Should you accept a translation test? The answer can vary depending on whether you are looking for a freelance or an in-house role.

A translation test is often a must in an in-house translation position recruitment. To stay in the potential candidate pool you cannot skip any stage of the recruitment process.

But as a freelance translator, you can control not only whether you take a test or not. But you can also skip a test and still get hired.

In this article, I will outline the possible type of tests we come across as freelance translators. I will also share my policy on different translation tests.

What do I need to know about translation tests?

A potential client has just asked you to test translate a document. This means you already have passed the initial screening. Congratulations! You look like a translator. To make it official, you need to pass the translation test now. This is a good thing, you’ve earned client’s confidence early on.  

But what if this test is a scam? What if the client lacks professionalism and has little respect for the value and time you are to provide? These scenarios are not very uncommon.

You need to be able to single out the scams from the authentic tests. Also taking tests that are not going to be valuable is not worth your time. Like any freelancer, you too have limited hours, you want to make sure they are productive. 

Surely, you need to be able to call which tests to take and which ones to skip.

You are all-in for paid tests, and cautious about non-paid translation tests.

Primarily, translation tests fall into the following groups:

1. Paid Translation Tests

If it’s a paid translation test, consider it a job. It’s your pilot project. Jump into it to the best of your ability. You are already halfway through a meaningful work relationship.

Paid translation tests are an indicator of a high-value client. Congratulations again. Here is how you pass the test, get hired and build a long-term relationship.

A non-paid translation test is not necessarily an indicator of bad clients but this is an area where translators need to be cautious. 

2. Non-paid or Free Translation Tests

Remember the maxim. “You are all-in about paid tests, and cautious about non-paid or free translation tests”. 

So you have to have a policy in place for unpaid translation tests. Even if you are early in your career, you will not find yourself in a place to say yes to every project you come across.

Prioritize clients who appreciate your expertise and respect your time. As a freelance translator, translation tests are your gatekeeper to keep away low-value, low-paying, and not-so-prospective clients. Clients who value your time and willing to pay you to see if they can build a relationship with you, are the ones you want to stick around.

Non-paid Translation Tests: What do I need to know?

For non-paid translation tests you must have a policy for. Let’s discuss a few types of non paid translation tests first:

1. Long Test

The first test type I want to mention is a long test. Long  tests are the ones that require hours of your time (often more than 2 hours). How long of a text to be considered as a long test? Anything more than 500 words will probably take more than 1 hour of your time. If it’s a paid test, there’s no problem if a longer text is provided. Most translators consider an unpaid test cannot be longer than 1000 words.

Very often a client who offers you a longer text to test your translation skill is probably a scammer or they are completely unaware of what they are asking.

If a client with a long test gives you an attractive offer, do check their credibility and reputation in the industry first. Unless it’s an authentic offer, it is best to skip it altogether.

2. Artificial Test

It’s very common that agencies have some texts selected and they send it to a translator they want to onboard. The text for these tests are short and they usually fall between 200-350 words.

The client may provide specific instructions and reference materials to follow. This is an artificially set up test that gives an agency to determine and compare your skills with other translators. These tests are often reviewed by a senior translator or an in-house translator. If you don’t get the job, you can still expect to get constructive feedback from the reviewer. 

3. Real Life Tests or Pilot Projects

The hiring agency may offer pilot projects to shortlisted translators. A short text or a portion of a larger text is provided to see how it goes with the selected translator. These are projects the agency is going to deliver to the end client. Clearly, the agency will be paid for this and so should be you. Often these projects are with specific instructions, style guides, glossaries or other reference materials.

What to do with a Translation Test?

So, you have offered a translation test. If the client does not indicate whether it’s a paid or non-paid test. Take the initiative to communicate with the client. Mention clearly that this is my rate and I am happy to take the test.

With this simple step you will know what type of test it is: paid or non-paid. Here are the 3 actions you can take based on the nature of the translation tests you have received:

1. Take a Paid Translation Test

If it’s a paid translation test, great! You got it. It’s your project! You are all in.

2. Skip a Non-paid Translation Test

If you get a non-paid test, you can probably pass the test without even taking it. You can do this with samples of your past projects. 

If the client’s text is similar to a previous project you’ve completed, you could offer to share your translation from that project as a sample of your work.

So, If you have a portfolio that covers topics that are similar to your prospective client’s text, you very reasonably can skip the test phase.

If you don’t have a portfolio yet as a new translator, it’s reasonable. But an experienced translator too can lack a portfolio that can help skip the test. If you do not try to specialize early on in your career, it’s possible you may not have a portfolio that matches the client’s text.

Also it is tough to have a portfolio that works for every client you come across specially if you don’t have a specialization. 

So, it is crucial that you specialize yourself in some topics as a freelance translator. The more you work with specialized topics, the more you are likely to come across similar texts again and again.

3. Take a Non-paid or Free Translation Test

Most experienced translators are rarely in favor of non-paid or free translation tests. But if you want to work with agencies or you are just starting your career these tests are a reality you probably cannot ignore. Here is more on how you can find jobs as you start out as a freelance translator.

Also even with experienced translators, translation tests are more common when freelance translators first start working with an agency. 

If the client is reputable with a good offer a free test is a fair deal. If you decide to take a free test, make sure the word count of the test is not longer than 200-350 and you both agreed on a translation rate beforehand.

Below is a checklist of when to take a non-paid translation test.

It is interesting to recall my first translation test. It was a development project with a local NGO. I visited their premises and took the test by translating one or two pages of documents on pen and paper. No digital devices, no dictionary. I got the offer but I didn’t take it as the offer was not up to my expectations. When you take a test whether it’s online or offline, make sure you are in agreement with the rates beforehand.

---

Do I accept translation tests?

Yes, I accept translation tests. They are usually the final step to get hired. But always consider the merit of the prospect first. If you accept a test, also be mindful that the test should not take more than 30 minutes to 2 hours. And the text is not longer than 500 words, ideally 200-350 words.

---

To read more articles like this one, please follow Translators’ Journal on LinkedIn.