For those planning to take the ATA Certification Examination, OSTI will be hosting its annual online Panel Discussion and Q&A on February 4, 2021, at 7:00 PM, PST.
The panel, consisting of 5 ATA-certified translators in a variety of languages, will share their experiences, their test-taking hints, and other helpful ideas for taking the exam. There will also ample time for attendees to ask their own questions and get some answers.
This event is free-of-charge for all, both OSTI members and others alike. However, it does require registration to get your unique link to log into the event.
The event is also an opportunity for attendees to meet colleagues who work in their language pairs, and perhaps create their own small study groups to work on sample texts together.
Looking forward to seeing you on February 4th!
Loie Feuerle
OSTI President
1. Will the Informational Panel on ATA Certification Exam be recorded?
No, there are no plans to record the Informational Panel.
2. Will the Informational Panel be repeated?
OSTI customarily holds its Informational Panel once a year. If there is sufficient demand, it is possible that we might consider holding a second.
3. Will there be a chance to practice translating at the Informational Panel?
No, the Informational Panel is designed to review the nuts-and-bolts of the exam as well as address common questions regarding the ATA Certification Exam. In addition we will share general recommendations for study as well as hints on test-taking strategies based on the test-taking experiences of the panel of OSTI members who are ATA-certified translators.
4. How should I actually prepare for the ATA exam?
Although OSTI will not be able to offer classes in the numerous languages represented by the attendees at the Informational Panel, OSTI will facilitate and support the formation of language- and direction-specific study groups for those who are interested.
5. What happens if the ATA does not test in my language pair?
The availability of an ATA exam in a language pair is the result of efforts by volunteers working in that language pair in collaboration with the ATA Certification Committee, e.g., the recent project to include Romanian among the languages for which the ATA has a certification.
Theoretically any language>English or English>any language could become an ATA-certified language if there is a sufficiently motivated group of volunteers.
6. Will OSTI host the ATA Certification Exam again in Sept. at the 2021 conference?
Due to the uncertainties of Covid, the ATA has not yet decided when or whether it will be offering the ATA Certification Exam in 2021. It is exploring its exam administration options and will have a clearer idea of its exam schedule in March or so. So please stay tuned.