Horrible experience with Alta. This company is definitely a scam. I took the test with their automated system. I would’ve preferred to speak with a representative one on one especially considering that I’m paying for this test. But there was no alternative. I am a fluent Spanish and English speaker. I have been a teacher and have taught multiple age groups with no problem. Currently I am a medical interpreter. I have never had any problems with my interpretation skills, pronunciation or enunciation. Quite on the contrary, people who are native to Spanish speaking countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Puerto Rico always compliment me on my Spanish because it sounds like a native speaker. My English is also proficient. Once someone hears me they know I was born and raised in the United States. But somehow I failed BOTH exams. Scoring a 10 meaning I am not fluent in either language. It’s simply not true. Everyone that knows me had a good laugh considering how ridiculous this result is. In the test results, the comments that were written under the assessment score were not accurate. For example one of the comment says “Experiences a few problems if the speech is very fast or complex”. I spoke with an automated machine. In no moment did the machine speak fast. The experience is comparable to speaking with Siri. There was also nothing complex about the questions. They were simple, straightforward. I also manage to speak fast in both languages and hold no problems with it. Also in no moment did I use any idiomatic expressions. Therefore I do not understand why “Does not use idiomatic expressions correctly” was written down. At no moment during the assessment there was a question about idiomatic expressions nor an appropriate opportunity to even say such expressions. Simply put: Avoid this company at all costs!
