A Psychometric Approach to the Selection of Translation and Interpreting Students in Taiwan.

Abstract

Abstract The article describes the development of numerous tests for the selection of translation and interpreting students at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. The moot point was that ‐ in accordance with Chinese educational traditions, students must be sure of passing the final examination, once they had been accepted for graduate studies. The procedures were highly successful in meeting this goal. The article finishes with a discussion of the usefulness of a rigid entrance examination allowing for a nearly one hundred per cent guarantee that students eventually graduate as interpreters as opposed to traditional selection methods where student attrition is much higher.