NAATI CPI Test Format: 3 Role-Plays, Brief, Notes & Timing

Facts checked 2026-11-10

Quick answer: CPI is NAATI’s entry-level generalist interpreter certification test. The spoken-language format has three live consecutive-interpreting role-plays: two face-to-face dialogues and one audio-only telephone dialogue. Each uses a different situation and domain. Allow up to 1.5 hours for the test. Briefs arrive three calendar days beforehand; there is no extra preparation time on test day.

On this page

What happens in the three CPI tasks?
Face-to-face does not always mean travelling to a venue
The telephone role-play is a separate communication setting
How long is the CPI test?
When do the interpreting briefs arrive?
What notes can I bring?
What subjects appear in the CPI role-plays?
How does the format connect to marking?
Where can I see NAATI’s preparation material?
Frequently asked questions
Sources

What happens in the three CPI tasks?

CPI assesses interpreting between real role-players. In every task, one person speaks English and the other speaks your language other than English (LOTE). You interpret in both directions using consecutive mode. The speakers take turns; you transfer what they say into the other language.

Task	What you can see	Mode
Face-to-face dialogue 1	Both role-players, in person or on video	Consecutive
Face-to-face dialogue 2	Both role-players, in person or on video	Consecutive
Remote telephone dialogue	Audio only; no view of the role-players	Consecutive

This guide covers the spoken-language CPI instructions. Auslan and Deaf Interpreter candidates should follow their own credential instructions linked from NAATI’s CPI page. Do not apply the English/LOTE telephone-task description to every signed-language credential.

For the wider picture, see the CPI overview, the CPI marking rules and the CPI fee guide.

Face-to-face does not always mean travelling to a venue

The two face-to-face tasks may happen at a test venue or through video for an online test. Online CPI uses Microsoft Teams. The important distinction is visual access: you can see the two speakers in those tasks. In the telephone task, you cannot see them.

Read the delivery mode on your selected session before booking. A language appearing in the CPI test dates table does not mean every session for that language uses the same delivery mode. Your booking confirmation and NAATI’s current instructions determine the arrangement for your test.

The telephone role-play is a separate communication setting

The third task simulates a telephone interpreting assignment. It remains a live consecutive dialogue, with an English speaker and a LOTE speaker. It is not a recorded monologue, a sight translation or a simultaneous-interpreting task.

The audio-only condition matters because facial expressions and gestures are unavailable. When reviewing your preparation, keep the remote task distinct from the two tasks where speakers are visible. Familiarity with video dialogue does not, by itself, tell you how comfortable you will be interpreting a telephone conversation.

How long is the CPI test?

NAATI’s candidate instructions say the whole test can take up to 1.5 hours from its start. That is different from the assessed time for one role-play. Each task ends when the dialogue ends or when the assessed part reaches its time limit of about 12 minutes.

The introduction is not assessed. Do not calculate the test appointment by adding only three task limits: the whole session includes the arrangements around the role-plays. Use the time in your confirmation email when planning the day.

When do the interpreting briefs arrive?

NAATI emails the briefs three calendar days before the test. Calendar days include weekends and public holidays. The brief describes the topic and situation for each task, giving you a basis for preparation before the appointment.

There is no additional preparation period on test day. Receiving a brief is not the same as receiving the dialogue script. The task is still to interpret the live exchange between the speakers, rather than recite a prepared translation. Prepare for the situation without assuming you know every sentence that will be said.

What notes can I bring?

You may bring one A4 sheet for each task containing its brief and your preparation notes, making three sheets in total. The limit applies to each task, rather than to an unlimited folder of reference material.

For an in-person test, NAATI supplies a pen and paper for notes made during the dialogues; the materials are collected afterwards. For an online test, the instructions list one printed A4 sheet per task, a pen and additional blank paper. Check the instructions for your delivery mode, rather than copying a CCL equipment checklist.

What subjects appear in the CPI role-plays?

Each task comes from a different situation and domain. Examples in the instructions include health, legal, community, immigration and settlement, education, social services, finance, housing, business, employment, insurance and consumer affairs.

The domains describe everyday, non-specialised interpreting settings. A health task and an insurance task are not interchangeable simply because both involve two people speaking. The situation in the brief helps you identify the context in which meaning needs to be conveyed.

How does the format connect to marking?

CPI uses a five-band assessment system for each task. Examiners consider meaning transfer, application of interpreting modes, interactional management, delivery and language proficiency in both languages. All three tasks must pass. The CPI pass mark guide explains the criterion-by-criterion thresholds.

Ethical Competency and Intercultural Competency are separate prerequisite screening tests where required; they are not extra role-plays added to these three tasks. Read the prerequisite test guide if your application requires them.

Where can I see NAATI’s preparation material?

Open NAATI Learn and select the CPI Preparation Module. It includes practice dialogues and self-assessment resources. The free material does not provide feedback on your performance.

If you came here looking for migration-points practice, read CPI vs CCL first. CCL and CPI have different purposes and formats; the CCL practice pages on this site are not a CPI role-play exam.

Frequently asked questions

How many role-plays are in the CPI test?

The spoken-language CPI test has three live consecutive role-plays: two face-to-face dialogues and one audio-only telephone dialogue. Each uses a different situation and domain.

Is online CPI held on Microsoft Teams?

Yes. NAATI’s online CPI instructions specify Microsoft Teams. The two face-to-face dialogues use video, while the remote telephone task is audio only.

How long does each CPI role-play last?

A task ends when its dialogue ends or about 12 minutes after the assessed part begins. The introduction is not assessed, and the whole test can take up to 1.5 hours.

When will I receive my CPI brief?

NAATI emails the briefs three calendar days before the test, including weekends and public holidays. There is no additional preparation time on test day.

Can I bring notes to CPI?

You may bring one A4 sheet containing the brief and preparation notes for each task, three sheets in total. Follow the separate in-person or online instructions for other note-taking materials.

Are ethics and intercultural tests part of the three CPI tasks?

No. They are separate prerequisite screening tests where required. The CPI test itself consists of the three interpreting role-plays.

Sources

Facts checked against NAATI pages on 10 November 2026.