NATIONAL SPANISH CHALLENGE
Overview
The National Spanish Challenge (NSC) is an online motivational contest recommended for students in grades 1-6 that recognizes and awards your elementary students as they pass certain thresholds while learning Spanish.
The NSC is intended as a motivational, extra-curricular activity for students of members of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese (AATSP). It is designed for the purposes of assessment, placement, and proficiency testing, intended for Elementary to Middle School students who are studying the Spanish language.
There are five Divisions of Competition based on the student’s grade level, and how the student has been exposed to learning Spanish. Students who score well are able to receive ribbons (gold, silver, bronze, purple, blue) and certificates based on their scores.
Teachers who administer the National Spanish Challenge (NSC) are eligible to apply for our teacher scholarship programs and enter their students in the NSC Coloring Contest “¡Concurso Colorido!“
Regular Registration: November 1, 2024 – February 7, 2025
Exam Administration Window: March 3 – April 14, 2025
Exam Overview
For: Elementary to Middle School Students
Registration: Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 7, 2025
Exam Window: Mar. 3 – Apr. 14, 2025
Cost Details
There are two costs associated with administering the exam: student cost and instructor cost.
Student Cost
$5.00 per student
Teacher/Instructor Cost
Giving the NSC is a benefit of AATSP Membership.
• First-Year Membership: $45
• Membership Renewal: $65
• Non-Members: $75
PREPARING FOR THE NSC
About the Test
Divisions of Competition
Specifications
Content
NSC Ribbons
Divisions of Competition
The National Spanish Challenge has five Divisions of Competition (A – E) based on the student’s grade level, and the student’s experience and/or exposure to learning Spanish.
Please use either of the following charts to guide you to the correct division for your students:
Placement by Immersion Experience
Immersion
| Grade | Experience | Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1st – 3rd | • Is in a full/partial immersion* program • Has been privately tutored for 2+ years • Has studied in a Spanish-speaking country • Has had more than 1 year of Spanish immersion in preschool | Division D |
| 4th – 6th | • Is in a full/partial immersion* program • Has been privately tutored for 2+ years • Has studied in a Spanish-speaking country | Division E |
Non-Immersion
| Grade | Experience | Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1st – 3rd | Has no experience studying Spanish other than in the classroom. | Division A |
| 4th – 6th | • Has just begun studying Spanish and has no experience studying Spanish other than in the classroom. • Is in a strictly oral program | Division B |
| 5th – 6th | Has studied Spanish for several years | Division C |
*For purposes of the National Spanish Challenge, partial immersion is defined as “Any program with 500 minutes-per-week in Spanish.”
Placement by Grade Level
1st – 3rd Grade
| Divison A | Has no experience studying Spanish other than in the classroom. |
| Divison D | • Is in a full/partial immersion* program • Has been privately tutored for 2+ years • Has studied in a Spanish-speaking country • Has had more than 1 year of Spanish immersion in preschool |
4th Grade
| Divison B | Has just begun studying Spanish and has no experience studying Spanish other than in the classroom |
| Division E | • Is in a full/partial immersion* program • Has been privately tutored for 2+ years • Has studied formally in a Spanish-speaking country |
5th – 6th Grade
| Divison B | • Has just begun studying Spanish • Is in a strictly oral program |
| Division C | Has studied Spanish for several years |
| Division E | • Is in a full/partial immersion* program • Has been privately tutored for 2+ years • Has studied formally in a Spanish-speaking country |
*For purposes of the National Spanish Challenge, partial immersion is defined as “Any program with 500 minutes-per-week in Spanish.”
Visual Chart
Specifications
The National Spanish Challenge has different types of questions in Five (5) individual sections. For a more detailed guide, click the button below to download the Specifications for the National Spanish Challenge.
Test Content
The National Spanish Challenge has different types of questions in Five (5) individual sections. For more detailed examples, click the button below to download specific question types that students may encounter while taking that National Spanish Challenge.
NSC Ribbons
Students participating in the National Spanish Challenge (NSC) will receive the following awards based on the number of points that they earn.* Results are usually available on or around April 28th, and Ribbons are mailed directly to schools. Printable certificates are also available for download.
* Although this information provides guidance on deciphering student placement on the NSC, the NSE staff insists that educators await the release of official results reports to proctoring teachers before announcing prizes to their students.
TAKE THE INITIATIVE
Start the Conversation
Are you interested in administering one of our exams in your school? Click the button below and download our PDF conversation starters for teachers, instructors, and administrators.
Exam Proctors
Visit our Proctoring section for more information about use of aids, student accommodations, and more.