Friends, since shorthand is based on phonetics, the quality of your transcription output depends on what you listen and what you make out of it. Things become a bit difficult if English is not your language. So, you have to keep in mind the following points.
1. Study English Grammar and improve your English vocabulary. Make your best efforts to have a good command in English language.
2. Read a good English newspaper daily. I will recommend the Hindu and the Indian Express. Read articles from a variety of fields like politics, sports, economy, art and culture and fashion world. It will enable you to learn the kind of terminology or nomenclature used in a particular field.
3. Keep yourself updated in current affairs, political and financial matters.
4. As I told earlier, shorthand is based on phonetics. So, it is important to learn about 'homophones', otherwise you might end up typing the wrong word in your transcription. You can find them in any good book on English grammar.
5. Learn common Greek and Latin words and phrases used in English language. They may sometimes appear in your dictation exercises. You may find them in the last pages of a dictionary.
6. You must have a good idea of the use of Figures of Speech in English language. You can read about common Figures of Speech and how they are used in a sentence.
7. Last but not the least, you must know how to pronounce a word correctly. Otherwise, you might mistake a particular word for some other and end up adding to your mistakes.
