GENERAL INFORMATION

Q. What is the CCRR test?
A. The California Certificate in Realtime Reporting (CCRR) is a skills test designed to measure the basic realtime writing competency of court reporters. The test is comprised of five minutes of dictation at 180 words per minute at 96% accuracy. Candidates must use their own CAT dictionary. Candidates must perform their own translating functions. Candidates are required to convert their final skills test file to ASCII or PDF format and copy it onto a 3.5" disk or CD without assistance, and surrender the disk or CD to a CCRR Proctor. Candidates must label their ASCII or PDF disk or CD with their registration number, with a label provided upon check-in; name or any other personal identification is not permitted.

Q. Is there a written test?
A. Like the National Court Reporters Association's (NCRA) Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) test, the CCRR has no written test.

Q. Is the CCRR test validated?
A. Yes. The CCRR is evaluated by independent Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who are realtime-certified reporters. Third-party professional test experts recommend SME evaluation to validate a skills test such as the CCRR. The SME evaluation method meets or exceeds the methods used to validate the CRR and the California Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) tests.

Q. What is the format?
A. Two-voice, question and answer, at 180 words per minute, with 96% percent accuracy. The dictation material is taken from actual transcripts.

Q. Is the dictation live or recorded?
A. It is live dictation.

Q. Who can take the test?
A. CSRs, CSR equivalents as recognized by the California Court Reporters Board, or CRR holders.

Q. Is the Certified Realtime Professional (CRP) certification still valid?
A. Yes. All CRP holders will be grandfathered in as CCRR holders.

Q. Which courts recognize the CCRR certification to qualify for extra realtime pay?
A. San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Ventura and Federal Court. Increasing numbers of courts are offering pay incentives for realtime skills and the CCRR is a recognized certification for this purpose.

Q. Is CCRR certification subject to annual renewal requirements?
A. No.

Q. Is CCRR certification subject to continuing education requirements?
A. Like the CSR, the CCRR is not subject to continuing education requirements. However, ongoing commitment to professional development is encouraged though membership in DRA, COCRA or CCRA.

Q. Who can I contact for more information about the CCRR test?
A. DRA Executive Director Vicki Squires, ccrrexam@yahoo.com

TEST ADMINISTRATION

Q. When is the CCRR test offered?
A. Approximately three times a year coinciding with the DRA and COCRA annual conventions.

Q. Does NCRA award continuing education units for the CCRR test?
A. NCRA awards continuing education units on a case-by-case basis.

Q. How many tests are given at each test offering?
A. One.

Q. How much does it cost for the test?
A. $175 for DRA, COCRA or CCRA members. $300 for reporters who do not belong to DRA, COCRA or CCRA. This pricing structure is designed to encourage candidates to further their professional development through membership in the state association of their choice.

Q. How do I register to take the CCRR test?
A. By registering online at www.caldra.org.

Q. Can I wait to register onsite on test day?
A. To ensure a guaranteed place at the test site, candidates are highly encouraged to register in advance. Waiting to register onsite is at the candidate's own risk, on a first come first served basis and at the discretion of the Chief Examiner.

Q. Do I have to register for the convention seminars in order to take the CCRR test?
A. No.

Q. Will I receive confirmation of my test registration?
A. Advance registrants will receive a confirmation letter with instructions, which will be emailed to them prior to the test.

Q. What if I need to cancel my registration?
A. Should you need to cancel for any reason, you must contact the Executive Director prior to the test. A voucher will be issued to you deferring any test fees paid to a future test date, not to exceed two years. There is a $25 processing fee per test. You are required to pay the difference in test fees at a future date.

Q. What should I bring to the test site?
A. Bring the registration confirmation letter and a photo I.D. You are responsible for providing all necessary equipment, including writers, computers, realtime software, security keys, a blank 3.5" diskette or blank CD upon which to submit your ASCII or PDF test file, cables, adapters and surge protector/power strips. Important Note: Back up all dictionaries and work files in your computer and writer before the test, because you will be required to delete test material from all forms of memory at the test site.

Q. Am I required to use a disk or paper in my writer for the test?
A. No. If you have the ability to write diskless and/or paperless, you may do so.

Q. What is the attendance policy?
A. If you arrive without registration confirmation and a photo I.D., you will be denied entrance to the exam. Arrive at the earliest reporting time specified on the registration confirmation. If you arrive late you will be denied entrance to the exam.

Q. How is the test administered?
A. After registering and checking in, you are given approximately 30 minutes for setup and practice.
The Proctor then gives step-by-step instructions for closing practice files, labeling your disk or CD, as well as opening and labeling the test file.
The live dictation is then begun for 6 minutes. Candidates will be graded on the last 5 minutes of the dictation.
At the end of the test you will be instructed to remove your hands from your equipment. A Proctor will come to you and ask you to create an ASCII or PDF of the test file on a 3.5" disk or CD; and allow you to verify that the file has been successfully created. The Proctor will then instruct you to erase all forms of test files from your computer, and to either reformat or erase all forms of your writer's memory.
fter placing your ASCII or PDF test file and any paper notes in the test envelope and handing it to the Proctor, you are free to leave.

Q. Is anyone allowed to help me during the test?
A. No. The test is designed to simulate the work environment, so you are not allowed to seek assistance with either setup or the creation of your ASCII or PDF file. You may, however, utilize a worksheet with step-by-step instructions.

Q. Can I make a written note of briefs or special terms onsite?
A. Yes.

Q. Can I edit the test?
A. No editing of any kind is allowed, including spell-check or scrolling. However, candidates may view their ASCII or PDF file in the presence of the Proctor.

Q. How many errors are allowed on the test?
A. 96% accuracy is required; thus, 36 errors are allowed. All transcripts are graded according to CCRR Grading Guidelines.

Q. Will I receive a numerical score with my results?
A. No. Results are pass/fail only.

Q. Non-transcription.
A. If you choose not to have your test graded you must sign the Affidavit of Non-Transcription. You are required to place the Affidavit of Non-Transcription in your registration envelope with any written and paper notes and surrender them to the Proctor. You must either reformat all discs or surrender them to the Proctor. The Proctor will then instruct you to erase all forms of test files from your computer, and to either reformat or erase all forms of your writer's memory.

POLICY - NOTICE

Q. What is the CCRR liability policy?
A. Use of the candidate's own equipment is strictly at the candidate's own risk. Candidates should not expect instruction on how to operate their own or any on-site equipment. The site, the Chief Examiners, Registrars, Proctors, and DRA assume no responsibility should any equipment not perform properly, be dropped, stolen, knocked off a desk, etc. Additional transcription time will not be allowed for equipment failure, accidental erasing of computer files, for forgotten items (e.g., cables, power cords).

Q. How are test irregularities handled?
A. Any candidate participating in any irregularity occurring during this test, such as giving or obtaining unauthorized information or aid, as evidenced by observation or subsequent analysis, will result in automatic failure of the exam and will result in a limitation of the candidate's participation in all future CCRR tests for three consecutive exam administrations.

Q. Is the CCRR copyrighted?
A. Yes. The CCRR is the property of DRA. The test is protected by Copyright Law. No part of this examination may be copied or reproduced in part or whole by any means whatsoever, including memorization, unless previously authorized by the DRA. The theft or attempted theft of the CCRR test is punishable as a crime.

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