Dissecting the validity of Konkur as the sole criterion for student admission to master’s translation programs in Iran

Abstract

Valid admission criteria are essential for ensuring academic quality, research integrity, and equitable access to graduate education. In translation studies, admission mechanisms should align with established professional competence frameworks; however, limited empirical research has examined whether standardized entrance examinations adequately reflect such multidimensional competencies. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the efficacy of Konkur as the sole admission criterion for entry into master’s programs in translation. Guided by the competence domains outlined in the European Master's in Translation framework, the research collected data from translation teachers through a structured questionnaire and conducted semi-structured interviews with 3 examination designers. The instrument assessed language and cultural competence, translation competence, technological competence, personal and interpersonal competence, and service provision competence. Findings indicate that Konkur insufficiently measures most of the competencies identified in the framework, thereby limiting its capacity to identify well-prepared candidates. The results raise concerns regarding the validity and comprehensiveness of the current admission system. The study offers evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and examination designers to enhance alignment between admission criteria and professional standards in translation education.

Keywords: Admission criteria; graduate education; language competence; translation studies; validity assessment