percent of the total. These books included novels, literary theories, research studies, essays, biographies, dramas and poetry.

China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters

TEST TIME: Students take the China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters in Jinan City, Shandong Province

China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI) is a national professional qualification test. The China International Publishing Group is responsible for organizing, implementing and administering the test under the guidance of the former Ministry of Personnel. CATTI is the most authoritative translation and interpretation proficiency accreditation test, which is implemented throughout the country according to uniform standards and in compliance with the national system of professional qualification certificates.

According to the relevant regulations of the former Ministry of Personnel, the translation and interpretation proficiency qualification test has been incorporated into the national system of professional qualification certificates.

If an examinee passes the test, he or she is awarded the Translation and Interpretation Proficiency Qualification Certificate of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the prerequisites for translation and interpretation professional and technical posts. After the test is introduced to the whole country, the appraisal of translation and interpretation professional and technical posts for corresponding foreign languages and levels will cease.

The languages to be tested are English, Japanese, Russian, German, French, Spanish and Arabic. The test appraises either translation or interpretation, including consecutive interpretation or simultaneous interpretation. There are four levels of qualifications, including senior translator and interpreter, and translator and interpreter of level one, two and three. CATTI was piloted in December 2003 and was implemented nationwide in 2006. According to statistics, from the end of 2003 up to now, a total of 60,000 people have enrolled to take the test, and nearly 10,000 have passed it, with a pass rate of nearly 20 percent. For less popular foreign languages, the pass rate is close to 30 percent.