The academic paper titled "Applying Assessment Holistic Method to the Translation Exam in Yemen" by Adel Salem Bahameed focuses on evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of the holistic method of assessment in translation exams. The primary research question explores whether this method can provide a fair and objective evaluation of students' translation abilities, specifically in the context of final exams at the Faculty for Women, Seiyun, Yemen.
The purpose of the study is to guide teachers on how to assess translation exams effectively using the holistic method and to investigate whether this approach can improve the quality of assessing students' translations in future exams. The study examines the application of this method to the final exam translations of 36 female students enrolled in the undergraduate translation course, with translations performed between English and Arabic.
The research methodology employed in the study involved applying the holistic assessment method, as described by Waddington (2001), to the students' translations. The method considers translation competence as a whole and assesses the accuracy of content transfer, quality of expression, and degree of task completion, with marks awarded based on a five-level scale.
Key findings from the study indicate that while the holistic method is lenient, it remains a dependable assessment tool when applied consistently across all students. However, the study found that this method may result in a higher number of top-performing students, potentially masking individual differences among them. Additionally, the study revealed that translation direction significantly impacts failure rates, with a higher failure rate observed when translating from Arabic to English.
The study concludes that although the holistic method is perceived as lenient, it provides a reasonable assessment when considering the overall failure rate. However, the method's leniency may lead to less distinction between top-performing and average students. The study recommends implementing stricter entry requirements for translation courses to ensure that only students with the highest potential are admitted, thereby improving overall translation competence.