NAATI CCL
Note-taking for the NAATI CCL: a light system for 35-word segments
By XINGO teamUpdated 4 min read
CCL segments are short — 35 words or less — so you won't need the elaborate note-taking systems conference interpreters use. But 35 words with a date, an amount and a list of documents is a lot to hold in your head after a chime, especially when you're nervous.
NAATI allows you to take notes with a pen on loose paper during the test. The goal is a light system: a few marks that trigger your memory, not a transcript. Here's one that works for most candidates, and how to practise it.
Memory first, notes second
The most common note-taking mistake is writing too much. If you're busy writing, you're not listening, and you'll end up reading half-sentences back instead of interpreting the meaning. Listen for the message — who is doing what, and why — and write only what memory is likely to drop.
| Write down | Leave to memory |
|---|---|
| Numbers, amounts, percentages | The general flow of the sentence |
| Dates, times, days | Polite phrases and greetings |
| Names of people, places, organisations | Emotion and tone |
| Lists (documents, symptoms, steps) | Ideas that follow logically from the previous one |
| Negatives and conditions ('not', 'unless', 'only if') | Repetition of something already said |
A handful of symbols
Pick a small set and use it consistently. You don't need dozens — ten to fifteen cover most CCL dialogues. These are common choices, but whatever you'll recognise instantly is best:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| → | go to, lead to, result in, send |
| ← | come from, receive |
| ↑ / ↓ | increase / decrease, more / less |
| ✓ / ✗ | yes, approved, correct / no, refused, wrong |
| ? | question, ask, unsure |
| ! | important, warning, urgent |
| = | is, means, same as |
| ≠ | different, not the same |
| b/c | because |
| w/ , w/o | with, without |
| Dr, appt, ins, $ | doctor, appointment, insurance, money/payment |
Write your symbols in the language that's fastest for you. Many candidates mix English abbreviations with their own script; that's fine as long as you can read it back instantly.
Lay out the page so you can read it at a glance
- One segment per block. Draw a line across the page after each segment so you never read the previous segment's notes.
- Write down the page, not across. Short lines stacked vertically are faster to scan than long lines.
- Indent for detail. Put the main idea on the left and details (amount, date) indented beneath.
- Number your pages before the test starts so a dropped sheet doesn't throw you.
- Segment
- Your claim was approved, but because you didn't send the receipts we can only refund $340 of the $520 — unless you upload them before Friday the 14th.
- Notes
- claim ✓ | b/c no receipts → $340 / $520 | unless upload → Fri 14
Those few marks capture everything memory would drop: the two amounts, the condition, the deadline. The rest — 'your claim was approved', 'we can only refund' — you remember because you understood it.
Numbers: write them the way you'll say them
Numbers deserve special attention because number systems differ. If you'll render $250,000 as ढाई लाख in Hindi or 25万 in Mandarin, practise writing the number in a form that makes the conversion instant. Some candidates write the target-language form directly; others write the digits and convert while speaking. Try both in practice and keep whichever produces fewer errors. Our language pages include number tips — for example Hindi, Mandarin and Korean.
Drills that build the skill
- Memory-only round. Interpret short segments with no notes at all. This shows you how much you can hold without help.
- Numbers-only round. Listen to segments and note only numbers, dates and names. Then interpret.
- Full round. Use your light system on a complete dialogue with test rules: one repeat, start within five seconds.
- Review. Compare your notes with what you said. Did you write things you didn't need? Did you miss something you should have noted?
Ten minutes of drills a day for two or three weeks usually makes a visible difference. The aim is for note-taking to become automatic, so your attention stays on meaning.
Common note-taking problems
- Writing whole words — use abbreviations and symbols.
- Not being able to read your notes — slow down slightly and write larger.
- Reading notes aloud word by word — glance at them, then look up and speak naturally.
- Missing the end of the segment while writing the start — write less, listen more.
Practise with real conversations
Note-taking only improves with practice on realistic speech. NAATI's free practice materials are a good start. XINGO's CCL practice gives you CCL-style dialogues — insurance claims, bank home loans, workplace injuries, Centrelink appointments — spoken by two AI speakers in your language pair, so you can drill note-taking on fresh material and get feedback on what you dropped.
Questions
- Can I take notes in the NAATI CCL test?
- Yes. NAATI allows notes with a pen on loose sheets of paper. Electronic devices and prepared notes aren't allowed. Check the candidate instructions for current rules.
- Should I learn a formal note-taking system?
- For the CCL, a light personal system is usually enough. Formal systems are more useful for longer consecutive interpreting, such as in the NAATI CPI or CI tests.
Official sources
Exam rules, fees and dates change. Always check the official source before you book. XINGO is independent and not affiliated with NAATI or any exam body.