Frequently Asked Questions
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Before the exam
Q: How many AVTpro certifications are there?
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 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.
Q: What language combinations are available?
At present, we offer the Subtitling Exams in the following 13 language combinations: English into Chinese Simplified; English into French; English into German; English into Indonesian; English into Italian; English into Japanese; English into Norwegian; English into Polish; English into Portuguese, Brazilian; English into Spanish, Castilian; English into Spanish, Latin American; English into Swedish; English into Turkish. More languages will be added in the future.
Q: What skills does the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam test for?
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 AVTpro Subtitle Translation and the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Certifications.
Q: What skills does the AVTpro Subtitle Translation Exam test for?
The AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation Exams test the ability of translators to handle real-life scenarios in the subtitling industry. In the case of the AVTpro Subtitle Translation Exam, translators need to be able to work with a provided template file to translate into their mother tongue, which is common practice in large volume multilanguage subtitling workflows.
Q: What skills does the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exam test for?
The AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation Exams test the ability of translators to handle real-life scenarios in the subtitling industry. In the case of the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exam, translators need to be able to subtitle directly from audio, timecoding and translating their subtitles while taking into account all the usual subtitling constraints such as reading speed, shot changes and subtitle positioning around on-screen text, and following the Style Guide provided to them.
Q: What qualifications do I need to have to take the Subtitling Basics Exam?
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.
Q: What qualifications do I need to have in order to take the AVTpro Subtitle Translation Exam?
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.
Q: What qualifications do I need to have in order to take the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exam?
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 Creation Exam, you must have a solid understanding of the subtitling task, not only from the translation point of view, but also all the more technical aspects of subtitling that involve timecoding, text positioning, handling shot changes, on-screen text and hard-of-hearing elements as needed.
Q: When can I take the exam?
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.
You can register for the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation Certifications at any time after you have successfully passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam. From time to time, the certification exams might be paused for up to two weeks, due to high demand or maintenance.
You can register for the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation Certifications at any time after you have successfully passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics exam. From time to time, the certification exams might be paused for up to two weeks, due to high demand or maintenance.
Q: Can I take a practice test?
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.
Q: Can I take the AVTpro Subtitle Translation or the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exam without having passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam?
Unfortunately, you cannot. To be able to take the AVTpro Subtitle Translation or the AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exams, you must have successfully passed the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam – it is a prerequisite for eligibility.
Taking the exam
Q: What resources are permitted during the exam?
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.
Q: How many examiners will assess my AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation Exam?
Your exam will be evaluated by two assessors. In case of discrepancy between them, a third one will be invited to assess your exam.
Q: I have taken the exam and failed. How soon can I retake the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam?
You will be able to retake the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam at any time. All you need to do is register for it again.
After the exam
Q: Are the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and Creation Exams marked anonymously?
Yes, they are and, when you sign up for the certification, you will be provided with a unique applicant number.
Q: Who will assess my AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation Exam?
All assessors are seasoned subtitlers, native in the working language of your exam, and with many years of experience in the subtitling profession.
Q: Can I appeal the Subtitling Basics Exam results?
The AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam is an automated exam the answers for which have been thoroughly revised and tested by the AVTpro Team and cannot be appealed.
Q: Can I appeal my AVTpro Subtitle Translation or AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exams results?
If you feel that an error has been made in the processing or grading of your AVTpro Subtitle Translation or AVTpro Subtitle Creation Exams, you may request an exam review within 15 days from having received your results.
Make sure you download and read the Exam Appeal Process instructions before submitting your appeal here.
Q: I have taken the exam and failed. How soon can I retake the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation Exam?
You will be able to retake the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation Exam within six months of your previous exam registration date.
Q: How soon are the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam results published?
The results of the AVTpro Subtitling Basics Exam are automatically sent to your inbox within minutes of completion of the exam, along with notification of your eligibility to register for the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation Certifications.
Q: How soon are the AVTpro Subtitle Translation and/or Creation Exam results published?
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.
Q: How can I demonstrate that I’ve earned the AVTpro certification?
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.
AVTpro Certification pricing
Q: What is the cost of the exam and what does it cover?
You will find information about the cost of each AVTpro exam at the top of each exam page.
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.
