by aya on Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:56 am
Yes, definiteley. However, it was pretty much like your exam (you posted a very detailed description of it a while ago). Anyway, mine went like this: first there was a 3h translation exam with 6 texts (2 in German, 2 in English and 2 in French), each was one page long or more. I guess the texts were doable, but there were definitely some tricky bits with puns or constructions that don't work the same way in the target language. Anyway, you had to be fast in order to finish everything in time. I assume they want to test whether you are able to find solutions quickly, which you must as an interpreter. Then, there was a general knowledge test (1h, 5 pages) with questions about international organisations, world leaders etc., and you had to write a short essay in your first language. 45 minutes after that, they posted the results of the translation and only those who had passed the translation test were invited to an interview. Usually, the interview takes place during the next couple of days, but in my case, I had it 30 minutes later due to staff being available only that day. I was quite unhappy about that because I felt very exhausted by that time, but fortuntaly, I passed the interview as well. There were 3 jury members, for the 3 languages I am offering. First, there was a short conversation in all my 3 languages about where I learned my languages etc. Then each of the jury members gave a speech of about 3 minutes. I was asked to memorize the speech without taking notes and to reformulate it in the target language afterwards. Surprinsingly enough (given that I had been tested for 4 h already), I was able to memorize everything quite well, probably, because the speches were well structured and not very abstract. I think that the most important here is to render the main ideas in a logical way, but the jury members might ask questions afterwards referring to specific details to test your memory. All in all, I feel that having candidates sit so many exams the same test is aimed at checking their stamina and their ability to deal with stress as both are important for an interpreter. The jury members were very friendly and didn't try to intimidate candidates. Yet, they made it clear that expectations were high and that they wouldn't let people pass just to be nice.
I hope this helps and fingers crossed for all those that still have to take the exams!
Still, I am somewhat frustrated now because they told me it is not sure that I can actually start the course this September as they are only running a course if there are at least 3 students with the same A language. So far, it seems I am the only German A that has been tested but there are others that have applied and will take the exams in May or July. So, if there are any German As out there that have applied at Westminster, I would love to get in touch with you! Please send me a message - I hope to hear from you guys, aya
I'm sure many people would love to read about your own experience... thanks!
