Translation is the rendering of text from one language into another. It not only requires an expert level of proficiency in reading and writing in both languages, but the ability to capture the nuances, style, tone, and intent of the original message. Translators must be able to select equivalent terms or phrases to best preserve the meaning of the source document as well as to convey cultural undertones.
ALTA offers its Translation Assessment in a variety of contexts and languages, or can create a customized translation test for your organization using sample documentation that your candidates will be presented with on the job. Each test consists of a number of passages in a source language to be translated into the target language. Because the exams can be administered as needed by your administrators and on your site, you have the flexibility to screen your candidates’ translation skills whenever you choose. Simply send any completed tests back to ALTA for scoring, and you will receive the results within two business days.
The Translation Assessment is scored according to our ALTA scale. The evaluator scores the exam based on how well the candidate has comprehended and maintained the meaning of the original message, as well as how well they have used the mechanics of the target language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. As fluency in writing in both languages is a prerequisite of translation, you may also choose to use ALTA’s Written Assessment as a screening tool.
Scoring is based on the ALTA proficiency scale. An evaluator rates how well the candidate preserved the meaning and intent of the original passage, along with how accurately they applied the mechanics of the target language, including grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Evaluators are native-speaking evaluators of the target language, trained on ALTA’s archive of expert-scored evaluation sessions, and evaluator identities are kept confidential to protect the integrity of the result.
Completed tests are scored and returned within two business days of ALTA receiving them.
Results are sent to the organization that requested the test, not directly to the candidate. ALTA does not release results to candidates or to any other company; if you need a copy, request it through the organization that ordered your test.
ALTA offers translation testing across the languages listed on its Testing Languages Offered page.
Yes. In addition to its standard Translation Assessment, ALTA can build a customized test using your organization’s own sample documentation, so candidates are evaluated on the same type of material they would encounter on the job.
Translation measures written skill: converting a written passage from one language into another with accuracy and fluency. Interpretation measures spoken skill: listening to a dialogue, often in a specific professional context such as healthcare, and orally rendering it in the other language in real time. If a role requires speaking with non-English-speaking clients or patients, the Interpretation Assessment is the more relevant test; if the role requires translating documents, the Translation Assessment is the right fit.
Strong writing proficiency in both languages is a prerequisite for translation, so some organizations use ALTA’s Writing Assessment as an earlier screening step before administering the full Translation Assessment. Whether you need both depends on how much assurance your organization wants before investing in the longer test.
To see which languages we provide language assessments for, visit our Testing Languages Offered page.
We look forward to helping you with your translation testing needs. Simply fill out our contact form or call us at 404.920.3832 and we will answer your questions, listen to your needs, and help you decide which type of testing is right for you. If you are ready to get started, an ALTA team member will also assist you with setting up an account so that you can begin testing your candidates right away.
View our test prep materials or FAQ’s for common questions about taking a test.