Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service

Tips and Advice

General Information

The Foreign Language Testing Program provides tests for credit for over 50 languages. Students who have acquired a certain level of competency can receive credit for language skill achieved. There are 12 credits possible for each test. Our office will send the results to the school or institution indicated on the registration form, but it is each student’s responsibility to arrange for the credits to be recorded at the school or institution of choice. BYU cannot grant credit to non-BYU students.

(Note: if you are a non-BYU student and are interested in earning 14 to 16 graded credits, consider participating in the Spring/Summer Visiting Student Program, or, if you are nearby, check the Evening Classes schedule for the class that offers the BYU Challenge Exam. You will need to look under FLANG for the less- commonly spoken languages.)

Registration

The preferred method of registration is through our website. Please follow the appropriate links for the correct testling location and test. Once registration is complete, further instructions will be given to you on your registration confirmation page. It is not necessary to drive to BYU to register for a test. Registration forms and payment must be submitted at least ten days prior to the testing date. Our contact information is below:

Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service
Humanities Technology and Research Support Center
1163 JFSB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602-6703
(801) 422-3512

Test Preparation

We have no preparation materials available. One of the most successful way to prepare for any given language test is to review your reading ability in the language. It is also helpful if you have a friend with whom you can practice both listening and speaking the language.

Test Day

Testing dates are posted on the website as well as included on the registration form. If traveling long distances, make sure you allow plenty of time. You should plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the testing time (9:00 a.m.) so you have time to sign in, pick up test packets, find seating assignment, and receive any instruction. It is very disruptive and distracting to students already taking tests when students arrive late. Please be conscientious and arrive in plenty of time. The email or postcard sent to you will give you directions to campus and the testing location. A picture ID is also required prior to taking a test. Students who have not been previously registered and just come hoping to take a test, will not be allowed to do so. Tests are prepared in advance and registration must be received at least ten days prior to testing date.

Results

There are 12 pass/fail credit hours possible for all tests given through our testing program. Pass/fail credits previously received can not be changed to graded credit. Results will be mailed within 6-8 weeks of the testing date. We normally have three test locations for any given semester and have hundreds of tests to be graded. Official results will be mailed to the school or institution indicated on the registration form. A copy will also be sent to the student's address indicated on the form, and a copy will be placed on file in our office.

Test Format

Most tests have a listening, reading and grammar component and cover the equivalent of the first three semesters of any given language, i.e. 101, 102, and 201. The tests are multiple-choice. All tests are on a pass/fail basis and graded credit will not be given. Students are allowed two and a half hours to complete their test.

BYU Students ONLY

BYU Students must either register on the website or at our office, which is located in 1163 JFSB. A Test Examination Form will then be generated. Students are required to take the form to the Cashier's office in the ASB, where they will pay a $20.00 testing fee to have the form validated. Students must then return the validated form to our office to complete the registration. Language tests offered to BYU students are listed on the FLATS' website (click for on the link List of tests are offered to BYU students). The list of available tests is also included on the test registration form.

Non-BYU Students

Non-BYU Students must register either on the website or at our office, which is located in 1163 JFSB. Languages offered to non-BYU students are listed on our website. The testing fee is $40.00 for all non-BYU students. If you are not able to take the test at one of our testing sites, you cannot register for this option, but must instead register for a correspondence test (see section Students Testing through Correspondence).

Students Testing through Correspondence

Contact your school or institution to see whether they will award you credit from their university based on your performance on a FLATS test. All tests are proctored, and testing materials are sent to the proctor. It is the student's responsibility to make necessary arrangements with the proctor to take a test. Tests must be returned to our office for grading. Results will be sent to the institution and address included on the form. All tests are multiple-choice and are scored as pass/fail. Students are allowed 2 ½ hours to complete the test. Please allow two to four weeks for completion of the test scoring and reporting process. The testing fee for taking a test by correspondence is $50.00.