How long did it take everyone to complete court reporting school?

Everyone talks about court reporting school like it was the hardest thing they've ever been through.  I don't know that I agree with that, but I still wouldn't say that it was easy.  I even heard that it has a 96 percent drop out rate.  I don't know if that's true or not.

My questions is how long it took everyone else to graduate.

It took me 3 and half years.  During that time, I had to skip one semester for carpal tunnel and another semester for financial reason.

I appreciate anyone's feedback.

I don't think it really matters how long it took someone to get out of school.  Everyone works at a different pace.  There were quite a few ladys I went to school with who were naturals, went through the program in less than two years, passed the CSR test, I want to say worked maybe a year or more, hated it and quit reporting.

Also, I think each state has different requirements.  I think some states, and I'm not positive on this, you do not have to pass a four-voice test at 200 words a minute, you have to pass a two-voice at 225. 

I took six years.  Started off in night school, worked full time, had a baby, switched to day school, worked part time, got stuck at 180 wpm for quite a while, didn't practice, until one day I said this is enough, time to get out of school and started practicing at home.  Within six months I was able to pass the four-voice tests to qualify for the state test, and I think at that time we had to pass three or four of them in school before they would qualify you for the state test.   

You also have to remember a lot of people cannot control their nerves in a testing situation.  Doesn't mean they won't be good reporters, just means, in my opinion, they want it so bad that they freak themselves out when it comes to the test.  I didn't pass my machine the first time, I had to wait six months to retake it.   The second time I took the test I brought my friend with me, took a relaxation class about an hour before the test to calm myself down, and it worked.   State of California started a few years back giving the test every three months I think, which is a lot nicer than twice a year.

I totally agree with Rosalie.   It's dependent upon the individual.   A lot of people have different reasons for the length of time they spend in school, whether it be kids, finances, practicing habits, etc.  I know my nerves were terrible in school, but I literally made court reporting my life and graduated two weeks before my two year mark.  In NY I had to pass three two-voice dictations at 225 to complete the program.  Definitely wasn't easy, but everyone is different.

I completed my program in ten months.  That was back in 1976.  My motivation was the fact that I loved the process of becoming a court reporter.  My funding for school was extremely limited, so I had no other choice but to finish before twelve months.  

I had enrolled in the full-time program and then I practiced at home every day and on weekends.  During my last month of school, the administrator sent me out to sit in, or shadow, at a local court.  The Chief Court Reporter then assigned me to a Court Reporter and I sat behind the Reporter and wrote.  Then I passed my Notary test and started to work.