AVTpro FAQ
About the AVTpro Certifications
Taking the exam
At present, we offer two certifications in subtitling, from English into various languages: AVTpro Subtitle Translation and AVTpro Subtitle Creation.
In order to pass either of these two certifications, the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam needs to be successfully completed first. The latter is an automated exam that involves four tasks which aim to test the candidates’ linguistic and cultural knowledge of their working languages as well as the basics of subtitling constraints and quality requirements in this field. Such knowledge is considered a prerequisite to be able to pass the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation certifications. Its low cost and automated nature also allows for more efficient shortlisting of candidates for the two certifications, which involve a double blind review process (including a referee when needed) by industry experts.
At present, we offer four language combinations, working from English into French, German, Italian or Castilian Spanish.
More languages will be added in the near future.
The AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam tests the linguistic and cultural knowledge of translators in their working languages, as well as their understanding of basic subtitling principles, constraints and requirements. It serves as a prerequisite to the two certifications below.
The AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation exams test the ability of translators to handle real-life scenarios in the subtitling industry. In the former case, translators need to be able to work with a provided template file to translate into their mother tongue. In the latter, they need to be able to create their own subtitles straight from the audio, which is a task that requires a much more technical level of subtitling knowledge.
After the exam
Yes, they are and, when you sign up for the certification, you will be provided with a unique applicant number.
All assessors are seasoned subtitlers, native in the working language of your exam, and with many years of experience in the subtitling profession.
Your exam will be evaluated by two assessors. In case of discrepancy between them, a third one will be invited to assess your exam.
The results of the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam are automatically sent to your inbox within minutes of completion of the exam.
You will receive your AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation exam results, together with a report on your performance, within six weeks from the end of the exam period for which you registered.
You will be able to retake the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam at any time.
You will be able to retake the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation exam within six months of your previous exam registration date.
Once you have passed the exam successfully, you will receive a diploma together with a personalized AVTpro Certified Seal containing your name, the name of the certification as well as a unique registration number.
During the exam you are allowed to use any resources you would normally use in the course of your work as a professional translator working in the media industry. Please note that the various tasks of the exam are timed and therefore a certain level of expertise is needed to complete it successfully in the allocated time, so you will not be able to rely on external resources alone.
Anyone can take the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam, but it is recommended that you have completed a degree in audiovisual translation and/or have professional experience in the field.
Once you have successfully passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam, you are eligible to register for the AVTpro Subtitle Translation Certification and / or the AVTpro Creation Certification.
In order to be able to handle the level of difficulty of the AVTpro Subtitle Translation exam, you must have a solid understanding of the subtitling translation task and the ability to work with different genres, such as comedy, drama and documentaries.
To take the AVTpro Subtitle Creation exam, you need not only be well versed in subtitle translation, but also in all the more technical aspects of subtitling that involve text timing, positioning, shot changes, handing of on-screen text and hard-of-hearing elements, etc.
You can register for the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam at any time. It is an automated exam aiming to test candidates’ linguistic and cultural knowledge as well as subtitling basics, with the results emailed to you within minutes from completion of the exam. It allows you to register for the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Certification at the next available exam period.
You can register for the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation Certifications at any time after you have successfully passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam, but there are only two exam periods per year during which they are open. Each period lasts for two weeks during which you can take the exam at the time of your preference. A maximum of 50 registrations per language pair per exam are available for each exam period. If the demand for a specific certification exceeds this number significantly, an additional exam period will be opened, the details of which will be made available here
There is no practice test available for the AVTpro exams. Applicants who register for the Subtitling Basics exam or any of the Certifications are expected to have completed relevant studies and/or have professional experience in the task at hand.
Unfortunately, you cannot. To be able to take the AVTpro Subtitle Translation or the AVTpro Subtitle Creation exam you must have successfully passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam – it is a prerequisite for eligibility.
AVTpro Certification pricing
You will find information about the cost of each AVTpro exam by clicking on the exam of your choice here.
The cost of the exam covers the platform maintenance and the evaluator fee (where applicable). The cost of the design of the exam itself is covered by industry sponsors who acknowledge the need for a professional certification in media localization and who are interested in recruiting professionals who can demonstrate their expertise with an industry-approved certification.
