Guide
How to Improve Shorthand Dictation Accuracy
Accuracy problems are rarely about hearing. They come from outlines that are almost right, phrases written the long way, and rushed transcription.
Keep one outline per word
If you write a common word two different ways depending on mood, you will misread one of them. Pick one form and stay with it.
Learn phrases for what you hear most
Official and news dictation repeats the same word groups constantly. Turning them into single phrases removes both time and error.
Mark punctuation as you go
Adding full stops during transcription is guesswork. Marking them live costs almost nothing and protects several marks.
Review every mistake list
A mistake list you do not read is wasted practice. Two minutes of review after each dictation is the highest-value part of the session.
Start practising in StenoPro
Open the dictation library, set your speed and check your transcript in the same session.
Open StenoProFrequently asked questions
- What accuracy is considered good?
- It depends on your exam's error allowance; practically, learners should hold their accuracy well clear of that limit before raising speed.