RMR Advanced Realtime Reporting Techniques — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum speed requirement for the RMR certification skills test?
- 200 words per minute for literary material and 225 wpm for jury charge (Correct answer)
- 150 words per minute for all material
- 180 words per minute for testimony only
- 250 words per minute for all material
Correct answer: 200 words per minute for literary material and 225 wpm for jury charge
The RMR certification requires demonstrating proficiency at 200 wpm for literary dictation and 225 wpm for jury charge material, exceeding the RPR baseline requirements.
Question 2: What is 'realtime reporting' in court reporting?
- Instant translation of stenographic input into readable text displayed within seconds of the spoken word (Correct answer)
- Recording audio and transcribing it later
- Typing testimony using a standard keyboard in real time
- Watching courtroom proceedings and writing notes by hand
Correct answer: Instant translation of stenographic input into readable text displayed within seconds of the spoken word
Realtime reporting uses CAT (Computer-Aided Transcription) software to instantly translate stenographic strokes into English text, allowing attorneys and judges to see testimony as it is spoken.
Question 3: What is a 'dictionary' in the context of stenographic reporting?
- A personalized database that maps stenographic stroke combinations to English words and phrases (Correct answer)
- A standard English dictionary used during testimony
- A legal glossary provided by the court
- A list of approved abbreviations for court documents
Correct answer: A personalized database that maps stenographic stroke combinations to English words and phrases
A reporter's stenographic dictionary is a customized database that defines how each steno stroke or combination translates to text. Building and maintaining a comprehensive dictionary is essential for realtime accuracy.
Question 4: What is 'conflict resolution' in realtime writing?
- The process of addressing steno outlines that produce incorrect translations due to overlapping stroke definitions (Correct answer)
- Resolving disputes between attorneys during testimony
- Mediating disagreements between reporters
- Correcting grammatical errors in final transcripts
Correct answer: The process of addressing steno outlines that produce incorrect translations due to overlapping stroke definitions
Conflicts occur when the same steno stroke sequence could translate to multiple words. Reporters must identify and resolve these conflicts in their dictionaries to ensure accurate realtime output.
Question 5: What role does a scopist play in the court reporting process?
- A scopist edits and proofreads the reporter's rough transcript draft to produce a polished final document (Correct answer)
- A scopist operates the audio recording equipment
- A scopist administers the oath to witnesses
- A scopist manages the court reporter's schedule
Correct answer: A scopist edits and proofreads the reporter's rough transcript draft to produce a polished final document
Scopists are specialized editors who clean up rough drafts by correcting mistranslates, filling in gaps, researching spellings, and formatting transcripts according to court and client requirements.
Question 6: What is the NCRA and what role does it play in court reporter certification?
- The National Court Reporters Association, which administers professional certifications including RPR, RMR, and RDR (Correct answer)
- The National Certification Review Agency for legal translators
- A federal court administrative office
- A software company that makes stenographic machines
Correct answer: The National Court Reporters Association, which administers professional certifications including RPR, RMR, and RDR
NCRA is the premier professional association for court reporters and captioners, administering multiple certification levels (RPR, RMR, RDR) and establishing professional standards for the industry.
RMR Advanced Realtime Reporting Techniques
What is the minimum speed requirement for the RMR certification skills test?