Preparation and Readiness

The best way to prepare for NEWL is to engage with culturally authentic materials, including announcements, advertisements, phone calls, books, websites, news reports (print, radio, podcasts), editorials, interviews, lectures, and debates, intended for native speakers. You can also view here the sample exam questions for each language: 

📣 Practice Exam Now Available Year-Round!

It is offered in both short and full-length formats, depending on the language, is unproctored, and can be taken remotely. Scores are reported as percentage correct, helping you assess your readiness for the main NEWL exam in April. Students can prepare on their own schedule and become familiar with the exam format and content before taking the main exam.  

Why Take a Practice Exam?

A NEWL Practice Exam can help you: 

•    Setup your computer correctly: ensuring that your computer meets the technical requirements for the actual exam

•    Familiarize yourself with the test questions: experience the content, format, and difficulty level of the questions.

•    Navigate the testing platform confidently: practice using all system features so you can focus on performing your best on exam day.

Read Before You Buy  

•    No returns or exchanges are offered for used or unused practice exams

•    If you are unsure about taking the exam, please do not proceed and do not pay.

•    You may take the practice exam more than once; however, the content will not change from your first attempt, and you will need a different email address.

•    Taking a practice exam is a great way to become familiar with the format before the April 2026 main exam, though it is not required

•    Portuguese and Russian exams are available in two versions: short and full (see options below).

To learn more about the main exam dates for 2026, please click here.

Ready to Take a Practice Exam?

Pick your exam and the version that is right for you below:

Arabic Practice Exam: Short (1 hour) | $45

Korean Practice Exam: Short (1 hour) | $45

Portuguese Practice Exam: Full (3.5 hours) | $65

Portuguese Practice Exam: Short (1 hour) | $45

Russian Practice Exam: Full (3.5 hours) | $65

Russian Practice Exam: Short (1 hour) | $45

Accessing Your Practice Exam Results

For Reading and Listening skills, you will receive a percentage correct rather than a score report. For Writing and Speaking sections, you will receive your responses to review or share with your teacher for further preparation.

After completing your exam, you may use the same code to view your percentage-correct score. Please ensure that you use the same email address you used to take the exam. Refer to the email you received after registration for your access code.

Network Requirements

•    Minimum 1.5 Mbps per student

•    Check your bandwidth: www.speedtest.net

Computer and Audio Setup

•    Mac, Windows, or Chromebook with 4GB+ RAM

•    Headphones (built-in mic recommended)

•    Working microphone for clear audio

Software

•    macOS (recent), Windows 10+, or Chrome OS (recent)

•    Web browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, or Edge

•    Safari is not supported

•    Tablet or phone not allowed

•    Browser must accept cookies from exams.actesting.org

Setup Tips

•    Certify all workstations during the lab setup week

•    Include a few extra machines in case of an emergency.