https://gai.proz.com/forum/professional_development/363509-ata_english_to_spanish_certification.html
This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings

Translation - art & business » Professional development »
ATA English to Spanish Certification
Thread poster: ivan wells
ivan wells
ivan wells
Canada
Aug 25, 2023

Hello,

I hope everybody is doing well. I am writing to get information on how to prepare for the American Translators Association certification exam for the language pair of English to Spanish. I know there are some resources available on the ATA website.

- It would be great if people could share how they prepared for the exam, what resources they used, did you have a particular routine for preparing?

- Are there any guides, courses or videos available onli... See more
Hello,

I hope everybody is doing well. I am writing to get information on how to prepare for the American Translators Association certification exam for the language pair of English to Spanish. I know there are some resources available on the ATA website.

- It would be great if people could share how they prepared for the exam, what resources they used, did you have a particular routine for preparing?

- Are there any guides, courses or videos available online that explain what I need to look for in the exam?

- Are there any resources available for the English to Spanish pair specifically?

I would really appreciate any input I can get. The only specific information I found was on the ATA website, which is of course not very extensive.

Every certification outside of translation has extensive resources available online, it seems like people of this community don't like sharing information. I have found it very hard to find any guides or courses online to help prepare for this certification. ▲ Collapse
 
Jean Lachaud
Jean Lachaud  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:29
English to French
+ ...
There is a lot of resources on the ATA web site Aug 25, 2023

I am surprised by your message.

There is plenty of information here: https://www.atanet.org/certification/about-the-ata-certification-exam/

Me, I find the resources available quite extensive, including (but not limited to) the FAQ and the possibility of taking a practice test.

I can't think of what more one might want, or need.<... See more
I am surprised by your message.

There is plenty of information here: https://www.atanet.org/certification/about-the-ata-certification-exam/

Me, I find the resources available quite extensive, including (but not limited to) the FAQ and the possibility of taking a practice test.

I can't think of what more one might want, or need.

"Preparation" is usually summarized as "experience," if I may add.

[Edited at 2023-08-25 14:48 GMT] ▲ Collapse


Dan Lucas
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Dalia Nour
expressisverbis
Silvia Browne
 
Dan Lucas
Dan Lucas  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:29
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
A word to the wise Aug 25, 2023

ivan wells wrote:
Every certification outside of translation has extensive resources available online, it seems like people of this community don't like sharing information. I have found it very hard to find any guides or courses online to help prepare for this certification.

This website itself contains over 20 years of discussion on every translation-related subject under the sun, including ATA certification.

With that in mind, rocking up as a forum newcomer, complaining that translators around the globe are selfish knowledge hoarders, then asking them to spend time detailing exactly how you should proceed is probably not the optimal strategy for eliciting a response (though Jean has made a few points).

Before spending hundreds of dollars on certification, you may find the thoughts expressed in this thread worth considering. There are many more threads on the pros and cons of the ATA.

Dan

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Dalia Nour
expressisverbis
 
RobinB
RobinB  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 06:29
German to English
Practice test Aug 25, 2023

As Jean wrote, taking the practice test is definitely worthwhile. ATA also offers webinars specifically tailored to the En-Sp certification exam.

And, as Dan wrote, you will need some solid translation experience. I think ATA suggests three years FTE, I would say at least five years FTE. It's not a specialised exam by any means, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Please consider that the pass rate for En-Sp is very low indeed, about half of that for other language pairs (which are at ... See more
As Jean wrote, taking the practice test is definitely worthwhile. ATA also offers webinars specifically tailored to the En-Sp certification exam.

And, as Dan wrote, you will need some solid translation experience. I think ATA suggests three years FTE, I would say at least five years FTE. It's not a specialised exam by any means, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Please consider that the pass rate for En-Sp is very low indeed, about half of that for other language pairs (which are at around 20%).

Robin ▲ Collapse


Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Dalia Nour
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 12:29
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
@Ivan Aug 26, 2023

You don’t share any information about yourself (your profile only says that you live in Canada and your native language is English) and yet you complain that “people of this community don't like sharing information”. Relationships are founded on the ability to communicate and earn trust. Starting off on the right foot and leaving a favourable impression of yourself, can go a long way to being able to get the information you need. In this profession how you interact with people on a day-to-... See more
You don’t share any information about yourself (your profile only says that you live in Canada and your native language is English) and yet you complain that “people of this community don't like sharing information”. Relationships are founded on the ability to communicate and earn trust. Starting off on the right foot and leaving a favourable impression of yourself, can go a long way to being able to get the information you need. In this profession how you interact with people on a day-to-day basis is probably as important as having an ATA certification… ▲ Collapse


Dalia Nour
expressisverbis
Silvia Browne
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Nawal Kramer[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

ATA English to Spanish Certification


Forum rules
Help and orientation




Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »