STC Eligibility Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: For the ATA certification exam, which of the following translation directions for Spanish is available?
- Spanish into English only
- English into Spanish only
- Both Spanish into English and English into Spanish (Correct answer)
- Spanish into French only
Correct answer: Both Spanish into English and English into Spanish
ATA offers certification in both directions: Spanish into English and English into Spanish, as separate examination options.
Question 2: What type of examination format does the ATA use to evaluate Spanish translator candidates?
- Multiple-choice grammar test
- Oral interpretation of a live speech
- Translation of unseen passages evaluated by graders (Correct answer)
- Submission of a previously translated published work
Correct answer: Translation of unseen passages evaluated by graders
The ATA exam requires candidates to translate unseen passages, which are then scored by trained graders using a defined error-point system.
Question 3: Which of the following resources are candidates permitted to use during the ATA certification exam?
- Internet-connected devices and online translation tools
- Pre-approved printed dictionaries and glossaries only (Correct answer)
- Machine translation output for reference
- Assistance from a colleague in the exam room
Correct answer: Pre-approved printed dictionaries and glossaries only
Candidates may bring printed reference materials such as dictionaries and glossaries but are not permitted internet access or electronic translation tools.
Question 4: A candidate who fails the ATA certification exam must wait how long before retaking it?
- 30 days
- Three months
- Six months (Correct answer)
- One full year
Correct answer: Six months
ATA policy requires a six-month waiting period before a failed candidate may retake the certification examination.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT a currently offered ATA-certified language pair involving Spanish?
- Spanish into English
- English into Spanish
- Spanish into Portuguese
- Spanish into French (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Spanish into French
ATA does not currently offer a certified exam in the Spanish-into-French direction; Spanish↔English and Spanish↔Portuguese are among the active pairs.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the ATA's grading rubric for the Spanish certification exam?
- To assess a candidate's verbal fluency in Spanish
- To measure accuracy and idiomatic quality of written translation (Correct answer)
- To evaluate the speed at which a candidate translates
- To certify that a candidate uses approved translation software
Correct answer: To measure accuracy and idiomatic quality of written translation
The ATA grading rubric assigns error points for inaccuracies, mistranslations, and poor target-language expression, measuring both accuracy and idiomatic quality.
Question 7: Under ATA eligibility rules, which category of individuals may NOT take the Spanish certification exam?
- Non-U.S. citizens who are ATA members
- Individuals under age 18 (Correct answer)
- Part-time freelance translators
- Translators whose primary specialty is literary translation
Correct answer: Individuals under age 18
ATA requires all exam candidates to be at least 18 years of age at the time of testing.
STC Eligibility Requirements 3
For the ATA certification exam, which of the following translation directions for Spanish is available?