ATA - American Translators Association Exam Structure and Format Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ATA certification exam candidate is presented with three passages. What is the requirement for completing this portion of the exam?
- Translate one mandatory passage and choose one of two other passages to translate.
- Translate all three passages, and the best two will be graded.
- Choose any two of the three passages to translate. (Correct answer)
- Translate the first passage, and then translate either the second or third passage.
Correct answer: Choose any two of the three passages to translate.
The ATA certification exam consists of three passages, and the candidate is required to choose and translate any two of them within the three-hour time limit. There is no mandatory passage.
Question 2: Which of the following resources is explicitly forbidden during the ATA certification exam, whether taken in-person or online?
- Printed bilingual dictionaries and personal glossaries.
- Online terminology databases and dictionaries.
- Machine translation websites and interactive forums. (Correct answer)
- Style guides and grammar reference books.
Correct answer: Machine translation websites and interactive forums.
While the exam is open-book, allowing many printed and specified online resources, interactive sites like forums (e.g., ProZ.com) and machine translation tools are strictly prohibited to ensure the work is the candidate's own.
Question 3: A candidate taking the computerized ATA certification exam finds that their word processing software's spell-check and grammar-check functions are disabled. What is the reason for this condition?
- To ensure a level playing field with those who opt for a handwritten exam.
- To test the candidate's ability to use keyboard shortcuts for editing.
- To encourage the use of printed dictionaries for spelling verification.
- To assess fundamental language skills in spelling and grammar as a core competency. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To assess fundamental language skills in spelling and grammar as a core competency.
The ATA disables automatic spelling and grammar checkers to directly evaluate a candidate's proficiency in these fundamental areas, as they are considered essential skills for a professional translator. While it creates parity with handwritten exams, the primary purpose is to test this core competency.
Question 4: What is the total duration of the ATA certification exam, and how many passages must be translated within that time?
- 4 hours, to translate all three passages.
- 3 hours, to translate two passages. (Correct answer)
- 2.5 hours, to translate two passages.
- 3.5 hours, to translate one mandatory and one optional passage.
Correct answer: 3 hours, to translate two passages.
The ATA certification exam is a three-hour, proctored exam. During this time, candidates are required to translate two passages, each ranging from approximately 225 to 275 words.
Question 5: During the grading process for the ATA exam, what happens if the first two graders disagree on whether a candidate's exam passes or fails?
- The candidate is automatically asked to retake a portion of the exam.
- The exam is sent to a third, tie-breaking grader for a final decision. (Correct answer)
- The two graders must confer and reach a consensus.
- The exam is failed, as a unanimous pass is required.
Correct answer: The exam is sent to a third, tie-breaking grader for a final decision.
To ensure objectivity and consistency, if the first two graders do not agree on the pass/fail outcome of an exam, the exam is sent to a third grader. This third grader's evaluation determines the final result.
Question 6: A candidate is preparing for the exam and carefully reads the 'Translation Instructions' (TIs) provided with each passage. What is the primary purpose of these instructions?
- To provide a glossary of difficult terms found in the passage.
- To specify the context, purpose, audience, and medium for the translation. (Correct answer)
- To indicate which of the three passages is the most difficult.
- To offer suggestions on sentence structure for the target language.
Correct answer: To specify the context, purpose, audience, and medium for the translation.
The Translation Instructions (TIs) are crucial as they frame the translation task, specifying the context such as the text source, translation purpose, audience, and medium. Adhering to the TIs is a key part of producing a professionally usable translation and is a factor in grading.
ATA - American Translators Association Exam Structure and Format Questions and Answers
An ATA certification exam candidate is presented with three passages.
What is the requirement for completing this portion of the exam?