FAQs

The Newcomb-Tulane College Core Curriculum language proficiency requirement is achieved in any of the following ways:

• Passing grade in a course at the 2030 level or higher in accordance with the assigned placement level.
• Passing grade on a Tulane-administered proficiency exam. Students who do not successfully pass the proficiency exam will be automatically placed in the appropriate level and must successfully complete a course at the 2030 level.
• Advanced Placement, Higher-Level IB, or Cambridge A-Level requisite score as noted on the AP/IB/A-Levels chart.
• SAT II achievement test of 640 or higher in a language other than English.

• If you are an international student from a country where English is not the primary language of instruction, you are exempt from the language requirement.
• If you are enrolled with the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility, you might have the option to take approved language substitution courses to fulfill your language requirement. Check with your advisor.
• If you are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, B.S.E. student, your language requirement is waived.

Students who earn an AP score of 4 or 5, a Higher-Level IB score of 5 or higher, a requisite Cambridge A-level as noted on the AP/IB/A-Level chart, an SAT II achievement test of 640 or higher, or a passing grade in a Tulane administered proficiency test can test out of the NTC language requirement. These students are welcome and encouraged to continue studying that language or to begin studying a new one.

Languages not taught at Tulane will be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the availability of proficiency tests. Please contact the Language Learning Center.

The Language Proficiency Test is available for Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, ASL, Chin (Hakha), Chuukese, Czech, Filipino (Tagalog), French, German, Haitian Creole, Hawaiian (‘Ōlelo Hawai’i), Hmong, Hebrew, Hindi, Ilocano, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latin, Mandarin (Simplified & Traditional), Marathi, Marshallese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yup’ik, and Zomi.

Language Proficiency Tests are offered through the Fall and Spring Semester. All tests are administered remotely with a proctor and can be taken anywhere with internet access.

A fee of $50 or $75 (depending on the language) will be added to undergraduate students’ accounts.

The test consists of reading, writing, speaking, and listening sections. You can view the Scoring Rubric Breakdown to learn more about how proficiency levels are measured.

Students who have at least intermediate knowledge of speaking AND writing in the target language might be candidates to test out of the NTC language requirement. Please note that being a native speaker of a language does not automatically indicate that you will pass the Language Proficiency Test.

Students must demonstrate the equivalent proficiency to completion of third-semester language course (level 2030) at Tulane. This level differs for each language.

The Global Seal of Biliteracy is an international credential that conveys proficiency with language skills in two or more languages for qualifying candidates. The Global Seal of Biliteracy enables organizations and employers across the world to quickly validate a student’s language skills in order to provide recognition and lead to academic and professional opportunities. We believe language credentials will result in pay differentials and increased employment opportunities for bilinguals. The Global Seal of Biliteracy is serial-numbered and can be added to a resume or LinkedIn under "Licenses & Certifications.” To learn more about the Global Seal of Biliteracy visit theglobalseal.com.

The Global Seal of Biliteracy accepts most tests administered by the Language Learning Center. The Language Learning Center applies on behalf of qualifying candidates and will handle the logistics of getting each recipient their Global Seal if they have qualifying test results. The Global Seal is free for all. To learn more about the Global Seal of Biliteracy visit theglobalseal.com.

The Global Seal of Biliteracy certifies Functional Fluency, Working Fluency, and Professional Fluency. The proficiency tests administered by the Language Learning Center can certify up to Working Fluency. We can help students who wish to certify Professional Fluency identify a qualifying test.