Ensure you have read the information below then APPLY ONLINE.

The examination will consist of one 5-minute passage read at speeds varying from:

QRR1 – 160-180 wpm;
QRR2 – 180-200 wpm;
QRR3 – 200-220 wpm and
QRR4 – 220-240 wpm.

For the sake of clarity, taking the QRR1, for example, the first minute will be dictated at 160, the second minute at 170, the third minute at 180, then for the fourth minute goes back down to 170 and the final, fifth minute, back down to 160.  Thus reflecting, as best we can, under examination conditions, the way that a conversation or speech may go, namely, at varying speeds.

The same procedure will be followed for each exam, just changing the speeds, as above for the QRRs2, 3 and 4.

The fee for each QRR examination is £50, but if a second, or third, exam is booked by the same candidate at the same time, a £10 discount is allowed off each subsequent booked test.

A few short warm-up passages will be dictated immediately prior to the QRR examinations commencing.

Please remember to remain quiet at all times during the reading of the examination passages. Also, to restrain yourself at the end of the reading by allowing a 10-20 second pause once the reading has ceased before you make any sound! A candidate yelling “Yippee!”, for instance, (as has happened) because they think they have it, may in fact, impinge on someone else’s writing as that candidate may be word-carrying 10 – 20 words! It may lead to disqualification if it transpires they could have passed if not for that interruption.

The higher QRR speeds will be read first, enabling those taking the lower speeds to utilise these higher ones for some speed practice.

There will be two passages available at each level, just in case you feel you need a second attempt on the day. You have to decide which one to put in, or pay a second (reduced) fee to put them both in.

Should you wish, after taking that higher speed for practice, than the one you have booked and paid for, to enter that higher speed, you may do so, provided you pay the requisite fee.

A new file should be opened for the examination, although if more than one speed is being attempted, you may continue the next exam in the same file.

Care should be taken to note down which speed you are taking at the start.

Please set your page to double spacing and indent paragraphs. This is very important to ensure that the examiner can read your exam passage more easily and that the paragraphs are clearly distinguishable.

Remove any identifying header or footer as the examination is marked anonymously. Numbered cards are will be given to candidates on which to write their name and address and the Candidate’s number only is to be the identifier on the transcript for the Examiner. For example, you may be given a card with the number 10 on it. Write your name and address on the reverse side of the card, but on your transcript put “Candidate 10”. Please do not shout out to other candidates what your number is. These cards should be returned to the Reader at the end of the exam together with your USB memory stick containing the transcript.

No editing or scoping is permitted. The file should be closed down immediately the dictation ceases and then exported to a word-processing file. Candidates will be provided with a USB memory stick.

Preview words, i.e., unusual words/names, are provided one week before the exam for the candidate to a) enter into their dictionary and b) to practise!

You do need to remember to include that “job” dictionary, with all those preview words, into the translation.

Remember to bring everything with you on the day of the exam. Not just your machine, but your computer, cables, realtime and electricity.

Candidates are advised to practise taking dictation in examination format in the weeks prior to the examination. There is plenty of dictation on the BIVR website for members, as well on the IPS website, free to all. https://the-ips.org.uk/examinations/dictation-practice/ – yes, it’s free!

Grading Guidelines for the Realtime Examination

Pass level will be 98% accuracy and a distinction (*) will be awarded for 99.5%.

One drop of 10 or more words is an automatic fail.

1. Each plural read as singular and vice versa.

e.g. Dictated: I will check the times
Translated: I will check the time.
1 Error

2. Each present-tense verb read as past tense and vice versa.

e.g. Dictated: Whilst there you acted as a porter.
Translated: Whilst there you act as a porter.
1 Error

3. Each misspelled word.

e.g. Translated: superier (for superior)
caneed (for caned)
1 Error

4. Each omitted full stop or question mark that is required by the rules of punctuation and/or grammar.

e.g. Dictated: I missed that lecture. I was on holiday.
Translated: I missed that lecture I was on holiday.

Dictated: What time is the train due to leave?
Translated: What time is the train due to leave.
1 Error

5. Each incorrect number of figure:

e.g. Dictated: May 22 1920.
Translated: May 23 1920
1 Error

Dictated: May 22 1920
Translated: May 23 1921
2 Errors

NOTE: Figures translated as words will not be penalised and vice versa, though you should never start a new sentence with a figure.

6. Non-capitalised or misspelled names that were included in preparation material.

e.g. Dictated: Harvey Mansfield
Translated: Harvey Mansfield
1 Error

Dictated: Harvey Mansfield
Translated: harvey mansfield
2 Errors

Dictated: Harvey Mansfield
Translated: Harley Manfield
2 Errors

7. Each contraction written as two words and vice versa

e.g. Dictated: I do not know.
Translated: I don’t know
1 Error

8. Each wrong word or mistranslated stroke:

e.g. Dictated: I saw you just after I arrived.
Translated: I noticed you just after I arrived.
1 Error

9. Each omitted apostrophe that designates possession.

e.g. Dictated: The boy’s tie was on the chair.
Translated: The boys tie was on the chair.
1 Error

10. Each conflict.

e.g. Dictated: It was their turn to go first.
Translated: It was there turn to go first.
1 Error

e.g. Dictated: He threw a stone to break the window.
Translated: He threw a stone to brake the window.
1 Error

e.g. Dictated: Take this to alleviate the pain.
Translated: Take this to a leave ate the pain.
1 Error.

11. Compound words whose meanings are changed if not written correctly.

e.g. Dictated: I will be away next week.
Translated: I will be a way next week.
1 Error

e.g. Dictated: The furniture was in decent condition.
Translated: The furniture was indecent condition.
1 Error

12. US Spellings

e.g. Dictated: It was a matter of honour.
Translated: It was a matter of honor.
1 Error

The following will not be penalised:

1. Use of the word pounds instead of the £ symbol.
2. Use of the words per cent instead of the % sign.
3. Omitted quotation marks.
4. Compound words with omitted hyphens (unless included in preview list)
5. A word that does not translate but forms the correct English word

e.g. Dictated: hub
Translated: [HUB] or [H*UB]

6. A figure instead of a word (except at the start of a sentence).
7. A compound word not joined (unless included in preview list).
8. Candidates will not be marked down on exact comma/full stop placement, but some punctuation and certainly paragraphs should be put in.
9. Recognised open punctuation i.e., Mr without a full stop, so long as there is consistency throughout the transcript.
10. Extra spaces/omitted spaces in transcript i.e., “re spray”, “itis”.
11. Contractions not transcribed as dictated e.g., “he’d” and not “he had”.
12. “th”, “st”, etc., not reflected in the transcript when dictated, e.g., “13th January”.
13. The lack of paragraphs – though there should be at least some paragraphs during a 5-minute passage!
14. A full stop immediately followed by a comma, e.g., “.,”, or two full stops, e.g., “..”.

QUALIFIED REALTIME REPORTER EXAM APPLICATION: