There are two main aims with this 70wpm exam practice.  

1) to record proper nouns – there are a number.  Please remember that if an outline is the same for two names for example, Joan and Jane you would not be penalised in an examination if you transcribed the wrong one. Be vigilant though.  If we are talking about a male, it is probably John! (which may be spelt John or Jon - either will be acceptable).  But if the passage is about a male and you call him Jane you WILL lose a mark. Also, incorrect spelling will not be penalised when it comes to unfamiliar names, and again, there are a few here.  "Lowis" instead of "Lewis" would be error-free.  They are the same outline.  In real-life journalism, however, you would carefully check names and titles.

2) there are a lot of numbers here.  These are a great advantage in dictation because in the word count each one is counted so 147 is 5 words and you only have to write three digits!  Again, be vigilant.  When in an examination you are checking whether you have all the words, make sure your transcription does not show the digits, otherwise, you may think you are short and insert words to make up the shortfall – words that were not dictated in just the same way as you will if you insert hyphens.  Always insert the hyphens in your longhand afterwards, then you can be sure you have all the words dictated.

If you prefer to listen to the audio-only dictation, you can find it here on Soundcloud.

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