Delivery mode
Online
Test fee
$242
Prerequisites
Yes
Languages
n/a
Overview
Intercultural Competency is the knowledge and skill required by interpreters and translators that allows them to identify culturally specific information in the source language, appropriately reflect these in the target language and deal with clients in a culturally appropriate manner.
Intercultural competency is a prerequisite to gaining a NAATI credential. NAATI delivers Intercultural Competency (and Ethical Competency) tests to allow candidates to demonstrate this knowledge and skills, or you may have already met this prerequisite through the training you have completed.
You should apply for certification, and NAATI will advise you whether you need
to sit this test once we have processed your application.
Do I need to sit an Intercultural Competency test?
If you have completed an Endorsed Qualification or relevant Skill Set Course within the last three years, you have already satisfied this prerequisite.
If you have completed other relevant training at a Higher Education (HE) or Vocational Education and Training (VET) institution within the last three years, NAATI may exempt you from having to sit this test. You will need to attach evidence of completing this training with your application form for NAATI to make an assessment.
If you need to sit an Intercultural Competency test, NAATI will make you eligible to sit the test at the same time as you can select a certification test date. You will need to pass the Intercultural Competency test before you can receive your certification or Recognised Practising credential.
Information for applicants
Before sitting the Intercultural Competency test with NAATI, you need to meet the equipment & system requirements.
Equipment & system requirements
Please read the specifications carefully below.
Equipment & system requirements
| Laptop or computer with the following: |
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| Internet connection: |
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About the test
The Intercultural Competency test is conducted online.
The test will consist of 9 questions, from which you will choose 6 to answer:
- Three knowledge-based short answer questions; and
- Three scenario-based short answer questions
All questions are in English.
Test assessment & results
Assessment
NAATI examiners will assess your response to each question separately, using an assessment rubric with 4 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 4 the lowest). You can view the assessment rubric here.
Each question is assessed against specific criteria:
Knowledge questions
- Criterion A: demonstrating knowledge about topic.
Scenario questions
- Criterion A: identifying the intercultural issue/s present in the scenario, and
- Criterion B: demonstrating an understanding of these issues and their implications for interpreters and/or translators.
To pass each question you must:
- Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A in the knowledge questions, and
- Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A and Band 3 for criterion B in the scenario questions.
To pass the test you must:
- Pass at least two of the three knowledge questions AND in the remaining question achieve at least Band 3; and
- Pass at least two of three scenario questions AND in the remaining question achieve at least Band 3 in both criteria.
Note: Band 4 in any criterion will result in a fail for the test.
Results
At the end of each test session, all tests submitted will be sent to examiners for marking.
You should receive your results within 8 weeks of the test date.
Re-sitting the test
- Paid reviews of test results and supplementary tests are not available for Intercultural Competency tests.
- You will be offered a supplementary test if you fail just one section of the test. You will be offered a resit of the whole test if you fail two sections of the test. You will need to pay the test fee again for each additional test.
- You may have a maximum of two test re-sits. After the third failed attempt, your credential application will be deemed unsuccessful.
How to apply
You do not need to apply separately to sit an Intercultural Competency test. You should apply for certification, and NAATI will advise you whether you need to sit this test once we have processed your application.
Test fee summary
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Intercultural Competency test fee $242 AUD
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Cancellation See below
Rescheduling or cancelling your test
Rescheduling your test date
Tests can be rescheduled up to (and including) 3 days prior to the start of your course.
- There is no cost to reschedule.
- Contact us via info@naati.com.au if you need to reschedule your test date.
It is not possible to reschedule a test within 2 days of the test session unless the candidate provides evidence of hospital admission, serious injury or an accident. This is because we “lock in” the test sessions to enable planning and preparation.
If you have been admitted to hospital, or suffered a serious injury or accident, you must provide evidence to info@naati.com.au by 8am (AET) on the test day at the very latest. This must meet the terms of the exceptional circumstances policy as detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
Cancelling your test
If you cancel your Ethical or Intercultural Competency test, your entire certification application will be closed.
If your Ethical or Intercultural Competency test is more than 2 days away
- You will be eligible for a refund of 75% of your test fee if you cancel a test more than 2 days before the test date.
- Follow the instructions on applying for a refund through your myNAATI account.
If your Ethical or Intercultural Competency test is within the next 2 days
- To cancel a test scheduled within the next 2 days, you must email us at info@naati.com.au with your customer number so that we can cancel your test for you. You cannot reject your own test session in myNAATI if your test is scheduled within the next 2 days.
- You will not receive a refund if you cancel a test within 2 days.
If you do not attend your test on your scheduled test date, this is considered a cancellation and no fees will be refunded.
Candidate instructions
All applicants are required to read the candidate instructions in full before the test. Note that you will need to make sure your equipment and systems are suitable for the test (found under the ‘Prerequisites‘ tab).
The candidate information details the steps you need to take before your test day, what happens on test day, and how to get support.
Preparation module
NAATI has developed a test preparation module to help you get ready for your test and familiarise yourself with the format. The module is available through NAATI Learn and anyone can access it for free.
You will need to create an account and select the Intercultural Competency Preparation Module from the dashboard when you are logged in.
You should allow a total of around 15 hours to study this module for professional development, and around 20 hours as test preparation.
These materials are © National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd 2023 and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of NAATI.
Support
If you need help before you have booked into a test, email us at any time at info@naati.com.au.
