Entrance
Exam Information
How
often is the entrance exam offered?
The
entrance exam is offered four times a year in the fall, winter, spring, and summer
quarters. Students can only take the exam on the scheduled date each
quarter. Please see below for information
on what courses you can take before you take and/or pass the exam.
How
do I prepare for the entrance exam?
The
exam is an oral and written assessment of your speaking skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and
spelling in both languages. It is not a standardized
test, and there are no accompanying test preparation books or materials.
The following suggestions have been helpful for past students who were
preparing for the exam:
• Listen closely to radio and television programs in both Spanish and
English, while simultaneously interpreting into the other language in
your head.
• Read diverse sources in both languages and pay close attention to correct
spelling, accents, dialect, slang, etc.
• Translate articles and excerpts from books with published translations
and compare versions for accuracy.
• Study vocabulary from works in English and Spanish at the university
level.
Who
grades the entrance exam? Will I be able to keep the graded exam?
The
exam is graded by a qualified, bilingual practitioner in the field of
translation and interpretation. All results are reported to students
on the same day of the exam to allow adequate time to enroll in courses.
Students do not have access to graded exams.
What
if I fail the entrance exam?
Most
importantly, don't panic. Nearly thirty percent of the students who take
the entrance exam do not pass it. If a student does not pass the exam,
the student is eligible to retake the exam after three months. Students
can take the exam as many times as they like. In
the meantime, we highly recommend students work on their translation skills by enrolling in suggested Program Preparation courses or any of the following required program courses:
Introduction to Translation and Interpretation
Offered every quarter, this course provides an excellent overview of the field of translation and interpretation as well as hands-on practice of the different techniques, i.e., written and sight translation, and consecutive and simultaneous interpretation. Required course for the Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English).
Theory and Practice of Translation
This course introduces the basic theory and strategies for written translation. Students translate texts from various categories including literary, technical, business and advertising. Through hands-on practice and exercises, participants develop the fundamental analytical, cognitive, and linguistic skills that are essential for professional written as well as sight translations.
Spanish
to English Translation I
Offered
during the spring and fall quarters, this course is designed to improve
the English writing skills of bilingual translators working from Spanish
into English. Required course for the Professional Certificate in Translation
and Interpretation (Spanish/English).
English
to Spanish Translation I
Offered
every quarter, this course is designed to improve
the Spanish writing skills of bilingual translators working from English
to Spanish. Required course for the Professional Certificate in Translation
and Interpretation (Spanish/English).
When
can I enroll in the certificate program?
You may enroll in select program courses at any time but you may not offically enroll in the certificate program and pay the $50 certificate fee until after you pass the entrance exam.
