College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of World Languages & Cultures

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About

Exams for Credit

Any registered ISU student may attempt to earn credit for previous study of a foreign language by taking an exam for credit. Exams for credit are available in some elementary and intermediate foreign languages for a non-refundable fee of $100.

French and Spanish

Students may take standardized CLEP exams in French and Spanish in order to earn first and/or second year foreign language credit (up to 16 credits). These exams are administered by ISU Testing Services located in 2030 Student Services Building. Call Testing Services directly to reserve a computer in advance: 515-294-0178. You may also visit the Testing Services website for more information. Each exam requires payment of a non-refundable fee of $100.

Chinese, German and Latin

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers credit by examination in elementary (101/102) and/or intermediate (201-202) courses in Chinese, German and Latin. These exams are administered by the Department in the Language Studies Resource Center (LSRC), 3142 Pearson Hall.

Students MUST come to 3102 Pearson Hall in order to register for the relevant examination.

All tests are standardized or approved examinations, each of which covers a full year of university-level study. Depending upon the score achieved, students may receive 0, 4, or 8 credits on each exam. Each exam requires payment of a non-refundable fee of $100.

Other Languages

Students seeking credit for a language not offered at Iowa State University, or for which we do not have an appropriate exam for credit, may take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) exam. Information regarding the OPI exam, languages in which it is offered, and registration procedures can be obtained from Language Testing International. Students who choose to take an OPI exam for college credit should consult with the Department of World Languages and Cultures, (515) 294-4046, before registering for the exam.

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