FAQs

What is NEWL?

NEWL is an online proficiency exam for language learners of Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian seeking college placement and/or credit. The exam measures functional proficiency and is intended to be a predictive assessment for continued language study beyond high school.
 

What are the 2026 administration dates and times?

Dates, fees, and other details can be found here. If you reside outside the U.S., please consider the time difference when registering for the exam.
 

What types of questions are included in the NEWL exam?

Depending on the level of the question, the exam covers domains including, Culture, Daily Life, Government, Business, Entertainment, Science, and Technology. We have sample questions available here.
 

What is the minimum age requirement to take NEWL?

You must have turned 14 before September 1st, the year before the scheduled exams. Students must have turned 14 on or before September 1, 2025, in order to participate in the 2026 exams.

Are there AP exams for the NEWL languages?

No, NEWL is the only AP equivalent exam for the less commonly taught languages of Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian. To learn more about the AP exams, visit here. The College Board provides the AP Language and Culture Exam, detailed information may be found on the AP Center website.
 

Does NEWL have any related curriculum/program?

The NEWL is not aligned with a particular curriculum. The exam measures functional proficiency and does not directly target learning achievement or the accumulation of specific grammatical, literary, or historical knowledge. We encourage students preparing for the exam to read authentic materials, such as the newspaper, intended for use by native speakers.
 

Do all colleges and universities accept NEWL scores?

Each college and university determines how to interpret and use NEWL scores when awarding credit and in making admissions decisions. The College Board recommends its member institutions treat NEWL scores as they would AP language scores. Ultimately it is at the discretion of the institution or the program to determine its use and awarding criteria.
 

How do I request my official score reports?

Please fill out the form here.

How many credits will I get for my NEWL scores if they are accepted by the institution?

American Councils will send scores to requested universities and colleges and recommend placement for NEWL scores; it does not part take in the credit awarding process. Each institution or entity determines its own policies for use.

We send this recommendation table to each institution:

How many sections are on the NEWL exam?

Four; NEWL assesses Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing skills.
 

Do parents need to approve students' participation in the exam?

Yes, parental approval is required to participate in the exam, if the student is below the age of 18.
 

Who are NEWL scores shared with?

NEWL scores are automatically shared with the examinee. Upon request, score reports are sent to high schools, colleges and universities, educators in the school, district, and state levels for award use (i.e., the Seal of Biliteracy, or other awards and scholarships). Awards are subject to each state or institution’s policies. American Councils and NEWL are not part of any award-granting process.

Parents will not have access to NEWL scores unless the examinee and the parents share email addresses.
 

Is NEWL a proctored exam?

Yes. All exams are securely proctored online by the NEWL administration team through Honorlock’s remote proctoring platform.
 

Can I participate in this exam if I am not a U.S. citizen/ or residing in the U.S.?

Yes, you may.
 

Do I have to be a high school student to participate in the NEWL exam?

Yes, the exam is designed for high school students, 9th grade or above.
 

Can I take the exam more than once?

Students may take NEWL multiple times throughout their high school years, but not more than once in the same year. Retests may occur only in subsequent years. The highest score is reported to the school, not the most recent. NEWL is offered annually in April.
 

Does the testing time listed correspond to a certain time zone?

All published exam dates and times are in EDT. Please consider the time difference when registering for the exam.
 

Do students pay their exam fees directly to American Councils, or do they pay them to their schools?

Students register for and pay for their exams independently, separate from their schools.
 

Can I post on my school’s website about the NEWL exam?

Yes. In cases where information about NEWL is shared, i.e. on the school website, proper credit and direct links to both American Councils and the NEWL websites must be referenced. Note that it would be a violation of copyright law to copy the information and make it available on any other website without written authorization from American Councils.