How to Balance Written Exam Studies with Daily Steno and Typing Practice
The Dual Preparation Dilemma If you study only for the written exam, you will pass Tier-1 and fail the skill test 60 days later. If you practice only shorthand, you will fail the written cutoff. The 70-30 Time Split Until 60 Days Before Written Exam: Dedicate 70% of study hours to Written Syllabus (English, Reasoning, GK) and 30% (2 hours daily) to Shorthand & Typing. Last 45 Days Before Written Exam: 85% Written, 15% (1 hour maintenance steno). Post-Written Exam (Skill Sprint): 100% full-time dedication to Shorthand Dictation & Transcription (4-6 hours daily).
Five-minute diagnosis
- Circle the exact error.
- Name its category.
- Find the first missed cue.
- Repeat the smallest useful drill.
- Test the pattern again.
Error map
| Signal | Likely cause | Next drill |
|---|---|---|
| Omission | Lost phrase boundary | Short grouped dictation |
| Slow typing | Uncertain movement | Accuracy repetitions |
| Wrong spelling | Sound-based recall | Word-family practice |
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