Accreditation at this level is always one-way, reflecting common professional practice. Candidates seeking two-way accreditation are required to sit for a separate test in each direction. The same applies to each additional language. One (1) language must always be English.

Pre-requisites

Candidates must hold a degree - in any subject - from a recognised higher education institution and must normally be accredited at the Interpreter and Translator level in the appropriate skill. The requirement for a degree may be waived for those who, in the judgement of NAATI, can demonstrate equivalent professional knowledge and experience.
Candidates are required to provide an employers’ certificate as proof that they have been practising regularly at the professional level or above for a minimum of two (2) years. Those practitioners who are self-employed will be required to provide a statutory declaration.

Advanced Translator Test

Advanced Translator Tests are available in either language direction in combination with English in the following languages.

Number and Length of Passages

For whichever language direction the candidate has applied, the candidate will be required to translate three (3) texts, one (1) in Section 1 and two (2) in Section 2, of 400 words each. Section 1 will consist of a passage of an intellectually demanding but non-technical nature on a political, diplomatic or cultural theme. Section 2 will consist of four (4) passages of a highly technical and intellectual nature, drawn from the following four (4) subject areas: legal, economic, medical and scientific. Section 1 of the test entails no choice: one (1) compulsory passage will be given. In Section 2 of the test, candidates will be required to select two (2) of the four (4) passages given. Candidates will be advised of the specialist subject area and an indication given of the topic and general source area of all passages one (1) week before the test date.

Timetable

Candidates will be allowed a total of eight (8) hours from 9am to 5pm to produce their three (3) translations. Candidates will be free to organise their time as they wish and will be allowed meal/coffee breaks, etc. However, examination conditions will apply throughout the entire eight (8) hours.

Reference Material and Aids

Candidates are allowed to use dictionaries and all types of reference materials, such as encyclopaedias, handbooks, technical and scientific journals, terminology lists and private notes. Consultation with other candidates is not permitted during the eight-hour period of the test.

Translation Standard

The finished translation must be accurate as to content, with no margin for error. It must read fluently, and should accurately reflect the register, tone and style of the original.
The finished translation is expected to be a fair copy and clearly legible. It must be capable of being published with only minimal editing. Word processors and computers will not be provided; candidates may, however, bring their own. Candidates should specify on the acceptance form whether or not they intend to do so.

Pass Mark

120/150 or 80%
The pass mark for the Advanced Translator Test is set at 80% but the pass level per passage will be 70%, thereby allowing a candidate to obtain a minimum mark of 35/50 for one (1) passage, provided the total score is at least 120/150 or 80%.
Candidates must obtain a minimum of 35 out of a possible 50 marks for each of the three (3) passages.