This page is for translators preparing for the Institute of Translation and Interpreting qualified translator route, which is assessed through a Translation Portfolio Assessment. It summarises the fees, eligibility and scoring rules published by ITI, and it links to free practice sets on theory, ethics, terminology, editing and localization. The questions are written by us with AI tools and are not real exam items.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Passing score (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | Minimum 7 points of selected evidence[1] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | £165 + VAT assessment fee (new applicants); £60 + VAT application fee[2] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake fee (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | £99 + VAT for MITIs adding a second language[3] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | May submit extra evidence; otherwise offered AITI or another membership level[1] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal | £277 annual MITI membership fee[3] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | Portfolio of evidence assessed by ITI (no timed exam)[1] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | 3 years' references + degree, or 6 years' references without a degree[1] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release (Translation Portfolio Assessment) | Up to 2 weeks from payment[1] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | All documents within 12 weeks of paying the application fee[4] | Institute of Translation and Interpreting · Oct 26, 2026 |
According to Institute of Translation and Interpreting, “Each option is valued at 1, 2 or 3 points and applicants need to select options to a minimum value of 7 points.”[1]
The ITI route to qualified status is a Translation Portfolio Assessment. It is not a timed exam. Instead, you assemble a portfolio of evidence, and ITI assesses it. The handbook says applicants must choose from a pre-defined list of selected evidence.
Scoring. Each option on the list carries a points value of 1, 2 or 3, and you need to select options worth a minimum of 7 points.
Eligibility. ITI asks for 3 years' references plus a degree, or 6 years' references if you do not have a degree.
Fees. The assessment fee is £165 + VAT for new applicants, and the application fee is £60 + VAT. Existing MITIs adding a second language pay £99 + VAT. The annual MITI membership fee is £277.
Timing. You have 12 weeks from paying the application fee to supply all required documents. Results can take up to 2 weeks from the date of payment.
If you fall short. You may be allowed to submit additional evidence. Otherwise you may be offered AITI or another membership level.
Fees and rules can change, so check the current handbook and membership pages on the ITI website before you apply.
Prepare for the ITI - Institute of Translation and Interpreting Diploma in Translation exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
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.
Question: Which strategy is Lawrence Venuti most associated with advocating for literary translation?
Answer: B. Foreignization
Explanation:
The correct answer is foreignization. Lawrence Venuti argues that translators should keep traces of the source text's strangeness, so readers can see that they are reading a translation and the translator's work stays visible.
Domestication is wrong because it is the opposite: it smooths the text into familiar target-language norms, which is the habit Venuti criticises. Literal translation is wrong because it describes a word-for-word method, not a position on cultural dominance. Paraphrase is wrong because it restates meaning loosely and says nothing about preserving foreignness.
Rule to remember: Venuti is linked with resisting fluent, invisible translation, and foreignization is the name for that stance. When a question mentions visibility of the translator or resisting target-culture dominance, think foreignization.
Question: What is an important aspect of Subject-Specific Terminology & Research question 4?
Answer: B. Option B
Explanation:
This item is a placeholder. The options are labelled only Option A to Option D, so there is no real content to compare, and we cannot honestly explain why B is correct or why the others are wrong. Treat it as a gap in our question bank, not as something to memorise.
What you can take from it is a method for real terminology and research questions. Prefer the answer that relies on verified sources, such as specialist glossaries, reference works, or checked parallel texts, over a guess or a single unverified web result. Be wary of options that assume a term has the same meaning in every field or in every country. Always ask whether the option records where the term came from and keeps it consistent across the document.
Question: What is an important aspect of Ethical Standards & Professional Conduct question 3?
Answer: B. Option B
Explanation:
This item is also a placeholder. The options are only labelled Option A to Option D, so we cannot say what Option B contains, and any claim about why it is right would be a guess. Our earlier explanation speculated about integrity; do not rely on it.
For real ethics and professional conduct questions, a useful pattern is this. The better answer usually keeps client material confidential, represents your qualifications and abilities accurately, and declines or flags work outside your competence. The weaker answers tend to hide a limitation, share source material without permission, or quietly change the meaning of the text to suit someone. When you meet a scenario, ask what protects the client, the reader and the standing of the profession together.
Start with the official ITI handbook and the membership pages, because the portfolio route depends on the evidence you can show, not on recalling answers. List the evidence options you could realistically claim, check your references against the eligibility rules, and note the deadline that starts when you pay the application fee.
Then use the practice sets to fill knowledge gaps that sit behind that evidence. Work through translation theory and techniques to describe your own choices in clear terms. Use the ethics and professional standards sets to check you can explain confidentiality, competence and conduct. Do the terminology and research sets alongside a real specialist text, and note which sources you would cite.
After each set, read the explanations for the questions you missed and write a short note in your own words on the rule behind the answer. Skip any item that looks like a placeholder with generic options. Finish by rereading the handbook and checking that every piece of evidence you plan to submit is ready before you pay.
No. It is a Translation Portfolio Assessment, where ITI assesses a portfolio of evidence. Applicants choose from a pre-defined list of selected evidence, so preparation is about gathering and documenting your work and references, not sitting a timed paper.
You need to select options worth a minimum of 7 points. Each option on the list is valued at 1, 2 or 3 points, so the total comes from the evidence you choose. Check the current handbook on the ITI website for the full list of options.
ITI asks for 3 years' references plus a degree, or 6 years' professional translation experience shown through references if you do not have a degree. Confirm the exact wording and any language-specific conditions in the official handbook before applying.
The assessment fee is £165 + VAT for new applicants, plus a £60 + VAT application fee. MITIs adding a second language pay £99 + VAT. The annual MITI membership fee is £277. Fees can change, so check ITI's membership pages for current figures.
From the date you submit your application fee, you have 12 weeks to provide all required documentation. Results can take up to 2 weeks from the date of payment, according to the ITI handbook.
You may be given the chance to provide additional evidence to meet the requirements. If that does not work, ITI may offer AITI or another membership level instead. The handbook sets out the exact process, so read it before you submit.
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