My RMR Test Blog ... Finally!

[Jessica K. Belcher]

I’m really going to do it this time. I decided for the new year that I’m going to finally take the RMR. So … I’ve pulled out all my practice materials, i.e., 240-300 tapes and CDs. I’m not letting anything get in the way this time, and that includes stress of trials and transcripts. I always want a sense of accomplishment for myself in my profession each year. This year it was to finally get my MO certification out of the way. Got that, now I must move on to the next chapter. I don’t really need my MO for my current job, but if one day I do, I thought it would come in handy. They do pay officials more in MO than in KS. ;) And besides, it’s just a hop, skip, and jump from where I live and work anyway. I’m trying my best to make sure I’m fully prepared before I take another expensive test.

Anyway, here’s The Plan:

Monday – 8:30 – 15 mins of 300 testimony followed by an additional 15 mins of lower speed (no lower than 200) testimony for accuracy

Tuesday – 8:30 – 15 mins of 300 testimony followed by an additional 15 mins of 220-260 Jury Charge

Wednesday – 8:30 -15 mins of 300 testimony followed by an additional 15 mins of *copy practice

Thursday – 8:30 - 15 mins of 300 testimony followed by an additional 15 mins of Literary dictation at 200-220

Friday- 8:30 - 15 mins of 300 testimony followed by an additional 15 mins of lower speed (no lower than 200) testimony for accuracy

* If for any reason I’m not at work, this will be done at any given time on my spare at home. I’m a believer in copy practice helping a lot with accuracy, thus improving speed.

I’m in it to win it! This is not a game, it’s a lifestyle!

Okay. I’m done with the clichés.

Wish me luck!

P.S. Hopefully this will encourage others to join me in my quest or continue their own for the RMR cert.

[Tami]

Oh, and since you're an official, I wouldn't waste too much time on jury charge. It's a cakewalk for us who do it a number of times a month.

Now, when you get up to the speed contest -- that's your next goal, right? -- that jury charge turns into a legal opinion, which I still think is easier for us Officials, BUT it is pretty dang tough -- nothing like the RMR jury.

Good luck!!! You know I'm in your corner!!

[Tami]

Glad to hear you back checking in. Jessica.

Keep practicing the high speeds -- screamin' speeds -- and you'll knock it out.

I know it's so hard as an official to find the time and the energy -- and in my case the health -- to practice, but even 15 to 20 minutes a day will do wonders -- 15 to 20 minutes at the FAAAAST speeds, at least.

[Tami]

Did you do your one free day of Magnumsteno.com, Katiana??

I can't remember whether you said you did or not.

If you do it, let me know what you think. You, too, Jessica!

[Katiana Ball]

Thank you Jessica and Tami! I must have skimmed right to where it says "three years of current...membership," not realizing it only applied to the written portion.
a great place for high speed dictation is www.lifelinedictation.com she has beautiful endurance takes at 260 and 280wpm for qa. She has every category imaginable. The CDs are very affordable ($9 each, shipping included) and discounts on multiple cds. plzzzzzzzzz tell her Katiana from Miami sent you. <3

[Nicolete]

[Jessica K. Belcher]

I just pulled this off the NCRA website:

Who is Eligible to Sit for the RMR Exam?

To apply for the RMR skills test you must be a member of NCRA and an RPR.

To apply for the RMR written knowledge test a member must be an RPR and have three (3) years of current and continuous membership commencing with Participating or Registered member status.

Here's the direct link to what I just read: http://ncraonline.org/Testing/Certification/rmr/default.htm

Tami, thank you for your kinds words. :) Hey, guys, don't stop following my blog because I'll be updating!

[Tami]

I don't like the new "wait" rule one bit. As I understand it -- I could be wrong -- but you are allowed to test for the machine portion of the RMR but cannot take the written for the designated wait period. I'm not sure if that's three years after you obtain the RPR or when you become a member of NCRA. So, Katiana, you might want to check up on that little bit of info and see if I'm right.

There are reporters out there who had their RMRs (used to be called CM) at that early of an age. My friend Jenny on this site is one of them. Of course the great Ed Varallo is another.

I took the RPR orginally in 1980, same month I took the CA CSR. I was also 20 years old. I passed both. Never took the time to get my merit, but I have no doubt I could have passed it right then, too. (Shame on me for not making the effort.)

So 17 years later, after letting my RPR expire, I decide I want my CRR, so I go back and take the RPR, six months later the CRR, and six months later the RMR. I had to go back two more times for the written portion of the RMR because I'm a dummy but passed pretty easily the machine tests. If I had to wait that long between the tests, I would have been bummed, and, who knows, with my history I might not have even made the effort with the added hurdle.

I did not attend my first NCRA convention until I was a reporter for 20 years, so you both are beyond impressive to me. Keep up the hard work!

Your enthusiasm is contagious, so I thank you both for spreading the word.

[Jessica K. Belcher]

AND you need to have your RPR cert before you can test for the RMR. I passed mine in May 2006. As long as you keep your speed up in that realm of 240, you should be able to knock that out, no prob. I practiced 260 nonstop for the RPR and I passed all the skills at once. It works. Just keep practicing. :)

[Katiana Ball]

Jessica, there are A LOT of students who never access CR forum, blogs or anything CR related outside of school. I'm really glad I did, it has helped me sooo much. =]
Right now I can type at 240-ish, I wish I could take the RMR but I have to be an NCRA member for 3 years!!! It would be great to say I am an RMR at 20 years old.... but I guess I'll have to wait until im 23. lol
gl.

[Jessica K. Belcher]

Oh, thanks for that info, Tami. I stand corrected on Barbara Johnson. She's not A Barbara Johnson, but THE Barbara Johnson. ;)

Hey, Katiana, I checked your site and you sure do have a lot of useful info on there for students. It's really cool, and I wish you the best in your career. If you have this much zeal for court reporting now, then WHOOOOO, I can only imagine the type of court reporter you'll make! Can you believe that I NEVER accessed any forums or blogs when I was in school??