UChicago’s Practical Language Proficiency AssessmentTM measures test takers’ ability to functionally use a foreign language in most personal settings and some academic or professional settings. Both the College and graduate students across all Divisions and Schools at the University of Chicago can take the Practical Language Proficiency Assessment to earn Practical 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 Practical Language Proficiency Certification will also strengthen test takers’ resumes and expand their career opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria
Our goal is to ensure success on this assessment. Different languages take varying amounts of time to reach the level tested in Practical Language Proficiency Assessments. Test takers should carefully read these guidelines to determine their eligibility to sit for this exam.
| French, German, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, and Spanish | Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Modern Hebrew, Turkish | |
| Students in the College or the Arts and Humanities Division: | must have completed or be in the process of completing the final course in the second-year sequence of the language OR have been placed beyond the second year sequence based on a UChicago placement exam. | must have completed or be in the process of completing the final course in the third-year sequence of the language OR have been placed beyond the third year sequence based on a UChicago placement exam. |
| Students in other UChicago programs or departments or non-UChicago affiliated individuals | No eligibility criteria apply, although two-years of language instruction at the college level is highly recommended. | No eligibility criteria apply, although three-years of language instruction at the college level is highly recommended. |
| If you are a UChicago heritage learner | Please contact the appropriate person on this list of Language Advising Contacts. They can advise you about your eligibility for the Language Proficiency Assessments. | |
* PLEASE NOTE: Foreign Language Proficiency Assessments are not administered to native speakers, defined as individuals who have spoken the language since infancy and have been formally schooled in the language in a place where it is the main language of instruction and communication
Policies
- The exam fee is $90, but it is currently waived for College students and graduate students in the Humanities Division.
- A student may only take a UChicago Language Proficiency Assessment in a given language once within a twelve-month period.
- Test taker can only register for one exam each test administration cycle.
- Native speakers of a given language are not eligible to take a Language Proficiency Assessment in that language.
- The Office of Language Assessment has the right to determine each student’s eligibility, based on the criteria above.
- 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 Practical Language Proficiency AssessmentTM
The Practical Language Proficiency Assessment will be administered once in the Autumn quarter and once in the Spring quarter each academic year. Test dates for the 2025 – 2026 academic year:
**NOTE: You will be assigned ONLY one exam date after registration closes, but please ensure you are available both evenings.
- Autumn 2025: Tuesday, Nov. 11 & Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
- Spring 2026: Tuesday, April 14 & Wednesday, April 15, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Languages offered in Autumn 2025:
- Arabic
- Bangla/Bengali
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Hebrew (Modern)
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Persian
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- Turkish
Registration and Deadlines
| Registration Begins | Registration Ends |
| Monday, Sept 29 | Monday, Oct 27 |