CPI Practice Test

The NAATI Certified Provisional Interpreter (CPI) test is for interpreters who hold an interpreting qualification and want NAATI certification. This page covers the A$660 test fee, the booking and scoring rules, the timing of results and the retake option. It also links our free CPI practice sets on ethics, interpreting modes, settings and language skills, with worked answers so you can check your reasoning.

CPI Exam at a Glance

What changed for CPI in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility changed to Interpreting qualification (NAATI-endorsed, diploma/AQF 5+, within 3 years) or other pathway; apply via myNAATI (previously Interpreting training prerequisite (e.g. NAATI-endorsed Diploma+ within 3 years); application through myNAATI).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee changed to A$660 per test (previously A$660 per test (GST included)).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake fee changed to A$220 supplementary test (previously A$220 supplementary test (re-sit of one failed task)).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Passing score changed to Pass all 3 tasks; at least Band 2 on core criteria (previously Pass all 3 tasks; at least Band 2 on the core criteria).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Score release changed to Aims for 8–10 weeks after test date (previously Within 8–10 weeks of the test date).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Registration deadline changed to Book at least 5 weeks before test date (previously Test dates must be booked at least 5 weeks ahead).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy changed to Supplementary test if 2 of 3 tasks passed; apply within 30 days (previously Supplementary test if 2 of 3 tasks passed (apply within 30 days); otherwise book a new test).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Validity changed to 3 years, then recertify (previously 3 years, then recertification).^[3]

What the CPI is and how it works

According to NAATI, “You must pass all three tasks to pass the test.”^[1]

The CPI test is NAATI's certification test for provisional interpreters. You can sit it online or in person at a NAATI test venue. All applications go through NAATI's customer portal, myNAATI.

Eligibility. The usual route is an interpreting qualification completed within the last 3 years: either a NAATI-endorsed qualification or a diploma at AQF 5 or higher. NAATI also lists other pathways. If your training does not match this description, check the CPI page on the NAATI site.

Booking and fees. The test fee is A$660. You can only choose a CPI test date that is 5 or more weeks away. Tests in each language run every 6 months, so the next sitting for your language may not be soon. Dates differ by language, so check what myNAATI shows for yours.

Scoring. The test has 3 tasks and you must pass all 3, with at least Band 2 on the core assessment criteria. NAATI aims to issue results within 8-10 weeks of the test date.

If you do not pass. If you passed 2 of the 3 tasks, you can apply for a supplementary test from your myNAATI account. You must apply within 30 days of receiving your results. The supplementary test costs A$220, and conditions apply.

After you pass. To keep the credential, you must recertify with NAATI every 3 years.

Fees and rules can change. Confirm the current details on naati.com.au before you book.

CPI content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official CPI content outline published by NAATI. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through CPI questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What quality assurance measure supports applied methods and techniques?

1. Quality checks are unnecessary for experienced professionals
2. Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards
3. Quality only matters for new practitioners
4. Annual review is sufficient

Answer: B. Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards

Explanation:

B is correct. Interpreters keep up quality through ongoing habits: assessing their own work, getting feedback from peers, and checking their practice against established standards such as their code of ethics. A is wrong because experience does not remove the need for checks. Without feedback, habits drift. C is wrong for the same reason, since clients rely on accurate interpreting from every practitioner, not only new ones. D is wrong because a yearly review is too far apart to catch errors in day-to-day work. Quality assurance has to be continuous. Rule to remember: if an option says checks are unnecessary, limited to certain people or only occasional, it is usually wrong. Look for the answer that describes regular review against a standard.

Example 2

Question: What is the foundational principle of continuing education requirements in the Certified Provisional Interpreter field?

1. Maximizing personal advancement
2. Maintaining competence, integrity, and service to stakeholders
3. Following the easiest path available
4. Avoiding all challenging situations

Answer: B. Maintaining competence, integrity, and service to stakeholders

Explanation:

B is correct. Continuing education exists so that interpreters keep their skills current, act with integrity and keep serving clients, service providers and other stakeholders well. This is also why NAATI requires credential holders to recertify instead of holding the credential with no end date. A is wrong because personal advancement may be a side benefit, but it is not the purpose of the requirement. C is wrong because taking the easiest path defeats the aim of building competence. D is wrong because avoiding challenging work stops you from improving and is not a professional principle. Rule to remember: in ethics and professional-practice questions, the right answer usually centres on competence, integrity and the people you serve, not on convenience or self-interest.

Example 3

Question: The primary professional challenge of over-the-phone interpreting for a CPI is:

1. The complete absence of non-verbal communication cues such as body language and facial expressions
2. Consistently poor audio quality on all phone systems
3. Limitations in the number of languages available by phone
4. Significant time zone differences affecting availability

Answer: A. The complete absence of non-verbal communication cues such as body language and facial expressions

Explanation:

A is correct. On the phone, the interpreter loses the visual channel entirely, with no body language, facial expressions or gestures. That makes it harder to read emotion, see when someone is about to speak, or tell whether a speaker has understood. The interpreter has to rely on voice and tone, manage turns clearly and ask for clarification more often. B is wrong because audio quality varies and is not poor on every phone system. C is wrong because which languages are available is a service issue, not a challenge in the act of interpreting. D is wrong because time zones affect scheduling, not the interpreting itself. Rule to remember: words like 'consistently' and 'all' often mark a wrong option. The right answer names the core difference of the mode, which here is the missing visual cues.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the CPI page and the test information on the NAATI site. Read the assessment criteria closely, because your interpreting is marked against them. Then use our sets to check the knowledge behind the tasks.

• Ethics and role: work through CPI Ethical Standards and Professionalism and CPI Professional Standards and Ethics. For every question you miss, write down the rule in your own words.
• Modes and settings: use CPI Interpretation Modes and Memory Techniques, CPI Legal and Healthcare Settings and CPI Remote and Technology-Assisted Interpreting.
• Spoken practice: our sets are multiple choice, but the CPI test assesses your interpreting, including meaning transfer and delivery. Record yourself interpreting dialogues between English and your other language. Then listen back for omissions, distortions and register problems.
• Timing: tests in each language run every 6 months, and you must book at least 5 weeks before the test date. Choose your sitting early and plan your practice backwards from that date.

In the final weeks, retake any set where you missed questions. Spend most of your time on recorded interpreting rather than reading.

Sources & last verified

1. NAATI — passing score, retake policy, delivery, eligibility (official source). “You must pass all three tasks to pass the test.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
2. NAATI — exam fee, retake fee (official source). “Certified Provisional Interpreter $660” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
3. NAATI — validity (official source). “Any translator or interpreter wishing to maintain a NAATI credential must apply to NAATI to recertify every three years.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
4. NAATI — other (official source). “application of interpreting modes” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.