Reading Proficiency Examination For Graduate Students

Reading proficiency examinations in Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan are offered twice every fall and spring semester to graduate students from and outside the department (see SIPA exception below) who need to show reading and research proficiency in a language as part of their program requirements.

The two-hour exam is based on the translation into English of a scholarly text approximately two pages in length. Please bring your own paper copy of a dictionary, which you can use throughout the exam. Electronic devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.) cannot be used during the exam. The student’s home department will be notified of the outcome soon after the test is administered.

FALL 2022

Fall 2022 exams will be administered on the following dates:

Friday, September 30:      10 am to 12 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
Friday, November 11:       10 am to 12 pm (Eastern Time)

For the September 30th exam, the deadline to register is Wednesday, September 28th.

For the November 11th exam, the deadline to register is Wednesday, November 9th.

Please register for Fall 2022 exams by completing this registration form.

SPRING 2023

Spring 2023 exams will be administered on the following dates:

Friday, February 3:  10 am to 12 pm (Eastern Time)
Friday, March 24:     10 am to 12 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)

For the February 3rd exam, the deadline to register is Wednesday, February 1st.

For the March 24th exam, the deadline to register is Wednesday, March 22nd.

Please register for Spring 2023 exams by completing this registration form.

School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) students must take the online departmental placement exam and not this Reading Proficiency Exam. Instructions for and information about taking the online departmental placement exam are available here.

School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) students cannot enroll in Spanish UN 1113 Rapid Reading and Translation.

Rapid Reading and Translation (SPAN UN1113):  This course is offered once every three semesters. The next session is scheduled for the fall semester of 2023. Students who complete the class with an A or A- will be exempted from the reading proficiency exam. The student’s home department will be notified of the outcome at the end of the semester.