World Language Credit by Proficiency

Test dates and registration information

Click here to register for a World Language Test

2025-26 test dates

Registration for each test closes one week before the test date or when the 200-student capacity is met.

November 19, 2025	2 p.m.	Redmond High School
February 25, 2026	2 p.m.	Juanita High School
March 25, 2026	2 p.m.	Lake Washington High School

General information

Students who demonstrate real-world proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking in languages besides English are eligible to take a World Language Proficiency Test to earn competency-based high school credits. Based on the number of credits earned, students may also qualify for the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy.

Two types of World Language Proficiency Tests are available: Avant STAMP (referred to as “STAMP”) and ALTA. The test type depends on the language tested and is listed with the language on the registration form.

Testing process

Register for the test. Click on the registration link button above or here for the World Language Proficiency Test. On the registration form you will be asked to provide your information, including the test date and your test language.
Prepare for the test. Prepare for your test by reviewing the information in the appropriate tab(s) below. One (1) week before your test date, you will receive an email from the LWSD assessment office with test details (e.g., testing room number).
Take the test. On test day, bring your supplies and arrive on time for the test.
Wait for the results. Approximately 4-6 weeks after the test, you will receive an email from the LWSD assessment office notifying you that the number of credits earned is provided in “Test Scores” and the score report PDF is provided under “Portfolio.”

STAMP

Sample tests

There are different formats of the STAMP tests, including 4S, WS, and SL. The format is determined by the language selected. Before test day, we strongly recommend taking a sample test using the correct link below. Take time to practice using the recording tools on the speaking test and if relevant, review the surveys on the WS and SL tests.

Test format	Domains	Sample test links
STAMP 4S	Reading, writing, listening, speaking	STAMP 4S sample tests
STAMP WS	Writing and speaking	STAMP WS sample tests
STAMP SL	Writing and speaking	STAMP SL sample test
STAMP for ASL	Receptive and expressive	STAMP for ASL sample test

STAMP testing tips

Reading domain

Number of questions: Approximately 30 questions.
English instructions: Test questions and instructions are written in English. If students do not understand or word or instruction in English, they may ask the proctor for help.
Adaptive format: The test is adaptive. Once students move to the next question, they cannot go back. The difficulty of each question changes based on how they answered the previous ones.

Writing domain

Number of questions: Three (3) prompts.
Response length: There is no required word count, but students can expect to write 400 to 600 words per prompt.
Prompts in English and target language: Prompts are written in English. You can also listen to each prompt in your target language two (2) times.
Writing tips: Organize your thoughts and write in complete sentences. Scratch paper is not allowed. Focus on details and show your best use of the language. Stay on topic and use a variety of vocabulary and sentence patterns.
Conversational, not formal: Responses should be professional but do not need to be formal essays. It’s okay if your writing is not perfect. Do your best and show how well you know the language.
Choose HANDWRITE or TYPE: Students may choose to HANDWRITE or TYPE. When entering the testing room, they must tell the proctor their choice. The proctor will give them the correct test code. This choice cannot be changed, so students should be sure of their preference.
HANDWRITE guidelines: Students who choose HANDWRITE must use a black pen. Mistakes can be crossed out without losing points. All writing must be done in the space provided on the test paper.
TYPE guidelines: Students who choose TYPE and want to use a language keyboard should install it before test day. Click here for instructions on installing a language keyboard.

Listening domain

Number of questions: Approximately 30 questions.
English instructions: Test questions and instructions are written in English. If students do not understand or word or instruction in English, they may ask the proctor for help.
Adaptive format: The test is adaptive. Once students move to the next question, they cannot go back. The difficulty of each question changes based on how they answered the previous ones.
Audio playback limit: Students can listen to each recording two (2) times. After two (2) plays, the button will no longer work.

Speaking domain

Number of questions: Three (3) prompts.
Response length: Each response can be up to three (3) minutes long. Students do not need to use the full length.
Prompts in English and target language: Prompts are written in English. Students can also listen to each prompt in their target language up to two (2) times.
Recording your response: Students can click “+Add” only once and “Re-Record” only once.
Speaking tips: Organize your thoughts and avoid long pauses. Focus on details and show your best use of the language. Stay on topic and use a variety of vocabulary and sentence patterns.
No scratch paper: Scratch paper is not allowed. Using it may result in a score of zero (0). Responses should sound natural, not rehearsed.
Conversational, not formal: Responses should be professional but do not need to sound formal. It is okay if the response is not perfect – most people do not speak perfectly in conversation. Do your best and show how well you know the language.

Receptive domain (for ASL)

Expressive domain (for ASL)

Number of questions: Three (3) prompts.
Response length: Each response can be up to three (3) minutes long. Students do not need to use the full length.
Recording your response: Students can click “Re-Record” only once.
Response tips: Maintain good posture while signing. Use correct ASL grammar and signing order. Do not include introductions or greetings at the beginning of your response.

STAMP Accommodations/modifications

All students are expected to work steadily to complete the test in a timely manner. We do our best to follow the testing accommodations listed in students’ IEPs and 504 Plans. When registering, please include a short summary of your accommodations, or email them to AssessmentHelp@lwsd.org.

Here are examples of how accommodations may be provided during STAMP testing:

Small group/Separate settings: Students may be placed in a room with 5-15 students. We try to space students out as much as possible.
Extended time: The STAMP test is not timed. Students can work at their own pace, and most finish in a couple hours. Since the test is not timed, the extended time accommodation does not apply, however, we appreciate knowing if a student has this accommodation so please include it when you register.
Breaks: Students may take breaks when needed. We suggest taking short breaks between test domains.
Text-to-Speech and/or Speech-to-Text: These tools are not available for STAMP tests; however, proctors can repeat or explain anything on the test that is in English.
Shortened test: STAMP does not offer a shorter version. If this accommodation is needed, students may be able to take an ALTA test instead, depending on the language.

ALTA

The ALTA test has two domains:

Reading & writing – Completed on the scheduled test day.
Listening & speaking – Scheduled separately after the test day.

After the Reading & Writing domain, a proctor will email you with the day and time for the Listening & Speaking domain. The proctor will come to the student’s school and call them from class at the designated time. The proctor will help the student start the phone call and stay with them during the test.

Most students use their cellphone on speaker for the call. If a student does not have a cellphone or prefers not to use it, an office phone will be provided. After the test, students return to class.

We try to schedule the Listening & Speaking domain at a convenient time, but availability depends on the evaluator’s schedule.

ALTA testing tips

Reading & Writing domain
Listening & Speaking domain

Reading & Writing domain

Sample test: You can review a sample Reading & Writing domain (in English) here: https://www.altalang.com/language-testing/writing-practice-test-english/.
Number of questions: Students have sixty (60) minutes to respond to five (5) writing prompts.
Response length: There is no required word count, but students should aim to write at least 100 words per prompt. All writing must be done in the space provided using a black pen. Mistakes can be crossed out without losing points.
Prompts in target language: Prompts are written in the target language.
Prompt topics: Prompts may ask students to describe a personal experience, persuade, give an opinion, explain a process, or describe something.
Writing tips: Organize your thoughts and write in complete sentences. Scratch paper is not allowed. Focus on details and show your best use of the language. Stay on topic and use a variety of vocabulary and sentence patterns.
Additional suggestions: There are no wrong or right answers. If you are unfamiliar with the content, you may create a response. Responses should be professional but do not need to be formal essays. It is okay if your writing is not perfect. You are being evaluated on how well you write, not on the content of your answers.

Listening & Speaking domain

Sample test: You can review a sample Listening & Speaking domain (in English) here: https://www.altalang.com/language-testing/speaking-listening/.
Number of questions: Approximately 22 questions, asked over 25 minutes.
Response length: Each response should be short – approximately 45 to 60 seconds.
Prompts in target language: All questions are asked in the target language. Students may ask for the question to be repeated. However, points may be deducted if more than two questions are repeated.
Progressive format: The test is progressive. Questions become more difficult as the test continues. Students will have a chance to answer every question.
No scratch aper: Scratch paper is not allowed. Using it may result in a score of zero (0). Responses should sound natural, not rehearsed.
Additional suggestions: There are no wrong or right answers. If you are unfamiliar with the content, you may create a response. You are being evaluated on how well you use the language, not the content of your answers.

ALTA Accommodations/modifications

We do our best to follow the testing accommodations listed in students’ IEPs and 504 Plans. When registering, please include a short summary of your accommodations, or email them to AssessmentHelp@lwsd.org.

Below are examples of how accommodations may be provided during ALTA testing:

Small group/Separate settings: Students may be placed in a room with 5-15 students. We try to space students out as much as possible.
Extended time: Extra time can be provided on the Reading & Writing domain. Extra time is not available on the Listening & Speaking domain, but most students are able to complete the phone call without difficulty.
Text-to-Speech and/or Speech-to-Text: These tools are not available for ALTA tests.
Shortened test: ALTA does not offer a shorter version of the test. However, depending on the language, ALTA is often the preferred testing option for students with this accommodation.

Results and next steps

About 6-8 weeks after you take the test, you will get an email from the LWSD assessment office. The email will tell you that your test results are available in Skyward.

Look under “Test Scores” to see the language you tested and how many credits you earned.
Look under “Portfolio” to find the score report (PDF).

Your results will also be sent to your school’s data processor and counselor team.

Note: If your score does not earn any credits (0 credits earned), it will not be posted to Skyward. Instead, your results and the score report will be sent to you by email.

To learn more about how credits are determined from test results, visit the Credits and the Seal of Biliteracy FAQ page.