The court interpreter certification written examination is only one part of the process for becoming a certified court interpreter. Passing this test does not mean a person has become a “certified court interpreter;” rather, it means the examinee has met one of several requirements for certification.

The written test measures candidates’ knowledge of two areas central to the work of a Mandarin court interpreter at the level of a minimally qualified court interpreter:

1. English Language. To function as a professional court interpreter, one indispensable component is a high degree of proficiency in the English language. Accordingly, the written examination assumes a high degree of literacy in the English language and familiarity with a range of language constructions. It tests comprehension of written English vocabulary and idioms.

2. Chinese Language.  As a professional Mandarin court interpreter, it's important to have a high degree of proficiency of Chinese language.  Accordingly, the written examination assumes a high degree of literacy in the Chinese and familiarity with a range of language constructions.  It tests comprehension of written Chinese, classical Chinese, as well as idioms.  Candidates can choose to be tested either in Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese.

Written Examination Content Overview

The written examination covers a wide range of important language skills.

The examination contains 155 questions, and a candidate will have 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete it.

Detailed Content Categories

Each section begins with a brief description of the content area. For example, the section labeled “Grammar and Word Usage” is designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of grammar and word usage in the exam language.

1. English Vocabulary

This section is comprised of 20 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read English fluently
• Ability to speak English fluently
• Ability to effectively follow written instructions
• Knowledge of English vocabulary to interpret written documents into English from Chinese

2. Chinese Vocabulary
This section is comprised of 20 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read other language fluently
• Knowledge of other language vocabulary sufficient to translate written documents into Chinese from English

3. English Grammar and Word Usage
This section is comprised of 20 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read English fluently
• Ability to speak English fluently
• Knowledge of English vocabulary to interpret written documents into English from Chinese

4. Chinese Grammar and Word Usage
This section is comprised of 20 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read other language fluently
• Knowledge of proper grammar in other language
• Knowledge of other language vocabulary sufficient to translate written documents into Chinese from English

5. Reading Comprehension - English
This section is comprised of 15 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read English fluently
• Ability to speak English fluently
• Knowledge of English vocabulary to interpret written documents into English from Chinese

6. Reading Comprehension - Chinese
This section is comprised of 15 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read Chinese fluently
• Ability to effectively follow written instructions
• Knowledge of proper grammar in Chinese
• Knowledge of Chinese vocabulary sufficient to translate written documents into Chinese from English

7. English to Chinese Vocabulary
This section is comprised of 15 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read Chinese fluently
• Knowledge of Chinese vocabulary sufficient to translate written documents into Chinese from English

8. Chinese to English Vocabulary
This section is comprised of 15 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read Chinese fluently
• Ability to read English fluently
• Knowledge of English vocabulary to interpret written documents into English from Chinese
• Knowledge of Chinese vocabulary sufficient to translate written documents into Chinese from English

9. Chinese Sentence Translation
This section is comprised of 15 questions. Major knowledge, skill, and ability areas include:
• Ability to read Chinese fluently
• Ability to recognize linguistic incompatibilities
• Knowledge of other language vocabulary sufficient to translate written documents into Chinese from English
• Knowledge of proper grammar in Chinese