Entrance Exam Information
Click here to register for Extrance Exam
What level of English and Spanish do I need?
Our programs are designed for individuals who are already completely bilingual in Spanish and English as determined by a Pass grade on the program's entrance exam. “Completely bilingual” signifies written fluency, and an ability to complete second year college-level studies in both languages. All students who pass the written entrance exam are eligible to enroll in the Specialized Certificate in Translation and the Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation.
What does the exam evaluate?
The
exam is a written assessment of your language skills. In particular, it tests your knowledge of vocabulary, reading comprehension, and
spelling (which includes proper use of diacritics, e.g. accent marks) in both languages.
How do I prepare for the entrance exam?
Your bilingual abilities and how well you do with taking timed exams will determine your results. The exam is not a standardized test. No preparation materials are available however, past students found these preparation suggestions helpful:
• Read diverse sources in both languages and pay close attention to correct
spelling, accents, dialect, slang, etc.
• Translate newspaper 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.
May I bring a dictionary to the exam sitting?
Yes. Paper dictionaries only are permitted for the on-campus exam sitting. Electronic dictionaries may not be used during the exam nor may dictionaries be shared among exam-takers.
Who
grades the entrance exam? Can I 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
within two business days 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 you do not pass the exam,
you may retake it as many times as you like after a suggested three month waiting period. During this time, we recommend enrolling in Program Preparation courses or any of these required program courses:
• Introduction to Translation (Short Course)
• Introduction to Interpretation (Short Course)
• Spanish
to English Translation I
• English
to Spanish Translation I
When is the entrance exam offered?
The entrance exam is offered every fall, winter, spring, and summer quarter. Students can only take the exam on the scheduled date each quarter.
When
can I enroll in the certificate programs?
You may enroll in select courses at any time but you may not officially enroll in the Specialized Certificate in Translation or the Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation until after you pass the entrance exam. Coursework completed before you pass the exam will be applied once you officially enroll in a certificate program. If you have already passed the entrance exam and are enrolled in either certificate program, you are subject to the certificate requirements in place during the quarter of your enrollment.
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