Pursuing a career in transcription is one of the best ways to make money as a full-time or part-time employee. Today, most transcriptionists work as freelancers to ensure freedom and access to more clients. However, it might be a great idea to work for a transcription company if you want to enjoy job security and a steady income.
Although you do not need a degree to work as a transcriptionist, transcription companies will still require you to pass a test before they hire you. These tests vary from one company to another. However, all of them are based on typing speed, accuracy, grammar, and spelling.
Like any other exam, passing a transcription test is not a walk in the park. However, proper preparation can help make the task easier. Here are a few pointers to help you pass your transcription tests.
Learn to Listen Carefully
One of the essential skills to have as a transcriptionist is careful listening. Without the skill, it can be relatively challenging to type the right words, whether you are doing the test or working. So, it is essential to brush up on your listening skills before you begin your transcription exam.
Making many word errors during the online transcription test can negatively impact your score. The best way to avoid that is to practice your listening skills before taking the test. When practicing, ensure you are working in a tranquil environment. That involves turning off TVs, radios and other background noises that might make it hard to concentrate on the video or audio sample.
Sharpen Your Typing Skills
Another important skill you require as a transcriptionist is typing. That’s the primary reason any transcription company will test your typing speed before offering you a job. When practicing your typing skills, you need to tune your speed to at least 50 words per minute without any errors.
Of course, it is possible to pass your transcription exams while typing at 35 words per minute. However, that is not a standard you should be working with if you want to get a job in any transcription company you set your sights on. So, if you want to pass your transcription tests, you should take time to sharpen your typing skills.
Learn to Use Proper Punctuation
The other important thing you need to know if you want to pass your transcription test is the use of proper punctuation. However, punctuation is tricky, considering the rules vary from one type of writing to the other. For instance, if you are an academic writing transcriber, you might have to follow a strict set of punctuation rules than other transcribers doing different types of writing.
Apart from the type of writing, some of the punctuation rules in the UK and US might differ. To be safe, it is advisable to be well conversant with the differences in these punctuation rules.
Learn How to Format Transcriptions
Apart from punctuation, the other thing that will earn you higher scores in your transcription tests is proper formatting. The formats might vary from one transcription company to the other one. So, ensure you review the specific formatting required by the company you are applying to.
Transcription formatting includes everything from identifying multiple speakers to how you are supposed to submit the completed transcript.
Invest in High Quality Transcription Equipment
Another important thing you need to consider if you want to pass your transcription test is the quality of equipment you will be using. Some of the things you will need for a transcription test include:
- A computer
- High quality earphones
- Transcription software
- Good quality internet
Without proper equipment, you might lose crucial points from your test scores. Depending on how high your scores are, losing these few points can cost you your transcription job. For that reason, ensure you invest in the right equipment before you take your transcription tests.
Conclusion
Passing your transcription tests doesn’t have to be an arduous task. Same as any other exam, the key to breezing through these tests is proper preparation. To ensure you are well prepared, try transcription practice online to train before the exam. Also, ensure you have the right equipment when practicing and during the tests.
