PRACTICE EXAM FOR THE NATIONAL
INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION (NIC)
EXAMINATIONQUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary role of a certified interpreter in legal and healthcare settings is
to
A. Simplify complex information
B. Advocate for the client
C. Accurately convey messages between parties without alteration
D. Provide cultural counseling
Correct answer: C. Interpreters must transmit meaning faithfully and
completely without adding, omitting, or changing content.
2. The ethical principle of confidentiality requires interpreters to
A. Share information with supervisors
B. Discuss cases with colleagues for learning
C. Record sessions for accuracy
D. Protect all information learned during assignments
Correct answer: D. Confidentiality is fundamental to professional
interpreting ethics.
3. Sight translation refers to
A. Translating spoken language orally
B. Interpreting written text into written form
, C. Rendering written text orally into another language
D. Summarizing documents verbally
Correct answer: C. Sight translation converts written material into spoken
language in real time.
4. Consecutive interpreting is best described as
A. Interpreting simultaneously with the speaker
B. Interpreting after the speaker pauses or finishes a segment
C. Translating written documents
D. Whispered interpreting
Correct answer: B. Consecutive interpreting involves listening, note-taking,
and then rendering the message.
5. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter should
A. Wait for full sentences
B. Take extensive notes
C. Interpret almost at the same time as the speaker
D. Paraphrase complex ideas
Correct answer: C. Simultaneous interpreting requires minimal delay.
6. Register in interpreting refers to
A. Volume of speech
B. Level of formality and style of language
C. Regional accent
D. Speed of delivery
Correct answer: B. Register must be preserved to maintain speaker intent.
7. The best approach when an interpreter does not understand a term is to
A. Guess its meaning
B. Skip the term
C. Ask for clarification
D. Replace it with a simpler word
Correct answer: C. Accuracy requires clarification rather than guessing.
, 8. The term “role boundaries” means interpreters should
A. Provide advice
B. Advocate for clients
C. Limit themselves to interpreting duties
D. Control the conversation
Correct answer: C. Professional boundaries prevent role confusion.
9. A false cognate is
A. A slang expression
B. A word that looks similar in two languages but has different meanings
C. A technical term
D. A regional dialect word
Correct answer: B. False cognates can cause serious interpretation errors.
10.The primary purpose of note-taking in consecutive interpreting is to
A. Write verbatim speech
B. Improve handwriting
C. Support memory of key ideas
D. Create transcripts
Correct answer: C. Notes capture meaning, not every word.
11.When interpreting profanity or vulgar language, the interpreter should
A. Soften the language
B. Omit it
C. Interpret it accurately
D. Explain it separately
Correct answer: C. Interpreters must convey the speaker’s exact tone and
meaning.
12.The term “lag time” refers to
A. Preparation time
B. The delay between hearing and interpreting speech
C. Break time
D. Time spent note-taking
INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION (NIC)
EXAMINATIONQUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary role of a certified interpreter in legal and healthcare settings is
to
A. Simplify complex information
B. Advocate for the client
C. Accurately convey messages between parties without alteration
D. Provide cultural counseling
Correct answer: C. Interpreters must transmit meaning faithfully and
completely without adding, omitting, or changing content.
2. The ethical principle of confidentiality requires interpreters to
A. Share information with supervisors
B. Discuss cases with colleagues for learning
C. Record sessions for accuracy
D. Protect all information learned during assignments
Correct answer: D. Confidentiality is fundamental to professional
interpreting ethics.
3. Sight translation refers to
A. Translating spoken language orally
B. Interpreting written text into written form
, C. Rendering written text orally into another language
D. Summarizing documents verbally
Correct answer: C. Sight translation converts written material into spoken
language in real time.
4. Consecutive interpreting is best described as
A. Interpreting simultaneously with the speaker
B. Interpreting after the speaker pauses or finishes a segment
C. Translating written documents
D. Whispered interpreting
Correct answer: B. Consecutive interpreting involves listening, note-taking,
and then rendering the message.
5. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter should
A. Wait for full sentences
B. Take extensive notes
C. Interpret almost at the same time as the speaker
D. Paraphrase complex ideas
Correct answer: C. Simultaneous interpreting requires minimal delay.
6. Register in interpreting refers to
A. Volume of speech
B. Level of formality and style of language
C. Regional accent
D. Speed of delivery
Correct answer: B. Register must be preserved to maintain speaker intent.
7. The best approach when an interpreter does not understand a term is to
A. Guess its meaning
B. Skip the term
C. Ask for clarification
D. Replace it with a simpler word
Correct answer: C. Accuracy requires clarification rather than guessing.
, 8. The term “role boundaries” means interpreters should
A. Provide advice
B. Advocate for clients
C. Limit themselves to interpreting duties
D. Control the conversation
Correct answer: C. Professional boundaries prevent role confusion.
9. A false cognate is
A. A slang expression
B. A word that looks similar in two languages but has different meanings
C. A technical term
D. A regional dialect word
Correct answer: B. False cognates can cause serious interpretation errors.
10.The primary purpose of note-taking in consecutive interpreting is to
A. Write verbatim speech
B. Improve handwriting
C. Support memory of key ideas
D. Create transcripts
Correct answer: C. Notes capture meaning, not every word.
11.When interpreting profanity or vulgar language, the interpreter should
A. Soften the language
B. Omit it
C. Interpret it accurately
D. Explain it separately
Correct answer: C. Interpreters must convey the speaker’s exact tone and
meaning.
12.The term “lag time” refers to
A. Preparation time
B. The delay between hearing and interpreting speech
C. Break time
D. Time spent note-taking
