Exam Results

CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam

A brief overview of details after candidates have taken the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam

The CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam is a computer-based exam composed of two (2) parts, the Fundamentals of Interpreting, a 120 multiple-choice question test, and the Ethical Decision Making and Cultural Responsiveness Exam, an exam comprised of eight (8) multi-step case studies.

Candidates can expect to receive their results via email for both portions of the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam results within ten (10) business days from the date they took the exam.

If you fail the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam, you may apply and pay for a retake after a three-month required waiting period, which begins from the date you originally took the exam, regardless of when you received your exam results. After your three-month waiting period has passed, you may request an exam to be added into your CASLI Exam System Account.

If you fail one part of the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam but pass the other, you only need to retake the part you failed. (E.g. if you passed the Fundamentals of Interpreting Multiple-Choice Questions part, but failed the Ethical Decision Making and Cultural Responsiveness Case Studies, you only need to apply for, pay for and retake the Case Studies exam). There is still a three-month required waiting period, which begins from the date you originally took the exam, before you are eligible for your retake. NOTE: If you pass one of the exams, your five (5) years testing cycle will effectively begins from the date 

Bridge Plan/Gap Tests

A brief overview of details after candidates have completed the Bridge Plan and taken the GAP test

The Bridge Plan Learning Module as part of the Bridge Plan is self paced for CDI candidate to take on their own time.  Completion of the Learning Module will be submitted to CASLI to acknowledge that the candidate have viewed and completed the module and possess the required knowledge for the CDI Bridge Plan for psychometric validity. This learning module is not scored. 

The Gap Test (also known as Case Study Exam) for both Deaf and hearing exam candidates consists of the Case Study: Ethical Decision Making and Cultural Responsiveness Exam. This is a bilingual exam presented in both American Sign Language and written English, which assesses a candidate’s ability to make ethical decisions, demonstrate cultural competency, and demonstrate the skills and abilities needed to competently perform as an ASL interpreter in typical interpreting settings and is a computer-based exam composed of eight (8) multi-step case studies.

Candidates can expect to receive their result via email for the Case Studies Exam (Ethical Decision Making Progress & Cultural Responsiveness)(also known as the GAP test) results within ten (10) business days from the date they took the exam.

CASLI Generalist Performance Exam (both NIC & CDI)

A brief overview of details after candidates have taken the CASLI Generalist Performance Exam

The CASLI Generalist Performance Exam is a computer-based exam composed of multiple scenarios, ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, in which candidates are to interpret as appropriate using consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, sight translations or any combination thereof, within each scenario of a general community setting.

The CASLI Generalist Performance Exam must first go through beta period, a period of time in which candidates take the exam but do not receive their results, in the typical 90 days’ time frame, until a scoring committee has convened to determine the scoring criteria and the cut score, a point at which a candidate passes or fails the exam, is established. This process is part of the exam development process and may take as long as six (6) months or longer to complete.

After the beta period is complete, raters for the performance exam will be recruited and trained and will proceed to rate manually all performance exams through the CASLI Exam System. After the beta period is complete, CASLI will endeavor to score performance exams and report scores to candidates as quickly as possible. Exam results are estimated to be available within ninety (90) days after the exam is taken.

The scoring algorithm for candidate responses to the vignettes on the Performance Exam is designed to accurately determine whether a candidate does or does not demonstrate at least the minimum level of competency expected of an interpreter holding national certification. It determines only the pass/fail status of each candidate.

The Performance Exam and the scoring process for the vignettes in the exam are not designed for or intended to be used to rank candidates or to assess the degree to which candidates are above or below the pass/fail point. While the process includes a numeric score and some feedback from the raters for failing candidates, the feedback is only intended to give failing candidates an indication of how far they were from passing and the areas in which they most need to improve. Exam results are neither designed as nor intended to be used as a diagnostic examination.

Candidate responses to vignettes are scored by trained and continually monitored raters. The number of different individual raters evaluating a vignette will depend on the scores assigned by initial raters and the need for additional scorings. There are six (6) vignettes and each vignette may be scored by as many as three (3) different raters to ensure accuracy and prevent bias.

CASLI Performance examination is rated using problem-specific scoring criteria (rubrics). These criteria identify the features that must be present in a candidate’s response to demonstrate competence. Since these scoring criteria are specific to the actual content of the vignette, they must remain confidential and cannot be provided to candidates.

CASLI encourages all candidates to prepare by truthfully assessing individual strengths and weaknesses in interpreting skill and concentrating on improving areas of weakness. Not only will this help them on the exam, it will also help them be better interpreters in real-life.

The process through which the scoring criteria were developed, and the general scoring rubric into which the criteria are structured, includes a scoring group composed of Deaf and hearing interpreters Subject Matter Experts selected and reviewed each vignette. Then the group determined the minimum level of competence that is expected of an interpreter holding national certification for each vignette and developed scoring criteria (rubrics) that identify specific critical and non-substantive elements of the communication and the exact types and number of errors.

The following description serves as an example of a general guide for defining each of these score levels. It is not the actual scoring criteria for any of the vignettes in the exam. Each vignette has a different and individual rubric, based on the specific tasks that are being evaluated in that vignette. As such, sharing the actual exam criteria would essentially be giving away the answers to the exam.

In addition to developing the scoring criteria for each vignette, the scoring group also determined the combination of scores across the entire exam that represents the minimum passing score. In order to pass the Performance Exam, candidates must achieve at least a minimum combined score.

Candidates who pass the exam will receive a score of “Pass.” No additional score information will be provided.

Candidates who fail the exam will receive a score of “Fail.” Failing candidates will not be advised of the scores earned on specific vignettes; however, they will receive Areas of Improvement feedback from raters. This feedback is an indication of the areas in which the candidate needs to improve the most. Raters select the areas of improvement for feedback from a pre-established list. The feedback is not diagnostic and does not represent a custom critique of a candidate’s performance.  Details on Area of Improvements for CASLI Performance Exam can be found here.  Click here for ASL version of Areas of Improvement.

If you fail the CASLI Generalist Performance Exam, you may apply and pay for a retake after a six-month required waiting period, which begins from the date you originally took the exam, regardless of when you received your exam results. After your six-month waiting period has passed, you may request an exam to be added into your CASLI Exam System Account.

NIC Interview and Performance Exam (Discontinued as of May 18, 2022)

A brief overview of details after candidates have taken their NIC Interview & Performance Exam

The scoring algorithm for candidate responses to the vignettes on the NIC Interview and Performance Exam is designed to accurately determine whether a candidate does or does not demonstrate at least the minimum level of competency expected of an interpreter holding national certification. It determines only the pass/fail status of each candidate.

The NIC Interview and Performance Exam and the scoring process for the vignettes in the exam are not designed for or intended to be used to rank candidates or to assess the degree to which candidates are above or below the pass/fail point. While the process includes a numeric score and some feedback from the raters for failing candidates, the feedback is only intended to give failing candidates an indication of how far they were from passing and the areas in which they most need to improve. Exam results are neither designed as nor intended to be used as a diagnostic examination.

Candidate responses to vignettes are scored by trained and continually monitored raters. The number of different individual raters evaluating a vignette will depend on the scores assigned by initial raters and the need for additional scorings. There are seven (7) vignettes and each vignette may be scored by as many as three (3) different raters to ensure accuracy and prevent bias.

The NIC Interview and Performance examination is rated using problem-specific scoring criteria (rubrics). These criteria identify the features that must be present in a candidate’s response to demonstrate competence. Since these scoring criteria are specific to the actual content of the vignette, they must remain confidential and cannot be provided to candidates.

CASLI encourages all candidates to prepare by truthfully assessing individual strengths and weaknesses in interpreting skill and concentrating on improving areas of weakness. Not only will this help them on the exam, it will also help them be better interpreters in real-life.

The process through which the scoring criteria were developed, and the general scoring rubric into which the criteria are structured, includes a scoring group composed of Deaf and hearing interpreters Subject Matter Experts selected and reviewed each vignette. Then the group determined the minimum level of competence that is expected of an interpreter holding national certification for each vignette and developed scoring criteria (rubrics) that identify specific critical and non-substantive elements of the communication and the exact types and number of errors that are associated with four levels of candidate performance:

    • Pass
    • Borderline Pass
    • Borderline Fail
    • Fail

The following description serves as an example of a general guide for defining each of these score levels. It is not the actual scoring criteria for any of the vignettes in the exam. Each vignette has a different and individual rubric, based on the specific tasks that are being evaluated in that vignette. As such, sharing the actual exam criteria would essentially be giving away the answers to the exam.

In addition to developing the scoring criteria for each vignette, the scoring group also determined the combination of scores across the entire exam that represents the minimum passing score. In order to pass the NIC Interview and Performance Exam, candidates must achieve at least a minimum score on the ethical “interview” vignettes, at least a minimum score on the interpreting “performance” vignettes and at least a minimum combined score.

CASLI will endeavor to score the NIC Interview and Performance examination and to report scores to candidates as quickly as possible. Score Reports are estimated to be available 90 days after the exam date.

Following the examination scoring process, you will receive an e-mail from CASLI with your NIC Interview and Performance Exam Scores. Please keep your contact information in your account up-to-date to prevent notification delays. Your exam results will become available in your CASLI Exam System Account and can be accessed by clicking on “my exams”.

If you pass the NIC Interview and Performance Exam, CASLI will send notice that you have completed your exam eligibility requirements for RID Certification. The RID Certification department will then contact you with your next steps in the certification process.

Candidates who pass the exam will receive a score of “Pass.” No additional score information will be provided.

Candidates who fail the exam will receive a score of “Fail.” Failing candidates will not be advised of the scores earned on specific vignettes; however, they will receive feedback from raters. This feedback is an indication of the areas in which the candidate needs to improve the most. Raters select the areas for feedback from a pre-established list. The feedback is not diagnostic and does not represent a custom critique of a candidate’s performance.

CDI Knowledge Exam (Discontinued as of December 31, 2020)

A brief overview of details after candidates have taken their CDI Knowledge Exam

In lieu of the retired CDI Knowledge Exam, candidates now can take the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam.

The CDI Knowledge exam is a paper-based booklet-and-bubble-sheet test. The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, presented in either written English or ASL and candidates have three hours to complete this exam. All questions are of equal weight, and you will receive one point for each correct answer. Incorrect and unanswered questions receive no points. You are encouraged to answer all questions since there is no penalty for incorrect answers. You must receive a score of 72 or better to pass the exam.

CASLI will endeavor to score the CDI Knowledge Examination and to report scores to candidates within 30 days. Following the examination scoring process CASLI will send you an email to the email address listed in your account. Please keep your contact information in your RID Member account up-to-date to prevent notification delays.

All candidates, regardless of their results, will receive their exact score and the score analysis (the score received on each domain of the exam answered correctly).

Content Area Number of Questions on the Exam Number of Correct Answers
1: Professional Roles and Responsibilities 33
2: Preparation for Service Delivery 20 20
3: Provision of Service 37
4: Post Service Closure 10

You can access your exam results by logging into your RID Member Portal Account and clicking on the purple tile titled, “View Your Exam History.”  Next to the exam you would like to see your results for, please click on “Download Score Report.”  This PDF document will automatically downloaded to your computer.CDI-Knowledge Exam Retakes

If you fail the CDI Knowledge Exam, you may apply and pay for a CDI Knowledge Exam retake after a six-month waiting period.  The six-month waiting period begins from the date you originally took the Exam; this is regardless of when you received your exam results. The RID Member portal is designed so you cannot purchase a retake until your six months has passed.  The CDI Knowledge Exam will be retired  and no longer administered after December 31, 2020.  Candidates that did not successfully pass their CDI Knowledge exam (within the past six months) do not need to wait 6 months to take the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam.  

NIC-Knowledge Exam (Discontinued as of December 31, 2020)

A brief overview of details after candidates have taken their NIC Knowledge Exam

In lieu of the retired NIC Knowledge Exam, candidates now can take the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam.

The NIC Knowledge Exam is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions that assess whether a candidate has the knowledge required to achieve national certification. Candidates have up to three hours to complete the exam. The NIC-Knowledge exam is a computer-based multiple choice exam administered at one of ScanTron’s test centers. Candidates receive a score report at the test site immediately after completing their knowledge exam.

All questions are of equal weight and you will receive one point for each correct answer.  Incorrect and unanswered questions receive no points.  You are encouraged to answer all questions since there is no penalty for incorrect answers. The total number of correct answers achieved is converted to a scale on which scores range from 200 to 800. You must receive a scaled score of 500 or better to pass the exam.

After CASLI receives the results from ScanTron and uploads them into the RID Member Accounts, CASLI will send you an email to the email address listed in your account. Please keep your contact information in your RID Member account up to date to prevent notification delays.

All candidates, regardless of their results, will receive their exact score and the score analysis (the score received on each domain of the exam answered correctly).

Task Number of Questions on the Exam Level of Correct Answers
Task 01
Task 02
Task 03
Task 04
Task 05
Task 06
Task 07
Task 08
Task 09A
Task 09B
Task 10A
Task 10B

You can access your exam results by logging into your RID Member Portal Account and clicking on the purple tab titled, “View Your Exam History.”  Next to the exam you would like to see your results for, please click on “Download Score Report.”  This PDF document will automatically download to your computer.

To familiarize yourself with ScanTron’s online test delivery system, you can view a free demo.

If you fail the NIC Knowledge Exam, you may apply and pay for a NIC Knowledge Exam retake after a three-month waiting period.  The three-month waiting period begins from the date you originally took the Exam; this is regardless of when you received your exam results. The RID Member portal is designed so you cannot purchase a retake until your three months has passed. The NIC Knowledge Exam will be retired  and no longer administered after December 31, 2020.  Candidates that did not successfully pass their NIC Knowledge exam (since October 1, 2020) do not need to wait 3 months to take the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam once it is available to take.