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Results and reviews for private tutoring

Testimonials and Reviews for Court Reporting

NCRA Test Prep and

Real-Time Dictionary Building Software

 
"Monette Benoit’s NCRA Test Prep material made the difference"
The success I had in passing the NCRA RPR Written Knowledge Test (WKT), is due to several factors. One major factor is the use of the study material written and taught by Monette Benoit - much of the information I studied from Monette’s material appeared on the NCRA RPR written examination ...
This study material consisted of information derived from years of personal experience and knowledge as a court reporter and combined medical and legal terminology, spelling, vocabulary and grammar, as well as reporting procedures.
Monette has a strong desire to help the court reporting students succeed in their field. I believe her study material is a wonderful tool that should be utilized by students and court reporters everywhere as an aid in passing written knowledge tests.
As a student not knowing what sources to consider, I felt inclined to study this material equally as I did the "WKT Workbook" and academic tests. Thank you, Monette! You have helped me jump a major hurdle in my career!
Laura B. Ballard, RPR, CSR

A review of the WKT Court Reporter Workbook from renowned Martin Block:
When asked if I would be willing to review the "RPR, CSR, RMR Written Knowledge Test Court Reporter Reference Workbook," I probably should have said, "I’d love to, but I’m just a buried bureaucrat at VITAC, up to my ears in alligators. Why not ask Kathy DiLorenzo, Judy Brentano, Kevin Daniel or some other of those heroes laboring in the vineyard of realtime reporting to do it? They’re in the field every day, writing their little fingers off. How about those great educators, people like Judy Larson or Bill Oliver? Me, I’ve been reduced to a bean counter, nothing more."
Instead I melted, as usual whenever someone asks, "Marty, can you do ..." and so here I am, an old soldier pressed into what is certainly not the most unpleasant duty.
After all, in VITAC operations, with their pages dog-eared from never ending use, are Monette Benoit’s wonderful reference manuals on sports, the environment, the military, politics, ethics, religion, and virtually everything else under the sun, is perhaps the greatest collection of educational and reference material ever assembled by one individual in the court reporting industry. If the real-time writers of the world can benefit from Monette’s contribution, surely I have an obligation to honor her contribution.
So I offer you a review from one who enjoys the somewhat dubious honor of being as the "grandfather of realtime captioning." Grandfather, would you believe? (1.)

The "NCRA Test Prep Workbook" is a remarkably versatile tool. In this age when the raw material of the average high school educated student gives teachers such poor clay from which to mold future reporters, here is a wonderful tutoring tool, which can be utilized to make up for the years of educational neglect. Combined with the "Companion Study Guide for Reporters and Students," "The Court Reporter Reference Textbook," the workbook simultaneously serves as a valuable vocabulary builder and imparter of critical knowledge to help the average contemporary student achieve excellence.
For those about the face the daunting challenge of the NCRA Written Knowledge Test, National Court Reporters Association WKT, the workbook offers a full review of the potential battery of questions they will be facing. I have always felt (and I know I’m far from alone in this opinion) that the best reporters, those that have shown the most remarkable of reporting skills, are those with the broadest knowledge, people of great intellect who have refined their mental and shorthand capabilities to the farthest degree. We were once a very scholarly profession, even though the practitioners did not always possess advanced degrees form universities.
Where but in reporting can one find women and men knowledgeable in such diverse areas of our mother tongue as medical, legal, technical and general language?
A journey through the RPR, CSR, RMR Written Knowledge Test Court Reporter Reference Workbook is a journey through all these components, and all one has to do is answer the questions.
I love Monette’s interspersing the poems and quotations to cheer the learner on. Imagine finding Mark Twain, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thomas Huxley all on the same half page. Wouldn’t that be a wild gathering to be in attendance at? I particularly love her Huxley quote:
"Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not."
By the way, Monette, I was the guy who came up with the two greater than signs (>>) for change of speaker in roll-up captioning. A certain unnamed friend wanted to use two at signs (@@) because he thought it looked like two ears.
So, dear reader, by now you must have learned two things. First, that one should never ask a bean counter to review a book that deals with anything beyond the realm of managing the finances and administration of his company. Second, that having asked this bean counter his opinion of this wonderful learning tool, it is rather apparent that I endorse it in all regards and congratulate the author once more on bringing the ship successfully home to port.
Martin H. Block, RPR, RDR, First Court Reporter to Broadcast Caption a Live Event, 1982

"Any one who wants to pass the test the first time needs this Test Prep material!"
I passed the NCRA Written Knowledge Test with a 97! I am so proud and relieved by accomplishing one hurdle in the midst of my patient prodding. Thank you for the NCRA written exam, WKT books, which I found on Court Reporter Reference Books, www.crrbooks.com to prepare students and court reporters for this hurdle.
I now know that this can be achieved the first time with proper studying and knowing how to take a test. I have to tell others taking the state CSR and NCRA RPR tests. Many people are taking the test for a second time - or more. This was huge. Thank you! Megan Price, Student

I have been using the CRRT WKT CD for about a year, and the students love it. Every student that has completed has passed their written RPR so far. I also tell the students to hang onto it to study for the RMR written test. Jennifer Sati, RMR, CRR, CBC, Program Advisor, Anoka Technical College

Just wanted to thank you for your study guides.  I passed my RMR written exam! They were extremely helpful -- it shows how hard you worked. Your books really helped me pass the NCRA RMR written, WKT, so thanks so much! Lisa B. Johnston, RPR, CRR, CCP

Monette, I wanted to say thank you.  I passed the NCRA RPR written knowledge exam, WKT, the first time after I ordered your books.  They are great. I only wish I would have had them the first time I took it. Everyone I spoke to about you said that you are so proud and enthusiastic about court reporting.  It is nice to know there are people like you who are willing to reach out and lend a hand to those who stand in the same position you used to many years ago.  Thanks!!  You may use my testimonial.  Hopefully it will help others.   Michael Jenkins, CCR

I have had a long history in training captioners, and it is my belief that the strongest captioners are those who are strong writers. Seems simplistic, I know, but the reason that they are strong writers is not because they have got perfect fingers on perfect hands. The reason that they are strong writers is because they can process information at a very rapid pace. And they can process information quickly because they know what they are writing.

You can not write well what you do not know and what you do not understand. In the end, it is all about words, but you have got to know the words and the subjects. Toward that end, I want to recommend to any newbies out there that the materials that you are using to prepare to caption are equally important as the actual writing skills. One product that I would highly recommend is the CATapult CD Series.

Monette Benoit has a long and illustrious career in developing materials that give captioners and captioner-wannabes the knowledge that they need to caption well. The CD Series includes a realtime dictionary builder that is compatible with any CAT system, and it even allows you to import your own lists or lists that are shared on this forum and others.

CATapult contains over a half a million words among 420 categories ...You can find out more about CATapult by visiting www.CATapultdix.com. Kathy DiLorenzo, RDR-CRR-CBC

Having been a captioner for several years and out of reporting and testing arenas, I knew I would need to cram for the Registered Diplomate Reporter exam, RDR. 

I chose the CSR, RPR, RMR, RDR Written Knowledge Test Court Reporter Reference Textbook and REALTIME Vocabulary Workbook to bring myself up to date -- and, how out of date I was! These books have excellent study material for the CSR, RPR and RMR.  I received my RDR results.  Thanks, Monette!  Kathy DiLorenzo, RDR-CRR-CBC 

The NCRA WKT materials from CRR Books & CDs were a great help in passing the test. NCRA posted the WKT results and I passed! I purchased the CRRT (Court Reporter Reference Tutorial) CD version and found it to be very easy to sit down and study for a few minutes or longer when I had time.  The content was challenging and provided me the direction I needed to focus on the areas I still needed to study.

Now I get to transfer this success to my school credits, and I don’t have to take the CSR/RPR Prep Class.  Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.  Deb Osborne,  Student -- Now Working Court Reporter

I find your energy, Monette, to be great! Your enthusiasm is wonderful. You are a delightful teacher and author. Before I began to work with you, I was always able to find something about life that interrupted my goals. Thank you for believing in my skills and dedication to this goal of becoming a certified court reporter. I needed that to pursue my goals.

Your specific homework assignments and reviews - customized - to where I am and what my skills need to be have benefited me greatly. And I passed another test! It was refreshing to pass one test, then another and to give me that feeling that you talked about.

I could feel what it felt like to be able to keep up for whole stretches of time. I think this is good for a sense of context and confidence building. I was getting quite distracted by events, things, and frustrations. I realize I had neglected specific areas you targeted. This has led me to learning and relearning with a new focus. Thank you for that. And I love the CATapult BEEDs CD! I use it every day in class to make drills and to help me pass speed tests. Susannah Landberg, Court Reporting Student, Soon-To-Be-Court Reporter

Good fortune is often called a windfall.  This stems from medieval England when commoners had trouble finding wood for fuel.  Royal decree prohibited them from chopping down trees, so when the wind knocked down branches it was a stroke of good luck.

Your CSR, RPR, RMR, RDR Court Reporter Reference Workbook is a windfall for the court reporting profession.  The information in an easily-referenced and easily-retained format is a stroke of good luck for working reporters, students and instructors of court reporting.  And what a delight to find an instructional textbook that is informative and entertaining!

I support your advice on how to take written knowledge tests in the Court Reporter Reference Text.  Your test-taking tips are helpful and will, hopefully, relieve test-taking anxiety attacks.  Both are necessary if one is truly interested in becoming certified.  I applaud this much-needed contribution to our future!  Mary Smith Agren, RPR, CRI, Denver, Colorado

I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to fully review your fine book, CSR, RPR, RMR Written Knowledge Test Court Reporters Reference Textbook, which is aimed at assisting students to pass the written knowledge test given in conjunction with the NCRA RPR test and CSR state tests.

We have ordered this book for use in our CSR prep course, which is given four times each year, for I feel it will be a great benefit to them.  The format makes it readily workable, and the content is good. I have frequently stated that although students must have good speed and accuracy in machine writing, the knowledge factor is most important in an adequate court reporter.  Enough has not been done along this line of student development; and your book certainly will contribute greatly to producing a well-rounded graduate. I wish you much success in the distribution, which has so much of merit I recommend it. Sincerely yours, Mary H. Knapp, Chairman, CTRP, Court Reporting, Department

The more words you know, the more acurate will be your speaking, writing, thinking, and reporting.  Monette Benoit will inspire you to make vocabulary-building a joyful and lifelong pursuit. Dr. Richard Lederer, NCRA Language Columnist

I recommend The Court Reporter Reference Text and Workbook.  I give both books an excellent review!  Nancy Patterson, Director, Bryan College, CA, Author, NCRA, "Preparing For The RPR, CM Written Knowledge Test"

This is to let you know how pleased I was to receive your book that will help students study to pass the WKT, written knowledge test. I use the  "Court Reporter Reference" books in the preparatory classes that we offer every semester for our current students as well as working reporters in the area.  You have covered all the areas that are on our test.  You have saved me hours of work, and I appreciate all your effort. This will greatly enhance our students’ chance of passing the Written Knowledge Test, WKT. Sincerely, Judy Larson, St. Louis Community College, MO

Thank you for providing such valuable tools toward preparing students for the RPR and CSR written knowledge tests. You have given us a wealth of information to use in other classes as well -- terminology, English, Court Procedures and CAT.  A special tribute to your dedication to the court reporting profession. The RPR, RMR, RDR Textbook, Workbook and Study Guide books are wonderful! Keep up the hard work!  Dr. Pauletta Morse, Associate Professor, SIU, Carbondale, IL

Bravo!  Bravo!  What else can I say except that you have done a tremendous job.  What a job it must have been researching all that material.  You must have spent an enormous amount of time putting together the CSR, RPR, RMR Written Knowledge Test Textbook and Workbook. I am sure that the students who use your books to prepare for the WKT, written exam, must sing your praises. 

I believe that not only are your books helpful for test taking, but they are an invaluable asset to one’s reference library. The poems you included are inspiring, encouraging, entertaining, and brought smiles to my lips. Thank you for the books. I hope that your present students realize what an outstanding person and teacher you are. All my best wishes for much success. Florence B. Lefkof, Court Reporting Instructor

This is good stuff, down to earth and on the level that working reporters need. From now on, our court reporters are going to get to know the CSR, RPR, RMR Written Knowledge Test Textbook, Written Exam Workbook, and Realtime Vocabulary Workbook by Monette Benoit better than their childhood teddy bear, dragging them around everywhere and maybe taking them home to bed. Steven Edmondson, B.S., CSR, CLVS, Birmingham, AL

Monette Benoit’s materials and CATapult series are wonderful for dictionary building and test prep, too. They are highly recommended by captioning companies for transitioning reporters and have been a tremendous help to me. Suzanne Small, RPR, RMR, RDR, CRR, CBC, CPE

I have found the CATapult BEEDs CD to be an incredible practice tool. It is not only a fun way to practice, but it reminds me what I NEED to be practicing. There are so many great exercises already there, and then I have the added benefit of personalizing it by creating a new practice of anything I’m having specific problems with. It gives me something to look forward to when I sit down with my steno machine. I enjoy the times when I can sit down and give my BEEDs CD a good work out (or the other way around!). Then there are also times when I only have a few minutes between or before a class. I have found that taking advantage of BEEDs CD during those short minutes can really make a difference in my writing during class. Thanks, Monette! This is terrific. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You’ve blown my court reporting world right open, and it’s been 4 years now that I’ve been captioning full-time.  This is huge.  The tutoring is refreshing. I felt overwhelmed yesterday, but after speaking to you, I feel much better. This is the way I like to roll.  Your help makes so much sense and changes everything for me. Everything.  Thank you. Maureen O’Brien, Full-time Captioner

This CATapult BEEDs CD is an invaluable tool. I especially like the create-your-own-drills feature. If you can only purchase one product to improve your accuracy and speed, you should make sure that it is BEEDs. Paula Davis

With Monette Benoit and Bob McCormick’s CATapult CD programs, you make entries in your dictionary WHILE YOU ARE DOING REALTIME -- an important distinction, because you then immediately see if you are creating conflicts with other entries in your dictionary.

You can determine how best to enter the word -- I endorse, recommend, urge you to buy CATapult CDs. Take a section at a time, enter the words, practice them - variable-speed slide bar included! -- to grow your dictionary in a fun and intelligent way. Gayl Hardeman, RDR, CRR, FAPR, CART Provider, Captioner, Instructor

I love the way the CATapult CDs are set up -- that I can use the dictation or the screen or the jumble feature. I like the different words. It is surprising how many words are not in my dictionary. I just wanted to say how good a program CATapult is. It is very stable. They have lots and lots of drills, with lots and lots of words to add to your dictionary. I use it a lot. CATapult CDs cover the whole gamut, from finger exercises to words, names, numbers, states, countries, and they give you easy instructions on how to do your own drills. Judy Porter, RPR, Official Court Reporter 

I have already pasted them (free custom CATapult drills) in, and they’re working well! Great! The CATapult Medical CD is pretty cool! And I really enjoy the feature where you can make your own individualized lists.

I am a working reporter who has lived in NJ, but worked in NYC since 1989. I take a fair amount of medicals and hard stuff and always try to shorten my writing to make it as brief as possible. I have been working on that for the last five years or so and have noticed a great improvement in my speed and accuracy.

Your CATapult CD program, I think, will help me drill, as well as pick through my own transcripts for common words and phrases that occur in the work I do. New briefs are difficult to learn on the job, but I guess we all do it, right? I have changed some basic, fundamental ones to make them more efficient and avoid a conflict or two over the years.

It certainly sounds like you are on the cutting edge of this field. And thank you for helping so much! This is a very difficult profession, and I say that even now after so many years! I do try to improve my skills, abilities when I can. I have learned the more accurate and efficient I am, basically the easier my own jobs are going to be. And that, for me, is incentive enough... I am just a normal guy working for a living.  I did an Internet search and came across your site www.CRRbooks.com. Now I have got it bookmarked.

You may use my name if you wish and anything I wrote. I just appreciate people like you who take the time to try to make us a little better than the day before! And, yes, please do send the articles. I am very interested! Thomas Fernicola, Working Court Reporter

With guidance and assistance from Monette she motivated me more than any instructor to graduate and get out of schoool. She put me in a better focus. This is a god-send. Taking her instructions and applying them, I would not have done it that way. Now I am more systematic and not jumping fgrom here to there.  When I study the NCRA RPR WKT Textbook, Workbook and Study Guide material, I focus on the organized WKT information. Monette taught me to practice sensibly and using her tips, I see the difference now. I am very impressed with my work now. My work, my notes are so much better. I was going to school and not putting in as much as I should have. Then I started sessions with Monette. I have come a long way to focus in this program working privately with Monette. Irene Davidson, Tutoring, WKT prep, New York

I am SO PLEASED to report that I have received and successfully installed the two CATapult CDs, BEEDs and Sampler CD from Bob and thank you both. What a lot of wonderful work on your parts! It is great that you offer such a variety of material, that it can be used flexibly (both visual and aural), and that users can introduce customized word lists. The latter was one of the features that really caught my attention when you and Bob McCormick made your midyear NCRA presentation in Philly 2005. I’m looking forward to digging in. Court Reporter, Ex-Student

CATapult BEEDs CD is an excellent program. In fact, my daily regimen after reading court reporter-related Yahoo! groups is to open BEEDs and start practicing.

Then I play something, like the Bible, in Windows Media player. With BEEDs, I am aiming at accuracy. With Windows Media player, my goal is speedbuilding. Sometimes, when I am multitasking or need to take a break, I just watch the BEEDs CD flash and dictate my study material (which I have copied and paste) in large font, 48 or 72, sit afar (or do other activities) and watch as the BEEDs CD flashes phrase after phrase, word after word.

It is great! It is better than the other text-to-speech material out there because this software is geared to court reporters (especially with its jumble feature which I doubt any other software has)! :) Darlynn Swajka, Student

Monette, I met you at NCRA midyear in Philadelphia. I remember you not only for what CATapult did for my dictionary, but how it helped me every day in my work in the courtroom. The CATapult CD software really has helped with my job and the additional free time I now have. Official Court Reporter

I received the CATapult Sampler CD. I am ecstatic. I used it last night to see the wonderful categories you have. I am really excited about this CD. I will be looking forward to anything new and upcoming you may have. Monette, the CATapult CD is calling my name. I have to go now. Diane Brady

Hi, Monette! I am very proud to say that I have completed court reporting school and have started working. I have only taken three jobs, but have discovered that I now have something completely new to process.  You are among the people who gave me an extra push when I needed it. After reading your words about processing, I never looked at school the same way. Of course, I was frustrated many, many times; however, I never felt as if I was standing still. I was always able to see a pay-off from my efforts; even if it just meant that I could sit and write for three hours without stopping, instead of only two and a half. Thank you so much for taking the time to encourage me and offer support.

I really love the CATapult BEEDs CD, and I am glad that I purchased it. It has been so helpful, and will continue to be, I am sure. But I am most grateful that you took the time to go beyond answering my questions about your product. You took the time to address the root of my problem, which turned out to be a problem of perception and mindset.

There is no way I can repay you for that, except by paying it forward, which I promise to do! Bless you! Janet Tilley, Ex-Student, Court Reporter, TN

The CATapult CD series software is extremely user friendly and can make even the most novice software user feel like a techno nerd!!  I think we are all so accustomed to giant reporting software programs that it is hard to wrap your brain around the fact that CATapult is so basic yet so dense with information.  Never fear, CATapult will get you going in no time flat! Sheryl E. Stapp, RPR, CSR, Texas

I like your CATapult CD line better than any other because you speak the words. I know I am not going to get thrown into sports right away and that I need to get the news, all the news, period. Your dictionary CATapult CDs are the ones I promote when anyone asks. Full-time Captioner, CBC, CCP

The CATapult BEEDs CD software allows you to easily copy/paste drills you create or access for other text files. I like to use the Flash mode, where the phrases or terms appear at a preset speed. This can be a really effective way to drill on anything - words to strengthen a particular fingering deficit, new briefs or phrases, lists of specific terminology - anything goes! Cheryl Hoover, Student - Now Working Court Reporter

I have to say I have really enjoyed CATapult BEEDS CD program by Monette. It is a program that lets you copy anything into the clipboard and have it flash the words according to the preference of speed (great for those Internet news flash or old tests you have turned in, and you want to copy the text for drilling).  The program is been something I use quite frequently (the BEEDs stands for ’Basic Essential Everyday Skills’ and can be purchased at www.CRRbooks.com). Noriko Carnes, Student

I just figured out how to paste briefs on the Make Your Own Drill section, and I tried it out on Flash Mode and it works!  I like how the briefs in the CATapult BEEDs CD will be flashed onto the screen...much better than just going through a list. Student

You have three choices of how you want the drills to come across: Flash, Jumble, or Dictated. In addition, it comes programmed with an abundance of already established finger drills, numbers, street addresses, etc.

You can personalize CATapult for your own drills, working on your own problem areas, and it seems to be limitless in how many you can make, not to mention it is very easy to make your own. I do not think that there is any product out there that is even comparable to what you get for such a reasonable cost. With the CATapult BEEDs CD it is so easy to use even my technologically-challenged brain can easily use it! Rema Strauss, Student

I love my CATapult BEEDs software. At present, I am practicing phrase briefs and families of briefs (I cannot, you cannot, etc.; do you think that, do you recall that, do you remember that, etc.). I am chugging away, and I really love the randomization capability. It is one thing to have a list of briefs and phrases on a piece of paper or on a page in a book, but when the phrase comes flashing at you at your present rate, totally randomized, it is much more realistic. I have old software, but it does not allow one to input your own briefs, words, phrases. It does not do what BEEDs does.

I love being able to adjust and personalize my drill exercises and am really excited when I see myself advancing in both speed and accuracy. It is a wonderful tool for students and reporters at any level of mastery. You can not BEED it! Jane P. McNally, Ph.D., Massachusetts

I have been really encouraging everyone to do their finger drills in conjunction with the CATapult CD product to fine-tune their skills. I love how comprehensive your product is with respect to certain topics, too. Always have. Free-lance, CSR, RPR Court Reporter

I think the CD is great. I will be working on thousands of briefs. I think the program will be invaluable to me. I have started entering the thousands of briefs that I will be incorporating. I will let you know the success or improved ability over my current practice sessions.

You may use my testimony so far as to what a great program it is as far as organizing, storing and presentation of briefs -- beyond anything I have seen. Before CATapult CDs I was using pieces of paper with briefs all organized alphabetically so I could recall or look when not recalling while writing, but now that has changed. I have been in the reporting profession licensed in CA in 1977 and reporting since 1976. I am an old-timer but am learning new tricks and programs such as yours make my life not only easier, but bring the joy of writing back into my profession. Official Court Reporter

 

Last week I used a CATapult CD to get my fingers quieted down before a construction-site injury accident deposition I took. I was running behind because it took me a little longer to find the address. It was nice to be able to sit down, get everything set up, and warm up on words I knew I would encounter in the deposition.  Plus, I had not done anything with construction lately, so it was very helpful to flip into that program. I smiled in thanks to you!! Eleanor Mitchell, CCR, RPR

 

With the CATapult CD series I think globaling is a major plus. With another software, you end up with auto entries in your dictionary that you oftentimes do not want there, so you have to backtrack and delete. I would much rather give it a few seconds, analyze the steno and the entry, and then decide whether or not to add it.

Plus there is the issue of only two downloads, nothing more and nothing less, with another software, which I think is just wrong on so many levels. And there is also the problem with starting a section on old software and never being able to go back over it again...no bueno at all!! This series, CATapult, still has my vote. There is my two cents! CSR, RPR, CART Provider, Captioner

I am playing with CATapult BEEDs CD right now and just pasted some briefs onto the clipboard and used the Flash mode. Neat! I really like how I wil be able to post those trouble words or post briefs and see them flash on the screen...much better than staring at them on a piece of paper! Student

 

Prior to CATapult CDs, I spent 15 years at a firm where somebody else sat and did rough drafts that I later proofread -- until I found out that she was not defining the words, so I have a lot of years to make up when it comes to my dictionary. Thanks again. Court Reporter

1st email from Lisa:    Hello, Monette, I bought some study books from you a few months back for the RPR Written Knowledge Test. I took the WKT, written exam, for the RPR last Saturday; I just wanted to let you know that your books were VERY helpful in studying for the test and I felt better prepared!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I passed!!! Lisa, Court Reporter

2nd email from Lisa:   Just wanted you to know I passed the written RPR exam that I took. Using and studying your WKT reference books helped tremendously!! Thanks again!! Lisa, Court Reporter

 

The WKT, Written Knowledge Test Court Reporter Reference Tutorial CD, CRRT disk is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! I will be in touch in about a week to order another disk. Keisha Ward, California

 

Working and playing with your CRRT CD, Court Reporter Reference Tutorial, CD prep for the CSR, RPR, RMR written knowledge exam, WKT, your Court Reporter Reference Tutorial CRRT CD, is like being on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. I LOVE IT!! If you were on the show, you would want to weigh each answer carefully, selecting the right one because all that money is at stake.

If you are taking the actual written knowledge exam, WKT, you better bet you should weigh each answer carefully and get it right because your certification is at stake, which means money in the form of future income is at stake. Sheryl E. Stapp, RPR, CSR, Texas

 

I am, of course, interested in improving myself, as a senior court reporter; I find it increasing difficult to write at the speed I used to have (I’m an RMR).  Therefore, when I come across CATapult CDs, a product such as yours, one that will enhance me professionally and help build my dictionary, I try it. If I enjoy the product, and it works as claimed -- of course, yours does -- I try to pass it on to my fellow reporters.

I endorse only those products which serve me well, and yours makes my reporting life much easier. Thank you for your continued help in the profession. Dan Olarnick, CSR-RMR, Official Court Reporter, New York

 

I can say I am a certified operator of CATapult BEEDs and CATapult CDs, and a pretty darn good test-taker of legal terms from the ** written knowledge test, WKT CRRT CD for test preparation. You have a good model for drills, and it is well-executed. I loved the ability to personalize it with fonts and sizes, and even with content!

Also, a good idea to allow unlimited speed adjustments. You have an elegant, easy-to-use engine, and the content just plugs in with ease -- I added my own words the first try. Together with the extensive and specific content you have collected and researched over the years, it is a great combination. I can see how a student or professional would gain much through the practice. Teacher

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your CATapult software. I just love it. I have entered drills on the words that I am having trouble with, as well as my briefs. I love the Create your own Drills section. I created a drill for Jury Charge briefs, Q & A briefs, general briefs, and words that I have trouble with after a test. I am telling all the students that they should get it. I want others to see how wonderful it is. Thank you again, and feel free to use any of my emails for public use. Dana Massie, Student

 

Thank you for the seven volumes of the CATapult CD Series and the BEEDs CD. WOW! Who needs a tele when you can have this much fun? Guess what I am doing?  I am practicing finger drills, and I am so happy; all set to rock and roll. Frances Dobson, CART Provider, United Kingdom

 

When I started using the CATapult BEEDs CD I was smiling - as compared to another product -- because it does so much more because I am practicing words I want to practice, not what others want me to write.  I am able to adjust the practice modes, to enter words, to refine my skills. I can change the speed in the BEEDs CD, and it is so great! I have the hang now, and I am very excited about this CD software program now.

Plus with your tutoring I am not bogged down, and I realize this is not far out of reach.  I can do this! BEEDs has given me results I can see.  The more I see results the better I feel, and that is a real plus for me! It is a really very helpful CD for students and court reporters.  I am now able to put in what I want and what I want to clean.  When I look at my dictionary and my errors, now I stick the word in BEEDs. My fingers are getting stronger writing all the words more accurately.  I feel so good about what I am doing, and my accuracy is going up.

No one has ever taught me this before.  I am very excited.  I am achieving what I wanted to achieve.  I used to sit and practice; I was not paying attention.  It was not taking me anywhere. I was going to school and not putting in as much as I should have. 

Now I run to do this, and I do not make excuses.  I have come a long way with this CATapult BEEDs software program! Now I pay so much more attention.  I focus.  Thank you for helping me to increase accuracy, decrease errors and to have fun while I am working on this CATapult BEEDs CD. Claire Jonnes

CATapult: An excellent tool for building your captioning dictionary. The audio dictation is an additional bonus to ensure correct pronunciation. Denise Agard, CSR, Captioner, Canada

 

I used the CATapult CD series to help round out my dictionary, amazed at the common words that were missing from my repertoire. After 15 years as a freelance reporter, I became a captioner, and dictionary - building is a perpetual project for me. Thanks again for your help. Annette Sanders, RPR, Bristol, IN

 

This CATapult BEEDs CD is an invaluable tool. It has definately given me a jump on the rest of the class in building my dictionary and getting started in CART and Captioning work. Thanks CATapult. Ernestine Mongomery, Student

 

Thank you for your wonderful CATapult CD program! Cindy Clark, CART Provider

 

This is not an email about my assignments for the week. This is a THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING AND BEING A COMPASSIONATE PERSON email. I appreciate all of the advice you have given me.  I believe I can do this and will do this (stenography). I want this soooo bad I can taste it. One thing I do not lack is perserverance. Thank you for helping me and for caring.  Official Court Reporter

 

I had some free time before school today and was able to sit and work with the CATapult BEEDs CD.  Would you believe I came closer than I ever have to passing my 100 jury charge! I was so excited, I wanted to come home and jump on my machine some more! Again, I truly appreciated the friendly and encouraging conversation we had. I will definitely keep you informed of my progress, and look forward working with the practice CDs I purchased from you. I also hope to attend more of your seminars. Many thanks, Virginia Binion, Student, Cerritos College

 

I just love my CATapult BEEDs CD software. It helps me with all my homework practice and keeps me fresh on my numbers, states and other words that seem to show up on tests. Thanks for knowing what the student really needs for practice help. Virginia Kling, 1st year student, California

 

I love the WKT Court Reporter Reference Tutorial CD program, and I am having a lot of fun using it. Student, California

 

My journey into court reporting began many moons ago. I attended school for a short while. During that time, I suffered a tremendous loss in my life and dropped out. My entire world collapsed. I returned to school years later, but was not able to complete the program.

As time went by, I had many jobs always thinking of how challenging ’that little machine’ was and the impact it had made in my life. I continued to read anything and everything pertaining to court reporting, including the JCR magazine. I maintained relationships with working reporters. Fast forward to January 2007, while reading the JCR magazine, I saw a classified ad, which offered court reporting tutoring. I immediately recognized the name as I have been reading Ms. Monette Benoit’s articles for years. I emailed Ms. Monette. She returned my email, and then we spoke on the telephone.

My life, once again, changed. We had an "intake" -- more like a heart-to-heart conversation about my dreams and goals. Her energy and support were unbelievable. I felt like an angel had just walked into my life to guide me, and I wholeheartedly believe God places people in our lives at just the right time. This was only the beginning... I shared with Monette not just my court reporting frustrations, but many other things. Monette listened and advised. We established what I am certain will be a lifelong relationship.

Tutoring is such a small part of how Monette has reached me. Because of Monette, I have made new friends in the court reporting profession. I have emailed people for assistance and received all positive responses. My new friends (and I am sure there will be many, many, more) spent hours on the telephone with me. One in particular found Ms. Monette in the same little ad and also refers to her as an angel.

They, like Monette, share their court reporting and life experiences, which enthrall me. I love to listen to them. It is enlightening and funny as all heck. They are real people with real stories and invaluable advice. They are true professionals. Thank you, Monette.

I now call Mondays: Mondays with Monette. I look forward to my session and enjoy it so very much. Monette has a great sense of humor, a big heart, and is a kind, compassionate person. She motivates me. Tells me just like it is in a very polite way. I appreciate her style. I appreciate her pushing me, and I appreciate her heart. I’ve gotten so much in such a short period of time. I feel so blessed that Ms. Monette has come into my life. I know I have sooooo much more to look forward to and that I will attain my goals. Thank you, Monette, for your guidance and for taking time out of your very busy life to help me. You are truly God sent.  Sandra Aviles, Connecticut

 

I am currently a court reporting student and receive private instruction from Monette Benoit. Although I attend a court reporting school, I was not comfortable that the vocabulary and speed-building process being taught would move me to graduating speeds in an acceptable timeframe.

Monette is very knowledgeable in all areas of court reporting and very quickly assessed my current study habits and practicing techniques. She was able to recognize where I was in my studies and who I was as a person in the first session.

She offered suggestions that started helping me that same day! As a mature student I very much appreciated Monette’s ability to immediately address my issues, which are very different from a younger student.  During my private instruction, Monette provided custom dictation based on my needs with emphasis on accuracy, endurance, and speed. She helped me structure a program that I know is going to help me to progress at an acceptable pace. Monette also provided invaluable information that will help me make informed decisions as I start my court reporting career.

One of the new tools I use as part of my practice routine is the Basic Edition Essential Drills CD (BEEDs). The BEEDs CD is filled with drills that are in all of my weak areas. Now I have drills for Numbers, Names, Addresses, Businesses and Countries that are easy to use and in a format that covers various methods of practice.

Best of all, I spend my time practicing instead of gathering all the information to create those drills.  The BEEDs CD also allows you to make your own drills. I use this function daily as I make and practice the words that I have problems stroking, the words that make me hesitate, and new brief forms. This CD really has given my practice time a huge jump start.

 

When someone has made such a huge impact on your life, it is hard to put into words everything they have done. I am thankful everyday that I found Monette and hope other students find her too. I am so blessed to have you in my life!  Deb Osborne, Student - Now Working Court Reporter

 

 

Additional Reviews: http://crrbooks.com/reviews.php

 

Experts and leaders who recommend Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs:

Mary Smith Agren; Deanna Baker; Martin H. Block; Jack Boenau; Judith Brentano; Robert Clark, NCRA Librarian-Historian; Kevin Wm. Daniel, author, "Writing Naked;" Kathy DiLorenzo, VITAC; Kevin Donnelly; Steven Edmondson, author, "Literary Moments;" Pamela Giardina, Director, Baton Rouge School of Court Reporting; Gayl Hardeman, author, "DePuzzLer;" Mary Knapp, author, " Complete Court Reporter’s Handbook;" Judy Larson; Richard Lederer, NCRA language columnist; Robert W. McCormick, co-author, "The Complete Court Reporter’s Handbook, Third Edition;’ Jean Melone, President, StenoTech Career Institute; SueLynn Morgan; Pauletta Morse, NCRA Journal contributing editor; Nancy Patterson, author, "NCRA, Preparing For The RPR, RMR Written Knowledge Test;" Anita Paul; Sara Prince; Kathy Robson; Jennifer Sati, Program Advisor, Anoka Technical Center; Marcia Simmons; Suzanne Small; Sheryl Stapp; Carol Thomas; J. Edward Varallo, author, "The Real-Time Writer’s Manual" and Rhonda M. Zacharias, TextStream Institute of Court Reporting

 

 

Since 1990, www.CRRBooks.com offers court reporting and captioning books and CDs, test prep materials and tutoring/coaching services for court reporters, captioners and CART providers. Plus, CATapult Your Dictionary offers interactive, real-time dictionary building CDs for multiple industries, including financial, legal/business, medical, politics, religions, sports, auto technology and weather/science.