World Language Competency Test

For the 2025-26 school year, the District has made some revisions to the existing World Language Competency Test:

• Testing will be for high school students only.  
• Each high school will have one test date during the months of November 2025 - January 2026. There will only be one testing date for each high school and there will not be make-up testing opportunities.
• Schools will send out testing and registration information in their school bulletins through ParentSquare.
• Each high school test fee will be $80, paid online through Touchbase or directly at the school. 
• Students will first take the written portion of the test and if they score high enough, they will have the opportunity to take the listening/speaking portion of the test, which will cost an additional $80.
• Fees will be waived for students who:
  • Qualify for free or reduced-price meals and who have provided consent to share their status for fee waivers.
  • Demonstrate financial hardship and are working with the school support team

Students may develop world language skills in many ways. They may use another language at home, attend language programs in the community, learn language skills online or spend time living abroad. Students who have achieved some proficiency in a world language may seek to earn credit by taking an assessment that measures their proficiency.

Your test score is based on your lowest level of proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Take a moment to think about your current language skills in the language in which you wish to be tested (not English). If you can answer "Yes, I can do this fairly easily" to each statement, you will likely be able to earn 1 to 2 credits. If you can answer “Yes, I can do this very easily” to each statement, you may be able to earn 3 to 4 credits.

Listening: I can understand ideas on familiar topics expressed through phrases, short sentences, and frequently used expressions.

Reading: I can understand the main idea and some details in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary.

Person-to-Person Communication: I can exchange information with another person about familiar tasks, topics and activities.

Speaking: I can use a series of phrases and sentences to provide basic information about familiar topics.

Writing: I can write simple descriptions and short messages and request or provide information on familiar topics.

Below is just a small sampling of the languages available, representing some of the languages we see requested most frequently. NSD utilizes three test vendors covering over 100 languages, so it is rare to have a language requested for which a test is not available.

To request a language not listed below, please indicate your language preference when registering. 

When you register, you will choose the language in which you wish to test.  On the main testing day students will take the ALTA Writing Skills Assessment offered throughALTA Language Services.  Students who score at level IRL 0+ or higher on the writing assessment will take the Speaking and Listening Assessment in a live phone interview arranged at a later date.  Students must exhibit the skills equivalent to a level 4 or better on ALTA's 12-point Writing Performance Levels to score at IRL 0+ or higher and move on the the Speaking and Listening Assessment.

What if my language is not available in the above test?
Indicate your language preference when you register. It is very likely there is a test available that can be scheduled for you. If there is not one available, custom tests in Writing and Speaking are offered through the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT). Note that some custom tests may require more time to create, and you may have to test at a later date. We will notify you immediately if this is the case.

Have you already taken a Washington State OSPI approved World Language test?

If you have already tested for proficiency in a World Language in another Washington State school district, please complete the Request for Approval of Credit for Proficiency in a World Language/Seal of Biliteracy (2409F) for Northshore School District. Submit this form with a copy of your test results and official documentation to your school counselor.

Test dates for the 2025-26 school year are (registration will be communicated by each school):

Bothell High School 11/13/25 

Woodinville High School 12/02/25

North Creek High School 11/18/25

Inglemoor High School 11/17/25

Innovation Lab High School 11/19/25

SAS 11/14/25

Northshore Learning Options TBD

Getting Credit

The Northshore School District receives your test results within a few weeks. You will receive a letter from the district with a copy of your test results indicating proficiency levels attained in the tested language and how many world language credits, if any, may be awarded. You will also receive a copy of the Request for Approval of Credit for Proficiency in a World Language and Seal of Biliteracy (2409F). Credits are not automatically added to your transcript. In order to get the credits you earned posted to your high school transcript, a completed Request for Approval form, your test results and official documentation need to be turned in to your school counselor.

World Language competency credits will appear on your transcript as "[LANGUAGE] 1 COMP" (and 2, 3, and 4, depending on the credits earned). Example: A student who tested in Spanish at a proficiency level equivalent to 3 credits will see this on their transcript:

• SPANISH 1 COMP
   
• SPANISH 2 COMP
   
• SPANISH 3 COMP

Because there is no grade associated with competency credits, the grade will be listed as "P" and will not be calculated into the GPA.

Note: Students can earn up to four competency credits through proficiency testing. However, it's important to note that if students have also earned class time credits in the same language in which they test for proficiency, only those credits in addition to the class credits, up to a total of four, will be added to the student's transcript. Example: The student has taken and passed two years of Spanish classes for two credits, and has also tested at a proficiency level earning him/her three competency credits in Spanish. One additional credit may be added to the student's transcript for a total of three credits (2 class credits, plus one additional competency credit).

(download a copy of the Request for Approval of Credit for Proficiency in a World Language and Seal of Biliteracy

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

The Washington State Seal of Biliteracy (RCW 28A.300.575.) was passed by the Legislature in 2014. The Seal is intended to highlight the benefits in today’s world of speaking, reading and writing in English and at least one other language. Students receive a Seal of Biliteracy sticker to affix to their high school diploma. Additionally, students’ transcripts will also reflect that they have received the Seal of Biliteracy.

The Seal of Biliteracy honors bilingualism. Heritage speaking students can be recognized for their bilingual assets. Students of a World Language can be recognized for the value they see in studying another language. The Seal of Biliteracy promotes meaningful and interactive communication with people of diverse cultures and languages.

Seal of Biliteracy Qualifications

Students must satisfy both requirements below to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy:

• English Language Arts requirements
  • Complete the English Language Arts (ELA) portion of the Graduation Pathway Requirement by either:
    • Passing the state ELA Smarter Balanced Assessment, or
    • Meeting the Graduation Pathway Requirement by other OSPI/state approved options.
• Complete one of the following World Language Competency tests
  • Demonstrate proficiency on a World Language Competency test at Intermediate-Mid proficiency level or higher
  • Pass an Advanced Placement (AP) Language test other than English with a score of 3 or higher
  • Pass an International Baccalaureate Language test other than English with a score of 4 or higher
  • Demonstrate proficiency on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview for American Sign Language (SLPI ASL) at Intermediate Plus level

Use the OSPI Flow Chart (PDF) to determine eligibility.

To find out more about the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy visit OSPI's website.

If you meet the proficiency requirements listed above in a language other than English and are on track to meet the ELA graduation requirements, submit the Request for Approval of Credit for Proficiency in a World Language and Seal of Biliteracy form to your school's counselor to request that the Seal of Biliteracy be added to your transcript. Note that the Seal of Biliteracy will not show on the transcript as "earned" until all of the above requirements have been met.

Exam Cost

• $80 per test

  • WLCT - Written (Test 1)

  • WLCT - Speaking (Test 2)

• Payment options: Online through TouchBase or directly at the school

• Fee waivers available if:

  • Student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals and has given consent to share status for fee waivers
  • Student demonstrates financial hardship and is working with the school support team

Exam Cancellation & No-Show Policy

• If you need to cancel your exam, please notify the coordinator at least 24 hours in advance.
• Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are non-refundable.
• Missed exams (no shows) are non-refundable.
• If you miss your exam without proper notice and wish to reschedule, an additional $80 reschedule test fee will apply for the new booking.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.