Competency Testing
INTRODUCTION
Penn Language Center coordinates foreign language competency testing services for students from the University of Pennsylvania who seek an exemption from the foreign language requirement at the School of Arts and Sciences or other schools where there is a similar policy. We also provide testing services for students from other universities who need to demonstrate competency in a language offered at Penn.
Penn Language Center is responsible for scheduling, archiving, and issuing competency ratings and language certificates. Records of all official tests are kept permanently in the PLC testing database. Please read the guidelines and policies carefully and contact us with any questions.
LANGUAGE TESTING
The foreign language competency test consists of four components which measure one’s ability to communicate, read, and write in a foreign language. The duration of the test varies depending on the language, and could take approximately 1,5-2 hours.
The foreign language competency test assesses the student’s command of a foreign language and determines how well he/she uses the language in specific communication tasks. The tests contain an oral interview between the test candidate and the tester, a reading comprehension assignment, and a writing sample.
Penn Students click here
Non-Penn Students click here