Pontificating About Proofreading

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Producing an accurate verbatim transcript or taking a traditional steno speed test is a three-pronged effort. First, it's the machine portion (fast fingers); second is your familiarity with your CAT software & editing speed/skill; and third, the most often overlooked part, proofreading.

Proofreading, while being sometimes terribly boring, accounts for an important part of transcript production and/or passing a speed test where you're allowed to edit.

When I was taking my 225s in school, I began proofing from paper prior to turning in my tests when I had time during the allowed 1 hour and 15 minutes. I think that had a large part to do with getting my tests passed when I knew I had the required speed. Every potential error you find before your instructor/grader does could make the difference between a pass and a fail.