overview
The Spanish language test is designed to measure knowledge and skills equivalent to students who have completed one to two years of college Spanish language study.
Material taught in both years is covered in a single exam, covering both Level 1 and Level 2 content. A test taker’s skill level depends on the test score.
Exam Structure
The exam consists of around 121 questions to be answered in around 90 minutes. Some of these are pretest questions that will not be scored. There are three separately timed sections. The three sections are weighted so that each question contributes equally to the total score.
There are two listening sections and one reading section. Each category has its own time requirements.
Department of Hearing
- The two listening segments together are about 30 minutes long.
- The amount of time you have to answer a question varies by section and does not include the time you spend listening to the test material.
- Time starts after the dismissal of the section instructions.
- You can change the volume using the volume testing tool.
- The audio portion of the listening section will be presented only once.
Reading section
- The reading section is 60 minutes.
Knowledge and skills are required
Spanish language test questions require test takers to understand written and spoken Spanish. Content is drawn from the capabilities described below. The percentages next to the key subjects indicate the approximate percentage of each exam question
Division I (15%)
Hearing: Rejoinders
Listening comprehension through short oral exchanges. Choose the response that most logically continues or completes each conversation. You will have 10 seconds to choose your response before the next conversation begins.
Division II (25%)
Listening: Dialogue and Narrative
Listening comprehension through long speech selections. You will hear a series of selections, such as dialogue, announcements and narration. Each audio selection is accompanied by a graphic or picture and is followed by one or more questions.
Questions have different formats. Some questions offer four possible responses, each with an oval, click to indicate your answer. Other questions ask you to select parts of a graphic, fill in a table, or put a list in the correct order. For some of these questions, you will need to click in multiple places to complete your response. Be sure to follow the specific instructions for each question.
You will have a total of 12 minutes to answer the questions in this section. Note: The timer only activates when you are answering questions.
In this section, you can adjust the volume only when there is a question on your screen. This will affect the volume of the next audio prompt you hear. You cannot change the volume while the audio prompt is playing.
Division III (60%)
to read
16% Part A: Individual Sentences (Vocabulary and Structure)
Each incomplete statement is followed by four suggested completions. Select the best one in each case by clicking on the corresponding oval.
20% Part B: Short Closed Passages (Vocabulary and Structure)
In each paragraph, there are blanks indicating words or phrases that have been omitted. When a blank is shaded, four endings are provided. Read the whole paragraph first. Then, for each blank, choose the best ending in the context of the whole paragraph.
24% Part C: Reading Passages and Authentic Stimulating Materials (Reading Comprehension)
Each selection is followed by one or more questions, incomplete statements, or commands. For each question or incomplete statement, select the best answer or completion. For each command, click on the appropriate area of the screen as directed.
