Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
All Practice Exams

100+ Free NVRA CVR Practice Questions

Pass your NVRA Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

Which is the correct hyphenation in a transcript?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NVRA CVR Exam

100

WKT Questions

NVRA

90 min

WKT Time Limit

NVRA

70%

WKT Pass Score

NVRA

95%

Skills-Leg Accuracy

NVRA

180/200/225

Skills Test Speeds (wpm)

NVRA

~$200

NVRA Member Exam Fee

NVRA

100

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

The NVRA CVR is the voice writer counterpart to the NCRA RPR. The current CVR structure is a 100-question Written Knowledge Test with a 90-minute time limit and a 70% passing score, plus three Skills Test legs (Literary 180 wpm, Jury Charge 200 wpm, Q&A/Testimony 225 wpm) that each require 95% accuracy. The fee is approximately $200 for NVRA members. Voice writers typically use Eclipse, ProCAT Speech, or Dragon NaturallySpeaking with a stenomask, and the WKT emphasizes voice technique, legal and medical vocabulary, ethics, grammar, realtime technology, and verbatim reporting standards.

Sample NVRA CVR Practice Questions

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

1What is the primary tool a voice writer uses to dictate the record without being audible to others in the courtroom?
A.A lapel microphone clipped to the witness
B.A stenomask (silencer mask) held over the mouth
C.A boom microphone over the bench
D.A digital recorder placed on the table
Explanation: Voice writers use a stenomask, a padded silencer that fits over the mouth and contains a microphone, so the reporter can repeat proceedings into the mask without being heard by the participants. The mask is the defining piece of equipment that separates voice writing from stenographic reporting.
2A voice writer is taking a fast Q&A and the witness uses the word 'their.' Which substitution is most appropriate to prevent a recognition conflict in the voice software?
A.Say 'their' exactly as the witness spoke it
B.Use a unique briefing phrase or trained variant assigned in the user dictionary
C.Skip the word and let the proofreader insert it
D.Spell out T-H-E-I-R every time
Explanation: Homophones like 'their/there/they're' create recognition conflicts. Voice writers train unique briefing phrases or assign distinct variants in the user dictionary so the software outputs the correct form. Simply repeating the spoken word would let the software guess, which is unreliable in fast Q&A.
3Why is breath control especially important for voice writers compared with general dictation?
A.Because the mask traps oxygen and limits respiration
B.Because uneven breath patterns produce dropped syllables and recognition errors at high speed
C.Because the court requires reporters to breathe quietly during testimony
D.Because Dragon does not record while the reporter inhales
Explanation: At 225 wpm Q&A, uneven breathing causes dropped syllables, clipped consonants, and recognition errors. Voice writers train diaphragmatic breath control so dictation stays steady through long speaker turns and the speech engine receives a consistent signal.
4Which of the following is a correct definition of 'vocabulary substitution' in voice writing?
A.Replacing legal terms with plain English on the record
B.Using a trained alternate word or phrase to force a specific software output and avoid conflicts
C.Asking the witness to use simpler vocabulary
D.Editing the transcript to remove slang
Explanation: Vocabulary substitution is a voice-writing technique where the reporter says a trained alternate word or phrase that the software is set to output as the desired text. It resolves recognition conflicts and is invisible on the final transcript. It is not a change to what the witness actually said.
5A voice writer notices that her recognition accuracy drops after about 45 minutes of continuous dictation. What is the most likely cause?
A.The speech engine resets every 45 minutes
B.Voice fatigue altering pitch and articulation enough to degrade the trained voice profile
C.The stenomask filter expires after 45 minutes
D.Background noise increases after 45 minutes by default
Explanation: Voice fatigue subtly changes pitch, breath, and articulation, which drifts from the trained voice profile and degrades accuracy. Experienced voice writers manage fatigue with breath drills, hydration, and pacing. The other options are not real software behaviors.
6When two witnesses speak at the same time, what is the proper voice writer technique?
A.Dictate both speakers simultaneously and let the software sort it out
B.Capture one speaker and request that overlapping speakers be admonished or read back
C.Skip the overlap and note 'inaudible' in the record
D.Turn off the microphone until one speaker stops
Explanation: Voice writers cannot dictate two speakers at once. Standard practice is to capture one speaker cleanly while signaling the court that overlapping speech occurred, then request admonishment or read back to confirm the missed portion. Marking 'inaudible' without trying to recover the record is not acceptable.
7Voice modulation in voice writing primarily refers to:
A.Varying speaking volume to entertain the jury
B.Controlling pitch, pace, and articulation to match the trained voice profile
C.Imitating the witness's accent for accuracy
D.Using a different microphone for each speaker
Explanation: Voice modulation is the deliberate control of pitch, pace, and articulation so that the dictation matches the trained voice profile of the speech engine. It is a technical skill, not a performance technique, and it directly affects realtime accuracy.
8Which of the following is the strongest reason to use a closed-cup stenomask rather than an open hand-held microphone?
A.It looks more professional
B.It blocks the reporter's voice from the courtroom and reduces ambient noise reaching the microphone
C.It is required by FCC regulations
D.It records louder than a regular microphone
Explanation: The closed-cup stenomask is designed to keep the reporter's voice from disturbing the proceedings while also blocking ambient courtroom noise from reaching the microphone. Both functions are essential for clean realtime recognition. The other options are not accurate.
9A voice writer is dictating Q&A when the attorney says 'Withdrawn' immediately after asking a question. The correct technique is to:
A.Delete the question from the transcript silently
B.Dictate the full question, the word 'withdrawn,' and any follow-up exchange exactly as spoken
C.Skip the question and start with the next attorney statement
D.Ask the attorney to repeat themselves
Explanation: Verbatim reporters preserve everything spoken on the record, including withdrawn questions and the word 'Withdrawn' itself. Silent deletion would corrupt the verbatim record. The reporter does not interrupt to ask the attorney to repeat.
10Why do voice writers typically train multiple punctuation commands such as 'period new line' or 'question mark new paragraph'?
A.Because punctuation is optional on the official record
B.Because dictating punctuation as voice commands is faster than typing it during proofing
C.Because the software cannot insert punctuation any other way
D.Because court rules forbid silent punctuation
Explanation: Voice writers train punctuation voice commands so they can insert correct punctuation in realtime, which is dramatically faster than fixing it during proofing. The software can technically auto-punctuate, but trained commands are more accurate and consistent.

About the NVRA CVR Exam

The NVRA Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) is the foundational national credential for voice writers in court reporting. Candidates must pass a 100-question Written Knowledge Test covering voice writing technique, legal and medical terminology, ethics, English grammar and punctuation, realtime voice technology, and professional standards, plus three five-minute Skills Test legs at 180 wpm Literary, 200 wpm Jury Charge, and 225 wpm Q&A/Testimony. This practice bank targets the Written Knowledge Test while reflecting the professional expectations of verbatim reporters who use stenomask and voice recognition technology rather than steno machines.

Assessment

100-question Written Knowledge Test plus three five-minute Skills Test legs: Literary 180 wpm, Jury Charge 200 wpm, and Q&A/Testimony 225 wpm

Time Limit

90 minutes for the Written Knowledge Test

Passing Score

70% on the Written Knowledge Test; 95% accuracy on each of the three Skills Test legs

Exam Fee

Approximately $200 for NVRA members (National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA))

NVRA CVR Exam Content Outline

20%

Voice Writing Technique

Stenomask handling, dictation form, voice modulation, breath control, vocabulary substitution, conflict resolution, and recording integrity for voice writers.

18%

Legal Terminology

Motion practice, civil and criminal procedure, evidence terms, deposition vocabulary, courtroom roles, and Latin phrases used in transcripts.

18%

Medical Terminology

Anatomy, common conditions, procedures, and drug names that appear frequently in personal injury, workers' comp, and medical malpractice testimony.

12%

Court Reporter Ethics and Duties

Impartiality, transcript accuracy, off-record discretion, conflict of interest, and confidentiality obligations specific to verbatim reporters.

12%

English Grammar and Punctuation

Punctuation rules, homophones, capitalization, sentence structure, and transcript-style usage critical to certified transcript production.

10%

Realtime Technology

Eclipse, ProCAT Speech, and Dragon NaturallySpeaking workflow, voice profile training, dictionary management, and realtime troubleshooting.

10%

NCRA/NVRA Standards and Voice Writing History

NVRA structure, voice writing history, comparison with stenographic credentials, and professional standards governing verbatim reporters.

How to Pass the NVRA CVR Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% on the Written Knowledge Test; 95% accuracy on each of the three Skills Test legs
  • Assessment: 100-question Written Knowledge Test plus three five-minute Skills Test legs: Literary 180 wpm, Jury Charge 200 wpm, and Q&A/Testimony 225 wpm
  • Time limit: 90 minutes for the Written Knowledge Test
  • Exam fee: Approximately $200 for NVRA members

Keys to Passing

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

NVRA CVR Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study to the NVRA CVR blueprint and accept that voice writing technique is the largest single domain on the Written Knowledge Test.
2Drill legal and medical vocabulary daily because deposition transcripts, PI cases, and malpractice records combine both terminology sets in the same record.
3Practice clean mask discipline and vocabulary substitution before chasing speed; sloppy technique scales linearly into Q&A at 225 wpm.
4Do not underprepare ethics and off-record duties; verbatim reporters are held to the same impartiality and confidentiality standards as stenographic reporters.
5Run timed 90-minute mixed WKT sets to build pacing and force quick elimination of weak distractors on grammar and terminology items.
6Train your voice profile in Eclipse, ProCAT Speech, or Dragon under realistic conditions, including courtroom-like background noise and varied speaker rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NVRA CVR exam?

The Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) is the foundational national credential issued by the National Verbatim Reporters Association for voice writers. Candidates must pass a 100-question Written Knowledge Test and three Skills Test legs at 180 wpm Literary, 200 wpm Jury Charge, and 225 wpm Q&A/Testimony with 95% accuracy on each leg.

What is a passing score on the CVR?

The Written Knowledge Test requires 70% to pass. Each of the three Skills Test legs requires 95% transcription accuracy. Voice writers must pass the WKT plus all three skills legs to earn the CVR.

How long is the CVR Written Knowledge Test?

The CVR WKT allows 90 minutes for 100 multiple-choice questions covering voice writing technique, legal and medical terminology, ethics, grammar and punctuation, realtime voice technology, and NCRA/NVRA standards.

How much does the CVR cost?

The CVR exam package is approximately $200 for NVRA members. Membership in NVRA is required to use and maintain the CVR designation, so candidates typically budget for both the exam fee and annual membership.

How does the CVR compare to the NCRA RPR?

The CVR is the voice writer credential issued by NVRA, while the RPR is the stenographic credential issued by NCRA. Both certify entry-level court reporters and both test skills at 180, 200, and 225 wpm. The CVR is for reporters who use a stenomask with voice recognition software such as Eclipse, ProCAT Speech, or Dragon NaturallySpeaking, while the RPR is for reporters who use a steno machine.

What technology do CVR candidates need to know?

Voice writers must understand stenomask use, voice profile training, dictionary management, and realtime delivery using Eclipse, ProCAT Speech, or Dragon NaturallySpeaking. The WKT includes questions on troubleshooting recognition errors, conflict resolution, and clean realtime output.