If you are taking the DPSI exam this week, here are some last minute tips that might just save you!
1. Be confident and present yourself well. You need to look and behave like a professional – the exam tests your language skills but also how professional you are as an interpreter.
2. Once in the examination room, you will be given 5 minutes to prepare for your oral topics – make the most of this time and note down all the words relating to your topic (both in English and the other language); you will then be able to use those notes when you forget something while interpreting;
3. When interpreting from your mother tongue into the other language, keep it short and simple – avoid using complex constructions as you might get confused and make errors.
4. During the 5 minute preparation for your sight translation remember to translate every sentence. Reading it and just understanding the text is not enough – you need to translate it before you do the actual exam.
5. Remember about false friends. Always think twice before you translate a word with one that sounds the same – it is very likely it will mean something very different.
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6. Double solutions are not allowed – if there are two ways of translating something, choose one and stick to it. Don’t give the examiner both solutions because you will be penalised.
7. Make sure your handwriting is as clear as possible – if they can’t read it, they can’t mark it!
Good luck to everyone taking the exam. We are here to help if you have any questions or doubts!
