Certification Test FAQ

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements set by MTA. This includes having at least a Level 4 (Diploma or equivalent) qualification under the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) as well as meeting other specified criteria.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum academic qualification of MQF Level 4 (Diploma or equivalent).
• Completed MTA/ITBM Professional Course or equivalent, if they have no academic qualification in translation.
• Has attended Translator Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct course (MTA-DBP) or equivalent.
• Has attended Intercultural Competency course (MTA-DBP) or equivalent.

No. If the applicants has academic qualifications in translation, they do not need to take a professional course as an additional requirement. On the other hand, applicants without academic qualifications in translation need to complete a recognised professional course.

Yes. Holders of the MTA Professional Diploma can apply and sit for the Certification test.

Yes. A professional certificate of course from ITBM can be considered as meeting the required qualifications depending on the qualifications you hold.

Yes. However, applicants need to complete a recognised professional course to meet the application requirements.

No. If the applicant has an academic qualification in translation, additional professional courses are not required as a qualification requirement.

Work experience is an advantage. However, all candidates still need to meet the application requirements set before taking the test.

No. Certification is a form of professional recognition and is open to anyone who meets the requirements.

It depends on the language pair, the direction of the language transfer, and the evidence of qualifications submitted.

Exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Since this certification is also an individual option, the decision to take the test and obtain accreditation is a personal choice.

This can be considered. Assessment is made on the suitability of the language pair and the evidence of competence provided by the applicant.

No. Being an MTA does not mean someone automatically gets certification. Candidates still need to meet the application requirements and pass the test.

Yes. The Certification System is not limited to MTA members only.

Candidates need to meet the application requirements before taking the test. Therefore they have to complete the course before sitting for the test.

Candidates need to complete the course before taking the test as it is one of the requirements.

MTA will consider the suggestion, to make it easier for the participants from outside Klang Valley and those who have difficulties attending in person.

MTA is no longer offers the Professional Diploma. Instead, MTA is developing new professional courses at basic and advanced levels.

Basic and professional courses are being developed and further information will be announced by MTA soon.

The Certification Test consists of two parts: Part A - Translation of Texts and Part B - Translation Revision.

In Part A, candidates are given three source texts, general text about 250 words each. Candidates are required to choose and translate two of the three texts into the target language.

In Part B, candidates are given a source text along with its translation and a list of error categories. Candidates need to identify errors, correct them and categorise the type of errors identified.

It is approximately 3 hours and 30 mins.

At the moment the test will be held in writing at Wisma DBP, Kuala Lumpur.

The test is still held in writing until the digital infrastructure is fully developed that can prevent cheating during the test.

No. As for now, the test is still to be conducted in handwriting.

Candidates will receive three texts to be translated. However, candidates are required to translate only two of the texts.

Currently, the texts used for the test are general texts.

Each text will consist of approximately 250 words.

Section B includes source text, translated text, and list of error categories.

Candidate needs to identify errors, correct errors, and classify the type of errors.

Between 14 and 18 errors will be included in Section B.

Yes. Candidates are allowed to bring four printed dictionaries for the test.

This information is not mentioned in the presentation or discussion session. Therefore candidates are advised to refer to the MTA official instructions before the exam.

Using any translation aid apps, such as Google Translate, Gemini, ChatGPT and the like is not allowed during the test. The test is conducted in written form.

Please refer to the previous question regarding the use of assistive applications. Using AI is a skill that should be learned before taking the test. The use of AI is not part of the testing process.

The candidates' performance is evaluated by two or three independent assessors. The panel consists of experts in translation according to the language pair/direction.

Panels are selected based on certain criteria and expertise in the relevant language pair.

The candidate's answers will be sent to the panel without their identity to make sure the assessment process is fair and free from any bias.

Yes. All panels will be briefed on using the assessment rubric to ensure the marking process is more consistent.

Tests on the assessment rubric are conducted early on to reduce differences in scoring between assessors.

The assessment does not rely on the scores alone. Candidate performance is evaluated using the competency rubric that has been developed.

The assessment is based on the rubric used by the panel of assessors. There are no passing marks, instead the evaluation is determined based on band.

The results are expected to be announced within 8-10 weeks after the test is taken.

The fee is MYR 850.00.

At the moment, the test is done once a year.

Yes. Candidate can retake the test in the next session.

Yes. MTA provides test kits and answer guides as preparation materials for the prospective candidates.

Yes. Sample questions are provided through the test kits developed by MTA.

The fee is MYR 850.00 per candidate.

The test fees are used to cover the costs of managing and conducting the tests, including the preparation of test materials, managing exam centres, appointing independent evaluators, coordinating the marking and the process of issuing the results.

The fee is still lower compared to some international accreditation/certification system like NAATI.

The fee rate for candidates retaking the exam has not been officially announced. Further information will be provided by MTA.

The results are expected to be announced within 8 to 10 weeks after the test.

The certification is valid for three years.

The certification needs to be renewed every three years. For renewal purposes, the certified holder must meet the 20 CPD points requirement set by MTA.

The renewal fee is MYR300.00.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) aims to ensure translators constantly improve their knowledge, skills and professionalism throughout their certification period.

No. Translators can take the courses or programmes related to translation from various organisers.

Yes. External programmes related to the field of translation can be considered for CPD points.

Professional contributions to the community, such as translation-related activities, can also be considered as CPD points by providing appropriate evidence.

No, any programme related to the translation field can be considered.

Yes. MTA is developing new professional courses at both basic and advanced levels which will be announced soon.

Among the advantages are gaining professional recognition, boosting client confidence, enhancing credibility, being listed in the Certified Translators Directory, and supporting the professional development of translators.

No. At the moment, certification does not directly provide legal protection. However, the system is intended to safeguard the profession from untrained practitioners.

This is still under discussion. The self-certification mechanism by certified translators has not been finalised.

Yes. This is being considered as a future development.

MTA is working on getting wider recognition at the national level.

MTA is working on getting international recognition through collaboration with relevant professional bodies.

ITBM provides course certificates, while MTA offers a Professional Certification System through a competency assessment process.

Yes. Certification is optional, not a requirement to be a translator. However, certified translators will gain professional recognition through this system.

Translator directory is expected to be in place starting from 2027. It contains information about translators who have successfully obtained the certification.

This is still under development and will be announced by MTA from time to time.

Monitoring and validation mechanisms might be developed in the future.

Based on the plan presented, the Certification Test is scheduled to begin from September to December 2026.

For the beginning, the test only involves English-Malay.

Other language pairs/directions will be introduced gradually based on the need and demand.

Other language pairs/directions will be developed gradually based on industry needs and user demand.

Yes. After the Translator Certification is properly in place, MTA plans to introduce the certification programme for Interpreter too.

This is still under discussion.

The Certification System will be managed by the Malaysian Translators Association (MTA) as a professional body with support of the relevant agencies.

No. This system is managed by a professional body, and not a government body.

Monitoring and validation mechanisms are being considered as a future development.

Yes. MTA has prepared test preparation kits and will continue to strengthen reference materials for prospective candidates.