Taking the Naati test
engin77
You can check out all the details on www.naati.com.au
The test costs about AUD835 for two directions and little more than
half of this for one direction at a location outside Australia. You
would probably like to have preparation material for AUD50 in addition
to this amount.
You need to clear any one direction to get 5 bonus points or 60+5 points
if you indicate Translator/Interpreter as your nominated occupation. The
test can be held any time of the year on demand in the IDP center in
your country.
The test is hard to clear. Significant preparation might be needed if
you haven't studied your LOTE for long.
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
to_oz
Hi Friends,
Has anyone taken a NAATI test for bonus points? What are the processes
involved and how many exam does one have to give to qualify for bonus.
Where are the exams conducted and how much do they cost.
thanks in advance
to_oz
Lavinia
Originally posted by engin77
Do I understand this correctly: You take the Naati translators exam and
then have a nominated occupation worth 60 points? Considered you pass
the exam, what about work experience?
Lavinia
Lavinia
Originally posted by ptlabs
> Lavinia,
>
> In theory, you can claim 60 points for skills if you pass your
> NAATI test.
>
> However, whether DIMIA will accept your recent work experience and/or
> specific work experience in another SOL occupation is another matter.
> DIMIA may ask for a relevant skills assessment if they feel your work
> experience needs to be assessed against Australian skills standards.
>
> Peter
Peter,
thanks for the reply. That was really quick.
I have work experience as an office manager, which would be assessed by
Vetassess. But they don't assess work experience, they only assess
formal training qualification.
So I guess that's a dead end.
How likely to happen is it that Dimia ask for the assessment of the work
experience?
Lavinia
George Lombard
The NAATI test is quite hard and some onshore students take it more than
once because hitherto it has been quite helpful because of the 60 point
possibilities, less so from 1 April next year. Offshore applicants in your
situation can also sometimes benefit, I suggest you get appropriate advice.
Cheers
George Lombard
--
www.austimmigration.com.au
"Lavinia" <member16110@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:1088011.1...@britishexpats.com...
Lavinia
Hi George,
I am looking into the Naati test matter for two reasons:
Firstly I am looking for other possibilities in case I get a negative
skills assessment, but if I pass the test that would still give me a job
experience problem.
The second reason is that I noticed there are only few Naati
approved translators outside of Australia and I thought I would
become one myself.
I passed my IELTS test with a score of 8 in each area, so anyone with
experience in both tests might have an idea if I hold a chance? I guess
I will get the information pack in any case, and if I need the test for
my skills assessment and/or visa application process I would definetely,
as you suggested, seek professional advice.
What changes will there be next April?
Lavinia
]
bubcay
Originally posted by Lavinia
> Hi George,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Lavinia
>
> ]
Hi there,
I have successfully passed the NAATI Translator test, and Translator is
my nominated occupation. I have been working as Translator /
Interpreter for almost 8 years and as I do not have a formal training
(University degree), NAATI accepted my work experience as good enough to
allow me to take the test. If you had an IELTS score of 8 on every
band, you should have no problem to pass the Translator test. Bear in
mind that you need to have very good knowledge on ethics of
Interpreting/Translating in order to pass the test.
Good luck.
Lavinia
Originally posted by bubcay
> Hi there,
>
> I have successfully passed the NAATI Translator test, and Translator
> is my nominated occupation. I have been working as Translator /
> Interpreter for almost 8 years and as I do not have a formal training
> (University degree), NAATI accepted my work experience as good enough
> to allow me to take the test. If you had an IELTS score of 8 on every
> band, you should have no problem to pass the Translator test. Bear in
> mind that you need to have very good knowledge on ethics of
> Interpreting/Translating in order to pass the test.
>
> Good luck.
Hi bubcay!
That sounds as if it would definitely be worth trying. Have no idea
about ethics in connection with translating, but that's what the
information pack will tell me.
Thanks!
Lavinia
bubcay
Originally posted by Lavinia
> Hi bubcay!
>
> That sounds as if it would definitely be worth trying. Have no idea
> about ethics in connection with translating, but that's what the
> information pack will tell me.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Lavinia
Do not worry Lavinia. The Prospectus (that is how NAATI calls the
information pack) contains sample tests + booklet called "Code of Ethics
for Translators and Interpreters". If I can remember it well, it costs
around 180 AU$ for offshore applicants. Since you are German, the
closest test location for you would be Essen. The testing site is at
Rainke-Heinemann institute.
Good luck.
Lavinia
Originally posted by bubcay
> Do not worry Lavinia. The Prospectus (that is how NAATI calls the
> information pack) contains sample tests + booklet called "Code of
> Ethics for Translators and Interpreters". If I can remember it well,
> it costs around 180 AU$ for offshore applicants. Since you are
> German, the closest test location for you would be Essen. The testing
> site is at Rainke-Heinemann institute.
>
> Good luck.
That's good to know. I've heard of Ranke-Heinemann and once almost
applied for a job there. On a German Australia Forum I sometimes
recommend it for students interested in studying DU. So I'll prepare for
a trip to Essen. Haven't been there before.
I'll keep you informed!
4000 psi
"bubcay" <member13063@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:1089543.1...@britishexpats.com...
ptlabs
Originally posted by jseni01d
> I'm a translator thinking of taking the NAATI test next year in order
> to apply for the Skilled Independent category (offshore), as well as
> for the more general benefit of having this professional
> accreditation.
>
> I brought this back to the top as I'd like to know what George means
> by "less so from 1 April next year". What's happening on April 1,
> 2004? Is Translator being removed from the list of skilled
> occupations, or downgraded to 50 points? Or is it something specific
> to onshore students?
>
> Cheers,
> John
John,
Nope, it's not about changes to the SOL come April 1, 2004. April 1,
2004 is the date where changes to the Migration Regulations that deal
with skilled visa applications for overseas students kick in.
If you read the history of this thread and see the context of George's
replies, he was referring to graduating overseas students who sit for
and pass the NAATI test so that they can nominate a 60-point occupation.
This stragety will cease to be valid come April 1, 2004. From April 1,
2004, onshore overseas student skilled visa applications must nominate
an occupation on the SOL that is relevant to the Australian
qualification they are using to claim exemption from the basic
requirements' recent work experience criterion.
So, it (April 1, 2004) isn't something you should be overly concerned
about if you aren't planning to try this stunt.
Reference:
Item [1313] - Subclause 863.2170
http://scaleplus.law.gov.au/html/ess/0/2003/0/20030619122.htm
HTH
Peter
--
This post is an expression of opinion and is neither legal nor immigration advice.
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
jseni01d
Originally posted by George Lombard
>
> The NAATI test is quite hard and some onshore students take it
> more than
> once because hitherto it has been quite helpful because of the
> 60 point
> possibilities, less so from 1 April next year. Offshore
> applicants in your
> situation can also sometimes benefit, I suggest you get
> appropriate advice.
>
> Cheers
>
> George Lombard
>
I'm a translator thinking of taking the NAATI test next year in order to
apply for the Skilled Independent category (offshore), as well as for
the more general benefit of having this professional accreditation.
I brought this back to the top as I'd like to know what George means
by "less so from 1 April next year". What's happening on April 1,
2004? Is Translator being removed from the list of skilled
occupations, or downgraded to 50 points? Or is it something specific
to onshore students?
Cheers,
John
bubcay
Originally posted by jseni01d
>
> I brought this back to the top as I'd like to know what the
> phrase "less so from 1 April next year" means. Is Translator
> about to be removed from the list of skilled oocupations, or
> downgraded to 50 points?
>
> Cheers,
> John
Hi John,
Where did you get that information? Is it in the updated General
Skilled Migration Booklet?
Anyway, I wish you luck in your endeavour.
Cheers.
jseni01d
Originally posted by bubcay
> Hi John,
>
> Where did you get that information? Is it in the updated General
> Skilled Migration Booklet?
>
> Anyway, I wish you luck in your endeavour.
>
> Cheers.
No, it was in the post I quoted from George Lombard! I should have made
that clearer.
John
bubcay
Originally posted by jseni01d
> No, it was in the post I quoted from George Lombard! I should have
> made that clearer.
>
> John
Sorry, I missed it because I got back to this thread and did not read
the old posts.
I would like to know the answer to your question too. Maybe George will
be so kind to enlighten us on this one.
Cheers.
jseni01d
Originally posted by ptlabs
> John,
>
> Nope, it's not about changes to the SOL come April 1, 2004. April 1,
> 2004 is the date where changes to the Migration Regulations that deal
> with skilled visa applications for overseas students kick in.
>
> If you read the history of this thread and see the context of George's
> replies, he was referring to graduating overseas students who sit for
> and pass the NAATI test so that they can nominate a 60-point
> occupation. This stragety will cease to be valid come April 1, 2004.
> From April 1, 2004, onshore overseas student skilled visa applications
> must nominate an occupation on the SOL that is relevant to the
> Australian qualification they are using to claim exemption from the
> basic requirements' recent work experience criterion.
>
> So, it (April 1, 2004) isn't something you should be overly concerned
> about if you aren't planning to try this stunt.
>
> Reference:
> Item [1313] - Subclause 863.2170
> ]http://scaleplus.law.gov.au/html/ess/0/2003/0/20030619122.h-
> tm[/url]
>
> HTH
>
> Peter
Thanks Peter. As ever, a prompt and spot-on reply. I do worry that with
the NAATI test probably being regarded as an "easy" route to 65 points
(Skilled Occupation + community language) by some people, they may
suddenly decide Australia has enough translators, but it seems to be a
pretty tough exam, plus of course every translator is dealing with a
different language. It looks like the status of this occupation is safe
for a while yet, anyway, which is good enough for me.
Cheers,
John
ptlabs
Originally posted by jseni01d
> It looks like the status of this occupation is safe for a while yet,
> anyway, which is good enough for me.
>
John,
The SOL is a "living" list, meaning it may change anytime. However, it
hasn't gone through any major modifications with bulk purges in recent
memory, so I wouldn't lose sleep over that.
I would encourage you to hasten your research on the NAATI assessment
and take the plunge as soon as you're ready.
There's a saying that the answer to the question "when is the best time
to apply" is usually "never better than today". NZ's almost complete
change of the system is proof of this.
You never know what awaits you in the future that may prevent the grant
of a visa or a successful move. The longer you wait, the probability of
something going wrong rises somewhat.
ptlabs
Originally posted by jseni01d
> Sound advice. I'll be ordering the NAATI application pack forthwith
> and hope to get the exam done by next summer. Strangely, Japan (where
> I live) is not on the otherwise extensive list of countries where you
> can take the exams, so I'll either have to pop over to Korea or time
> my next trip back to the UK to coincide with one of the test dates.
> It'll be well worth the effort if I pass, though.
>
John,
Good luck with the NAATI test. If you are warming up to the idea of
pursing your options via the Australian PR route to NZ, then I would
suggest that you take a good look at the Skilled Migration Booklet 6, if
you haven't already done so. You could use the time between your NAATI
test and now to gather all the required documents for the DIMIA
application. Usually, SOL work experience documentation tends to be the
stickiest.
Good luck.
Regards
jseni01d
Originally posted by ptlabs
> I would encourage you to hasten your research on the NAATI assessment
> and take the plunge as soon as you're ready.
>
Sound advice. I'll be ordering the NAATI application pack forthwith and
hope to get the exam done by next summer. Strangely, Japan (where I
live) is not on the otherwise extensive list of countries where you can
take the exams, so I'll either have to pop over to Korea or time my next
trip back to the UK to coincide with one of the test dates. It'll be
well worth the effort if I pass, though.
Cheers,
jseni01d
Originally posted by ptlabs
> John,
>
> Good luck with the NAATI test. If you are warming up to the idea of
> pursing your options via the Australian PR route to NZ, then I would
> suggest that you take a good look at the Skilled Migration Booklet 6,
> if you haven't already done so. You could use the time between your
> NAATI test and now to gather all the required documents for the DIMIA
> application. Usually, SOL work experience documentation tends to be
> the stickiest.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Regards
> Peter
I've taken a quick look at the booklet, but will go through it with a
fine-toothed comb to try and spot any banana skins. As far as I can
tell, as long as I pass the NAATI test my case should be relatively
easy to prove. I've been working for the past 5 years as a full-time
translator and will still be in this job when I apply. I'll be 30
next September, but even after then I'd score 120 points on the
current scale.
Now to find those banana skins...
Cheers,
John
snackster
I recently took that NAATI translator test and it was a lot harder
than I had anticipated. I failed to reach the pass mark and am
considering resitting. A point worth remembering is that if you are
based outside Australia and want to view your marked papers in order
to learn from your mistakes, you can't. I have tried unsuccessfully to
view these papers which is frustrating given the amount of money I
paid to sit the test!
flying dutchman
For info, i also took the NAATI test in the uk to be a Dutch translator
and failed it. Not by too much, but a fail nevertheless.
Its not
enough to be a fluent speaker - the test level is graduate/post-graduate
level and expects the candidate to be able to deal with complex
translation issues. And translation ethics.
Didn't bother resitting it
as it costs quite a bit and i already spend every evening for one month
studying!
Going the bond route instead.
--
flying dutchman
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
din
Originally posted by flying dutchman
> Its not enough
to be a fluent speaker - the test level is graduate/post-graduate level
and expects the candidate to be able to deal with complex translation
issues. And translation ethics.
you are certainly right -
it's not enough just to speak a language! These issues really set me
off, as a lot of people thing "oh, great, I have a second language, and
if I can't be an accountant/lawyer/car mechanic/whatever, I'll just be a
translator". I dare to think that you guys here are not like that, but
I have met a lot of people out there who do - and it seriously sh*ts me,
as I *studied* technical translations for 4 years, it IS a serious
profession that requires training, proficiency in target and source
language, knowledge about ethics and all that. Never mind the computer
skills required...
I didn't have to sit the NAATI-test because of my
studies and qualifications, but I hate to think that if you pass this
test without prior education/qualification etc you'd simply get the 60
points!
I mean, would they give me 60 points for being a surgeon if I
merely sit a test without ever having been in a hospital before? (ok,
maybe an exaggerated example, but still).
Also, jobwise Australia is
tough for translators. Not if you're a freelancer and have overseas
work, but inhouse - you can almost forget it! I looked for an inhouse
job for almost a year until I found one! If you have Asian languages,
you might be better off, but for Europeans it's certainly not easy and
even more underpaid than in Europe.
Just my two pennies on this...
All
the best
Nadine
zilt
In an older thread,
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=1089655.1070050689%40britishexpats.com
it was said that the NAATI test can be
taken at an IDP office in Essen, Germany, at the
Ranke-Heinemann Institute.
However,
http://www.naati.com.au/documents/testing/overseas_testing_guidelines.pdf
and http://www.idp.com/globalexaminationservices/article402.asp
do not mention ANY NAATI test center in Germany.
What is the truth, actually?
Are there more test centers than NAATI and IDP publish on their
web pages?
If yes, where can I find a comprehensive list?
If not, Lavinia, where did you take the test? (if you took it)
Best regards,
Zilt
bubcay
Originally posted by Zilt
>
> In an older
thread,
9%40britishexpats.com"]http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=1089655.10-
70050689%40britishexpats.com[/url]
> it was said that the NAATI test
can be
> taken at an IDP office in Essen, Germany, at the
> Ranke-
Heinemann Institute.
>
> However,
uments/testing/overseas_testing_guidelines.pdf"]http://www.naati.com.a-
u/documents/testing/overseas_testing_guidelines.pdf[/url]
> and -
http://www.idp.com/globalexaminationservices/article402.asp"]http://ww-
w.idp.com/globalexaminationservices/article402.asp[/url]
> do not
mention ANY NAATI test center in Germany.
>
> What is the truth,
actually?
>
> Are there more test centers than NAATI and IDP publish
on their
> web pages?
>
> If yes, where can I find a comprehensive
list?
> If not, Lavinia, where did you take the test? (if you took it)
>
> Best regards,
> Zilt
Hi Zilt,
I was the one who
posted information on Essen test location. At the time when I was
about to sit the Translator test (May 2002), I was offered to do it in
Essen, Amsterdam or London, as far as Europe is concerned. Never mind
the info on their web site, contact them and you will se for yourself.
Since I am living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the closest location on
NAATI's list was Sofia, Bulgaria. They have the IDP Australia office
there; however they could not facilitate the test. Therefore, I had to
go to London to take it.
Good luck.
zilt
Originally posted by bubcay
>
> I was the one
who posted information on Essen test location.
>
>
Hi
bubcay,
Thanks for your reply!
Did you take the test?
If you have to
translate from your mother tongue into English, which English version
must you use (British, American)? I haven't found any mention of this
"detail" in any of the NATTI documentation (I also bought the
Prospectus).
Thanks,
Zilt
bubcay
Originally posted by zilt
>
>
Yes I did. It was in May 2002 - successfully passed it.
> If you have to translate from your mother tongue into
English, which English version must you use (British, American)? I
haven't found any mention of this "detail" in any of the NATTI
documentation (I also bought the Prospectus).
>
> I took
English --> Serbian direction, so I would not know the answer to your
question.
>
> Best regards.
flying dutchman
Originally posted by zilt
>
> Thanks for
your reply!
>
> Did you take the test?
>
> If you have to translate
from your mother tongue into English, which English version must you use
(British, American)? I haven't found any mention of this "detail" in any
of the NATTI documentation (I also bought the Prospectus).
>
> Thanks,
> Zilt
Zilt,
Having done the test, the English you are
expected to use is Australian English. Not much differnt from UK
(proper) English, but still may contain some variations.
zilt
Originally posted by flying dutchman
> Having
done the test, [...]
Congratualtions to all those who passed
the NAATI test!
Thank you for your replies, and please allow me to ask
a few more questions :-)
For the Professional Translator (level 3)
test,
1. It is acceptable to use print-outs of glossaries
which you
have developed yourself over time?
The "Manual for candidates",
]-
http://www.naati.com.au/documents/manuals/manual_for_candidates.pdf[/u-
rl] ,
states at page 22,
11. Candidates for translation tests may,
unless
otherwise indicated, use PUBLISED dictionaries,
glossaries,
thesauri or electronic dictionaries
during these tests. [...] In no
circumstances
may other books or notes be taken into the
examination room. No hand written material will
be permitted.
Would such a glossary be qualified as "published
glossary"? (Or does
the "published" adjective here
refer only to dictionaries?) Or since I
wrote the
glossary myself, it will be labeled as (hand)
"written
material"... ?
2. The manual also states at page 26 that:
Three
passages of approximately 250 words each in
the language other than
English in different styles
and subject areas, TWO of which are to be
selected
and translated into English. *
What is the asterisk
supposed to mean? Any fine-print?
Quite an important paragraph, by the
way... what's NAATI
hiding? :-)
3. Item 11 and item 20 from pages
23, 24 appear to
contradict each other regarding the use of "any other
electronic devices", so... am I allowed to bring to
the test a laptop
with an offline dictionary?
After all, if the test is to simulate a
real-life
translating environment, computers should be more than
allowed... I guess every translator uses a computer in
their work.
Many thanks,
Zilt
h0pe
Hello there,
From my own experience a year ago in London, UK:
- no you
cannot take any notes or glossaries of your own - only a proper
dictionary, published by a proper publishing company.
- no laptops or
anything similar (that may have changed, I have no idea), but I was
under the impression that the rules are very strict about that.
- dunno
about the asterisk, there were three 250-word articles, and I had to
pick two. No secrets there! Perhaps these notes are also used for
interpreter's tests so it means those rules are not always applicable.
- in regards of 'which English' - the answer is any 'standard' English
should do ie. British, US, Canadian, Australian. I used British, and I
know somebody else on this forum used Canadian.
- in regards to the
'natural' translating situation - you have to recognize it is not always
ideal, especially with interpreting. Not all translators use laptops and
translating software. If I could have taken my laptop with my
translating software it would have taken me an hour instead of three.
Try to remember that the rules are there for a reason, and just do
your best to follow them. If you have any questions, you can always
email them.
Best of luck
h0pe
Originally posted by zilt
> Congratualtions to all those who passed the NAATI test!
>
>
Thank you for your replies, and please allow me to ask
> a few more
questions :-)
>
> For the Professional Translator (level 3) test,
>
>
> 1. It is acceptable to use print-outs of glossaries
> which you have
developed yourself over time?
>
> The "Manual for candidates",
> ]-
http://www.naati.com.au/documents/manuals/manual_for_candidates.pdf[/ur-
bubcay
Originally posted by h0pe
>
> From my own
experience a year ago in London, UK:
>
> - no you cannot take any notes
or glossaries of your own - only a proper dictionary, published by a
proper publishing company.
>
may have changed, I have no idea), but I was under the impression that
the rules are very strict about that.
>
> - dunno about the asterisk,
there were three 250-word articles, and I had to pick two. No secrets
there! Perhaps these notes are also used for interpreter's tests so it
means those rules are not always applicable.
>
> - in regards of 'which
English' - the answer is any 'standard' English should do ie. British,
US, Canadian, Australian. I used British, and I know somebody else on
this forum used Canadian.
>
> - in regards to the 'natural' translating
situation - you have to recognize it is not always ideal, especially
with interpreting. Not all translators use laptops and translating
software. If I could have taken my laptop with my translating software
it would have taken me an hour instead of three.
>
> Try to remember
that the rules are there for a reason, and just do your best to follow
>
> Best
of luck
> h0pe
I could sign my name under the h0pe's reply,
all true.
Best of luck with your test Zilt.
Cheers.
Cristine
i can only imagine how you feel about people with no education or work
experience that take the test and get the 60 points... i kinda feel the
same. i am an English teacher and translator, and i'm considering
taking the test in order to apply for residency
let me ask you something: when you get Permanent Residency, or any
entry visa based on your Naati certificate - that is, nominating
translator as your occupation-, can you work at different jobs while
you get a good enough clientele that allows you to make a living as a
translator? i guess my question is: does the visa/paperwork limit you
to working only as a translator?
i'd appreciate your help on that one
thanks
Cristine
bubcay
Well, I am not Nadine but I hope that you would not mind me answering
your question.
No, you do not have to work as translator ever again. You can do
whatever you want. Once you have your PR you are free to work wherever
- whenever.
Cristine
Now let me ask you a harder one: I'm going to take the Naati test from
Portuguese into English, but this is not an offered test on the Naati
calendar. I know I'm still able to sit for this test, I just need to
take an On Demand test.
The question is: will the Dimia frown upon this when I apply for
Skilled Migration? My reasoning is: if the language test is not being
offered by Naati, it's because it's not needed at the moment, so why
would Australia want a translator of that language? Please tell me I'm
wrong....
Can anyone answer that?
Thanks!
Cristine