Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies

Arabic Proficiency Test

BSFS/ MSFS:

Sign-up for this exam is CLOSED. Students are no longer permitted to register for this exam.

• The sign-up sheet will be located at the front desk of the Arabic Department in Poulton Hall.
• Please come to the department prepared to list ALL previous Arabic courses/professors you've had at Georgetown along with your GUID.

NOTE: All students (including heritage speakers) are expected to perform this exam in MSA.

BSFS students must have completed at least ARAB 216 (ARAB 212 will also be accepted) to attempt the Proficiency Test.

MSFS students must have completed ARAB 112 and have started either ARAB 215 or ARAB 213 to attempt the Proficiency Test.

Proficiency tests for BSFS/ MSFS students are conducted in November and April of each year. The format of the test is an oral interview lasting between 30-40 minutes. Students will also be asked comprehension questions on a short reading passage provided to them 15 minutes before the test. To pass proficiency, BSFS students must receive a rating of at least “Advanced low” based on ACTFL guidelines. The MSFS test is identical in format, however students are rated on a different scale detailed on the MSFS Language Proficiency Examination Form.

Arabic Majors and Minors:

In April of each year, Arabic majors and minors, who are enrolled in Arabic language courses, are required to take an oral proficiency test, lasting approximately 30-40 minutes. This is a departmental requirement. Students who do not take the test will have their Arabic final grades withheld for the semester. Majors and Minors do not need to sign-up for this exam, but will be contacted in late March with more information concerning the date and time of the test.

This test will also be based on ACTFL guidelines.

Hebrew Proficiency Test

Registration for this exam is currently closed.

Students are required to complete three years of Hebrew in the university level before taking the exam. The Exam is offered in November and April. The format of the exam for BSFS and MSFS students includes an oral interview of 30-40 minutes and a reading comprehension text that would be provided to students 15 minutes before the beginning of the exam. In order to pass the exam, students are expected to perform at the minimum level of Advanced Low, in accordance with ACTFL guidelines.

Persian Proficiency Test

BSFS/ MSFS:
We recommend students finish three years of Persian before taking BSFS/ MSFS proficiency tests. Proficiency tests for BSFS/ MSFS students are conducted in November and April of each year. The BSFS format is an oral interview lasting between 30-40 minutes. To pass proficiency, BSFS students must receive a rating of at least “Advanced low” based on ACTFL guidelines. The MSFS format includes an oral reading comprehension section in addition to an oral interview. The total test lasts approximately 40-45 min.