Glocalizing translation assessment: insights from the College English Test

This article examines the glocalization of translation assessment through a case study of the translation component of the College English Test (CET) in China. Specifically, the study investigates how the CET, through the reform of its translation component, sought to align its test content with the local context while maintaining global standards of quality. Our case study reveals that the content and format of the CET translation assessment have evolved in response to the changing societal and educational needs. Through an in-depth analysis of task design, the study illustrates how Chinese socio-cultural themes and discourse structures are incorporated to enhance the local relevance of the test. At the same time, the quality assurance measures implemented by the test developer are described in detail, and empirical evidence is presented to support the validity of the revised task. Our study illuminates how large-scale language assessments can integrate national education priorities with international standards of quality and fairness, thereby offering insights for language assessment professionals seeking to reconcile local responsiveness with global quality expectations.