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Language Proficiency Requirement

Language Proficiency Requirement

Students graduating from Northwestern University must demonstrate that they have proficiency in a second language equivalent to the work covered in the third course in the second year sequence. For Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish, you will have to pass 121-3 (the third quarter of second-year) with a grade of C- or higher in order to satisfy the Language Proficiency Requirement. Not all schools require two-year Language Proficiency. If you want to find out whether your school has a Language Proficiency Requirement, click here. 

Note that Persian is currently not offered. Students who are seeking to fulfill the Language Proficiency Requirement, should not count on Persian classes. If you know Persian and you think you could fulfill the Language Proficiency Requirement with Persian, you need to submit the Petition for Testing in a Language not Taught at Northwestern.

The MENA Languages Proficiency Placement TESTS

If you wish to start Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish and have never studied that language before, you should place yourself into Arabic 111-1, Hebrew 111-1, or Turkish 111-1 (the first quarter of first-year).  

If you learned Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish in school, through private instruction, or at home, you will need to take the  language proficiency placement test. Please observe the online Placement Test dates so that you can be placed into the correct class(es). For transfer students who do not complete the online test by August 15, 2025 there is no guarantee that they will get the placement result in time for class registration in September.

Once a student has taken the online placement test, they will be notified through email with the final results, or, in some circumstances, with instructions for a follow-up oral test (usually given virtually on Zoom) . Please monitor your Northwestern email regularly during the summer for information regarding your placement test.

The results of the Languages Proficiency Placement tests will place you in the appropriate language class from which you will begin work towards either fulfilling the Language Proficiency Requirement (in Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish) or to continuing to study to the advanced level. Please note that many of our language courses are sequential and it is imperative that you take the placement test in the summer to ensure good course selection planning for the entire academic year. 

Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish Language Placement Test information for 2025-2026
Frequently asked questions

 QUESTION: Who needs to take the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish Language Placement Test ?

  1. Students who want to use Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish to satisfy the two-year language requirement, by placing out of Arabic 121-3, Hebrew 121-3, or Turkish 121-3.
  2. Students who have prior knowledge of Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish and want to continue to study the language at Northwestern.
  3. Students who have come back from study abroad and need to be placed into the appropriate level of Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish, or need to earn specific Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish language credits.

These criteria apply to all students, including transfer students and students in graduate and professional schools.

QUESTION: Do I have to take the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement test if I took the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish IB Exam (IB Language A Literature, IB Language A Literature & Language, IB Language B)

Yes, you will need to take the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement test if you took the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish IB Exam regardless of your score. The placement test will establish if you have satisfied the language requirement and/or which class you should take to continue your language study. You will find more information about IB Exams here.

QUESTION: I can speak Arabic (MSA, and/or one or several dialects), Hebrew, or Turkish but am unable to read or write in the language. What are my options if I want to enroll in Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish classes at Northwestern?

You will still need to take the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement test to determine which class would be best for you. Each placement test includes an extensive questionnaire about your language background which will help us decide the best course of action for you.

QUESTION: What does the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement test look like?

The online Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement tests contain listening, reading, and writing sections to evaluate your overall proficiency in the language. In some cases, the questionnaire and the online portion of the placement test is enough to place you into the correct class. However, at times, we ask you to take a follow-up oral test (a brief interview) to verify the online test results. You will be notified over email whether you need to take an oral follow-up test.

QUESTION: How do I prepare for the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement test?

The best way to start preparing for the test is to do some reading in Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish, especially if you have been away from the language for a while. Try reading a story, or skim through the latest online newspaper articles. You could also watch a short movie clip and practice speaking with a native speaker, if you have access to one.

QUESTION: Where can I find the Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement test?

You will find the appropriate tests here:

The deadline for incoming students to take the online placement test is July 31, 2025. Late acceptance and transfer students should take the online placement test as soon as possible but no later than August 15, 2025.

QUESTION: Where will the placement test results be posted?

The Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish placement results will be emailed to each student. The results will also be posted online for you and the registrar to see and to update your transcripts.

QUESTION: How long can I access the placement test if I miss the deadline? How many times can I take it?

The placement test online will stay open during the Wildcat Welcome week.  For transfer students who do not complete the online test by August 15, 2025 there is no guarantee that they will get the placement result in time for class registration in September. You may take the test only once every two years.

QUESTION: How long are the results valid?

The results are valid for two years.


If you still have questions, would like to discuss results, need to validate your placement results, or need a permission number to study Arabic, Hebrew, or Turkish once you re placed into a specific class, please contact any of the following instructors below: