Language Center

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Which Language Test Should I Take?

Test Name	Purpose	Who Takes the Test?	Registration Required?	When and Where Is the Test Given?	Contact	Test Content
Language Placement Test	Determines student's class level, placing into class.	All GW students in all schools (undergraduate and graduate) to find the correct language class.	No	Check individual language program guidelines. Online self-administered	Check individual language program guidelines for details.	Reading/grammar
Tool Exam	Evaluates student's research skills	CCAS MA/PhD Students/English, Anthropology, PSC, etc.	Yes	Twice a year (fall and spring semesters) Need to register to take a proctored test	See Tool Exam guidelines.	Reading
ESIA Diagnostic Exam	Elliott school students, to measure current level	Elliott School BA/MA Students Only	No	Elliott School Website Online self-administered	Elliott School dean's office/advising office	Reading/listening
ESIA Proficiency Exam	Elliott school students, to determine if students meet the language requirement	Elliott School BA/MA Students Only	Yes	Reading & Oral Tests, twice a year (Fall and Spring semester) Need to register to take a proctored test	Elliott School dean's office/Advising office	Reading/speaking (OPI)
Waiver Exam/CCAS Major & Minor	The Waiver Exam is used, in most cases, for waiving of program requirements for undergraduates with prior language background.	All GW students (with a major or minor in Columbian College) who have prior formal study in high school or college (outside GW)	Yes	Need to register to take test.	Contact the Language Center.	Reading/speaking
Fulbright Language Examination	Evaluating student's language skills, as required for applications.	All GW students who are applying for Fulbright Fellowship grants	Yes	Mostly September and October; Language Center will coordinate place and evaluators Need to register to take a proctored test	Complete the Language Center's Language Evaluation Request Form.	Reading/speaking/ writing
FLAS Language Evaluation	Evaluating student's language improvement during a GW course	All GW students who received Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) grants	Yes	Beginning of semester and end of semester with appointed instructor	Complete the Language Center's Language Evaluation Request Form.	Speaking
Other Language Evaluation for Grants/Fellowships	Evaluating student's language skills for applications.	All GW Students who are applying for any Fellowships / Grants that requires language evaluation	Yes	Language Center will coordinate Need to register to take a proctored test	Complete the Language Center's Language Evaluation Request Form.	Reading/speaking/ writing
Arabic Exit Test	Evaluating student's proficiency in Arabic in the final semester before graduation	Students in the Arabic Studies major	Yes	Pre-registration is required and test is proctored online.	Should be approved by the Arabic program Language Center officers first and second Fridays each month during the semesters. Register from Language center website. Contact the Arabic Program coordinator with questions.	Reading/writing/ listening (speaking is handled through the Arabic Program directly)
Arabic Equivalency Exam	Evaluating course equivalency of required courses for students who completed courses outside GW	Any student who wishes to transfer credits as equivalent to a GW Arabic course	Yes	Before the beginning of the semester in which the student begins/resumes Arabic studies at GW.	Should be approved by the Arabic program Language Center officers first and second Fridays each month during the semesters. Register from Language Center website. Contact the Arabic Program coordinator with questions.	Reading/vocabulary/ grammar/writing

The Language Center does not issue any language certification.