Category Archives for Scoping FAQs
IT’S A PANDEMIC! CAN I REALLY KEEP BUSY WITH SCOPING?
I know it’s scary to go from a 9-to-5 job to having to make your own success, but there IS work out there. I just wanted to share the good news! Read the following testimonials from our Facebook pages (and, as always, you can always reach out to me for more information): Renee – I’ve […]
Continue readingWhat are the start-up costs involved in becoming a scopist?
These are the start-up costs associated with scoping: A quality computer. Cost: $700-2000. The rule of computer equipment is “get the most bang for your buck”: An Intel Pentium computer with the largest hard drive, the fastest processor, and the most RAM you can afford. For more specifics on equipment needed to run CATalyst software, […]
Continue readingWill electronic recording make scopists obsolete?
For years, we’ve heard speculation that electronic recording will replace the court reporter and eliminate the need for scopists. Here’s my take on that: While electronic recording is said to be less expensive, someone will still need to be there to run the computer and be responsible for the production of an accurate transcript — […]
Continue readingWill the training I receive from ISS be adequate for me to pass a certification exam?
I (Linda) served on the NCRA Scopist Task Force and the Scopist Certification Subcommittee that wrote the first scopist certification exam. Unfortunately, after the exam was written, NCRA opted not to give it at that time.This groundbreaking committee’s first task was to define the skills and knowledge a scopist needs to possess, and they produced […]
Continue readingIs it easy to get started?
Starting the course is shockingly easy. You receive access to the material as soon as payment is complete. You don’t need to wait for packages to arrive in the mail or for anyone to give you passwords or access to the course manually. We feature a completely automated enrollment system. As for starting out as […]
Continue readingWhy 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 […]
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