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100+ Free IL Court Reporter Practice Questions

Pass your Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) Exam exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Under the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act, what is the primary statute governing court reporter certification?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: IL Court Reporter Exam

200/225

WPM Required

IL CSR Board

100 Q

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

95%

Accuracy Required

IL CSR Board

24

Judicial Circuits

IL Courts

CSR

Certification Type

IL CSR Board

Illinois certifies court reporters through the CSR designation under the Illinois CSR Board. Candidates must pass stenographic skills tests at 200 wpm literary and 225 wpm testimony at 95% accuracy, among the highest requirements in the nation.

Sample IL Court Reporter Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your IL Court Reporter exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What state board oversees the certification of shorthand reporters (CSR) in Illinois?
A.Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
B.Illinois CSR Board
C.Illinois State Bar Association
D.Illinois Department of Commerce
Explanation: The Illinois CSR Board oversees the certification of court reporters in the state. The board establishes examination requirements, professional standards, and continuing education requirements for Certified Shorthand Reporters practicing in Illinois.
2What is the official designation for a certified court reporter in Illinois?
A.CCR (Certified Court Reporter)
B.CSR (Certified Shorthand Reporter)
C.RPR (Registered Professional Reporter)
D.RMR (Registered Merit Reporter)
Explanation: Illinois uses the CSR (Certified Shorthand Reporter) designation. The CSR certification is governed by the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act and requires passing skills examinations at specified speeds and accuracy levels.
3What minimum stenographic speed is required for the literary dictation portion of the Illinois CSR examination?
A.160 wpm
B.180 wpm
C.200 wpm
D.225 wpm
Explanation: The Illinois CSR examination requires a minimum stenographic speed of 200 words per minute for the literary dictation portion. Illinois has among the highest speed requirements in the nation, reflecting the state's demanding standards for court reporter certification.
4What is the minimum speed required for the testimony (Q&A) portion of the Illinois CSR skills test?
A.180 wpm
B.200 wpm
C.225 wpm
D.250 wpm
Explanation: The Illinois CSR examination requires 225 words per minute for the testimony (question-and-answer) portion. This reflects the fast pace of courtroom dialogue where attorneys and witnesses exchange questions and answers rapidly.
5What minimum accuracy rate is required on the Illinois CSR stenographic skills test?
A.90%
B.93%
C.95%
D.97%
Explanation: The Illinois CSR skills test requires a minimum accuracy rate of 95%. This means no more than 5 errors per 100 words transcribed, ensuring certified reporters can produce reliable court records.
6Under the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act, what is the primary statute governing court reporter certification?
A.225 ILCS 415
B.735 ILCS 5
C.720 ILCS 5
D.625 ILCS 5
Explanation: The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act (225 ILCS 415) is the primary statute governing court reporter certification in Illinois. This act establishes the CSR Board, defines certification requirements, and sets professional standards for shorthand reporters.
7How many judicial circuits does Illinois have?
A.18
B.22
C.24
D.26
Explanation: Illinois has 24 judicial circuits, including the first judicial circuit through the twenty-fourth. Each circuit covers one or more counties and employs official court reporters to serve the circuit's courts.
8What is Cook County's significance in Illinois court reporting?
A.It has no special significance
B.It is the largest county and handles the highest volume of court reporting work in the state
C.It is the state capital county
D.It handles only federal cases
Explanation: Cook County, which includes Chicago, is the largest county in Illinois and handles the highest volume of court reporting work. The Cook County Circuit Court is one of the largest unified court systems in the world, employing many official court reporters.
9What does CAT software stand for in court reporting?
A.Court Automated Transcription
B.Computer-Aided Transcription
C.Certified Audio Translation
D.Computerized Accuracy Testing
Explanation: CAT stands for Computer-Aided Transcription. This software translates stenographic keystrokes into readable English text, enabling realtime reporting and efficient transcript production for Illinois court reporters.
10Under Illinois Supreme Court Rules, which rule governs the preparation and filing of transcripts on appeal?
A.Rule 321
B.Rule 323
C.Rule 329
D.Rule 341
Explanation: Illinois Supreme Court Rule 323 governs the preparation, certification, and filing of the record on appeal, including transcripts. Court reporters must comply with this rule's requirements for format, content, and filing deadlines when preparing appellate transcripts.

About the IL Court Reporter Exam

The Illinois CSR exam tests knowledge of state court reporting laws, stenographic skills at 200/225 wpm, transcript preparation, professional ethics, and court procedures. Illinois has among the highest speed requirements nationally, governed by the Certified Shorthand Reporters Act (225 ILCS 415).

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Varies by section

Passing Score

95% accuracy

Exam Fee

Varies (Illinois CSR Board)

IL Court Reporter Exam Content Outline

25%

Illinois Court Reporting Laws & Certification

225 ILCS 415, CSR Board requirements, 24 judicial circuits, Cook County courts, fee schedules, and note retention

25%

Stenographic Skills & Technology

200/225 wpm speed requirements, CAT software, realtime reporting, steno theory, dictionary management, and CART

20%

Transcript Preparation & Formatting

25-line format, Rule 323 requirements, certification pages, exhibit indexing, electronic filing, and margin standards

15%

Ethics & Professional Responsibility

Impartiality, confidentiality, conflict of interest, NCRA ethics, continuing education, and sealed proceedings

15%

Court & Deposition Procedures

Circuit court structure, Rule 204/206 depositions, five appellate districts, voir dire, sidebar handling, and read-backs

How to Pass the IL Court Reporter Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 95% accuracy
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Varies by section
  • Exam fee: Varies

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IL Court Reporter Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act (225 ILCS 415) and CSR Board requirements thoroughly
2Practice stenographic speeds at 200 wpm literary and 225 wpm testimony to meet Illinois's high certification standards
3Study Illinois Supreme Court Rules 204 (depositions officer), 206 (depositions), and 323 (appellate transcripts)
4Learn the 24 judicial circuit structure and the five appellate district system including the Cook County First District
5Review Illinois electronic filing requirements and the 49-day transcript turnaround standard under Rule 323

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification does Illinois use for court reporters?

Illinois uses the CSR (Certified Shorthand Reporter) designation, governed by the Certified Shorthand Reporters Act (225 ILCS 415) and administered by the Illinois CSR Board.

What speeds are required for Illinois CSR certification?

Illinois requires 200 wpm for literary dictation and 225 wpm for testimony (Q&A), both at 95% accuracy. These are among the highest state requirements nationally.

How many judicial circuits does Illinois have?

Illinois has 24 judicial circuits. Cook County (Chicago) handles the highest volume as one of the largest unified court systems in the world.

What is the standard transcript turnaround in Illinois?

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 323, the standard turnaround for an ordinary transcript is 49 days from the date of request, which is longer than many states' 30-day standard.