language@usc administers competency exams for many languages not commonly taught at USC. Competency exams can be used to fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement. Languages taught at USC are not eligible for this method of testing.

Competency exams are administered on the Friday of Week 10 of classes during the Fall and Spring semesters. You must register for the Fall exam by October 1 and by March 1 for the Spring exam. Click “Test Dates” on the navigation bar above for exam dates.

Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS) Exams

Check here first!  The Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS) offers exams in around forty languages.

To register, consult these instructions.

If your language test is not offered by FLATS, check the Penn Language Center (PLC).

Penn Language Center (UPenn) Exams

PLC exams consist of two parts – a written exam that you will take on campus at USC’s Center for Testing & Assessment and an oral proficiency interview which will happen after you complete the written exam.

(To register: Scroll down to Non-Penn students and complete the form. Where it asks for proctor name, please use “Dan Bayer”, danbayer at usc dot edu for the email.  Results should be sent to same.)

Please note that American Sign Language (ASL) is not eligible for fulfillment of USC’s foreign language requirement.

Western Armenian

language@usc offers a competency exam that tests modern, standard Armenian and most Western Armenian speakers pass this exam.

However, if you want an exam specifically for Western Armenian, the UCLA Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures offers one. You can register on your own here.

Fees

Fees associated with testing in languages not offered at USC are the responsibility of the student. USC does not provide funding for these exams.

I Cannot Find My Language Anywhere

USC does not guarantee that any language can be tested to fulfill the foreign language requirement. USC policy states that foreign language competency exams are contingent upon the availability and willingness of suitable academic examiners.

If there is no competency test available through FLATS, the PLC, or UCLA, you need to use another language to fulfill the foreign language requirement.  Please consult your academic advisor.

Note About NYU Exams

USC no longer accepts NYU exams for fulfillment of the USC foreign language requirement  (January 2023).