Has anyone gotten themselves to the state exam successfully?

Hi, D. I was an online student for a year and got to 120 wpm. I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere, so I transferred to a campus program. I was able to finish the program a year and a half later. My experience with on your own programs is if you don't have the discipline to study in that way, it isn't very conducive to completing court reporting school. There are also other issues with online programs. For example, there is no school as of right now qualified to give the qualifying exams online so you are forced back into an on campus program once you reach that stage. I do understand the cost of some programs out there though. I also have heard of some students actually maxing out their loans before they even complete school which leaves them in a bind being they have no money left to continue their schooling. Where do you live? Is there a program in your area offered by the community college or an adult education school?

Thanks for responding. I attend a school in a big city. There are no other reporting program options in this area. If there were a community college option I would have never signed up for the one I'm at now. The money it costs for a community college seems fare and worth it (even if it was a less than stellar program). The one I attend is several notches lower than a less than stellar program As for looking into an at home program to purchase, no way. I have plenty of tools to build speed at home, I've found plenty of random online free help...I have no problem buying more products to help me but I'm done with giving any institution my money. I'd love to tell you more about my area and the options that are available but honestly it would be inappropriate to do so. I am extremely discipline and have the time to dedicate to getting to the test. So my ultimate question is: has anyone really done this on their own (successfully) without a school/program?Thanks for listening...Sincerely,D - Chris 10/26/2011 12:33:45 PM | Flag

Answered by Trish Fogle {30}
10/26/2011 1:38:14 PM

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This question has come up before, and I'll give you a link to one of the posts, but you can do a search of questions on the readback.org website to look for more discussions on this topic.

From reading previous posts, it seems people have been successful in doing online classes, but a lot of them said a classroom setting was better for them as far as their progress went.

Here is one link to a discussion.

http://www.readback.org/questions/1985/Has-anyone-transferred-from-going-to-school-on-campus-to-online.asp

Hope that helps!

I'm not sure you understood my question, but thank you very much for responding. I'm crossing my fingers that someone in my situation will have some positive experiences to share. - Chris 10/26/2011 1:51:05 PM | Flag

Yes, I re-read your question and see that you're asking about being able to do it on your own without any school or program. Sorry about the misunderstanding.I don't believe it's possible to do that in California. I'm not sure what state you live in, but I know that most states require that you graduate from a state-recognized program in order to take an exam or get a job. It will also look better on your resume that you graduated from a school. It may be best to contact your state court reporter's board to get more information on your options. School is expensive, but there are very little options if you want to be a court reporter. I was able to pay off my school loans within the first two years of working. I personally think school or a program is worth it. Good luck! - Trish Fogle 10/26/2011 2:07:32 PM | Flag

Oh gosh no problem! I wasn't being very clear...I totally hear your points. I think contacting the court reporters' association is a great idea. I will keep you all posted:) - Chris 10/26/2011 4:58:22 PM | Flag

FYI - I work in California, and you only need to qualify to take the state exam. That can be accomplished by passing the RPR or a state exam that California sees as reciprocating - for example, Nevada. As far as I know, several of the schools in Cali still don't consider you as having graduated even if you qualify and pass the test. With tuitions around $3,000 a quarter in my area, you can imagine why schools want to keep folks around. Also, no one has ever asked me for my resume, let alone asked me where I went to school. From my short experience, the best thing you can do for a good impression is to be available, organized, and turn in a good, timely transcript. I think if you do that and you've gotten a license - school stuff doesn't matter. - dunbarcsr 10/27/2011 10:09:41 PM | Flag

Answered by jbergmancsr {1164}
10/26/2011 3:31:04 PM

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I've posted something similar to this before, but here goes again. I HIGHLY recommend community college for beginning a court reporting program for the very reason you are confronting now. Huge student debt. I realize you said you don't have a community college near you. Have you thoroughly researched that to make sure that is true? What part of the country do you live in? I know there are several in Southern California.

If you truly are disciplined, you could do it at home. You can get yourself up to 200 or 225, and then go back to school just for a short period of time to be able to go to the state exam with a certified school. I think there was a speed champion that actually did that. I've heard that. Maybe Mark Kingsbury or something (not sure of his last name and don't know if he's the one, but I think someone did).

Anyway, I think some states will allow you to take the test without coming from a certified school. I think Nevada may be one. Not totally sure on that. Look into it. If you pass one state exam, then you can go to another state exam, like California, with that pass under your belt. However, this is, again, based on your sheer willpower/determination/discipline. It will take a lot. I'd surely recommend that over a crushing student debt. I've known people get all the way into qualifying and then never able to qualify and yet still have the student debt. I've known people to actually pass qualifying and never able to pass the state exam and still have the student debt. There are no guarantees that you will get that certificate and be able to pay off the debt. The other thing is, once you start actually working, you may not make as much as you've been told and that horrible student debt will be a heavy weight on your shoulders.

The bottom line: Avoid student debt in any way, shape, or form.

THAT being said, it's a great career, and well worth the effort -- blood, sweat, and tears, though it may be times. I'm in my 9th year of reporting and loving every minute. May God bless you and your efforts.

Goodness where do I start! Thanks for taking the time to write, it means a lot to me. LOVE the idea you have about getting high in speed then returning...As for my area! Believe you me I would LOVE to say that the lovely beautiful (and generally warmer)California is my stomping ground, but the mid west is my nest and it's getting COLDer by the hour!:(I promise to respond more to you later today but just wanted to say what I could... I've researched like crazy mad so as for schooling options there really isn't anything. community college would be so great! There used to be about 3 in my area years ago but not any more.Have to run, I'll check back later.THANK YOU! - Chris 10/26/2011 5:10:06 PM | Flag

I'm back!:) Sorry for the delay...The facts about me are that I truly am a disciplined person and want to become a court reporter VERY VERY badly! (also a long story:)I'm a huge fan of Mark Kislingbury. I've actually spoke with him and have done the free trial on his website. I respect anything that guy says! I wish I lived in TX so I could attend his new school!What can you do though, reality is what it is. I'm running on 100% determination so given the correct tools and information I will make it one way or another. Having these kinds of outlets helps tremendously. It makes my endeavor a lot less solitary.God bless you too! - Chris 10/27/2011 9:42:33 AM | Flag

I've always felt that one could do it on their own once you have theory IF you have great willpower. write all the time. in your head, watching tv, signs on the road, license plates, menus. I still do that, but then again, I'm a little OCD. I LOVE it when I find an outline that I hesitate on. I write it and write it and write it until there is no more hesitation. I don't spend a lot of energy on briefs. just learn to write everything without hesitation. that way when similar words come up, you're well on your way with that word.Just think of all the bucks you'll be saving doing this on your own. if you have a friend that is at your same level, maybe you could set up practice sessions together. keep me posted on your progress. It's so.worth your efforts. sorry about the errors here. I'm doing this on my phone and I'm not too good on that :)God bless you! - jbergmancsr 10/27/2011 12:20:40 PM | Flag

One more thing, you will need to get your academics. You can get most of what you need for that at any community college. You'll just have to find out what exactly is required. The CR school that I went to had a CSR review for all the people that had passed a qualifier and ready to go to the state exam. Maybe once you go back to school when you're in 200 or 225 and have all the necessary requirements, they will allow you to take the CSR review. That review is geared toward passing the academic portion of the exam and is really wonderful. I would also strongly recommend that you get as many English classes as possible -- that's a big part of producing a transcript. God bless. - jbergmancsr 10/27/2011 7:15:01 PM | Flag

Answered by dunbarcsr {869}
10/27/2011 10:29:19 PM

[0 Votes]

FYI - I am a relatively new reporter, but I feel your pain. The private schools in my area run about $3,000 or more a quarter, and they're the ones that have the big ads and the "name" in the industry. I stayed in one for a chunk of time, but when I found the debt was mounting AND making me even more stressed about trying to qualify, I cut out for n adult school (public) at 200.

Quite frankly, other than the academics, there was not a very big difference between the two. Don't get me wrong. Academics are important, but the public school was about $250 a trimester - and then you could still get a discount for good attendance! (This career is also a second one for me; so I was much more focused on the trade skill aspect since I already had a degree and over ten years of work experience.)

I was glad I made the switch to the public school. It was the right decision for me. In fact, with the financial weight lifting (somewhat) off my shoulders, I felt renewed and got a new wind at my back. So investigate your options - even online. You just have to be disciplined for that path, but I know working reporters who did almost everything online. I have heard some good things about College of Court Reporting (online but based in Indiana) - but I have no idea what the cost is.

The important thing is to check things out. I went and visited the public school, and it really influenced my decision. Don't be afraid. I wish I had done it sooner.