Which statement is true about interpreting a test when the goal is content knowledge rather than literacy?

Which statement is true about interpreting a test when the goal is content knowledge rather than literacy?

• A. The interpreter may interpret the instructions, but not the test items
• B. The interpreter must translate every item
• C. The interpreter should stop interpreting to avoid altering the test
• D. The interpreter should rewrite questions in sign language

Answer: (A)

When the goal is content knowledge rather than literacy, the interpreter’s role is to help the test-taker understand what to do without changing the test content itself. Interpreting the instructions ensures the person knows how to respond and what the task requires, while leaving the test items in their original form preserves the measure of content knowledge and avoids altering difficulty or meaning. Translating every item, rewriting questions in sign language, or stopping interpretation to avoid any influence would modify what the test is designed to assess or hinder the test-taker’s ability to complete the task. So, interpreting the instructions only, to support comprehension of the task, is the best practice for this goal.

When the goal is content knowledge rather than literacy, the interpreter’s role is to help the test-taker understand what to do without changing the test content itself. Interpreting the instructions ensures the person knows how to respond and what the task requires, while leaving the test items in their original form preserves the measure of content knowledge and avoids altering difficulty or meaning. Translating every item, rewriting questions in sign language, or stopping interpretation to avoid any influence would modify what the test is designed to assess or hinder the test-taker’s ability to complete the task. So, interpreting the instructions only, to support comprehension of the task, is the best practice for this goal.