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Long-term test preparation:
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Plan to study every day in preparation for the examination. Budget your time;
set aside a definite study period for each day. Begin concentrating as soon
as you sit down to study.
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Study both by yourself and with others to encourage an exchange of
ideas. Your study should focus on learning the principles and practices of a
language interpreter as well as gaining a broad understanding of the content
areas listed in these interpreter test preparation materials.
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Take coursework in language and interpreting whenever possible or seek out
study materials in your language to gain the breadth and depth of language
skills necessary to perform the varied duties of a professional interpreter.
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Make sure you fully understand the basic terms for each content area. Create
your own glossary of terms and look up any new words in a reference book.
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The test will contain items at various levels of ability. Consequently, it is
important to be able to understand, apply, and analyze the material as you
would on the job. Although all questions will be in a multiple-choice format,
the items will be presented in a number of forms; for example, a written
scenario may be followed by a series of three or four questions.
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Some test takers are anxious about taking tests and need to simulate the
test-taking situation. If this is true for you, try practicing in a quiet,
distraction-free environment.
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Exam day preparation:
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Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before the exam.
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Please arrive at the test site early to allow for parking, walking to the
room, and signing in.
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Your attitude about the test process can make a difference. Approach the
test confidently. Arrive in plenty of time for the test so you do not feel
rushed.
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You must bring your scheduling letter and current photo identification
(such as a California driver's license or passport) with you. Do not bring
dictionaries, books, notes, or any other aids to the examination site, as
you will not be allowed to use them.
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Under no circumstances will you be permitted to bring any items into the
test room except a wallet with the required identification, your original
scheduling notice, your car keys, and if needed, glasses, facial tissues,
prescription medication, nasal spray, throat lozenges/cough drops or
feminine sanitary products. These items must be placed in your pocket or
in a clear plastic bag.
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Instructions read to you by the proctor are very important, so be sure to
listen carefully. There may be helpful clues given during the proctor’s
instructions. Ask questions if you do not understand the instructions, but
be aware that the proctor cannot answer questions about test content.
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Read all directions carefully, twice if necessary. Each section of the
written test has specific directions. Read the directions for each section
carefully. In many cases, test takers lose credits because they misread an
important point in the directions – Example: Select the sentence that is
grammatically incorrect (instead of selecting the
grammatically correct choice).
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Read each question carefully so you know what is being asked. Reread it if
necessary, but do not waste time on questions that seem too unfamiliar or
difficult. Interpret words according to their generally accepted meanings.
Rephrase or underline key words in difficult questions. The authors of the
exams have tried to make the questions clear. No question is intended to
be a "trick" or "catch" question.
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Watch your time carefully during the test. First answer the questions that
seem easy to you; postpone more difficult questions until later, making an
initial guess in case you do not have enough time to go back to them. Check
your answers if you have time, but remember that your first response is
often correct.
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Your score on this test will be based only on the number of correct choices
you make (the number of times you select the best choice from the four given).
Guess as a last resort. There is no penalty for guessing when these exams are
scored. Therefore, it is better to guess than to omit an answer.
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The test is designed to have only one answer that is the best from among the
four choices given.
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You should plan to be at the test site for approximately four and one-half
hours to allow time for signing in, presentation of instructions, and the 155
question multiple-choice written test (four hours allowed).
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Mark the answer sheet clearly. Remember, knowing the correct answer is not
enough! If you do not mark the answer sheet correctly so that it can be
machine-scored, you will not get credit for your answers. Answers
marked only in your test book and not on your answer sheet will
not be scored.
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Make sure the number of the question in the test book matches the number of
the question you are answering on the answer sheet. It is a good idea to
check the numbers of the questions and answers frequently. If you decide to
skip a question, but fail to skip the matching answer blank for that question,
all your answers thereafter could be wrong.
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Do not read through or answer a question too fast. Do not place too much
emphasis on speed. The time element is a factor, but it is not all-important.
Accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed.
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If you feel an item is a problem, you may call it to your proctor's attention
after the test is over. Subject matter experts and occupational testing
specialists will carefully review any items brought to the attention of the
proctor after the test. Together, they review this information and often find
that the candidate has missed the point of the item. Try to focus on doing
well on many items in the test rather than getting "bogged down" on just one
item that counts as one point.
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Test results will be mailed approximately six weeks after the exam.
Candidates who achieve a passing score in both the English and Spanish
sections of the test will be scheduled for the next oral performance exam.
Rescheduling of the oral component is not permitted.
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Interpreter Test Preparation Materials Introduction |
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