Proficiency Testing

Testing for IIC and Korbel Students

Students in International Studies and International and Intercultural Communication programs take the STAMP4S assessment, a computer-based assessment that measures reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. The scoring system for this test is based off national standards for foreign language proficiency and is widely recognized.

• What languages are offered?

  We currently offer Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Simplified and Mandarin Traditional, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Contact the CWLC if you are in need of taking a proficiency test in another language. 

• How should I prepare for the test?

  Please refer to these user guides for the STAMP4S test. Review the Benchmarking and Rubric Guide to become familiar with the expectations of the test. Review the Technology Guide as well as the Technology Guide for Remote Proctoring to be sure you are aware of all the technical requirements before signing up for the test. It is also important to review the information about the proctoring process — as it provides guidelines regarding registration for the test. You will purchase your test through our DU storefront for Avant.

  Free drop-in tutoring is available for oral practice and review at the Language Center in Anderson Academic Commons. You can also use online methods available free of charge to DU students to review before your test. If you need a more tailored approach to practice before taking the test, please contact cwlc@du.edu, and we can help you design a one-on-one experience.

  It is suggested that students take a sample STAMP4S test on the Avant Assessment website to familiarize themselves with the test format.

• What do I need to pass?

  You must score at least a 4 (Intermediate-Low) in three of the four test sections, with no lower than a 2 (Novice-Mid) in any of the sections, to fulfill the graduate language requirement.

• When will I know my results?

  Avant Assessment scores the assessments and results are typically released 1–2 weeks after the test date. Notify the CWLC when you take your exam so we can check your score and notify you via email of the results. 

• What alternatives are available to fulfill my language requirement?

  The CWLC director and your program director can approve external assessments, certifications, and/or courses to fulfill your requirement. Please contact the CWLC at cwlc@du.edu for more information.

• How to register?
  1. Review all the guidelines suggested above.
  2. Access the DU Avant Store to enroll for the test of your choice and pay for the test and the proctoring service. All tests are $44.90 (except for Hebrew which costs $79.90).
  3. Upon payment, and after completing your technology check, follow the step-by-step process laid out in the email you will receive from noreply@avantassessment.com. Be sure to check the Junk or Spam folder to view this email.
  4. Schedule a test time. Proctortrak will send an email to confirm your testing time.
  5. Time for your test: log in the testing site and enter the Test code and Password on the login page. You will find the Test Code and Password in the email you received after completing the registration process.  
  6. After taking the test, send an email to cwlc@du.edu with your name, your 87#, the date you took the exam, and your program advisor so we can check your results. We will send your test results to you and your program advisor by email. 

Testing for JDP and Iliff Students 

Students in the DU/Iliff Joint Doctoral Program in the Study of Religion can show language proficiency by taking the computer-based Avant STAMP Reading assessment in their chosen language. The scoring system for this test is based on national standards for foreign language proficiency and is widely recognized.

• What languages are offered?

  We currently offer the STAMP reading assessment for Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, and Spanish as well as the STAMP receptive assessment for American Sign Language. Contact the CWLC if you need to take a reading proficiency test in another language. 

• How should I prepare for the test?
  • Avant Assessment, which proctors the STAMP tests, offers these video tutorials for test preparation. Although several different testing products are offered by Avant, JDP and Iliff students take only the STAMP Reading Assessment. You’ll want to review the “Avant STAMP Getting Started Guide” and “Avant STAMP Reading Guide” videos only.
  • Review the Benchmarking and Rubric Guide to become familiar with the expectations of the test.
  • Avant has sample 4-skills tests (speaking, writing, reading, listening) available on their website if you want to familiarize yourself with Avant’s test formats. Avant does not offer a sample test for reading only, but the reading section of the STAMP4S test is most similar to the test you will be taking.
  • If you want to review your language skills before the test, free drop-in tutoring is available at the Language Center in Anderson Academic Commons. You can also review using online language learning resources that are free to DU students. If you need a more tailored approach for practicing before the test, please contact cwlc@du.edu, and we can help you design a one-on-one experience.
• What technology will I need?
  • Before the day of your test, visit Avant’s Technology Guide to make sure your computer equipment is sufficient for taking the test. 
    • The Technology Guide lists the minimum software and memory requirements you’ll need for different types of computers, as well as the preferred Internet browsers that work best for the test.
    • We recommend, in particular, that you try the “Technology Check” link provided by Avant to make sure everything will work smoothly on the day of the test. 
  • Please also review the information about Avant’s test proctoring process. This site provides guidelines regarding registration and scheduling for the test. You will purchase your test through our DU storefront for Avant (see below for registration link and instructions).correctly on the day of the test.
• What score do I need to pass?

  You must score at least a 6 (Intermediate-High) on the reading assessment to fulfill the DU/Iliff JDP language requirement.

• When will I know my results?

  Avant Assessment scores and results are typically released 1–2 weeks after the test date. Be sure to notify cwlc@du.edu when you take your exam so we can check your score and send you the results via email. 

• How to register?
  • Review all the guidelines suggested above.
  • Access the DU Avant Store to enroll for the test of your choice and to pay for the test and the proctoring service. JDP and Iliff students only need to take the Avant STAMP Test for reading, not the full STAMP4S, which is what is listed on page 1 of the DU Avant Store. Choose page 2 or 3 on the store page to find the reading tests. All reading tests are $33.90 (except for Hebrew which costs $40.90 and $12.90 for ASL Receptive ). Note that to take the ASL test, an in-person proctor needs to be scheduled through the CWLC. A proctoring fee may be required.
  • Upon payment, and after completing your technology check, follow the step-by-step process laid out in the email you will receive from noreply@avantassessment.com. Be sure to check the Junk or Spam folder if you don’t receive this in your email inbox.
  • Schedule a test time. Proctortrak will send an email to confirm your testing time.
  • At the time of your test, log in to the testing site provided in the email and enter the Test code and Password on the login page. (You will find the Test Code and Password in the email you received after completing the registration process.)
  • After taking the test, send an email to cwlc@du.edu with your name, your 87#, and the date you took the exam so we can check your results. We will send your test results to you and your program advisor (Rhonda Eaker) by email. 

 

Testing for All Other Graduate Programs

Students in social sciences and humanities-focused programs, art history, anthropology, religious studies, English or geography take the Reading Proficiency Test (RPT). The Reading Proficiency Test (RPT) is remotely proctored online through Language Testing International (LTI), an outside vendor. Please visit the LTI website to review the Examinee Handbook and Familiarization Manual to learn more about the test, and check LTI's Technical Requirements to be sure your computer meets the specifications required to complete the test. Explore the menu links below for instructions specific to University of Denver students. 

• How to register?
  1. Go to the Language Testing International website. 
  2. Choose one of the languages. Please note that Reading Proficiency Tests are only available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. If you need to test in another language, please contact the CWLC to discuss your options.
  3. Under LTI's options, please choose "I’m a student and I want to take an ACTFL assessment to showcase my language proficiency for personal use." (Although you are taking the test to fulfill an academic program requirement, the University of Denver will not show up if you choose the academic program option on LTI's website.) 
  4. Select the Reading test, Reading (ACTFL Reading Test - 50 mins).
  5. Click the button on the bottom of the screen to Schedule Test and complete the Schedule form.
  6. Create an account. Note your account information to reschedule or cancel tests and to view your scores later.
  7. Check out. Your payment of $51 can be made by debit or credit card.
  8. Confirm. 
• What languages are offered?

  Reading Proficiency Tests are only available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. If you need to test in another language, please contact cwlc@du.edu to discuss your options.

• How should I prepare for the test?

  Free drop-in tutoring is available for many languages at the Language Center in Anderson Academic Commons. You can also use online methods available free of charge to DU students to review your language skills. If you need a more tailored approach to practice before taking the test, please contact cwlc@du.edu, and we can help you design a one-on-one experience.

  Before taking the test, you should also review the following documents on the LTI website. 

  • Technical Requirements to be sure that your computer meets the required specifications
  • Familiarization Manual to learn about the test's question types and how they are scored
  • Examinee Handbook for information about what to expect during the test
• What do I need to pass?

  The benchmark scores for passing the Reading Proficiency requirement are set at an intermediate-high level on the ACTFL scale.

• When will I know my results?

  Results should be available within three business days of completing the assessment. You will receive an email from LTI when your results are available. Please do not call the CWLC for exam results.

  1. Log in to your account to view your results.
  2. Download the PDF of your certificate and email it to cwlc@du.edu. Include your 87#, your graduate program, and the name of your graduate advisor.

  The CWLC will verify your score and notify your program advisor.

• What alternatives are available to fulfill my language requirement?

  The CWLC Director and your Program Director can approve external assessments, certifications, and/or courses to fulfill your requirement. Please contact us for more information.