Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Q: As a non-BYU student, can I receive BYU credit through these exams?
A: No. BYU does not grant credit to students who do not have a BYU transcript.

2) Q: How much credit can I earn for taking one of these exams?
A: The exams are designed to evaluate a student's ability in conjunction with the first three semesters of a language track. This generally means that students can earn up to 12 hours of credit, depending on the results of the exam. However, non-BYU students must make all arrangements for credit amounts and purchasing through their own institutions.

3) Q: When are the exams held?
A: BYU, BYU-Idaho, and Dixie College each hold an exam period in the Fall and again in the Spring. Please see the list of test dates for the exams held in the current academic year. All exams are on a Saturday and will begin at 9:00 am. For each test, plan on arriving 15-20 minutes early. Photo ID MUST be shown. Tests taken via correspondence can be held at any time that is convenient for both student and proctor.

4) Q: Where are the exams held?
A: Students taking an exam at BYU, BYU-Idaho, or Dixie College will receive an email several weeks before the exam date, giving them the exact building, room number, and travel directions. You can also view the "info about" link at the left for the given site of your exam in order to see the building and room number along with a campus map.

5) Q: I am a native speaker of [language] and would like to receive credit for my language. Can I use these tests for this purpose?
A: At BYU we do not allow native speakers of a given language to receive lower-division credit for that language. We have no jurisdiction over other institutions and their policies for language credit. You should discuss this issue with your institution.

6) Q: I can read and understand well in [language], but have not practiced writing or speaking for a very long time. Would this put me at a disadvantage for the exam?
A: The exams are multiple choice and thus not designed to test writing skills. There is also no speaking component. Each test has a mix of grammar, listening, and reading comprehension questions.

7) Q: I have not been able to find any sample questions through the BYU website. Are practice questions/exams available anywhere online? Could I be sent a practice exam/past exam to my home so I could see the kinds of questions that would be asked on the exam?
A: We do not provide practice exams or test preparation materials. The most successful way to prepare for any given test is to review your reading ability. It is also helpful if you have a friend to practice both listening and speaking of the language. If you are taking the test by correspondence and your institution offers classes in the language, feel free to ask them about practice exams as well.