Overall guide to NAATI CCL Test

NAATI CCL Test

The Commonwealth, state and territory governments collaborate to run NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters), as a non-profit organization. It is a national standard and certifying authority for translators and interpreters in Australia.

The NAATI CCL Test is a verbal test that determines an applicant’s ability to translate dialogue from LOTE (language other than English) to English. The CCL exam is usually taken by applicants who want to apply for a point-based visa.

When a candidate passes the test, they are given five bonus points. Community Language Points are the label given to these extra points.This exam does not certify you as a professional. If you pass the CCL examination, you are not certified to work as an interpreter or translator.

The NAATI CCL Test is an NAATI assessment in which an applicant can request five points for their Australian PR and have them added to their point total. The exam will include two sets of dialogues that must be translated into English and LOTE by the applicant. 189,193,489 visa holders are qualified for five points towards permanent residency.

To attempt the assessment successfully, an applicant should be well-versed in the test’s format and components. Since the exam is not written and is only conducted verbally, it is more necessary to understand the test’s components.

The NAATI CCL Test is simple to pass if the proper procedures are followed while taking the test. The exam’s portion is divided equally between the two languages. Both languages’ goals are described in the same way by the NAATI CCL test criteria. The NAATI CCL test will definitely be passed on the first attempt, but candidates should prepare accordingly.

NAATI has provided about 48 languages to choose from for the exam. There will be also more new languages on the exam this year. Both English and LOTE languages are needed for test preparation.

NAATI CCL Test Format

NAATI CCL Tests are, as we all know, delivered online. The CCL Exam does not require you to be physically present at the NAATI office.

The exam consists of two dialogue recordings. Each dialogue portrays a conversation between a native English speaker and a native Language Other Than English (LOTE) speaker.

Each dialogue contains approximately 300 words, half of which are in English and half in LOTE. The dialogues are broken down into segments of 35 words or less.

Topics Covered

You will be given a real-life scenario dialogue to translate during the NAATI CCL Test. The dialogues given to you to interpret will represent the real-life scenarios of Australian society. They are actually designed to determine the candidate’s ability to understand and communicate in both languages.

The dialogues can include:

How is the CCL Test Assessed?

Your test is assessed by two examiners who evaluate your translation and interpretation. The exam takes place via the ProctorExam tool. During the exam, no invigilators will be present to look after you but you have to do it on your own.

Information and process to carry out the test will be displayed on your computer. Though the actual test is 30 to 35 minutes, NAATI will give you some time to get familiar with the tool.

Mainly two significant factors play a major role during the assessment. These two factors are:

• Language Quality
  Competency in both English and LOTE
• Language Register.
  The level of formality with which you interpret the dialogue.

If these criteria are not met during the interpretation then you would end up losing marks.

You will lose marks for every mistake you make. These types of mistakes should be minimized as possible to score better marks.

These are some of the mistakes for which your marks can get deducted:

• Accuracy (correctness of information)

When translating, you must deliver accurate details. Making a mistake with the facts and figures could cost you some points.

• Distortions (misinterpretation of information)

Avoid changing the information as they could give a different meaning to the dialogue

• Omission (removal of information)

While interpreting don’t forget to add the words that give information to the dialogue
Insertion (addition of information)

The addition of words that don’t convey the real meaning of dialogue is as bad as an omission.

You must try to reduce these types of errors as much as possible.

How is the test marked?

Each examiner rewards you for your performance in their own way. In cases where the examiners disagree with an applicant’s performance, additional examiners will review the test to assist in determining the final result

To pass the exam, you must get at least 29 points in each dialogue and a total score of 63.

The result for the NAATI CCL Test is given as:

• Pass: 63 or higher (marks out of 90)
• Marginal Fail: between 58 and 62.5 (marks out of 90)
• Clear Fail: less than 58 (marks out of 90)

When a candidate receives 23 out of 45 in Dialogue 1, 41 out of 45 in Dialogue 2, and an overall score of 64 out of 90, the result is a CLEAR FAIL because the candidate did not achieve the necessary score in Dialogue 1. (i.e. 29).

The test results will be sent to you by email. Within 4 to 6 weeks of the test date, you will receive the results. The test result is valid for three years from the date of issue.

Due to the statistical improbability of the outcome being reversed, applicants with CLEAR FAIL outcomes would be unable to qualify for a test examination.

How to minimize the mark deduction?.

Since you’re offering a test, our main goal would be to get as many marks as possible. You must make every effort to avoid making mistakes. Leave no space for the NAATI examiner to deduct points.

• If you make more than two or three of these mistakes in a conversation, the investigator will mark you as a failure.
• Since the examiner’s opinion matters, you should try to make as few mistakes as possible.
• Give the examiner a good impression. But let’s not make it too difficult, shall we?
• Even the fact that your answers have been recorded should be enough to make you alert enough to be used for further evaluation.

What do you need to know before taking the test?

Before you sit for the test make sure you read the candidate’s instructions carefully.

• Candidate’s Instruction
• Candidate’s Disqualification Policy
• Identity verification
• Language policy for CCL Test
• Terms and Conditions

How to prepare for the CCL Test?

You may have a general idea about NAATI CCL, its marking, and other aspects of the NAATI CCL Test. However, you might be concerned about the planning. Don’t be concerned!! We have developed a solution for this.

CCLHUB is a NAATI CCL training platform located in Australia that assists NAATI CCL Test applicants with preparation courses for different LOTEs. They have a 100% pass record.

Depending on your level of preparation, we offer various types of courses. We will provide you with intense coaching that will assist you in passing the CCL Test in a matter of weeks.

Courses offered by CCLHUB are:

• NAATI CCL Crash Course
• Self Preparatory Course
• Recent Exam Dialogues and Vocabs
• NAATI Unlimited Package

Once you’ve purchased one of these courses, our team of experts will assist you in passing the NAATI CCL Test with ease. To do so, you’ll need to:

• Understand the syllabus

The first step in preparing for the NAATI CCL exam is to familiarize yourself with the most recent NAATI syllabus and exam pattern.

The exam has a total of 90 points, and you must obtain a score of 63 to pass. There are two dialogue sets in each of the 45 marks, and you must get at least 29 in each to pass.

Since it is based on a deductive marking system, any mistakes you make will result in a negative grade.

• Practice as much as you can

The only way to get good marks is to practice more and more and get familiar with the syllabus. The practice is the major key to pass every exam.

You must have real-time exam experience too. For NAATI CCL, I recommend you take a mock test from CCLHUB.

The more you practice the better you score.

• Know where your marks can get deducted

Since NAATI’s overall marking system is based on the deductive marking system, you should be very sure about the answer you provide. You should always interpret the dialogue with care, as omitting or addition of words can deduct your marks.

There should not be changed in the sense or meaning of the dialogue. During the interpretation try to avoid any kind of delays, hesitations, or self-correction. And these are the places where your marks can be deducted even though your vocabulary is excellent.

• Develop your note-taking skill

Before you interpret or start answering the question, you will get 2 to 3 seconds of time. As a result, it’s a good idea to make a list of relevant keywords in each sentence so that giving answers is easier.

You should prepare by listening to audio clips from TV, radio, news, or Youtube and taking notes that will help you pass the exam. Furthermore, it is easier to build your own abbreviation during the practice process, which will save you time on the real test.

• Enhance your vocabulary

The most critical aspect of the NAATI CCL Test is vocabulary. To translate the dialogue without omission, you must improve your vocabulary. This can be achieved by memorizing a large number of dialogue sets and being familiar with Australia’s socio-cultural situations.

Conversations about vocabs in a variety of fields, such as legal, health, community, immigration, settlement, education, social services, banking, business, insurance, and customer relations, will help you learn more about vocabs.

• Try to speak at an even speed

We all know that speaking at even speed gives fluency to the sentence. If you speak too quickly or too slowly then the examiner will not be able to understand your translation. The examiner can go for negative marking if he/she doesn’t understand your translation.

• Public speaking

Try public speaking as much as possible as it helps to learn new vocabularies and phrases which helps you during the interpretation.

During the test, the applicants must interpret the dialogues within 2 to 3 second of dialogue being played.It is necessary to develop public speaking skills in order to maintain the concept of natural and in-flow.

It allows you to avoid long delays, hesitation, and self-correction. It also helps in the assessment of NAATI CCL by increasing the level of confidence and language delivery skills.

How to book NAATI CCL Test?

Following steps are carried out to successfully book NAATI CCL Test :

• Log in, create an account, and register your information with myNAATI.
• Upload and apply a color photograph and proof of ID (passport or driving license).
• If your application is approved, you will receive an Email from NAATI.
• Sign in to your account credentials and pick the date and place of your study.
• Paying your test fees via credit card or direct deposit after that.
• Your test date will be confirmed once payment is made.

As NAATI CCL exam is now taken online, there are some of the few technical requirements that you need to meet before you sit for the test.

NAATI CCL Test via ProctorExam

NAATI has started using the ProctorExam tool for NAATI CCL Online Exam.

Before it used to be conducted in Microsoft teams but ProctorExam is more user-friendly and easier to use than MicrosoftTeams.

Microsoft Teams used to require a person to be there on the opposite end to guide you through all the process and do all the recording of your translations and everything else.

But now with this tool, you can record all your answers on your own and also at the same time maintain the integrity of the exam.

Prerequisites for NAATI CCL Test via ProctorExam

System Requirements:

We have listed some of the technical requirements set by NAATI for you:

• Internet Connection

The minimum recommended speed for the NAATI CCL Test is 1.2 Mbps for peer-to-peer HD video quality with HD 720p resolution at 30fps.

I strongly recommend you to check your internet speed before you sit for the actual test.

Due to test protection criteria, NAATI doesn’t allow you to use a personal hotspot connection from your cell phone for the test.

• Device requirement

NAATI has recommended the applicants to use a PC or Laptop with Windows 10 or Mac OS10+ operating system. The use of cell phones and tablets is strictly restricted by NAATI as they can cause problems in performance and audio.

• Headset

You are recommended to use a headset during the test. The headset may be normal cell phone earphones or headphones in the style of the dedicated video conference.

Try not to use Bluetooth or wireless headsets as it may create potential communication problems.
Make sure your headphones are working before the test. Because of audio problems, separate and built-in speakers are not allowed.

• Maximum volume

We recommend you set your volume to a comfortable listening level, as high volume levels can create high-pitched sounds that are not too loud.

Note: You will not be able to continue the test if we are unable to perform it without clear audio and video due to device or connection problems (regardless of what stage of exam you are at)

You will be given the option of selecting another free test place, but due to high demand, you will have to wait up to two months.

Chrome Extension

• You need to download the chrome browser extension for ProctorExam. They will send you the link in the mail.
• The chrome browser extension will be used to scan your documents and face. Your face will be scanned using the chrome browser extension of the proctor.
• After scanning the face you will be asked to scan your document i.e passport or driving license
• The camera of your laptop/desktop will act as a primary camera or front camera from which they will be able to see you

Proctor Mobile App

• You need to download the proctor mobile app
• This will be acting as a secondary camera which will allow them to view from the backside.
• You will be given clear video instruction before the test.
• Plug your phone on the charger (otherwise, they won’t allow you to sit for the exam)
• You need to switch off your network so that you won’t get any calls, turn on the wifi so they can see you.
• They will ask you to place a camera at a defined position so they can see you clearly

Sheets of paper

• Try to keep A4 sheets of paper during the exam (around 8 to 10)
• Do not use notepad or any other app from the system (although there won’t be a person to verify whether you can use notepad or not, but you can use A4 papers)
• Make sure you practice using A4 sheets of paper so you get used to it.
• Write introductory and other details on a sheet of paper for reference. (like name of the people involved, write short cuts, write repetitive words in capital letter because most of them forget the repetitive words)

Pen 

• Since you’ll be used to it, try to use the same pen you used during practice. These minor details will boost your self-confidence.

ProctorExam Interface

• RECORD: It will play the segment and a chime sound will be heard. After the chime sound, you can record your translation. Once you are done with that, click on the STOP button.
• STOP: You need to click this button to stop translation for that particular segment
• NEXT: After STOP, you need to click on the NEXT button for the next segment. Continue the similar process for this segment too
• SUBMIT: At the end of the segment click on SUBMIT button. The dialogue along with the translation will be submitted for review.

You have to repeat the same thing for Dialogue 2.

How do you start the exam?

• Open the Proctor Chrome browser extension. This will try to scan your face and ask you to scan your document.
• Once the scan is completed, they will display the message that “everything will be recorded”
• It will show you the front camera view and also display the QR code. This QR code needs to be scanned by your mobile with the Proctor app so that you can enable your secondary camera.
• As you do that it will display the feed with the steps video instructions to be followed:
  • Switch off the network / enable airplane mode (turn ON the wifi)
  • Plugin the charger
  • Different checks (to make sure no tool or cheating materials are being used up and below the laptop/tablet, surroundings, and 4 walls)
  • Position and angle at which the phone needs to be kept behind
• Once all the checks are completed, it will give you a small segment to warm up. It’s not the real exam. The real exam starts after the warm-up.
• After that, it will also show all the segments of the first exam dialogues in number-wise along with the length of each segment (easy to find which segments are lengthy so you can be extra prepared for it)
• Now play on the first segment, it will contain your introductory statement and it will see the dialogues begin now and the first segment will be played:

RECORD Button → Segment Plays → Chime Sound → Speak your translation within 5 seconds of the chime sound → STOP button → NEXT button

So this is the basic procedure for your exam. The record button needs to be pressed once.

Click on the STOP button to stop the recording when your exam ends