Spanish Proficiency Exam Description

Spanish Proficiency Test

General Information

The Spanish proficiency test has been designed for those students who have had more than two years of Spanish in High School and wish to demonstrate that they have attained either elementary or intermediate proficiency level in the language.

It examines students' mastery of material taught in the elementary and intermediate level Spanish courses in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. The test includes:

• Reading comprehension: Students must answer questions on selected reading passages.
• Language use: Students will answer questions and complete sentences based on given prompts.

Please note that the test requires production of the language, not mere recognition.

Test duration: 1 1/2 hours.

Registration

Students must register at least 48 hours in advance. Registration is done online at http://rll.buffalo.edu/rll/test-request.html and may begin as soon as a current date is visible on the registration form. Unregistered students will not be permitted to take the test.

No registration will be accepted unless for the exact date reflected on the online form.

Test Regulations

Students must bring their UB identification card to the test as well as two #2 pencils and a good eraser.

For identification check and seating arrangements, students must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the test. Students will not be admitted into the room after the test has started.

No dictionaries or study aids permitted.

Students may take the exam only once.  The test is free of charge.

Results

Four to six weeks after the proficiency test, results will be e-mailed to:

• student
• College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisement and Services. Students who do not perform at any of the required levels will be encouraged to enroll at a level designed to help them reach the necessary level of proficiency. A note will be included in the next DARS report for those who show elementary or intermediate proficiency. No credits are awarded for the test.

Please do not call the office for results.

Test Schedule

The proficiency test will be offered twice in the Fall semester and in the Spring semester. For dates see http://rll.buffalo.edu/rll/test-request.html.

For more information call 645-2191 on weekdays 9:00-3:00 PM.

Note

Students who need special arrangements for taking the test must notify the department when they register (more that 48 hours prior to the test).

Preparing for the Test

Suggested texts for review:

• Marinelli, P. and L. Mujica Laughlin. Puentes 3rd or 4th edition. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
• Renjilian-Burgy, J. and S. Mraz. 2004. Reflejos. Boston: Houghton and Mifflin.
• Iguina, Z. and E. Dozier.  2008.  Manual de Gramática.  Boston:  Heinle & Heinle.

You may also check our deparmental website for syllabi of lower and intermediate level language courses :  http://rll.buffalo.edu/courses/syllabi/

There are no sample tests or old tests to practice.