Reminder for candidates
You must first sit and pass the Certified Specialist Health Interpreter (CSHI) Knowledge Test before being eligible to sit the Interpreting Test.
Knowledge test (open tab to navigate)
Equipment & system requirements
The Knowledge Test component is run online only. Please read the specifications carefully below.
If you have booked your test and are concerned about your computer equipment or internet access, please email us at info@naati.com.au as soon as possible.
Equipment and system requirements
You will need the following to sit this test:
| Laptop or computer with the following: |
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| Phone or tablet (in addition to the laptop or computer): |
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| Internet connection: |
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Preparing for test day
The Auslan Certified Specialist Health Interpreter Knowledge Test is delivered online via NAATI’s testing platform, Televic. NAATI uses an online proctoring program called ProctorExam to make sure all tests are valid and are sat by the correct person.
Make sure you have the right equipment (see section: ‘What you will need’ below).
Candidates with test sessions will receive an email approximately one week before the test day from ProctorExam with a link to the online platform and instructions on how to set up for your test.
When you click the link, you will be prompted to complete a system check. The system check must be completed using the same setup as you will use on your test day (i.e. same computer, phone, headphones, location, internet connection).
- If you have not received this email from ProctorExam, check your spam/junk folder. If it is not there, please email us at onlinetesting@naati.com.au so that we can follow up for you.
Watch the below video for instructions. Please note: This video refers to the use of headphones, but please disregard this. Headphones are not allowed in this test.
Identity Document
You must have a photo identity document (passport or Australian driver’s licence) ready when you begin your test. Click here to learn more about identity verification.
Resources
You are not allowed to use any resources or refer to any references during the test. You will be required to show your desk and test room to your webcam before starting the test.
Paper and pen
You may have loose sheets of paper and a pen ready for taking notes if needed.
Food and water
You may wish to have food or water available for the test session as long as it does not interfere with your test performance.
During the test NAATI will provide:
- Full support for NAATI testing platforms including live chat with a NAATI staff member during the test or you can email onlinetesting@naati.com.au
NAATI will not provide:
- Technical support should you experience issues with your equipment
- Technical equipment, including laptop/tablet, mouse, adaptors and power cords/connectors
- Internet access for candidates
- Resource materials
You must follow these conditions. If you do not, NAATI may cancel your test or not issue your test result. If this happens, you will not receive a refund of your test fee.
Leaving the test environment
Leaving the test environment during a test session is not allowed.
In exceptional circumstances, you may request a 5-minute bathroom break during your test. This must be requested via the live chat before leaving the room.
Behaviour on test day
You are expected to be courteous and respectful towards NAATI staff. You cannot communicate with external parties (e.g. via chat) on the test day once your test has started.
Knowledge Test questions
The Knowledge Test questions are provided through the online testing platform, with one question on a page.
Access to the test will require downloading of the ProctorExam extension for Google Chrome, which is available for free. Links will be provided as part of your joining instructions.
Use of electronic devices
You are only allowed to use the following electronic devices during your test:
- One laptop or computer on which you will access the test and input your responses within the test platform
- One mobile phone or tablet which will be used as a second camera.
See section: ‘Equipment & system requirements’ above.
You are not allowed to access the internet apart from taking the test, or use any electronic devices apart from those used in taking the test. You must not use any communication and recording functions of devices used for your test during the test session.
No machine translation or use of artificial intelligence is allowed.
Confidentiality
All test materials are the property of NAATI. You are not permitted to make or record copies (paper or electronic) of any test material or reproduce the test or communicate the test content to a third party.
Any attempt to copy the test material will also result in disciplinary action being taken, which may involve the test being invalidated and a ban from any future NAATI test.
Test overview
The Auslan Certified Specialist Health Interpreter Knowledge Test assesses your broad medical interpreting knowledge which is necessary to work across a wide range of medical specialties.
The test is delivered online and is comprised of 60 questions of different types divided into four parts. The test will be in English and you should answer all questions in English.
The Knowledge Test assesses candidate’s knowledge in the following domains and topics:
- Medical terminology and general medical knowledge
- Knowledge of the Australian health system and processes
- Ethics, culture and the role of the interpreter in the health context
- Advanced interactional management
- Research and preparation
There will be at least one question on interpreting in the field of speech pathology.
You will have 2.5 hours to complete the test. You will have an extra 15 minutes to set up your device and read the initial instructions.
The start time is flexible. You may start your test at any point within two hours of the start time listed in your confirmation email (later only; you may not start earlier than the start time).
Once your test starts, the Knowledge Test must be completed within the 2.5 hours. You will not receive additional time for reading or toilet breaks.
Your answers will automatically save and once you have completed the test you will submit it for marking through the portal. You will need to click ‘Finish’ at the end of the test, before also clicking ProctorExam’s ‘Finish exam’ button.
The test will be audio and video-recorded for identity verification, assessment and auditing purposes.
On your test day, NAATI’s Digital Testing team will be available via live chat during your test to assist with any technical issues or you can get help by emailing onlinetesting@naati.com.au.
Sitting the test
You will follow instructions received via email to begin your test on NAATI’s online testing platform. Please ensure you use the same equipment as you used to complete your system check.
Please note: This video refers to the use of headphones, but please disregard this. Headphones are not allowed in this test.
The test must be completed in a location that is free of distractions, background noise and other people. The test location will be checked at the start of the test.
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.
The test will be audio and video-recorded for identity verification, assessment and auditing purposes.
The Knowledge Test is an online test consisting of 60 questions (a selection of multiple choice, match, drag and dropand short answer questions).
The test is made up of four parts:
- Part 1: Multiple choice (38 questions)
- Part 2: Match or Drag and Drop (10 questions)
- Part 3: Short answer (6 questions)
- Part 4: Scenario (6 questions with a mix of multiple choice, match, drag and drop and short answer)
The Knowledge Test does not require a deep knowledge of particular medical sub-fields, but rather is intended to test the broad medical interpreting knowledge necessary to be able to work across a wide range of medical specialities. These questions come from a range of sub-domains, and will include questions on:
- General medical knowledge and medical terminology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Terminology
- Knowledge of the Australian health system and processes
- Ethics and culture
- ASLIA Code of Ethics
- Guide for Clinicians Working with Interpreters in Healthcare Settings (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership)
- Mental Health Interpreting Guidelines for Interpreters (Language Loop VITS/Monash University)
- The role of the interpreter in the health context
- The role of health professionals
- How an interpreter’s role interacts with health professionals
- Advanced interactional management
- Interpreting for adults and children
- Interpreting for multiple interlocuters
- Conflict management
- Advanced Research Skills
- Preparation for an interpreting assignment
- Knowledge of available resources
If you experience any difficulties moving through the test, you can contact the NAATI Digital Testing Team via live chat. You cannot ask for any clarifications regarding the test content.
Your answers must be entered within the online testing platform, and you are not allowed to use any other software. Your answers will automatically save and once you have completed the test you will submit it for marking through the portal. You will need to click ‘Finish’ for the test first, before also clicking ProctorExam’s ‘Finish exam’ button.
You are not allowed to use any resources or refer to any references during the test.
Question Formats
- Multiple choice questions: you will have to choose the correct answer from a series of possible answers. The question will indicate whether there is a single, or one or more possible answers.
- Match questions: you will have to match the correct answer (from a drop-down list) for each of the test items.
- Drag and drop questions: you will have to place an item in the correct position or order on an underlying background.
- Short answer questions: you should respond with a single word, acronym or phrase.
Assessments & results
Assessment
Knowledge Test
All questions in the Knowledge Test are automatically marked by the testing platform. There is a total of 120 marks available, divided across 60 questions in four parts.
The question types in the Knowledge Test are weighted differently.
- Multiple choice questions in Part 1 are worth one mark each.
- Match and drag and drop questions in Part 2 are worth four marks each.
- Short answer questions in Part 3 are worth two marks each.
- In Part 4, there is a mix of these question types which may carry a different weighting. The mark for each question will be specified in the question.
- It is possible to gain partial marks for all question types.
Candidates will receive overall scores for each part of the test, as well as a total score. You must gain an overall score of 70% to pass the test.
Interpreting Test
To sit the Interpreting Test, you must have already passed the Knowledge Test.
At least 2 NAATI examiners will independently assess your performance in the test. They will assess each task separately, using assessment rubrics with 5 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 5 the lowest). Your task performance will be marked against each criterion, as outlined below.
For the Simultaneous Interpreting – Monologue and Monolingual Exchange tasks, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, Application of interpreting mode, and Rhetorical skill; and
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language; and
- Thematic competency: Subject matter specific knowledge
For the Simultaneous Interpreting – Mental Health Monologue into English task, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, Application of interpreting modes and Rhetorical skill; and
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language
Refer to our language policy to understand how the examiners will assess your use of language in the test.
You need to achieve at least Band 2 for each criterion, and you must pass all the interpreting tasks to pass the test.
Results & receiving your credential
NAATI aims to issue results from Knowledge Tests within 4-6 weeks of the test date, and for Interpreting Tests within 8-10 weeks of the test date. We will issue results as they are finalised, so some candidates will receive their results earlier than others even if they sit the test on the same day.
You must pass the Knowledge Test to be eligible to sit the Interpreting Test. Knowledge Test results are valid for 3 years after the date you passed your test to allow you time to re-sit the Interpreting Test if needed.
If you pass the Interpreting Test, we will issue your Certified Specialist Health Interpreter credential.
Supplementary testing
A supplementary test is not available for the Knowledge Test.
Interpreting Test
You must attempt all tasks and pass at least three interpreting tasks to be eligible to apply for a supplementary test. You must apply for the supplementary test from your myNAATI account within 30 days of receiving your test results. The supplementary test will involve re-sitting only the failed task/s.
If you pass the supplementary test, NAATI will award you the Certified Specialist Health Interpreter credential. If you fail the supplementary test, this means you have failed the test. You can apply for another Certified Specialist Health Interpreter test with NAATI if you want to sit the test again.
Downloads
Interpreting test (open tab to navigate)
Preparing for test day
Identity Document
You must bring an acceptable photo identity document (e.g. passport) to check in for your test. Click here to learn more about identity verification.
Resources
You may bring hard copy materials and resources to use in the Waiting Room, for example, but not limited to hard copy dictionaries, glossaries and thesauri, including self-developed glossaries.
You may wish to bring food to the test venue as you may need to wait several hours for your test to start. Any food must be consumed in the Waiting Room.
In the Preparation Room, NAATI will provide:
- Non-internet-connected (offline) computers (to watch Auslan intro video –simultaneous monologue into English task ONLY)
- a clean hard copy of the Interpreting Brief
- a pen and paper for note taking (to be returned at the conclusion of the task), and
- a glass of water.
In the Test Room(s) NAATI will provide:
- a clean hard copy of the Interpreting Brief
- a clean hard copy of Summary sheet (simultaneous monologue into Auslan task ONLY))
- a pen and paper for note taking (to be returned at the conclusion of the task), and
- a glass of water.
NAATI will not provide:
- resources to prepare
You must follow these conditions. If you do not, NAATI may cancel your test or not issue your test result. If this happens, you will not receive a refund of your test fee.
Leaving the test venue
Once testing has started, you are not allowed to leave the test venue until your test is complete. If you do, you cannot re-enter the venue or continue your test at a later time.
Behaviour on test day
You are expected to be courteous and respectful towards NAATI staff, supervisors and other candidates. You cannot communicate with other candidates on the test day once the test has started.
Use of internet and communications devices
You are not allowed to use any electronic devices in the Waiting Room or Test Room. These devices include your phone, laptop, tablet, smartwatch and any other electronic devices. When you check in for the test, you will be asked to turn off all your electronic devices, put them in your bag and leave your bag in secure storage space.
Confidentiality
All test materials are the property of NAATI. You are not permitted to make or take away copies, paper or electronic, of any test material, or reproduce the test or communicate the test content to a third party.
Any attempt to copy the test material will also result in disciplinary action being taken, which may involve the test being invalidated and a ban from any future NAATI test.
NAATI test supervisors manage logistics, the equipment recording your test, start and finish times, and any other issues. A supervisor will be in each room, and will tell you when to move between the different rooms.
Supervisors are not permitted to talk about the content of the task or comment on your performance.
You must always follow the supervisors’ instructions.
Test overview
The Auslan Certified Specialist Health Interpreter Interpreting Test consists of four interpreting tasks. The tasks will involve different situations from the health domain, focussing on specialist and hospital interactions.
- One Simultaneous Interpreting (English into Auslan) – Monologue task
- One Simultaneous Interpreting (Auslan into English) – Monologue task
- One Simultaneous Interpreting (English into Auslan) – Monolingual exchange task
- One Simultaneous Interpreting (Auslan into English) – Mental Health Monologue task
Each Certified Specialist Health Interpreter test is bidirectional i.e. there are tasks into both English and Auslan; however, each task is in a single language direction.
Each Interpreting Test is conducted in a single day. Each interpreting task should take no more than 15 minutes (plus preparation time if applicable), but you may need to wait, both for your test to start and between tasks. This can add up to a number of hours, depending on the number of candidates on the day.
The expected completion time of the test session is listed in your test confirmation email.
After you check in, a NAATI staff member will direct you to sit in the Waiting Room. You will wait in this room until it is time to start your test. You will place any electronic devices, including electronic dictionaries, glossaries or thesauri, phone, laptop, tablet or other smart device in a secure storage area.
In the Waiting Room, you can only access your hard copy resources. You cannot use any electronic devices in this room.
You will have 15 minutes before the Simultaneous Monologue (Auslan into English) task to watch a brief video introduction by the signer to allow you to familiarise yourself with their signing style. There is no preparation time before the English into Auslan tasks, or the Simultaneous (Auslan into English) Mental Health monologue.
In the Preparation Room, NAATI will provide you with a hard copy of the interpreting brief for the task, as well as a non-internet connected computer to watch the brief video introduction.
In this room, you may write notes which you can take into the Test Room. You cannot communicate with other candidates in this room.
The Test Room is where you will complete the actual tasks. There will be no further explanation of the task or conditions once you enter the Test Room.
You cannot bring any electronic or hard copy resources into the Test Room (other than the brief provided in the Preparation Room and any notes written during preparation).
You will be given a clean copy of the interpreting brief for each task. For the Simultaneous Monologue into Auslan task, you will also be given a clean copy of the Patient Summary Sheet. You may write notes during the test. You must leave the interpreting brief, the Patient Summary Sheet and any handwritten notes in the Test Room.
Sitting the test
You must check in for your test between the arrival time and the registration closing time listed in your test confirmation email. NAATI staff will check you in by verifying your identity. You can view more information about identity verification on the website.
NAATI will not admit you to the test if you arrive after the registration closing time.
Your test will be video recorded for assessment by NAATI examiners.
For the Simultaneous Interpreting Monologue (English into Auslan) task, you will use the simultaneous mode to interpret a monologue from English into Auslan delivered from an audio/ video recording, played for you by a test supervisor. The monologue is about 500 words long.
One week prior to the test you will receive the interpreting brief for the task so that you can prepare. Twenty-four (24) hours before the test you will receive a Patient Summary Sheet with details on the patient’s condition and details on tests/test results. On the day of your test, you will not have any preparation time for this task.
This task will start shortly after you enter the Test Room. In the Test Room, you will be given a clean copy of the Patient Summary Sheet. The interpreting brief will be played to you as part of the recording, followed by a short language profile video of the Auslan user to whom you will be interpreting the English monologue, to allow you to familiarise yourself with their signing style. The Auslan user will provide information about their educational background and language literacy. The video will be played once with no pauses. You cannot request a repetition of any part of the video. After the video is played, you can have a break of up to 2 minutes before the task begins. You are not allowed to leave the Test Room.
Before the audio recording of the monologue begins, you will have up to 60 seconds to introduce yourself to the Auslan user and explain how you will refer to the speaker and any relevant people in your interpretation. While your explanation will not be assessed, it will help the examiners to gauge the clarity of your interpretation.
The monologue that you need to interpret will begin immediately after the 60 seconds have elapsed. You should start interpreting as soon as possible after the monologue begins and continue to interpret for the duration of the monologue. You cannot ask for any clarifications, repeats or pauses of the recording.
You are required to complete interpreting within 30 seconds after the end of the monologue.
For the Simultaneous Interpreting Monologue (Auslan into English) task, you will use the simultaneous mode to interpret a monologue from Auslan into English delivered from a video recording, played for you by a test supervisor. The monologue is about 4-6 minutes long and may have a few questions in English from the English-speaking interlocutor as prompts. You do not need to interpret those prompts into Auslan.
One week prior to the test you will receive the interpreting brief for the task so that you can prepare.
On the day of your test, you will have 15 minutes to prepare for the task in the Preparation Room. In this room, you will have access to a non-internet connected computer to watch a brief (approx. 1-2 minutes) video introduction by the Auslan signer to allow you to familiarise yourself with their signing style. You may watch this video as many times as you like during the 15 minutes.
You cannot bring any materials with you into the Preparation Room.
You may take the interpreting brief (provided in the Preparation Room) and any handwritten notes you make during the preparation time with you into the Test Room.
After preparation, you will be directed to the Test Room.
This task will start shortly after you enter the Test Room. The interpreting brief will be played to you as part of the recording. The monologue that you need to interpret will begin immediately after the interpreting brief. You should start interpreting as soon as possible after the monologue begins and continue to interpret for the duration of the monologue. You cannot ask for any clarifications, repeats or pauses of the recording.
You are required to complete interpreting within 30 seconds after the end of the monologue.
For the Simultaneous Interpreting Monolingual Exchange (English into Auslan) task, you will use the simultaneous mode to interpret an exchange between three English speakers into Auslan for a third party. The exchange will be delivered from a video recording, played for you by a test supervisor. The task is about 800 words long.
One week prior to the test you will receive the interpreting brief for the task so that you can prepare. On the day of your test, you will not have any preparation time for this task.
This task will start shortly after you enter the Test Room.
The interpreting brief will be played to you as part of the recording, followed by a short language profile video of the Auslan user to whom you will be interpreting the English exchange, to allow you to familiarise yourself with their signing style. The Auslan user will provide information about their educational background and language literacy. The video will be played once with no pauses. You cannot request a repetition of any part of the video. After the video is played, you can have a break of up to 2 minutes before the task begins. You are not allowed to leave the Test Room.
Before the video recording of the monolingual exchange begins, you will have up to 60 seconds to introduce yourself to the Auslan user and explain how you will refer to the speakers and any relevant people in your interpretation. While your explanation will not be assessed, it will help the examiners to gauge the clarity of your interpretation.
The monolingual exchange that you need to interpret will begin immediately after the 60 seconds have elapsed. You should start interpreting as soon as possible after the monolingual exchange begins and continue to interpret for the duration of the exchange. You cannot ask for any clarifications, repeats or pauses of the recording.
You are required to complete interpreting within 30 seconds after the end of the exchange.
For the Simultaneous Interpreting Mental Health Monologue task, you will use the simultaneous mode to interpret a monologue of disjointed language in the mental health domain (e.g. a patient with schizophrenia; a patient recounting traumatic events with counselor) from Auslan into English delivered from a video recording, played for you by a test supervisor. The monologue is about 3-4 minutes long.
One week prior to the test you will receive the interpreting brief for the simultaneous monologue so that you can prepare. On the day of your test, you will not have any preparation time for this task.
The task will start shortly after you enter the Test Room.
The interpreting brief will be played to you as part of the recording, followed by two viewings of the first 30 seconds of the monologue, to allow you to familarise yourself with the Auslan signer’s signing style that may be disjointed. You cannot request a repetition of any part of the video. After the second viewing, you can have a break of up to 2 minutes before the task begins. You are not allowed to leave the Test Room.
The entire monologue that you need to interpret will begin immediately after the 2-minute break. You should start interpreting as soon as possible after the monologue begins and continue to interpret for the duration of the monologue. You cannot ask for any clarifications, repeats or pauses of the recording.
You are required to complete interpreting within 30 seconds after the end of the monologue.
Assessments & results
Assessment
Knowledge Test
All questions in the Knowledge Test are automatically marked by the testing platform. There is a total of 120 marks available, divided across 60 questions in four parts.
The question types in the Knowledge Test are weighted differently.
- Multiple choice questions in Part 1 are worth one mark each.
- Match and drag and drop questions in Part 2 are worth four marks each.
- Short answer questions in Part 3 are worth two marks each.
- In Part 4, there is a mix of these question types which may carry a different weighting. The mark for each question will be specified in the question.
- It is possible to gain partial marks for all question types.
Candidates will receive overall scores for each part of the test, as well as a total score. You must gain an overall score of 70% to pass the test.
Interpreting Test
To sit the Interpreting Test, you must have already passed the Knowledge Test.
At least 2 NAATI examiners will independently assess your performance in the test. They will assess each task separately, using assessment rubrics with 5 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 5 the lowest). Your task performance will be marked against each criterion, as outlined below.
For the Simultaneous Interpreting – Monologue and Monolingual Exchange tasks, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, Application of interpreting mode, and Rhetorical skill; and
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language; and
- Thematic competency: Subject matter specific knowledge
For the Simultaneous Interpreting – Mental Health Monologue into English task, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, Application of interpreting modes and Rhetorical skill; and
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language
Refer to our language policy to understand how the examiners will assess your use of language in the test.
You need to achieve at least Band 2 for each criterion, and you must pass all the interpreting tasks to pass the test.
Results & receiving your credential
NAATI aims to issue results from Knowledge Tests within 4-6 weeks of the test date, and for Interpreting Tests within 8-10 weeks of the test date. We will issue results as they are finalised, so some candidates will receive their results earlier than others even if they sit the test on the same day.
You must pass the Knowledge Test to be eligible to sit the Interpreting Test. Knowledge Test results are valid for 3 years after the date you passed your test to allow you time to re-sit the Interpreting Test if needed.
If you pass the Interpreting Test, we will issue your Certified Specialist Health Interpreter credential.
Supplementary testing
A supplementary test is not available for the Knowledge Test.
Interpreting Test
You must attempt all tasks and pass at least three interpreting tasks to be eligible to apply for a supplementary test. You must apply for the supplementary test from your myNAATI account within 30 days of receiving your test results. The supplementary test will involve re-sitting only the failed task/s.
If you pass the supplementary test, NAATI will award you the Certified Specialist Health Interpreter credential. If you fail the supplementary test, this means you have failed the test. You can apply for another Certified Specialist Health Interpreter test with NAATI if you want to sit the test again.
