Category Archives for FAQs
Why do I need to learn to read steno? Is it hard to learn steno?
Although many reporters make audio-synched recordings as they write, it is essential for scopists to know how to read steno notes. And after asking around at different conventions, reporters seem to feel the same way. There are times when the audio can’t be heard, but enough information can be gleaned from the notes to make the […]
Continue readingWhat is CAT software?
CAT (Computer-Aided Transcription) software is a special court reporting program that translates steno notes into English. The reporter enters different words into his or her dictionary, then the computer matches his or her steno notes to those dictionary entries. Any words the reporter writes differently than those in the dictionary — or words that he or […]
Continue readingHow much does a scopist make? How much can I expect to earn as a newbie?
As a beginner, you’ll be much slower at editing than your more experienced peers. Never fear, though — you won’t stay that way if you don’t want to! You’ll need to establish a clientele that can furnish the amount of pages you need to meet your income goals (our training helps you do this). In your first year, you may […]
Continue readingWhat is the future of the scoping profession?
In this sue-happy country, court reporters seem to be getting busier and busier. Back in “the day,” many reporters had the time to edit their own transcripts, but now their workload is becoming so heavy that they’re practically being forced to seek the help of professional scopists. Most of them now hire us willingly because we give them more […]
Continue readingIs certification available for scopists?
At this point in time, NCRA has not instituted professional certification/continuing education credits for scopists since, like many organizations, they have been in a budget crunch. However, they may be “back in the black,” and we have spoken to past/present presidents of the association who have assured us scopist certification is still an important issue […]
Continue readingIs the scoping profession a viable career?
This is the best time ever to be a scopist! Every year when we attend convention, we see a greater number of reporters seeking scopists. They just can’t keep up with the demands placed on them by the reporting profession and do all their own editing as well. More and more reporters are using […]
Continue readingHow do I know if I would be a successful scopist?
Do you enjoy working crossword puzzles and cryptograms? Are you a bookworm? When you write, do you take your time to find just the right words? When you come across an unfamiliar word, do you look it up? Did you always get good grades in English and on papers you wrote for various classes? Do you love […]
Continue readingWhat exactly is a scopist?
The word “scopist” is derived from the first computers, which had a diode scope or screen. Simply stated, a scopist’s job is to edit transcripts written by court reporters on stenotype machines into readable, easily understood English. The official NCRA definition is: “A scopist is one who edits a transcript translated by CAT (Computer-Aided Transcription) […]
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