Testing

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING: PLACEMENT AND CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

The Department of Modern Languages recommends that students with previous experience in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, or Spanish take a proficiency test prior to enrolling in lower-division language courses. Avant tests are used to test proficiency for placement and credit by examination. There are two test types: Avant PLACE and Avant STAMP. Testing fees apply.

Due to ACE recommendations and university requirements, the rubrics below are applied to all students whose test date is on or after August 18, 2025. No exceptions. All students whose test date is prior to August 18, 2025, can still be processed using the current/old policy/rubric if all paperwork is signed and filed before January 1, 2026, with no extensions or exceptions.  

POLICIES AND DEADLINES

The Avant test is used to grant credit by examination up to the Intermediate II level (2314/2315) based on the student’s test score. The Avant test is used for second-language learners, as well as native/heritage learners.

Native or heritage speakers of Spanish may not enroll in classes for second-language learners (SPAN 1441, 1442, 2313, 2314). Instead, they take SPAN 2312: Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers I and SPAN 2315: Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers II. They can place directly into SPAN 2312 by completing the free Spanish Heritage Language Program Placement Survey (See below). Credits for SPAN 1441 and SPAN 1442 are granted by enrolling in SPAN 2312 and remaining enrolled past Census Date. Alternatively, native or heritage speakers of Spanish may opt to take an Avant proficiency test to potentially earn credit for SPAN 1441, 1442, 2313, 2314. Testing fees apply.

All students taking the Avant test to fulfill a language requirement must take it before the end of their junior year to allow enough time to take any future courses that may be needed to satisfy a language requirement and/or to have their credits posted in time for graduation application reviews. There are no retakes for the Avant test.

If grades or credits have already been posted to a UTA transcript via transfer, exam credit, or having completed a language course at UTA, taking the Avant test cannot override the existing grades or credits. Please note the UTA credit by exam policy: "Credit by examination can be awarded only for courses in which the student has neither a passing nor a failing grade (including a Z in English) at UTA or transfer credit from another institution of higher education." For more information, please read the complete list of credit-by-exam policies for UTA. If a student is currently enrolled in a language course past the Census Date, they cannot test out of this course via Avant test and must finish the course to receive credit.

CAP students are only allowed to take Credit by Examination Test (Avant STAMP) due to the risk of not having a suitable course to take in the sequence.

WHICH TEST SHOULD I TAKE?

Please watch this video below that will give you a short overview of the tests we offer. Read information on this website and proceed to the questionnaire under REGISTRATION FOR A TEST below. It will lead you to the test you need. If in doubt, before paying for the test, talk with your advisor or contact us.

PLACEMENT TESTING

PLACEMENT TESTING IS FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO ENROLL IN THE NEXT-LEVEL LANGUAGE COURSE IN THE SEQUENCE

AVANT PLACE TEST

Students planning to enroll in the next-level language course in the upcoming semester should take the Avant PLACE, it assures that students continue their language-learning journey at the appropriate level. The credits received through the Avant PLACE test will only be applied to UTA transcripts if the following conditions are met: 1) the examinee enrolls in the next appropriate language course in the sequence at UTA and remains enrolled in the course past the Census Date, and 2) the administration fee is paid before the last semester prior to graduation.

Students admitted to UTA before the upcoming fall/spring semester begins who are planning to take the next-level language course should take the Avant PLACE test at least two weeks before the first day of classes. Students wishing to enroll in the next-level language course who must take the test past this deadline can choose to take the Avant PLACE test. However, class placement in this case is not guaranteed.

Avant PLACE costs $25 and you will be asked to pay $28.5 credit processing fee to post credits to your transcript. It takes 40-60 minutes to complete.

Avant PLACE Score-to-level Correspondence for ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, Spanish

Scoring times: Avant PLACE scores are typically available from 7 days after test completion. They will be posted directly to your transcript after the Census date if course enrollment conditions are met. We do not send Avant PLACE certificates unless specifically requested. During busy testing times (March-June) or holidays, scoring may take longer. Please plan accordingly. Note, Avant PLACE does not qualify for the Global Seal of Biliteracy.

FREE SPANISH HERITAGE LANGUAGE PROGRAM PLACEMENT SURVEY (SHLPPS)

We offer courses specifically designed for Spanish heritage learners. Instead of enrolling in SPAN 1441, which is designed for students with little knowledge of Spanish, students who have learned Spanish in their household, family, or community (primarily outside of the classroom) should complete the free Spanish Heritage Language Program Placement Survey. Students may receive credit for previous courses by enrolling in the course they place into and remaining enrolled past Census Date. Through this test, students can receive credits for up to two lower-level courses depending on their score. Credits for SPAN 1441 and SPAN 1442 are granted by enrolling in SPAN 2312 and remaining enrolled past Census Date. Alternatively, native or heritage speakers of Spanish may opt to take a proficiency test to potentially earn credit for SPAN 1441, 1442, 2313, 2314. Testing fees apply.

Spanish Heritage Learner Program Placement Survey is FREE, but you will be asked to pay $28.5 credit processing fee to post credits to your transcript. 

Spanish Heritage Language Program Placement Survey (SHLPPS)

Scoring times: SHLPPS is scored immediately. You will see your score upon completion of the survey and if you qualified to enroll in SPAN 2312, you will be contacted within the next two business days with the next steps. Note, if your score on the survey is less than the passing score you should enroll in SPAN 1441. You cannot re-take the survey.

Enrolling in the next-level language class

If you have taken the MODL Avant test and are planning to enroll in the next level, you must enroll the next semester after taking the test. 

Note that if the course is not offered the next semester or there is any other valid justification that prevents you from enrolling, you can enroll in the semester immediately following that one as soon as enrollment opens. Please make sure to provide justification and supporting documentation. E-mail modladvisor@uta.edu to get manually enrolled in the course. This will ensure that you secure your spot in the class and do not lose your Avant test credit. 

We will hold your scores for one semester until you enroll in the next-level class. The scores will be processed after the Census Date of that semester.

CREDIT-BY-EXAM TESTING | AVANT STAMP TEST

CREDIT-BY-EXAM TESTING IS FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO RECEIVE LANGUAGE CREDITS ON THEIR TRANSCRIPT ONLY WITHOUT HAVING TO ENROLL IN THE NEXT-LEVEL COURES IN THE SEQUENCE

Students wishing to test out of language courses and not continue their language studies at UTA must take the Avant STAMP test. Students wishing to enroll in the next-level language course in the upcoming semester may also take the Avant STAMP test, but the Avant PLACE test is recommended for this purpose (see above). The credits received through the Avant STAMP test will only be applied to UTA transcripts if the administration fee is paid before the last semester prior to graduation. The Avant STAMP test also qualifies students to receive a Global Seal of Biliteracy certificate depending on their test scores.

Students admitted to UTA before the upcoming fall/spring semester begins, who are planning to take the next-level language course and who choose to take the Avant STAMP test, must take the test at least four weeks before the first day of classes. The American Sign Language STAMP test must be completed at least six weeks before the first day of classes, as it takes longer to process. It is preferred that students wishing to enroll in the next-level language course take the Avant PLACE test instead, as it typically requires less time to be scored.

Avant STAMP test costs $75 and you'll be asked to pay $28.5 credit processing fee to post credits to your transcript. It takes around 3 hours to complete.

Scoring times: Avant STAMP scores are typically available from 14 days after test completion. During busy testing times (March-June) or holidays scoring may take longer. Please plan accordingly.

Avant STAMP Score-to-level Correspondence for ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, Spanish

If your Avant STAMP scores qualified you to receive a Global Seal of Biliteracy, we will submit it for you without additional notifications. You will then receive a link to access you Global Seal of Biliteracy directly from their system. The entire process may take around two months and could be even longer during summer or winter holidays.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING

ASL Tests

• ASL tests require in-person proctoring and must be taken in the MODL Testing Room.
• After you pay for your ASL test, you will receive instructions on how to register for a testing session.
• You must bring your own laptop to the testing room and ensure that it meets Avant test technology requirements.
• If you do not own a laptop, you may borrow one from the UTA Library.

All Other MODL Tests

• These tests are either non-proctored or proctored online by Avant. You will receive specific testing instructions after you pay for the test.
• You are responsible for securing a quiet testing location, a computer, and any other required technology.
• Please review the Avant test technology requirements.
• The test may not function properly on older devices, so reviewing the requirements is essential.

If You Need a Computer

• If you are unsure whether your device meets the requirements—or if you do not own a computer—you may schedule your test in the Language Acquisition Center (LAC) (TH 307).
• You must coordinate with the LAC to ensure availability at the exact time you registered for Avant proctoring (if required) by emailing MODLITSupport@uta.edu.
• ASL tests cannot be taken in the LAC (see ASL section above).

REGISTRATION FOR A TEST

Please use this form to determine which test you need to take and to pay for/register for the test. Please read all questions and answer choices carefully and contact us if you have any questions. You are taking full responsibility for selecting the test you wish to take. There are no refunds or retakes.

Registration Form Link

Technical Support

If you have any technical difficulties during the test, you must contact Avant Support at the information below. Please do not contact the department, as we are unable to provide technical support.

OTHER EXAMS AND CREDENTIALS

The following exams are also accepted by UTA for credit by examination, if they were taken prior to enrolling at UTA: the Advanced Placement Examination (AP) of the College Board, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Board, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Examination. For more information, contact Testing Services.

A Global Seal of Biliteracy or Avant STAMP certificate received outside of UTA within the last 24 months may be also accepted for credit by examination. If you have another qualifying test result obtained within the last 12 months, you can use those results to apply for the Global Seal of Biliteracy and test out of lower-level courses through it for course credits. Please consult a list of other tests and score requirements on the Global Seal of Biliteracy’s website.

Note that a $35 processing fee applies to post credits to UTA transcript.

Global Seal of Biliteracy Score-to-level Correspondence for ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, Spanish

USE YOUR TEST RESULTS FOR YOUR BENEFIT!

If you tested out of lower-level language courses, see if you qualify for the Global Seal of Biliteracy certificate and how close you may be to completing a Modern Language minor on our Pathways page.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please contact Modern Languages Testing at modltesting@uta.edu or call 817-272-4605.

This line is not monitored 24/7. Please leave a voicemail or email us at modltesting@uta.edu if we do not answer. If you are having a technical issue with your test, please contact Avant at support@avantassessment.com or call 888-713-7887.