Best Approach to Assessment Translation for Test Publishers & Creators

It can be a daunting task to find the right language partner that aligns with an organization’s goals, especially if it is their first time looking – or if they are unhappy with their current provider.

The best approach to finding a “good fit” for your organization’s assessment translation involves some prep work and strategic research to find just the right language partner.

Want to know more about the Assessment Translation Process? Download this free guide.

Determine specific needs for the project

What does this project mean to your organization? It is important to discuss with your team what the overall goals are for your assessment translation in order to execute a successful project.

For example, are you expanding your certificate program to other countries? Are you providing language access to students who are English Language Learners (ELL)? Or maybe, your company needs psychometric tests translated when hiring new employees.

Each type of assessment translation project has unique needs, goals, and constraints that must be defined to ensure the most efficient, customized translation process possible.

Some aspects include:

• Into which language/s do you need the content translated?
• For what countries/regions is the content targeted?
• What subjects do the assessments cover?
• With what type of documents/files will the translation team be working?
• What type of deliverables do you need?
• What is your timeline for the project?
• Are there regulatory requirements or policies that need to be followed?

Partner with an experienced language services provider

Once your organization has laid out the specific needs and goals of the project, it is time to partner with an experienced and trusted language services provider (LSP).

Here are a few traits to seek out & questions to ask when searching for the right LSP partner for assessment translation:

• Companies with standardized processes:
  For example, companies that are ISO certified are focused on continuous quality improvement.
• How do they define quality?
  Established LSPs will have a system in place for measuring a language professional’s qualifications, and only utilize those resources who produce the best work. Asking how they define a quality translation will reveal not only how high their standards are, but the quality of their language resources.
• Customized processes unique to project:
  Every translation project is unique in its goals and specifications. An experienced LSP will set up a conference call or face-to-face meeting with your organization. Together, both organizations should discuss the variety of attributes that contribute to creating an efficient, customized translation process that is very specific to you and your needs.
• Ability to work with variety of file types and software:
  An experienced LSP should be capable of working with virtually all file types and coding – including XML, PDF, Word, YML, HTML, all Microsoft Office documents, all Adobe Creative Suite documents, and much more.
• Flexible & adaptable:
  These two traits are imperative, especially with large translation projects! It is rare for projects to go EXACTLY as planned, even with the most careful planning and execution. The right LSP will be skilled in adapting to new variables that arise during the project and be expert at problem solving.

Essentially, you need to ask the right questions to discover if the LSP’s capabilities and methods line up with your organization’s goals and requirements.