#aaert

ranger concept

botw doodles

Of course!

I can tell you that they're good people and that they absolutely will help you inasmuch as they can. I can tell you not to miss the Monday classes that have to do with Zoom. I can tell you that it can seem very overwhelming but if you slow down and breathe that it will be okay.

As for the field: I'm finding it very interesting myself. Of course I worked in legal transcription for over a decade as well.

I can also tell you that if you can find a court job, take the court job. You'll get benefits. Yes it sounds great to get to work from home, and it is, but honestly I'm not making as much money as I thought I would be. And I have to pay my own taxes, so if you're not into being an independent contractor, try to find a court job or a job with a company that hires you as an employee rather than as an independent contractor. I'm still considering whether or not I want to try to go work for the Milwaukee court system rather than continuing to work from home, at least so that I'm not paying my own taxes.

I can tell you that I sweated a LOT over my certification test but it wasn't really that bad; I can tell you to really pay attention during the live classes, because I wish I had paid more attention; I can tell you that even six months later, I still sweat when I'm asked to perform a readback.

The AAERT (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers) certification is an essential credential for professionals in the digital reporting and transcription industry. While the exam itself is an excellent opportunity to advance your career, it can be challenging without proper preparation. Unfortunately, candidates often make avoidable mistakes that lower their chances of success.

To help you perform your best, here are five common mistakes people make when taking the AAERT exam—and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Studying Both the Written and Practical Components

The AAERT exam consists of two main sections: the written portion, which tests your understanding of transcription guidelines and terminology, and the practical portion, which assesses your ability to transcribe audio accurately. Focusing on just one section and neglecting the other is a critical error.

Balanced preparation is key. Study the written guidelines thoroughly—including grammar rules, punctuation, and legal or technical terminology—while also dedicating time to transcription practice. If you’re unsure about the exam’s structure and difficulty, refer to this helpful guide on AAERT exam challenges.

2. Skipping Realistic Transcription Practice

Some candidates underestimate the difficulty of the practical transcription section, assuming their typing speed alone will get them through. However, transcription is more than just typing. It requires attention to detail, precision, and the ability to handle poor-quality audio or complex multi-speaker recordings.

To overcome this challenge, practice consistently with a variety of audio samples, including:

Legal proceedings

Interviews with overlapping speakers

Recordings with background noise

Regular, realistic practice will sharpen your listening and typing skills, building your confidence for the actual exam.

3. Poor Time Management During the Exam

The AAERT exam is time-sensitive, and managing your time effectively is essential to completing all tasks. Many candidates either rush through the test, leading to errors, or spend too much time on one section, leaving others incomplete.

To improve your time management:

Practice under timed conditions while preparing.

Develop a strategy to balance speed and accuracy.

Prioritize reviewing your work briefly before submission.

Being comfortable with the time constraints during practice will ensure you perform more efficiently during the actual exam.

4. Ignoring Formatting Rules and Guidelines

The AAERT has strict formatting guidelines that must be followed, such as correct speaker labels, line spacing, punctuation, and document structure. Even if your transcription is otherwise accurate, failure to adhere to these rules can result in a significant score deduction.

Avoid this mistake by studying the official AAERT formatting standards and consistently applying them during practice. Small details matter, so practice precision with punctuation, grammar, and document layout until they become second nature.

5. Overlooking the Importance of Listening Skills

Listening is arguably the most important skill for transcriptionists, yet many candidates don’t devote enough time to improving it. The AAERT exam often includes challenging audio—poor quality, overlapping dialogue, or heavy accents—that can throw unprepared candidates off track.

To strengthen your listening skills:

Use high-quality headphones to capture subtle audio details.

Practice transcribing files with background noise or multiple speakers.

Train yourself to rely on context clues for difficult or unclear words.

Improved listening skills will give you a significant advantage during the practical portion of the exam.

Conclusion

The AAERT exam is a rewarding yet challenging certification that opens doors to new career opportunities in transcription and digital reporting. To succeed, avoid these common mistakes: neglecting preparation for both exam sections, skipping transcription practice, poor time management, ignoring formatting rules, and failing to develop strong listening skills.