FCICE study guide
FCICE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE) is the federal judiciary's two-phase credentialing examination for court interpreters, and it is offered for Spanish/English testing only - the primary interpreting need in the federal Judiciary. Phase One is a computer-administered screener consisting of a multiple-choice test of English proficiency and a multiple-choice test of Spanish proficiency; you must pass it to qualify to register for the oral examination. The FCICE study guide has 5 sections and about 1,527 words.
01English Language Proficiency - Phase One Written
The English half of Phase One is a high-register proficiency test, not a general ESL test. Expect advanced vocabulary (legal, medical, administrative), grammar and usage, and reading comprehension of dense expository and judicial prose.
299 words, about 1 min02Spanish Language Proficiency - Phase One Written
Spanish Phase One covers grammar, lexicon, and reading comprehension at a professional register. High-yield grammar: ser/estar , por/para , preterite versus imperfect aspect, the subjunctive (imperfect subjunctive in si clauses and after como si , ojalá , a menos que , no sea que ), reflexive and impersonal se , and clitic placement.
288 words, about 1 min03Sight Translation - Phase Two Oral
You read a passage aloud in the target language, on sight, once, at a steady professional pace - no dictionary, no preparation time. Passages are authentic court material: plea forms, arraignment advisements, statutes, sentencing orders, correspondence.
320 words, about 2 min04Simultaneous Interpretation - Phase Two Oral
You interpret continuously while the speaker talks, in both directions, at near-native speed. Graded dimensions are accuracy, completeness, target-language grammar, and delivery.
280 words, about 1 min05Consecutive Interpretation - Phase Two Oral
You interpret after the speaker pauses, usually in segments of roughly thirty seconds to several minutes, in both directions. Accuracy, completeness, grammar, and delivery are graded; notes and memory are means, not ends.
340 words, about 2 min