Interview with Amar about the Bilingual Test

Interpreting plays a crucial role in connecting people with public services. At the same time, it is a profession many practitioners work in alone, often carrying significant responsibility and facing high demands for precision. For many considering a career in interpreting services, a natural question arises: how does one become an interpreter in Norway — and what qualifications are required?

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With the introduction of the Interpretation Act, the need for qualified interpreters has become even clearer. For many, this also means taking the Bilingual Test — an important step toward formal recognition and broader opportunities in the interpreting field.

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We spoke with Amar, an Arabic interpreter with over ten years of experience who recently completed the test, and asked him to share his experiences and advice.

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A Natural Path into Interpreting

For Amar, his career began through a concrete need in his local community. During the refugee wave of 2012–2014, he was living in the Lillestrøm area, where many Arabic-speaking refugees had settled. Through family and personal networks, he quickly became someone people turned to for language assistance.

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For several years he worked as a volunteer interpreter, before eventually moving into paid assignments and building his experience in interpreting services.

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Eventually, my sisters encouraged me to start charging for my work. I got my first paid assignment, and from that very first client I received a lot of praise and positive feedback. That motivated me to keep going.

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With a long-standing interest in language, developing this into a profession felt like a natural progression.

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An Important Step Toward Formal Qualification

Even with solid experience and a steady client base, he eventually chose to take the Bilingual Test.

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I had been working as an interpreter for nearly ten years, with many regular clients and a consistent flow of assignments. But with the introduction of the Interpretation Act, I felt a real fear of being pushed out of the market."

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For many interpreters, this test is a key step toward formal qualification or strengthening their position in the field. Official credentials often open up more opportunities and provide greater security in the profession.

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The Bilingual Test itself is relatively short, but feels intensive. Amar describes the preparation phase as demanding, particularly because it can be difficult to know exactly what to focus on.

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You know you'll be interpreting in both directions, but the range of possible topics is broad.

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The Bilingual Test website also states that the exam may cover topics from areas such as healthcare, social services, education, the legal system, and working life.

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To be as well prepared as possible, it helps to be familiar with the terminology used by key public institutions, including Helsenorge, NAV, the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs, the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, the Integration and Diversity Directorate, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, the Government, the Norwegian Courts, the Police, the Norwegian Tax Administration, and Altinn.

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There are many different topics, so it's useful to have a broad vocabulary.

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He therefore recommends actively working on terminology within relevant subject areas — especially those you encounter most frequently in interpreting assignments. After passing the test, candidates attend a course (TAO) covering interpreting techniques, professional role awareness, ethics, and mental health.

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I found that course very valuable. It provides a solid professional foundation.

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During the test itself, one skill stands out above all: the ability to listen, understand, and accurately reproduce what is said.

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You need to be focused and clear-headed. It's all about conveying the message as accurately as possible.

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Amar points out that the test places high demands on concentration and memory — both of which are equally important in day-to-day interpreting work.

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Experience as an Asset

With many years in the field, he found that his experience served as a solid foundation throughout the process.

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If you've been working as an interpreter for a while, you already have a strong base to build on.

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At the same time, he emphasises that the test is its own distinct situation that requires adjustment and mental preparation. When asked to sum up the experience in one sentence, he says:

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It's a test where you have to listen and reproduce what you hear as accurately as possible.

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Advice for Those Taking the Bilingual Test

Based on Amar's experience, a few things can make a real difference in preparation. The most important is to actively work on terminology within relevant subject areas such as healthcare, NAV, education, and the public sector, and to familiarise yourself with the full range of topics the test may cover. Equally important is practising interpretation in both directions — both into and out of Norwegian — and training your concentration and memory, particularly under pressure.

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For anyone considering how to become an interpreter or looking to develop further within interpreting services, Amar's experience shows that it is entirely achievable — but it requires effort and preparation.

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The Bilingual Test is an important step toward greater professionalism in the industry, and an opportunity to formalise the competence you have already built — opening the door to more opportunities as an interpreter in Norway.