global demand.

The career opportunity is exceptional. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners earn a median salary of $67,310 per year (BLS, May 2024), with experienced reporters in high-demand markets earning $90,000-$130,000+. Freelance court reporters who build strong attorney networks can earn even more. Despite the workforce shortage, about 1,700 openings are projected each year through 2034, primarily to replace retiring reporters and those transitioning to related fields.

This guide provides the most comprehensive court reporter exam preparation resource available: state-by-state practice tests, exam format details, domain breakdowns, 10 sample questions with detailed explanations, a structured study plan, and a comparison of free vs. paid resources.

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Court Reporter Exam Format at a Glance

Key point: Many states accept the NCRA RPR certification in place of a state exam. However, 12 states --- including Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas --- require their own state-specific certification exam. Always check your state's current requirements.

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Free Court Reporter Practice Tests by State

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Exam Content Breakdown: What the Court Reporter Exam Tests

Domain 1: Stenography and Machine Shorthand Theory (25-30%)

This domain tests your mastery of the stenotype machine and the shorthand theory that underpins real-time transcription.

• Steno theory fundamentals --- Understanding of phonetic-based writing systems, brief forms, phrase writing, and conflict resolution. Know the principles of your chosen theory (Phoenix, StenEd, or others) and how to resolve conflicts when two words produce the same steno outline. Real-time theory requires consistent, conflict-free writing.

• Speed and accuracy --- The skills test requires 180 WPM for literary material, 200 WPM for jury instructions, and 225 WPM for question-and-answer testimony, each at 95% accuracy. Understanding pacing, rhythm, and recovery techniques when falling behind is essential.

• Machine operation --- Proper hand position, stroke technique, stacking (pressing multiple keys simultaneously), and machine maintenance. Know how to troubleshoot common issues: stuck keys, paper feed problems, and electronic connection failures. Understanding both paper-based and paperless stenotype machines.

• Real-time translation --- How the stenotype machine connects to computer-aided transcription (CAT) software for instant text display. Understanding dictionary management, automatic conflict resolution, and real-time editing techniques. Real-time capability is increasingly required by courts and clients.

• Number and symbol writing --- Techniques for writing numbers, dates, dollar amounts, case citations, and special characters on the steno machine. Number bars, fingerspelling, and shortcut strokes for common numerical expressions.

Domain 2: Legal Terminology and Procedures (20-25%)

• Court procedures --- The structure of legal proceedings: arraignments, hearings, depositions, trials, sentencing, and appellate proceedings. Know the roles of all participants (judge, attorneys, witnesses, jury, clerk, bailiff) and the procedural sequence of events in civil and criminal cases.

• Legal terminology --- Latin phrases (habeas corpus, voir dire, nolo contendere, stare decisis, res judicata), legal concepts (hearsay, objections, motions, stipulations), and terminology specific to different practice areas (tort, contract, criminal, family, probate, administrative law).

• Rules of evidence --- The Federal Rules of Evidence and their state counterparts govern what testimony and documents are admissible. Court reporters must understand objections (relevance, hearsay, leading, speculation, foundation) to accurately capture the legal record.

• Deposition procedures --- Differences between depositions and trial testimony. Stipulations, objections, instructions not to answer, exhibits, and the reporter's role in swearing witnesses and marking exhibits. Many court reporters earn the majority of their income from freelance deposition work.

• Certification and ethical obligations --- The reporter's oath, certification of transcripts, confidentiality requirements, and the ethical prohibition against having a financial interest in the outcome of proceedings. NCRA Code of Professional Ethics and state-specific ethics rules.

Domain 3: Transcript Production and Technology (20-25%)

• Transcript formatting --- Standard transcript format: page headers (case caption, page numbers), line numbering (25 lines per page), speaker identification, parenthetical notations (indicating, gesturing, inaudible), colloquy format, and exhibit references. NCRA guidelines and state-specific formatting requirements.

• CAT software proficiency --- Using computer-aided transcription software (Eclipse, CaseCatalyst, StenoCAT) for dictionary management, translation, editing, and transcript production. Understanding global dictionaries vs. job-specific dictionaries, automatic indexing, and condensed transcript generation.

• Audio and video synchronization --- Synchronizing stenographic notes with audio/video recordings for backup and verification. Understanding audio recording equipment, microphone placement, and how to use recordings to clarify unclear testimony.

• Transcript delivery --- Filing requirements, delivery timelines (daily copy, expedited, regular), electronic filing procedures, and certified vs. uncertified copies. Understanding ASCII, PDF, and proprietary transcript formats. E-filing procedures for courts using electronic record systems.

• Scopist and proofreader coordination --- Working with scopists (transcript editors) and proofreaders to produce accurate final transcripts. Quality control procedures, style guides, and consistency standards.

Domain 4: State-Specific Regulations and Professional Practice (15-20%)

• State licensing requirements --- Each state's specific requirements for certification or licensure, including education, examination, experience, and continuing education. Some states require NCRA RPR; others administer their own exams. Know your state's requirements thoroughly.

• Continuing education --- Most states require 10-30 hours of continuing education per reporting period (1-3 years) for license renewal. Topics that qualify, approved providers, and documentation requirements.

• Freelance vs. official reporting --- Official court reporters are employed by the court system. Freelance reporters work for court reporting agencies or independently, primarily covering depositions. Understanding the business aspects: scheduling, billing, agency relationships, and scope of services.

• Record retention and storage --- State requirements for how long reporters must retain their stenographic notes, audio recordings, and transcripts. Secure storage requirements for confidential proceedings (sealed records, juvenile cases, grand jury proceedings).

• Emerging technologies --- Digital court reporting, voice writing (stenomask), automatic speech recognition (ASR), and their impact on the profession. Understanding how these technologies complement or compete with stenographic reporting.

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10 Court Reporter Sample Questions with Answers

Question 1: What are the three speed components of the NCRA RPR skills test, and what accuracy is required for each?

Answer: The NCRA RPR skills test consists of three five-minute dictation legs: (1) Literary dictation at 180 WPM --- material read from published works, speeches, or similar content; (2) Jury charge/instructions at 200 WPM --- material simulating a judge's instructions to a jury; and (3) Testimony (Q&A) at 225 WPM --- material simulating courtroom question-and-answer exchanges. Each leg requires a minimum of 95% accuracy in the transcript. You do not have to pass all three legs at the same sitting --- you can pass them individually over multiple attempts. The 95% accuracy standard means no more than approximately 45 errors in a five-minute, 225 WPM take.

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Question 2: What is the difference between a certified and an uncertified transcript?

Answer: A certified transcript includes the court reporter's certification page --- a signed, sworn statement that the reporter was duly authorized to administer oaths, that the witness was sworn, that the transcript is a true and accurate record of the proceedings, and that the reporter has no financial interest in the outcome. This certification gives the transcript legal evidentiary weight and makes it admissible in court. An uncertified transcript (also called a rough draft or working copy) does not include this certification and is typically used for attorney reference only, not as an official court record. Rough drafts carry a disclaimer that they are not the official record and may contain errors.

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Question 3: What does "voir dire" mean, and how does a court reporter handle this proceeding?

Answer: Voir dire (from Old French, meaning "to speak the truth") is the process of questioning prospective jurors to determine their qualifications and potential biases. During voir dire, attorneys for both sides and sometimes the judge question potential jurors about their backgrounds, beliefs, and possible connections to the case. Court reporters must capture all questions and responses verbatim, which is challenging because: (1) multiple people may speak simultaneously; (2) jurors are often soft-spoken or nervous; (3) attorneys may move around the courtroom; and (4) the pace can shift rapidly between individual and group questioning. Reporters typically use specific speaker identifiers (JUROR NO. 1, JUROR NO. 2, etc.) and may request that the court identify speakers for the record.

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Question 4: A witness answers a question, and the opposing attorney objects. The judge says "Sustained. Strike the answer." What should the court reporter do?

Answer: The court reporter should have already captured both the answer and the objection as they occurred. When the judge orders the answer stricken, the reporter notes the ruling but does not physically delete the stricken testimony from the record. The stricken answer remains in the transcript because: (1) the appellate court needs to see what was said to evaluate whether the ruling was correct; (2) the record must be complete; and (3) only the judge has authority over what the jury considers, not what appears in the transcript. The reporter notes "(Answer stricken)" or the judge's instruction to strike, and the testimony remains readable. If the judge specifically instructs the reporter to go off the record, the reporter stops recording, but this is rare during testimony.

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Question 5: What is the standard transcript page format?

Answer: Standard transcript format includes: (1) 25 lines per page of testimony text; (2) page headers with the case caption, volume number, and page number; (3) line numbers on the left margin (1-25); (4) speaker identification in all capitals followed by a colon (THE COURT:, MR. SMITH:, THE WITNESS:); (5) Q and A format for examination of witnesses, with Q and A on the left margin; (6) parenthetical descriptions in parentheses for non-verbal events: (Indicating.), (Pause.), (Document marked as Exhibit 1.); (7) a certification page with the reporter's sworn statement; and (8) an index listing witnesses, exhibits, and page references. Specific formatting rules vary by jurisdiction --- some states have detailed format manuals.

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Question 6: What is a "read-back" and what are the reporter's responsibilities during one?

Answer: A read-back occurs when the judge, jury, or an attorney requests that the court reporter read back specific testimony from the record. This most commonly happens when the jury requests clarification during deliberations or when an attorney wants to impeach a witness with prior testimony. The reporter must: (1) locate the requested testimony quickly in their stenographic notes or CAT software; (2) read the testimony aloud exactly as recorded, including speaker identifications and all words spoken; (3) read only what was requested --- no more, no less, unless the judge expands the scope; and (4) maintain neutrality --- the reporter reads without inflection, emphasis, or interpretation. Read-backs demonstrate why accurate, well-organized notes are essential. CAT software allows reporters to search electronically, making location much faster than manual note searching.

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Question 7: What is the difference between a deposition and trial testimony from the court reporter's perspective?

Answer: Key differences include: (1) Setting --- depositions occur in offices, conference rooms, or virtually; trials occur in courtrooms; (2) Judge presence --- no judge is present at most depositions; objections are noted "for the record" but testimony continues; at trial, the judge rules immediately; (3) Exhibit handling --- at depositions, the reporter marks and maintains custody of exhibits; at trial, the clerk typically handles exhibits; (4) Swearing the witness --- the reporter administers the oath at depositions; at trial, the clerk typically swears witnesses; (5) Ordering and payment --- deposition transcripts are ordered and paid for by attorneys; trial transcripts may be ordered by the court or parties; (6) Errata sheet --- deposition witnesses may review and correct their transcript (though not change substance); trial witnesses do not; and (7) Business development --- freelance reporters build relationships with agencies and attorneys for deposition work, while official reporters are court employees.

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Question 8: A witness speaks with a heavy accent and you cannot understand several words. What should you do?

Answer: The reporter should: (1) Ask for clarification immediately if appropriate --- in depositions, the reporter can interrupt to request a repetition; in trial, the reporter should signal the judge (raising a hand or stating "May I have that answer read back?"); (2) Use audio backup --- if available, note the timestamp for later review; (3) Use parenthetical notation --- if a word remains unclear after best efforts, mark it as "(inaudible)" or "(unintelligible)" in the transcript; (4) Never guess --- inserting an incorrect word is worse than marking it unintelligible; (5) Request the court's assistance --- the judge may ask the witness to repeat or speak more slowly; and (6) Review immediately after the proceeding --- context may clarify words that were unclear in real time. Professional ethics require honest representation of the record rather than filling gaps with assumptions.

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Question 9: What continuing education is typically required for court reporter license renewal?

Answer: Most states require 10-30 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle (typically 1-3 years). Qualifying topics include: legal updates and procedural changes, technology and CAT software training, ethics and professional responsibility, medical or technical terminology, realtime writing techniques, business practices for freelance reporters, and state-specific regulatory updates. CE must typically be obtained from approved providers such as NCRA, state court reporter associations, or accredited educational institutions. Some states require specific topics (e.g., ethics must constitute a minimum number of hours). Documentation of completed CE must be maintained and may be audited during renewal.

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Question 10: What is "realtime" court reporting, and why is it increasingly required?

Answer: Realtime court reporting is the instant display of the stenographic record on a screen as the reporter writes. The stenotype machine connects to CAT software, which translates steno strokes into English text in real time. The text appears on monitors for the judge, attorneys, and hearing-impaired participants within seconds of being spoken. Realtime is increasingly required because: (1) ADA compliance --- it provides CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals; (2) judicial efficiency --- judges can review testimony instantly without requesting a read-back; (3) attorney strategy --- litigators can search, annotate, and reference live testimony during proceedings; and (4) remote proceedings --- realtime feeds can be streamed to remote participants. Achieving reliable realtime requires a highly refined personal dictionary with minimal conflicts and writing speeds significantly above minimum certification levels.

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How to Prepare: 3-Phase Court Reporter Exam Study Plan

Phase 1: Foundation Building (Weeks 1-3)

• Review stenographic theory fundamentals: brief forms, phrases, conflict resolution, and number writing
• Study legal terminology: Latin phrases, objection types, motion terminology, and practice-area vocabulary
• Learn court procedures: trial sequence, deposition procedures, voir dire, and appellate process
• Begin taking 25 practice questions daily on OpenExamPrep

Phase 2: Skill Development and Integration (Weeks 4-6)

• Practice speed building: work toward 180 WPM literary, 200 WPM jury charge, 225 WPM Q&A
• Study transcript production: standard formatting, certification requirements, and indexing procedures
• Review CAT software operations: dictionary management, translation, and editing workflows
• Memorize state-specific licensing requirements, CE obligations, and ethical rules
• Increase to 40 practice questions daily

Phase 3: Exam Simulation and Mastery (Weeks 7-8)

• Take 2-3 full-length practice exams under timed conditions simulating the WKT format
• Practice dictation legs at exam speeds with strict 95% accuracy scoring
• Review all incorrect answers and identify weak knowledge areas
• Focus final days on state regulations, ethical obligations, and transcript formatting rules
• Take 50+ practice questions daily, emphasizing your weakest domains

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Free vs. Paid Court Reporter Prep Resources

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Career Outlook and Salary

Court reporting is one of the most undersupplied licensed professions in America. The number of working stenographic reporters has declined 21% over the past decade, yet legal proceedings continue to require verbatim records. This supply-demand imbalance creates exceptional opportunities for new entrants.

Salary ranges by experience level:

• Entry-level official reporters: $45,000-$55,000
• Experienced official reporters: $60,000-$80,000
• Freelance deposition reporters: $70,000-$120,000+
• Realtime-certified reporters: $90,000-$140,000+
• CART providers and captioners: $60,000-$100,000+

The median annual wage is $67,310 (BLS, May 2024), but this figure understates earning potential for skilled reporters. Freelance reporters who handle high-volume deposition work in major legal markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas) regularly earn six figures. Page rates for transcripts range from $3.50 to $7.00+ per page, and expedited delivery commands significant premiums.

Career paths beyond courtroom reporting:

• CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) --- providing realtime captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in educational, corporate, and public settings
• Broadcast captioning --- closed captioning for live television, streaming events, and online content
• Deposition reporting --- freelance work covering depositions for law firms and agencies
• Scopist/proofreader --- editing and proofreading transcripts produced by other reporters
• Court reporting firm ownership --- managing a team of reporters and serving law firms directly

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Frequently Asked Questions