How to Note Down Unfamiliar Names, Acronyms and Technical Vocabulary
Handling the Unexpected in Live Dictations When an unfamiliar name (e.g. "Kyrgyzstan" or "Dr. Swaminathan") or acronym appears in an exam dictation, do not panic trying to construct an elaborate textbook outline. Quick Capture Tactics Write in Rapid Longhand: If the name is short, write it in clean English cursive script. The Double Line Indicator: In Pitman shorthand, drawing two small parallel ticks under an outline marks it as a Proper Noun. Acronym Dots: Write capital English initials directly (e.g., 'U-N-E-S-C-O') separated by small dots.
Weekly scorecard
| Measure | Record | Target direction |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Percentage correct | Up |
| Omissions | Count and location | Down |
| Recovery | Seconds after a miss | Down |
| Confidence | Short note | Steady |
How to use the scorecard
Compare similar sessions rather than unrelated passages. Choose the next drill from the weakest measure and reassess at the end of the week.
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