Challenge Exam

The Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures offers a Challenge Exam to native and heritage speakers and writers of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Students can elect to test for a total of 6 credits.

This exam is not the same thing as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam given through the College Board. The Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures does not recognize CLEP credits.

The Challenge Exam is usually offered once a year, in November. The Challenge Exam for Spanish will be offered in both November 2022 and February 2023. Contact if you are interested in taking the Challenge exam for Spanish in the spring.

FAQs

It’s a verbal and written exam for native and heritage speakers and writers at the 301/302 level in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Spanish.

If you don’t see your language listed above, sorry, we do not test for it.

We do NOT test for elementary or intermediate level credit. If you score an “A” on the exam you can earn either 6 credits for both the 301 & 302 (Advanced Composition & Conversation 1 & 2) courses in your language or 3 credits for the 302 level only. If you score a “B” on the exam, you earn 3 credits for 301 only. If you score lower than a “B” you earn zero credits.

No, the test grade does NOT show on your transcript. Only the Course Name (301 and/or 302) and the credits appear on your transcript. The exam does NOT raise or lower your Grade Point Average (GPA.)

For 3 credits...$90 *posting fee + $30 per credit = $180.00

For 6 credits...$180 *posting fee + $30 per credit = $360.00

The French/German/Italian/Spanish exam credits satisfy... Gen Ed II.C.3 or 301 satisfies Core Requirement 5 and 302 satisfies Core Requirement 12.

The Arabic/Chinese/Hebrew/Japanese exam credits satisfy...Gen Ed II.D. or 301 satisfies Core Requirement 5 and 302 satisfies Core Requirement 12.


* If you submit your application but don’t take the exam for any reason (illness, etc.) you do not owe the application fee. If you take the exam and don’t pass it, you still MUST pay the application fee.

How do I apply?

  1. Fill out the Challenge Exam Application (located on the Right hand side of this page).
  2. Submit the application in-person to the Department of Languaages, Literatures & Cultures main office in LA 4210 or email it to .  The deadline to apply is Friday, October 28, 2022.  No applications will be accepted after Friday, October 28, 2022.
  3. Take the exam on the date given (no make-up exam for any reason.)

 

Challenge Exam Dates (Fall 2022)

LANGUAGE

INSTRUCTOR

TEST DATE & TIME

LOCATION
Arabic Bentahar TBA TBA
Chinese   will be offered in Spring 2023 TBA
French Reaves Th - Nov 10, 2022 at 2 pm LA 4101
German Not available Not Available TBA
Hebrew Bor TBA TBA
Italian Pampinella F - Nov 11, 2022 at 2pm LA 4210D
Japanese Nonogaki TBA TBA
Spanish De Patricio

F - Nov 18, 2022 from 2-4pm

 LA 4118