UChicago’s Advanced Language Proficiency Assessment^TM measures students’ ability to functionally use a foreign language in a wide variety of settings, including all personal settings and many academic or professional settings. Both the College and graduate students across all Divisions and Schools at the University of Chicago can take the Advanced Language Proficiency Assessment to earn Advanced Language Proficiency Certification. This certification documents what a student can do with the language in a meaningful and impactful way and how their language abilities–listening, reading, speaking, and writing–will serve them in their professional and academic careers. The Advanced Language Proficiency Certification will also strengthen students’ resumes and expand their career opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Reaching Advanced proficiency in any language is a significant achievement. Our goal is to ensure success on this assessment. Therefore, students should carefully read these guidelines to determine their eligibility to sit for an Advanced Language Proficiency Assessment. The path to Advanced proficiency for heritage language learners may be slightly different.

1. Completion of formal language study at the college level. The amount of formal language study for UChicago students varies depending on the language:
   1. Chinese: Students must have completed or be in the process of completing at least one fifth-year language course in the quarter when they plan to take the exam
   2. French: Students must have completed or be in the process of completing at least two courses beyond the second year and taught entirely in French in the quarter when they plan to take the exam. At least one of those courses must be 20500 and the other must be another advanced language course (e.g., 20601, 20602, or 20604)
   3. German: Students must have completed at least three courses beyond the second year or be in the process of completing a third course in the quarter when they plan to take the exam. These courses could include language courses at the third-year level and/or literature/culture courses taught entirely in German.
   4. Italian: Students must have completed at least three courses beyond the second year or be in the process of completing a third course in the quarter when they plan to take the exam. These courses could include language courses at the third-year level and/or literature/culture courses taught entirely in Italian.
   5. Spanish: Students must have completed or be in the process of completing at least two courses beyond the second year and taught entirely in Spanish in the quarter when they plan to take the exam. At least one of those courses must be an advanced language course (e.g., 20400, 20500, 20402, or 20602)
2. A significant immersive experience in the target language and culture where you used the language on a daily basis for an extended period of time and in a variety of personal, academic and professional settings. This may include
   1. working abroad or studying abroad OR
   2. using the language as a heritage language learner in a variety of personal, academic, and professional settings

* Students who believe their situation represents an exception to these criteria should get a recommendation from the language program.

Policies

1. The exam fee is $90, but it is currently waived for College students and graduate students in the Humanities Division.
2. A student may only take a UChicago Language Proficiency Assessment in a given language once within a twelve-month period.
3. Students can only register for one exam each test administration cycle.
4. Native speakers of a given language are not eligible to take a Language Proficiency Assessment in that language.
5. The Office of Language Assessment has the right to determine each student’s eligibility, based on the criteria above.
6. Since these assessments take significant planning and proctoring, no makeup dates or rescheduling can be provided.

For questions about these policies, visit the FAQ page or contact languageassessment@uchicago.edu.

Taking the Advanced Language Proficiency Assessment^TM

The Advanced Language Proficiency Assessment will be administered once in the Autumn quarter and once in the Spring quarter each academic year. Test dates for the 2023 – 2024 academic year:

• Autumn 2023: Wednesday, Nov 8, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Spring 2024: Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Languages offered in Spring 2024: 

• Chinese
• French
• German
• Italian
• Portuguese
• Spanish

Spring 2024 Registration and Deadlines

Registration for Spring 2024 is now closed.