National Spanish Exam

Measurement, Format, and Length

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

Content Exam (vocabulary and grammar) | 40 minutes

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

Performance Exam (reading and listening) | 40 minutes.

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.

Download Now

Download the updated NSE Specifications Booklet for the 2025-26 examination cycle, which includes a format and length chart, placement guides, and more resources for teachers.

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:

	Gold Medal	Gold medals are awarded to students who score at or above the 95th percentile. The 99th percentile is the highest rank.
	Silver Medal	Silver medals are awarded to students who score at or above the 85th percentile.
	Bronze Medal	Bronze medals are awarded to students who score from the 75th through the 85th percentiles.
	Honorable Mention	Students who score from the 50th through the 74th percentiles earn an Honorable Mention. Honorable Mention medals are available for purchase at www.nse-store.com.
	Perfect Score	Students who answer every question correctly are awarded one Perfect Score medal (instead of Gold).

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.

• The exam has two 40-minute sections that can be given at any time during the exam administration window.

• Exam sections may be administered separately or consecutively. For example, many teachers choose to administer the exam sections on two separate days during the regular class period.

• If a student is absent on the day of the administration of the exam, the teacher has until the last day of the examination window to administer the exam. The AATSP Exams office cannot grant extensions beyond the closing date. We strongly advise administering the exam well before the closing date to avoid missing out on re-take opportunities for absent students.

• 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*

Teacher/Instructor Cost
Giving the NSE is a membership benefit that is available for active members of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP):
• Active AATSP Members: FREE ($45 First-Year / $65 Renewal)
• Non-Member Fee: $75

*Once Regular Registration has closed, we offer a Late Registration grace period at $7 per student seat. Teachers may add students during the examination window at $9 per student seat (a.k.a. Last-Minute Registration). Dates vary per year.