Number of words in a Test to join a translation agency Thread poster: Luis Ruiz-Pailalef
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Hello, dear colleagues! I have been looking for jobs in Proz.com, and found a project posted by an agency located in China. To apply for the project, they ask the translator to take a test, and provide a link to access it. What I do not like about it is that the "test" contains... 1,569 word to translate! What do you think? Is this correct? Is it a standard number? Or does it look and sound like a scam. Blue Board states the agency has a 4.9 rating.
| | | | | | | Just move on! | Jun 17, 2023 |
An unpaid test may have up to 250 words, give or take. 1569 words for a test - I assume it is not a paid test - is not acceptable. Obviously a scam. Disregard that project and just move on.
Best,
| | | | Michael Newton 
United States
Local time: 09:36
Japanese to English
+ ...
| test translation | Jun 18, 2023 |
No more than 300 words for a test translation.
Oftentimes BlueBoard ratings are meaningless.
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Lieven Malaise
Belgium
Local time: 15:36
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
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Michael Newton wrote:
Oftentimes BlueBoard ratings are meaningless.
Quite often the comments for notorious low-cost but well-rated agencies are completed with a sentence like "I hope to establish a long-term collaboration with this client!". You can almost taste the despair.
| | | | Natalie
Poland
Local time: 15:36
Member (2002)
English to Russian
+ ...
MODERATOR SITE LOCALIZER
As far as I can see, a Chinese agency rated 4.9 that posted a job and provided a link to the test, has clearly stated that 'you can select just one field or multiple fields'. Moreover, when you open the link, the first line at that page states: "Please select the language pair and field you are most familiar with".
There are 7 (seven) different tests in seven different fields, from 130 to 220 words each (the longest one has 260 words). The total word count of these 7 tests is about 1590 wo... See more As far as I can see, a Chinese agency rated 4.9 that posted a job and provided a link to the test, has clearly stated that 'you can select just one field or multiple fields'. Moreover, when you open the link, the first line at that page states: "Please select the language pair and field you are most familiar with".
There are 7 (seven) different tests in seven different fields, from 130 to 220 words each (the longest one has 260 words). The total word count of these 7 tests is about 1590 words but you do not need to complete all of them, so there is no problem at all. ▲ Collapse
| | | | S_G_C
Romania
Local time: 16:36
English to Romanian
| Job requirements | Jun 18, 2023 |
Luis Ruiz-Pailalef wrote:
Hello, dear colleagues! I have been looking for jobs in Proz.com, and found a project posted by an agency located in China. To apply for the project, they ask the translator to take a test, and provide a link to access it. What I do not like about it is that the "test" contains... 1,569 word to translate! What do you think? Is this correct? Is it a standard number? Or does it look and sound like a scam. Blue Board states the agency has a 4.9 rating.
You are not compelled to cover all the fields listed... You may choose only one.
| | | | | Grateful for your feedback | Jun 18, 2023 |
I'd like to thank each and all of you for your comments and insights. The agency states that the potential translators may choose which texts to translate into their mother tongue; thus, not all of the texts must be translated. I am most grateful for the time and interest you invested in my replying to my query, dear colleagues out there.
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finnword1
United States
Local time: 09:36
English to Finnish
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| Yes, meaningless to me | Jun 19, 2023 |
Michael Newton wrote:
No more than 300 words for a test translation.
Oftentimes BlueBoard ratings are meaningless.
I don't trust the Blue Board. Once I saw that an agency had 16 "fives" on the same day. On the other hand, my most loyal customer is not even listed.
[Edited at 2023-06-20 16:28 GMT]
| | | | Rui Domingues
Portugal
Local time: 14:36
Member
French to Portuguese
+ ...
| It is important to read carefully what is said to avoid making hasty judgments... | Jun 21, 2023 |
Natalie wrote:
As far as I can see, a Chinese agency rated 4.9 that posted a job and provided a link to the test, has clearly stated that 'you can select just one field or multiple fields'. Moreover, when you open the link, the first line at that page states: "Please select the language pair and field you are most familiar with".
There are 7 (seven) different tests in seven different fields, from 130 to 220 words each (the longest one has 260 words). The total word count of these 7 tests is about 1590 words but you do not need to complete all of them, so there is no problem at all.
... and it is also an important aspect of the translation work. To read carefully the source document to avoid misinterpretations.
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