💡 Tips & Strategies / सुझाव र रणनीतिहरू
Key strategies for interpreting, note-taking, vocabulary building, and exam day performance.
🎯 Interpreting Techniques
Active Listening
Don't just listen passively — actively understand the context, nuances, tone, and background. Visualise the conversation in your head as you listen.
Focus on Meaning, Not Words
Interpret the meaning rather than translating word by word. Convey the complete message accurately while maintaining natural language flow.
Maintain Appropriate Language Register
Use formal language when interpreting for doctors, lawyers, or officials. Match the tone and formality of the speaker.
Handle Numbers Carefully
Pay special attention to numbers, dates, times, addresses, and phone numbers. These are commonly tested and easy to get wrong.
Avoid Omissions and Additions
Interpret everything the speaker says without adding your own words or leaving anything out. Both omissions and additions are penalised.
Manage Your Pace
Speak at a consistent, moderate speed. Avoid rushing or speaking too slowly. Excessive pauses and hesitations lose marks.
📝 Note-Taking Skills
Develop Your Own Shorthand
Create personal abbreviations and symbols for common words. For example: govt = सरकार, dr = डाक्टर, appt = भेट, ins = बीमा, $ = मूल्य.
Write Down Key Information
Note names, numbers, dates, places, and key actions. These details are most likely to be forgotten.
Use Vertical Layout
Write notes vertically with arrows and spacing to show logical connections between ideas. Don't write in long sentences.
Focus on Ideas, Not Sentences
Capture the skeleton of the message — the main ideas and supporting details. You don't need to write every word.
Practice with Short Audio Clips
Start with 20–30 second clips in both English and Nepali. Listen, take notes, then try to reconstruct the full message from your notes alone.
📚 Vocabulary Building
Study Domain-Specific Vocabulary
Focus on the 11 key domains: Health, Legal, Education, Housing, Immigration, Community, Consumer Affairs, Employment, Finance, Insurance, and Social Services.
Learn Both Directions
Practice translating from English to Nepali AND from Nepali to English. The test requires both.
Learn Australian-Specific Terms
Familiarise yourself with Australian terms like Medicare, Centrelink, TAFE, bulk billing, superannuation, strata, and council rates.
Read News in Both Languages
Read Australian news in English and Nepali media regularly. This helps you learn contextual vocabulary naturally.
Create Flashcards
Make flashcards for difficult terms and review them daily. Group them by domain.
Strengthen Your Weaker Language
Identify which language (English or Nepali) is weaker and spend extra time improving it through reading, listening, and speaking practice.
📋 Exam Day Strategies
Test Your Equipment
Ensure your computer, microphone, headphones, and internet connection are working well before the test. Use a quiet room.
Stay Calm and Focused
If you miss a word or make a mistake, don't panic. Move on and focus on the next segment. Don't dwell on errors.
Start Recording Promptly
After the chime, start your interpretation within 5 seconds. Delayed responses may result in lost marks.
Self-Correct Efficiently
If you make an error, briefly correct yourself and move on. Don't repeat the whole sentence — excessive self-correction loses marks.
Have Paper and Pen Ready
Keep a notepad and pen handy for quick note-taking during segments. This is essential for longer segments.
Manage Your Energy
The second dialogue is just as important as the first. Stay focused throughout. Have water nearby.
⭐ Understanding Scoring
Deductive Marking System
The test uses a deductive system — you start with full marks and lose points for errors. Common errors: distortions, omissions, insertions.
Minimum Score Requirement
You need at least 63/90 overall AND at least 29/45 in each dialogue. Even if your total is above 63, failing one dialogue means you fail.
Accuracy Is Key
Accuracy (correct interpretation of meaning) carries the most weight. Grammar, pronunciation, and delivery quality also matter.
Marginal vs Clear Fail
58–62.5 is a Marginal Fail; below 58 or under 29 in either dialogue is a Clear Fail. Aim for well above the minimum.
📊 Quick Scoring Reference / अंक सारांश
Marks Breakdown
- Total: 90 marks (45 per dialogue)
- Pass: 63/90 overall
- Minimum per dialogue: 29/45
- Marginal Fail: 58–62.5
- Clear Fail: Below 58
Common Errors (अक्सर हुने गल्ती)
- Distortions — misrepresenting information (अर्थ बिग्रनु)
- Omissions — leaving out information (छोड्नु)
- Insertions — adding information (थप्नु)
- Grammar — incorrect grammar (व्याकरण गल्ती)
- Hesitations — excessive pausing (अत्यधिक रोकिनु)