Annual Interpreter Performance Assessment (AIPA)

Information for Candidates

Overview

The AIPA is a test used by organizations that wish to confirm the skill level of medical interpreters on a periodic basis for regulatory and/or quality assurance reasons. The test is designed to evaluate the candidate’s interpreting performance in a healthcare context, their knowledge of high-level medical terminology, and their knowledge of medical interpreter ethics, protocol, and industry standards.

 Taking the test

 You will need to be alone and in a quiet area, and you will need a pen and 2-3 sheets of blank paper for note taking. You are not allowed to use any reference materials, such as dictionaries or computers. The test usually takes about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your pace. It is administered in one of three ways: 

 Live Over the phone: Our scheduling staff will call and/or email you with times to take your test. Alternatively, your coordinator may schedule your test with us directly, and provide you with the date and time. Then, at the scheduled time, we will call you at the number provided to administer your assessment. We recommend (but don’t require) you use a reliable landline telephone when available, as there are a limited number of repetitions allowed, and cellular phone reception issues can impede your performance. Be sure to also disable call waiting before your scheduled testing time, to avoid interference.

 Live Online via Video Proctoring (OVP): If you or your facility has requested Online Video Proctoring, please see the following explanation with Frequently Asked Questions about Online Video Proctoring.

 On-site (proctored): Some employers or training organizations may require you to take the test on-site. On-site testing allows for proctored test administration via any one of our distinct testing modalities, including our automated testing platform, live over the phone, or Online Video Proctoring (OVP). You will be provided with the address for the testing facility during the scheduling process. Be sure to allow for extra time to find the location and get settled.

 How it works

Regardless of how your test is administered (live, OVP), when you begin, you will first hear a short series of instructions. There are two primary sections to the test: interpreted healthcare scenarios, and medical terminology conversion. An optional third module on ethics/protocol/industry standards is also available.

The first section will cover interpreted healthcare scenarios. When you begin, you will first hear a short series of instructions. After that, the test administrator will provide you with a brief moment to perform an interpreter pre-session. Then, the first of three role-play scenarios will begin. You will listen closely, taking notes, and at the end of each spoken segment, you will interpret the message into the other language. You should pay attention to the overall meaning, as well as to the specific terms and concepts, and do your best to convey the messages accurately and completely. You are allowed to request repetitions (once per segment).

The second section will cover conversion of medical terminology. You will be presented with a series of medical terms in English, and you must provide the equivalents in the target language, and then you will repeat the exercise with terms in the target language for which you will provide the English equivalents. If you do not know the exact term, a correct and complete definition in the corresponding language will be accepted for partial credit.

Finally, in the optional third section, you will answer a series of questions about medical interpreter ethics, protocol, and industry standards. If taking this test through the automated system, this will be a written section done over the computer; if taking the test live, the written portion may be completed beforehand, or the tester will read these questions to you during the call.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been interpreting in this language at work for years. Why do I need to take this test?

Your employer may wish to confirm or recertify your skill level for hiring, quality, safety or regulatory reasons.

Am I required to use first person interpreting?

 For this test you should interpret in first person (using “I” or “me” and speaking as though you were the original speaker).

What is transparency?

Transparency is the concept that all parties involved in the interpreted session have the right to know everything that is said, and by whom. It is particularly important in medical interpreting. For example, an interpreter should inform the party expecting the interpretation of the need to intervene if a repetition or clarification is required. Transparency can take many forms depending on the format (for example, on-site interpreters might raise their hand for a repetition, whereas an over-the-phone interpreter would need to verbally intervene using a transparency script).  Please check with your employer or training program to see what standards and protocols for transparency they have in place.  

 When are results ready? Do I receive a copy? Who else sees my results?

Results are usually sent out within five working business days (or one week, unless there are holidays). You may receive results sooner. If you ordered through the website and paid for the test yourself, you will receive a copy, as will any coordinator you indicated on the order form. If your employer ordered and paid for the test, only they will receive a copy, which they may or may not be able to share with you, according to their own internal policy.

How soon can I retest? How many times may I retest?

Please check with the organization (employer or school) that requested the test to see what, if any, retest guidelines they have in place. You may only attempt the AIPA three times in one year (365 day period). After your third attempt you will be required to wait one year from the date of your first attempt.

Which national/regional accents are considered standard in English? 

LanguageStat acknowledges several standard regional/national dialects and accents in English including: Australian, British (including Scottish*), Canadian, Caribbean*, Indian*, Irish, New Zealander, US American (Including regional accents: Southern, Northeastern, Mid-western, and Southwestern/Native American) and South African*.  (*No points will be deducted for clear and easy to understand speech in these dialects/accents. However, if speech is deemed to impede understanding for listeners from other countries or regions, score may be lowered and/or include notes mentioning impact on communication as applicable, depending on the degree of severity.)

How are results provided? What is the passing score?

Candidates receive scores on distinct areas: accuracy, healthcare terminology (commonplace), medical terminology (high level), and (if requested) the optional section on Ethics/Protocol. Scores are presented as percentages, and are accompanied by an A-F ranking, corresponding to a standard US grading scale. LanguageStat recommends a 75% passing score in all areas of the test, although each organization will set their own criteria according to their needs, and some may have higher (or lower) score requirements. Notes and comments included in report.

Where can I find study materials?

AIPA Terminology Workbook (for role-play section)

National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care (PDF - NCIHC)

THE TERMINOLOGY OF HEALTH CARE INTERPRETING: A glossary of terms (PDF – NCIHC)

Interpreter Training Videos, Part 1/2 (Youtube - Clarity Interpreting)

Interpreter Training Videos, Part 2/2 (Youtube - Clarity Interpreting)

CCHI’S MINI-GLOSSARIES FOR INTERPRETERS (Web page, CCHI)

Medical Terminology for Interpreters, 4th Edition (PDF – Cross Cultural Communications)

English/Spanish Dictionary of Health Related Terms, 4th edition (PDF - Health Initiative of the Americas, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Office of Binational Border Health California Department of Public Health)

 These are not the only resources. You are encouraged to check with your employer or training company to see what other resources may be available, and to seek out additional language specific resources on your own.