Language Testing and College Credit

Avant STAMP and Arabic Proficiency Tests Approved

Avant’s most popular online adaptive language proficiency assessment, the STAndards-Based Measurement of Proficiency has been recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Individuals attaining at least a Novice-High level are eligible to receive a score-verified badge through Credly, ACE’s badging partner. The designation may be submitted to universities to request credit and/or advanced placement, added to resumes, social media profiles, and provided to employers as proof of proficiency.

What is ACE and what does their recommendation mean?

The ACE recommendation for credit or endorsement is awarded only after an extensive review for college credit equivalencies and workplace competencies. ACE is the same educational body that has provided credit recommendations to institutions of higher education for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations, Cambridge Assessments, and ACT subject tests.

The American Council on Education, or ACE, is a higher education membership organization that advocates for effective public policy and fosters innovative, high-quality practice. Like Avant, ACE strives to improve equity, expand access to higher education, and promote diversity in institutional settings.

Proficiency Level

ACE Credit Recommendation

Novice-High
(STAMP Level 3)

4

Intermediate-Low
(STAMP Level 4)

6

Intermediate-MID
(STAMP Level 5)

8

Intermediate-High
(STAMP Level 6)

12

Advanced-Low
(STAMP Level 7)

14

Advanced-Mid
(STAMP Level 8)

16

Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI/OPIc) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT)

Summary of College Credit Recommendations by Rating & Test*

ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
The OPI is a valid and reliable means of assessing how well a person speaks a language. It is a 30-minute one-on-one telephonic interview between a certified ACTFL tester and an examinee. The interview is interactive and continuously adapts to the interests and abilities of the speaker.

ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview – computer (OPIc ®)
The OPIc is a 40-minute internet-delivered test which provides valid and reliable oral proficiency testing. It was developed to emulate the ‘live’ OPI; a virtual avatar takes the place of a live tester and offers questions based on the interests and experience of the test-taker, which are gathered during the survey phase at the beginning of the test. The test is recorded and assessed by ACTFL Certified Raters and an official certificate will be issued.

ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT)
The WPT is a standardized test of global language proficiency in writing; it measures how well a person writes in a language by comparing the performance of specific writing tasks on practical, social, and professional topics.

ACTFL RATING

OPI/OPIc

WPT

Novice High/Intermediate Low

3LD

3LD

Intermediate Mid

6LD

6LD

Intermediate High/Advanced Low

9LD

6LD + 1UD

Advanced Mid

6LD + 3UD

6LD + 3UD

Advanced High/Superior

6LD + 6UD

6LD + 6UD

The 10 ACTFL language proficiency ratings are: Superior, Advanced High, Advanced Mid, Advanced Low, Intermediate High, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate Low, Novice High, Novice Mid and Novice Low.

* Originally established through an ACE credit-by-examination review in 2016.

LD – Lower Division Credit | UD – Upper Division Credit