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Department ofModern Languages and Literatures

Proficiency Exam for Continuing Students

Students who have considerable experience with a language other than English can fulfill their Second Language Core requirement by taking the proficiency exam to demonstrate their proficiency in that language.

“Considerable experience” means having completed 3 or more years of studies in the language in high school or being a native or near native speaker.

The university offers the proficiency exam ONLY in the following languages:  Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Hindi, Hebrew, Korean, Polish, Russian and Portuguese (Brazilian)

Students proficient in a language other than the ones taught at SCU or covered by the SCU proficiency testing program will need to take a class at the university or take the proficiency exam in any of the languages offered at the university.

Registration for a Proficiency exam opens up prior to each exam period. The sign- up period begins on the first day of instruction in fall, winter and spring quarters, on a first come, first served basis. The proficiency exam is offered twice in the Fall, Winter & Spring quarters.

IMPORTANT: Students can only take the proficiency test ONE TIME in their SCU undergraduate career.

  •  If a student is not able to take the proficiency exam on the date they signed up for, they will be allowed to register again as long as they notify Prof. Bauluz (mbauluz@scu.edu) at least 5 days in advance.
  • If a student doesn’t show up to take the proficiency exam, the student will NOT be able to take another proficiency test in their SCU undergraduate career unless there was an accident or some other unforeseeable situation. The student will be required to provide the appropriate documentation to be able to take the proficiency exam.
Attention: Registration for upcoming proficiency test begin on the first day of instruction for the fall, winter, and spring quarter. You won't be able to register until then.

Opportunities to take this test are offered on a space-available basis several times per year. Please see the dates below and sign up promptly to secure a spot.

The next proficiency assessments for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Hindi, Hebrew, Korean, Polish, Russian, or Spanish:

Spring 2024:

Registration begins: Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024 [10:00 AM] (Register for ONLY ONE testing date)

  1. Tuesday, April 9th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in Lab LC 205 (2nd floor).  Sign up here to take the placement test
  2. Monday, April 29th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in Lab LC 205 (2nd floor).  Sign up here to take the placement test

Please, email Professor Bauluz if you have any issues or questions.

 

About the Assessment

As a reminder, please be aware that the proficiency exam is ONLY available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Hindi, Hebrew, Korean, Polish, Russian and Portuguese (Brazilian). Students can only take the proficiency test ONE TIME in their SCU undergraduate career.

The proficiency exam is an adaptive and comprehensive test that engages students with real-world content. The proficiency exam has 4 parts (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) and will take approximately 2 hours to complete. It is an assessment of your general proficiency level (what you know and are able to do in the language), and it is not connected to any specific textbook or curriculum. This is not the type of test that you can study for. However, you may view a sample of what the test is like by clicking on the link below. Please note that this assessment is adaptive, which means that it is designed to adjust the level of challenge according to the abilities you demonstrate while taking the test. The SAMPLES linked below may be aimed at a level higher or lower than the test you will actually take. View a Sample of the Proficiency Assessment

Level Expectations 

The score needed to satisfy the SCU Core Second Language Requirement depends on the language and your major.

  • Business, Math & Natural Science majors must achieve an average score (across the 4 skill sections) of at least “Intermediate Low” level on the ACTFL scale, with a specific score of at least “Intermediate Low” on the speaking section in order to satisfy the Core Second Language Requirement.
  • Students of all other majors and undeclared students testing in these languages must achieve an average score (across the 4 skill sections) of at least “Intermediate Mid” level on the ACTFL scale, with a specific score of at least “Intermediate Mid” on the speaking section in order to satisfy the Core Second Language Requirement.

Results

You should receive your test results within two weeks of the test completion. If you don't receive your results, please contact Prof. Maria Bauluz, Coordinator of the Proficiency Test Program in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Please, check your audit transcript two weeks after you get the results to verify that your language requirement is fulfilled