Challenge Exam
The Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures offers an opportunity for students to receive college credits for language proficiency they may have acquired through life experiences, personal study and/or military course work. Students can elect to test for a total of 6 credits in Arabic, American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
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, for most languages. An additional date in the Spring may be added for some languages upon request. Contact llc AT_TOWSON if you are interested in taking the Challenge exam for Spanish in the Spring and to inquire about additional dates for other languages.
FAQs
What is the exam?
It鈥檚 an exam for students who have acquired language proficiency through life experiences, personal study and/or military course work. Students can elect to test for a total of 6 credits at the 301/302 level in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, and at the 205/304 level in American Sign Language. The challenge exam tests oral and written proficiency in spoken languages and signacy in American Sign Language.
If you don鈥檛 see your language listed above, sorry, we do not test for it.
What credit do I earn?
We do NOT test for elementary or intermediate level credit. If you score an 鈥淎鈥� on the exam you can earn either 6 credits for both the 301 & 302 courses in a spoken language and the 205 & 304 courses in American Sign Language or 3 credits for the 302 or 304 level only. If you score a 鈥淏鈥� on the exam, you earn 3 credits for 301 only in a spoken language and 205 only in American Sign Language. If you score lower than a 鈥淏鈥� you earn zero credits.
Does my test grade show on my transcript?
No, the test grade does NOT show on your transcript. Only the Course Name and the credits appear on your transcript. The exam does NOT raise or lower your Grade Point Average (GPA.)
How much does it cost?
For 3 credits...$90 application fee + $30 per credit = $180.00
For 6 credits...$180 application fee + $30 per credit = $360.00
How will the CPL impact my Core requirements
Credits for a 301 course in a spoken language satisfy Core Requirement 5 and credits for a 302 course satisfy Core Requirement 12.
* If you submit your application but don鈥檛 take the exam for any reason (illness, etc.)
you do not owe the application fee. If you take the exam and don鈥檛 pass it, you still
MUST pay the application fee.
How do I apply?
- Fill out the Challenge Exam Application (located on the Right hand side of this page).
- Submit the application to llc AT_TOWSON. The application could also be dropped off in The Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures main office in LA 4210. The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 31, 2024. No applications will be accepted after Thursday, October 31, 2024.
- Take the exam on the date given (no make-up exam for any reason).
Challenge Exam Dates (Fall 2024)
|
LANGUAGE |
INSTRUCTOR |
TEST DATE & TIME |
LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASL | TBA |
In November, by appointment |
TBA |
| Arabic | Ziad Bentahar | TBA | TBA |
| Chinese | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| French | Alisha Reaves | Fri. Nov. 8, 2024 at 2pm. | LA 4118 |
| German | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Hebrew | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Italian | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Japanese | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Spanish | TBA | TBA | TBA |