Exam Dates & Times

📢NEWL Exam Administration Update (Effective 2026)

Beginning in 2026, American Councils will partner with Honorlock Inc. to administer the NEWL exam through secure online proctoring. Honorlock is a professional exam monitoring service that supports secure, standardized, and fair testing.

In-Person Proctoring Is Not Permitted

NEWL exams administered through Honorlock may not be proctored in person under any circumstances.

Students must complete the exam:

• In a quiet, private location

• Alone in the room

• Without any other individuals present

The exam may be taken at home or in another private space.

If testing during the school day, students should coordinate with a teacher or guidance counselor to secure a quiet, private room. The exam cannot be taken in a traditional classroom or shared space where other individuals are present or where background noise may occur. Exams may be flagged if additional people are detected.

If you need guidance on preparing your testing space, please contact us in advance of your exam date.

How Honorlock Works

• Secure browser technology (screen lockdown)
• Video monitoring
• Advanced proctoring tools

These measures help maintain exam integrity and ensure compliance with testing policies.

During registration, students must review and sign a consent form acknowledging the use of Honorlock for NEWL administration.

After registration is complete, students will receive detailed instructions explaining how to access Honorlock on their scheduled exam date.

Increased Flexibility in 2026

By integrating secure online exam technology, NEWL can offer increased flexibility through multiple exam dates and start times, instead of one fixed test date as in the past.

🔔 2026 EXAM DATES, TIMES & FEES

Below is a table listing all available exam dates and corresponding check-in times for the 2026 administration. You will select only one of these dates and times. Please carefully review the table to mark your calendars with your preferred language, date, and time. Note that students with approved testing accommodations must register only for the specific dates and times outlined below, under the "Reserved for Students with Exam Accommodations Only" column. All times listed reflect check-in windows, not exam start times. You must arrive and check in within your assigned 30-minute window; late arrivals will not be admitted and will be unable to complete the examination. The total testing time is approximately 3.5 hours, so please plan your schedule accordingly to ensure you can remain for the full duration of the exam. All exams are administered in one sitting.

⏰ 2026 REGISTRATION LINK

Registration opens on or around March 1, 2026. Please check back to access the link

🖥️ INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS

We are excited to offer webinars throughout the open registration window for NEWL in March! These sessions are the perfect opportunity to ask questions, address any concerns, and get answers directly from our team quickly and efficiently.

Click the links and dates below to join us at 1:00 PM (EDT) on:

Monday, March 2

Monday, March 9

Monday, March 16

Monday, March 23

We look forward to seeing you at one of these sessions and helping you get the most out of your NEWL registration!

Our Valued School Partners

Below is a list of institutions that have successfully administered the NEWL exam in recent years. We are grateful to our partner schools for their continued collaboration and invite additional institutions to administer NEWL exams in Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian. By offering NEWL, schools provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency, earn the Seal of Biliteracy, and potentially receive college credit or advanced placement.

EXAM OVERVIEW & SECTIONS

NEWL measures functional proficiency in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication. It does not assess knowledge of specific curricula, literary works, or cultural and historical content. The exam is based on the ACTFL scale and covers Novice High to Intermediate High levels.

The exam has four sections: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Integrated Speaking, and Integrated Writing.

Reading (60 min): Examinees read short, culturally and linguistically authentic texts, such as lists, ads, schedules, brochures, and paragraphs, followed by 1-3 multiple-choice questions in English. Topics range from daily routines and social interactions to formal announcements and more advanced content.

Listening (45 min): Examinees listen to brief audio scenarios, including dialogs, newscasts, and radio shows, and answer questions on similar topics as the reading section. All content follows ETS Fairness and Equity guidelines (2009).

Speaking (45 min): Prompts (audio and written) require spoken responses on everyday topics like school, friends, and social situations. Responses are recorded via the browser; no software installation is required. Scratch paper may be used.

Writing (45 min): Prompts (audio and written) require written responses, such as notes, emails, letters, or expressing opinions in the target language. An appropriate keyboard layout is supported on both Mac and Windows, and scratch paper is permitted for use.

Total Exam Time (without accommodations): ~3½ hours