CATTI Level 3 exam-day guide
CATTI Level 3 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket and valid ID
Print the admission ticket from the official CATTI registration site and bring the same ID document you used to register (typically a mainland resident ID card, passport, or other accepted document). Name and number must match exactly. If your ID is expiring, renew or confirm with the provider which alternative documents they accept.
Confirm exam format and venue details
CATTI Level 3 has traditionally been a paper-based test in mainland China, with computer-based testing introduced in some regions and years. Confirm with the provider whether your sitting is paper or computer-based, the exact venue address, and the reporting time, because these differ by city.
Black or blue-ink pens (and 2B pencils if paper-based)
For paper-based sittings, bring at least two black or blue-ink pens for translation writing and 2B pencils plus an eraser for the objective sections. For computer-based sittings, pens are usually not needed for answers but may help for notes; confirm with the provider what is allowed at your venue.
Dictionary policy check
CATTI has historically allowed candidates to bring paper dictionaries into the translation sections (not electronic ones). Rules vary by level, section, and year, so confirm with the provider before relying on this. If allowed, bring one compact bilingual dictionary rather than several heavy volumes.
Watch (non-smart) for timekeeping
Many exam rooms lack a visible clock, and phones must be switched off and stored. A simple analog or digital wristwatch without smart features helps you pace the two translation passages. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are permitted at your venue.
Water and a light snack for between papers
Level 3 usually has two papers (comprehensive and translation practice) with a short interval. Bring water in a clear bottle and a small snack to eat outside the exam room during the break, subject to venue rules.
Rehearse the time split for each paper
Know in advance how many minutes you will give to each section. For the translation practice paper, a common approach is roughly half the time per passage plus 10-15 minutes for checking names, numbers, and omissions.
Practice with handwritten or typed output matching your format
If paper-based, practise writing full translations by hand to build speed and legibility. If computer-based, practise typing Chinese and English quickly and check whether your input method is available at the venue; confirm with the provider which input methods the system provides.
Plan the route and arrival buffer
Check the journey to the venue and aim to arrive at least 45-60 minutes before the reporting time. Late arrivals are commonly refused entry once the paper has started, but confirm the exact cut-off with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home
Smartphones, smartwatches, electronic dictionaries, and any communication or storage devices are normally banned from the exam room. Confirm with the provider where phones can be stored, if at all.
Review the official notice one last time
Re-read the admission notice and any venue-specific instructions the day before, since reporting times, entry gates, and permitted items can change. Mark anything unclear and confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new vocabulary lists and switch to timed practice. Complete one full mock of each paper under exam conditions, writing translations by hand or typing them, and review where you lost time. Re-read your own error patterns: mistranslated proper nouns, dropped numbers, and sentences left unfinished are the most costly mistakes at Level 3. Prepare your documents, print the admission ticket, and check the venue route.
Pack your bag: admission ticket, ID, pens, pencils, eraser, dictionary if permitted, watch, water, and snack. Confirm the reporting time and gate with the provider if anything on the notice is unclear. Do a light review of common terms in your chosen direction (English-Chinese or Chinese-English) and of standard formats for names, dates, and numbers. Sleep early; do not attempt a full mock the night before.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and use the waiting time to skim your own glossary rather than new material. Once seated, check that your answer sheet or computer station is working, write your name and number exactly as on your ID, and read the instructions for each section before starting.
For the comprehensive paper, answer confidently and do not linger on uncertain items; return only if time allows. For the translation paper, read the whole passage first, then translate sentence by sentence, keeping proper nouns consistent and checking numbers. Reserve the last 10-15 minutes to proofread for omissions, grammar, and unfinished sentences rather than to rewrite whole paragraphs.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document that matches your registration exactly; a mismatched or expired document can result in refusal of entry. If your ID situation is unusual, confirm with the provider in advance.
Arrive before the reporting time and follow the venue's entry cut-off. Candidates arriving after the permitted time are commonly not admitted, but the exact rule varies by venue, so confirm with the provider.
Electronic devices, smartwatches, and electronic dictionaries are normally prohibited in the exam room. Switch off and store them as instructed; do not keep a phone on your person.
Dictionary use, if permitted at all, is generally limited to paper dictionaries in the translation sections. Do not assume this applies to your sitting; confirm with the provider.
During the interval between papers, leave the exam room as instructed, do not discuss the content with other candidates, and return before the second paper begins.
Write or type your answers in the designated spaces or fields only. Answers written outside the marked areas, or in the wrong language direction, may not be scored.
Scoring is based on accuracy and completeness of translation and on the objective sections; do not leave blanks in the objective paper, since unanswered items normally score zero.
Follow invigilator instructions at all times. Any suspected misconduct can lead to disqualification, and the provider's published regulations govern the final decision.