National Spanish Exam

What does the NSE measure?

 The National Spanish Exam (NSE) is a standards-based assessment which evaluates both content standards (what a student knows) and performance standards (what a student is able to do) over various levels of secondary instruction (grades 6-12).

Content
The Content section of the test assesses content standards through specifications for vocabulary and specifications for grammar.

Performance
The Performance section of the test assesses performance standards as defined by the National Spanish Examination Proficiency Levels. This section assesses Interpretive Communication: both Reading and Listening Comprehension.

Exam Format & Length

The format and length of the National Spanish Exam for all levels (01-6) is as follows:

Content exam (vocabulary and grammar) is 40 minutes.
Performance exam (reading and listening) is 40 minutes.

For a more detailed guide on format and length, download the updated NSE 2024-45 Format & Length chart.

Proficiency Levels

The National Spanish Exam (NSE) offers seven levels of proficiency, ranging from Level 01 – Level 6.

Level placement is at the instructor’s discretion. Students are not allowed to repeat Levels. Determining the appropriate Level to administer the NSE should be decided by the teacher. Please use the following chart as a tentative comparison guideline (or click here to download the chart):

*AP Language / IB-SL
Students enrolled in a course labeled AP Language or IB-SL should be registered to take the current year’s NSE at one level higher than the course in which they were enrolled the previous year. For example, an AP Language/IB-SL student who sat for the exam at Level 4 in 2023-2024 should be placed in Level 5 in 2024-2025. Under no circumstance should an AP Language/IB-SL student take the NSE at lower than Level 4.

*AP Literature / IB-HL
Students enrolled in a course labeled AP Literature or IB-HL must take the NSE at either Level 5 or 6. These students should be enrolled to take the current year’s NSE at one level higher than the course in which they were enrolled the previous year. Under no circumstance should an AP Literature/IB-HL student take the NSE at lower than Level 5.

*If a student competed in Level 1 last year, they should compete in Level 2 the following year. Please read our disqualification policy for more information.

Categories of Competition

The National Spanish Exam (NSE) is used to measure the performance and achievement of students who are studying the Spanish language in the United States. In order to allow students with like-exposure to compete against one another, three categories of exam competition have been defined.

Each instructor should use discretion when making a decision as to which category is appropriate for their student(s). 

Teacher Discretion is Advised

Category placement is at the instructor’s discretion. We recommend reading the following indications before making a decision:

Prizes

Students with outstanding scores on the NSE are recognized as follows:

Premio de Oro

Gold medals are awarded to students who score at or above the 95th percentile. The 99th percentile is the highest rank.

Premio de Plata

Silver medals are awarded to students who score at or above the 85th percentile.

Premio de Bronce

Bronze medals are awarded to students who score from the 75th through the 85th percentiles.

Mención Honorífica

Honorable Mention medals are awarded to students who score from the 50th through the 74th percentiles. Honorable Mention medals are available for purchase at www.nse-store.com.

Perfect Score

Perfect Score medals are awarded to students who answer every question correctly.

Gold, silver, and bronze medals are mailed directly to schools addressed to one teacher shortly after national results are posted, and may take 4-8 weeks to arrive. The NSE does not ship medals internationally.

Students with outstanding results are also eligible to apply for our student scholarship programs. Instructors will be able to find printable certificates available for download in their Lingco Language Labs account after results have been posted.

• Many teachers choose to give the Achievement exam and the Proficiency exam on two separate days during the normal class period. These days do not have to be consecutive.

• If a student is absent on the day of the administration of the exam, the teacher may administer the exam to the student at a later date as long as the exam window is still open.

• Teachers who are new to the new Lingco Language Labs platform or administering the exam in a new school setting are encouraged to use the FREE Practice to test the platform and ensure that it runs smoothly before registering for the exam.

• To apply for Student Accommodations, learn more about technical requirements, how to disable translation features on your students’ computers, read our disqualification policy, and more, please visit the Exam Proctoring section of our website.

Cost Information

There are two costs associated with administering the exam: student cost and instructor cost.

Student Cost
• Regular Registration: $5.00 per student
• Late Registration: $6.00 per student*
• Last-Minute Registration: $8.00 per student

Teacher/Instructor Cost
Giving an AATSP Exam is a benefit for AATSP Members with an active membership:
• First-Year Membership: $45
• Membership Renewal: $65
• Non-Member Fee: $75

*Late Registration is the period between Regular Registration and the Examination Window (a.ka. Last-Minute Registration). Regular Registration dates vary per year.