Am I Ready for the Exam?
Every year, hundreds of people take ATA’s certification exam and approximately 80% of them fail to earn ATA certification. This article, written by an exam grader with 15 years of experience, asks you the necessary questions to help you measure your readiness.
Determine Your Skill Level
The Interagency Language Roundtable provides Skill Level Descriptions for Translation Performance to serve as guidelines for use in government settings. A successful outcome in the ATA examination is akin to achieving a Level 3 (Professional Performance).
The Ins and Outs of the Exam
The ATA certification exam is rigorous and demanding. So, what can you do to prepare and—more importantly—pass the test? ATA certification attests to a high level of professional competence and this webinar will help you prepare for the challenge.
Take a Practice Test
The practice test is an excellent and affordable way to measure your readiness for the exam. It consists of an exam passage from a previous year and is designed to provide a practical introduction to the nature of the exam and how errors are marked.
Get Help from Fellow Exam-Takers
The ATA Chronicle offers articles from colleagues who have taken and passed the exam.
ATA’s Certification Exam Preparation Workshop in Boston
Training has always been an important part of ATA’s mission. Organizers wanted to see if a full-day workshop led by graders of ATA’s Certification Program could successfully benefit both exam candidates and the program.
Read MoreWho Wants to Fail ATA’s Certification Exam?
Self-help books and websites have recently been featuring “not-to-do” lists as a way of improving work habits, enhancing productivity, and generally boosting quality of life.…
Read MorePeer Reviewed: Collaborative Preparation for the Certification Exam
Currently, the main option available to help candidates prepare for ATA’s certification exam is the practice test. An obvious advantage of taking the practice test…
Read MoreExam Day Tips
Get tips for passage selection, formatting, proofing, and what dictionaries to use.
Restrictions and Requirements
See which resources are permitted and what software and hardware is required.
Register for an Exam
See the schedule of upcoming exams and learn how to register.
How is the Exam Graded?
ATA exam results are pass or fail only. This is the prevailing practice of many high-stakes credentialing exams.
Get Help from ATA
Prepare to take the exam with the knowledge and support gained from attending an ATA event.

Exam Prep Workshops
ATA offers workshops at the ATA Annual Conference, seminars, and other events.

Webinar Series
Enhance your skills with affordable and effective online education.

Virtual Conference
Experience online professional development in the comfort of your own home.