Slate and Stylus Practice Materials

[Note: The following instructions are written exactly as they appear in the actual exam]

Section Two

Braille Writing – Slate and Stylus

Carefully read and follow all instructions. Failure to do so may result in a loss of points.

Using a slate and stylus, transcribe the passage provided into contracted braille.

Format: Use a 28-cell braille line on 8-½ by 11 inch braille paper. Utilize the maximum space possible on each braille line without hyphenating, except where a hyphen already exists.

If you are using the braille copy of this booklet, you should know that it has been translated from the print version and you should not assume that it is in correct braille format.

When the passage contains a heading, it should be centered and italicized. Skip one line between the centered heading and the following paragraph. Some passages may contain a list. Skip a line before and after a list. Start each new line of the list in cell 1 and start runovers in cell 3. Paragraphs and lists should be single-spaced.

If you make a mistake and corrections are noticeable, start over using a fresh piece of paper. Pen or pencil notes will not be considered by the evaluator when your test is scored.

An ID label should be placed on the back of every page that is to be evaluated. Notes and/or scrap paper should be folded in half and placed in the envelope with the rest of the materials.

When you have completed this section, let the administrator know so that all test materials can be collected in an orderly fashion.

Practice Passages

Click each of the following links to open or download each practice passage. Please note, all Slate and Stylus practice passages are created in Microsoft Word 2003 format. Each of the corresponding answer keys is provided in BRF Formatted Braille and PDF files. The BRF files can be downloaded to your computer and opened either with Duxbury, or any braille note taking device, while the PDF documents can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Slate & Stylus Practice Passages