Certified Provisional Interpreter (CPI) Candidate Instructions

The test must be completed in a location that is free of distractions, background noise and other people.

When you are ready, click the link to your test you will have received via email. You must check in for your test at the time advised in your test invitation email.

You will need to provide proof of your identity by showing your identity document (passport or Australian driver’s licence) to the camera when asked, prior to beginning your test. Click here to learn more about identity verification.

The test will be audio and video-recorded for identity verification, assessment and auditing purposes.

You will use the consecutive mode to interpret two face-to-face dialogues between two role-players about the topic and situation described in the interpreting brief. The role-players are in the same online meeting as you for the online test. The role-players will have their video turned on for these tasks.

For each task, the role-play dialogue begins as soon as the role-players are admitted into the online meeting. The English-speaking role-player will greet you.

You should introduce yourself to both role-players (in English and LOTE as appropriate) as ‘the interpreter’. Do not use your real name. The introductory part will be audio-recorded from the time you enter the test room (onsite test) or from the start of the video call (online test). NAATI examiners will not assess this introductory part of the task.

The English-speaking role-player will begin the timed assessment part of the task by saying “ok, let’s start” or similar. You must interpret what the role-players say from this point on. You should interact with the role-players to accurately transfer the meaning between them.

Each task will finish when the dialogue between the two role-players ends, or 12 minutes after the start of the assessed part. 

You will be asked to complete an audio-only interpreting task. This task intends to simulate a telephone interpreting assignment, and you will not be able to see the role players.

You will use the consecutive mode to interpret a remote dialogue between two role-players about the topic and situation described in the interpreting brief.

The role-players will be in the same online meeting as you for this task, but they will have their video turned off. The NAATI staff member will play the role of the English-speaking telephone operator.

The role-play dialogue begins as soon as the role-players are admitted into the online meeting.

The NAATI staff member will play the role of an English-speaking telephone operator. They will initiate the conversation and ask if you are available to take on a telephone interpreting job. You will accept the job, and then the ‘telephone operator’ will connect you to the role-players.

Once you are connected to the role-players, you should introduce yourself to both role-players (in English and LOTE as appropriate). This part is not recorded or assessed. Shortly after the introduction, the test invigilator will make an announcement and start recording the session.

The English-speaking role-player will begin the timed assessment part of the task by saying, “ok, let’s start” or similar. You must interpret what the role-players say from this point on. You should interact with the role‑players to accurately transfer the meaning between them. 

The task will finish when the dialogue between the two role-players ends, or about 12 minutes after the start of the assessed part. 

Role-players
The age and gender of the role-players may not accurately represent the age and gender of the characters described in the brief. In some briefs, characters are given female and male names because their role is not gender specific. You should refer to the role-player by the name with which they introduce themselves.  

Under the test situation, the candidate should not ask the role-players to speak in short sentences or segments for the entire dialogue. The role-players will not be able to accommodate the candidate with regards to such a request.

Managing interaction
As the interpreter, you should listen to what the role-players say and transfer the meaning accurately. You are also expected to demonstrate your ability to manage the interaction with the role-players to make sure you accurately transfer the meaning.  

There may be instances, during the test, which make it challenging for you to capture and comprehend what has been said, including:  

• the role-players speak for an extended period 
• the role-players mumble or talk at the same time 
• there is a distracting noise or other interference 
• the phone cuts out 
• the role-players use a phrase you don’t know. 

You should use a range of techniques to deal with these instances, including: 

• cutting-in in an unobtrusive way by making use of the role-players’ natural pauses, and indicating that you are about to interpret by using conversational cues 
• asking the role-player to repeat or clarify what they have said 
• asking the role-player to pause or slow down 
• asking the role-player to speak louder or softer 
• inserting a correction if you realise you have made an error 
• using other techniques to manage the interaction and transfer meaning. 

The use of these techniques is considered acceptable if: 

• they result in accurate transfer of meaning. 
• you are courteous. 
• you inform the other role-player about what occurred in the other language. 
• the flow of the conversation is NOT hindered