NAATI will introduce a new Professional Interpreter test format for the Annual Program 2008 and for Special On-demand tests taken from 1 July 2008. This new format is described below. Up until this time the current format will be retained.

Current Format

The test will take approximately 75 minutes, including 15 minutes unallocated time to allow for unforeseen conditions.

Section One: Dialogue Interpreting One (25 marks)
There will be one (1) dialogue of approximately 10-15 minutes duration, to be interpreted in consecutive mode, between an English speaker and an Auslan speaker. Each dialogue will be approximately 400 words and will be divided into suitable segments which will not normally exceed 60 words. Four (4) questions as described below will relate to and follow the dialogue.

Social and Cultural Awareness Questions (5 marks)
There will be two (2) questions. The first question is asked in English and is to be answered in English. The second question is asked in Auslan and is to be answered in Auslan.

Ethics of the Profession Questions (5 marks)
There will be two (2) questions. The first question is asked in English and is to be answered in English. The second question is asked in Auslan and is to be answered in Auslan.

Section Two: Dialogue interpreting 2 (25 marks)
There will be one (1) dialogue of approximately 10-15 minutes duration, to be interpreted in simultaneous mode, between an English speaker and an Auslan speaker. Each dialogue will be approximately 400 words and will be divided into suitable segments which will not normally exceed 60 words. Four (4) questions as described below will relate to and follow the dialogue.

Social and Cultural Awareness Questions (5 marks)
There will be two (2) questions. The first question is asked in English and is to be answered in English. The second question is asked in Auslan and is to be answered in Auslan.

Ethics of the Profession Questions (5 marks)
There will be two (2) questions. The first question is asked in English and is to be answered in English. The second question is asked in Auslan and is to be answered in Auslan.

Section Three: Simultaneous Interpreting (2 x 15=30 marks)
There will be two (2) passages. The first passage will be approximately 400 words and the second approximately 300 words. The first passage is delivered in spoken English, and the candidate must interpret the passage into Auslan. The second passage is delivered in Auslan and must be interpreted into spoken English. The second passage will be delivered using approximately 20% to 30% finger-spelling and 70% to 80% Auslan.

To achieve a pass in this test, candidates must score a minimum of:

• 5/10 for Social/Cultural Aspects questions
• 5/10 for Ethics of the Profession questions
• 35/50 for both consecutive interpreting dialogues
• 21/30 for both consecutive interpreting passages
• 70/100 Overall.

New test format introduced from 1 July 2008

Section One: Community/Legal Interpreting
One Interpreting Dialogue                                           (25 marks)
2 Social/Cultural Questions                                          (5 marks)
2 Ethics Questions                                                     (5 marks)
One Sight Translation (related to the dialogue)               (20 marks)
One Auslan to English Monologue                                 (15 marks)

Section Two: Professional/Academic Interpreting
One Dialogue                                                           (25 marks)
2 Social Cultural Questions                                          (5 marks)
2 Ethics Questions                                                     (5 marks)
One English to Auslan Monologue                                 (15 marks)

The dialogues will be challenging including subject matter such as police interviews, court cross-examinations, counselling, specialist medical terminology, and academic discussions. The monologues will be focussed on judges’ court summations, university presentations etc. rather than conference papers.

There will be no specification of the amount of finger spelling to be incorporated into the test. This will be determined by the text itself and will therefore flow naturally in the presentation.

To achieve a pass candidates must score a minimum of:

• 35/50 for both interpreting dialogues
• 21/30 for the monologues
• 14/20 for the Sight translation task
• 70/100 for the interpreting parts of the test (Interpreting dialogues, Sight Translation and Monologues).

• 5/10 for Social/Cultural Aspects questions
• 5/10 for Ethics of the Profession questions