Reminder for candidates
You must first sit and pass the Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter (CSLI) Knowledge Test before being eligible to sit the Interpreting Test.
Equipment & system requirements
Please read the specifications carefully below.
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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It is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is suitable and will function for the entire test. We recommend that your electronic devices be connected to a power source for the duration of your test. Note that small screens (such as laptop screens) may make it harder for you to see everything clearly.
Preparing for test day
Assessment & 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 Consecutive Interpreting – Dialogic Extracts task, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, and Delivery skill; and
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language (both English proficiency and LOTE proficiency)
For the Consecutive Interpreting – Monologue and Simultaneous Interpreting – Monolingual Exchange tasks, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, Application of interpreting modes, and Delivery skill; and
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language; and
- Thematic competency: Subject matter specific knowledge
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 Legal 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.
If you pass the supplementary test, NAATI will award you the Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter credential. If you fail the supplementary test, this means you have failed the test. You can apply for another Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter test with NAATI if you want to sit the test again.
