Research Skills Foreign Language Exam

The Research Skills Foreign Language Exam is offered to graduate students in Spring 2026. This will be the last semester the exam is offered by our department, so check with your graduate advisor about other ways to fulfill your program requirements, such as taking a course in the language.

Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for deadlines to register and the exact dates of exams. There is an exam fee of $25, check only, to be paid before the date of the exam. You will not be considered as fully registered until payment is received. Cash is not accepted for the exam fee.

You may bring one dictionary (not an online dictionary) for use during the exam. The examination period is two hours. Students are given three passages of 500-600 words to choose from, one each from a text in the humanities, the social sciences, and the physical sciences. Students choose a passage and translate that passage into English.

Exams are graded pass/fail on the basis of demonstrated ability in the language equivalent to, or better than, that achieved by a student at earning a B or better in a 2000 level language course. Students will be informed by letter of their grades, with a copy to their departments, approximately two weeks after the examination.

Contacts

Dr. Nicolás Lucero
Director of Graduate Studies