Stenographer Written Exam Preparation: English, Reasoning and General Awareness
The written stage usually includes English language, reasoning and general awareness, and you need to clear it before the skill test. Give it a fixed share of your week, study the syllabus topic by topic, and keep daily skill practice going alongside.
Key takeaways
- Read the syllabus in the official notification.
- Give each subject a fixed weekly share.
- Revise through short daily sessions.
- Do not neglect skill practice.
Exam rules change between recruitment cycles. Always confirm details in the latest official notification.
English language
Focus on grammar basics, vocabulary, comprehension and error spotting. Read one editorial or article daily and note new words. Vocabulary also helps your steno transcription, so this time does double duty.
Reasoning
Practice a few questions from each reasoning topic every day. Speed comes from familiarity, so repeat topic types until you recognize the pattern quickly.
General awareness
Combine static topics with recent current affairs. Short daily revision of notes works better than reading everything once.
A balanced weekly split
| Area | Share of study time |
|---|---|
| Skill test practice | 40 to 50 percent |
| English | 20 percent |
| Reasoning | 15 percent |
| General awareness | 15 percent |
Adjust the split to your strengths. If you are strong at English but weak at reasoning, shift time accordingly.
Link written and skill preparation
Vocabulary and spelling work for the written exam also protects your transcription accuracy. Use the word library for words that appear in dictations.
Ready to put this into practice? Browse the dictation catalog, pick a speed that fits your level, and get an instant mistake breakdown after every attempt. Create a free account to save your progress.
Frequently asked questions
Do all steno exams have a written stage?
Not always. Check each exam's notification for the stages.
Which subject should I start with?
Start with the weakest one, but keep touching all subjects each week.
How much time should I give to the written exam?
About half of your study time is a sensible starting point if your skill speed is already close to the target.
Does English help my steno transcription?
Yes. Better grammar and vocabulary reduce transcription errors.
How do I revise current affairs?
Keep short notes and revise them weekly rather than rereading everything.