The Language Proficiency Exam (LPE)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

View Test Content for available languages

 

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the LPE, you must have at least the following experience:

  • 5+ years of intensive pre-university language study, and/or
  • Completed a fourth-semester college language course (including College in the Schools)

Details about LPE Eligibility

Cost

There is no charge for the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE). Some restrictions may apply.

 

Registration

The LPE is offered at various times throughout the academic year - typically once at the beginning and once at the end of the semester.

Some languages are not offered every test session. For specific details on when a language will be offered, scroll down to the LPE FAQ section, and click on When is the LPE offered?

In order to take the LPE, you must pre-register for the Exam during the designated registration period. LPE test dates, registration dates, and results posting dates are listed on the LPE Test Registration and Dates page. As soon as future test dates are determined, they are posted.

View LPE Test Registration and Dates

LPE FAQ

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When is the LPE offered?

The LPE is offered at various times throughout the academic year. Below is the general timeline for each language. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Note: LPE testing at the end of the semester is approximately one month before the semester ends.  Registration begins approximately 2 months before the semester ends.

French, German, and Spanish LPEs:  

  • At the beginning and end of fall semester,
  • At the beginning and end of spring semester, 
  • and once during the summer 

Portuguese LPE: 

  • At the beginning and end of fall semester,
  • and the end of spring semester

Arabic, Hindi, Somali, and Urdu LPEs:

  • At the beginning and end of fall semester,
  • and at the beginning and end of spring semester

Italian and Korean LPEs:

  • At the end of fall semester,
  • and the end of spring semester

Hmong LPE: 

  • At the beginning of fall semester,
  • and at the beginning of spring semester

Hebrew and Japanese LPEs: 

  • Only at the end of spring semester

Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Russian, and Swedish LPEs:

  • At the beginning of fall semester,
  • and at the end of spring semester

When will I get my LPE results?

Go to LPE Test Registration and Dates and locate the Results by section.

To view your results, go to My Tests > View My Results.

If your Overall Status says "Incomplete," it is because you haven't taken at least one or more parts of the LPE yet or you are pending result for one or more parts of the LPE. 

The LPE has four (4) parts: Reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Note: LPE results will not be emailed to you.

What should I do if I need disability accommodations?

Please send us an email at [email protected] with a copy of your accommodations letter to receive further instructions on how to take your test.

If you do not have an accommodations letter, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at [email protected].

Do I still need to take the LPE if I pass my 1004 language course?

Earning a C- or better (or S) in 1004 fulfills the CLA Second Language Requirement. You do not need to pass the LPE unless you intend to continue into third-year language courses. Passing the LPE is required for most third-year language courses. See your 1004 syllabus for details.

In many languages, all or part of the LPE is taken during 1004 for a course grade. While enrolled in 1004, you must take all parts of the LPE as assigned in your syllabus, or you will receive a zero for that assignment, even if you have taken parts of the LPE prior to 1004. Prior LPE results do not count toward the 1004 course assignments. 

By passing the LPE, you will also earn a text line on your transcript endorsing your language proficiency.

Important: Students who drop the course, stop attending, or do not pay for the course fee will be disqualified from the LPE.

After I pass the LPE, when will the text line endorsing my language proficiency be on my transcript?

Please allow up to three months for the text line to appear on your transcript, although it may appear sooner.

The text line appears on your official transcript, not on an unofficial transcript.

The milestones which trigger the transcript line are batch-processed periodically by the University. The Language Testing Program does not control the timing of the milestones.

How do I sign up for the LPE/OPI if I took 1004 through College in the Schools (CIS)?

Students who took SPAN 1004 through College in the Schools (CIS) need to sign up for the speaking section of the LPE (the OPI). Visit the LPE Test Registration and Dates for information on when and how to register for the test.

Additionally, make sure your reading, listening and writing scores are posted on our website, and that you have passed these sections. Double check by viewing your results on our website.