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Office of the University Registrar

Department Proficiency Exams

Academic departments at Illinois State offer proficiency exams in most 100-level and some 200-level courses. These exams let you test out of entry-level classes so you can enroll in more advanced courses.

View Proficiency Exams Offered

Exam Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
Exam Time: 1:00 p.m.
Deadline: Deadline for fall is Friday, July 11. 

Cost: $10 per exam, billed to your student account

Register Now!

*Registration for Spanish 214 is open year-round since this is a oral exam. To register for this exam, please fill out the Spanish 214 Registration Request Form. 

Registration Requirements

  • Only currently enrolled and admitted students can take proficiency exams.
  • You can take one proficiency exam each semester.
  • You can take a proficiency exam one time. There are no retakes.
  • If you earned a letter grade or transfer credit for a course, you cannot take a proficiency exam for that course. These grades include traditional grades as well as WX, NC, and CR.
  • You will not get credit for an exam if the course level is lower than a course you have already taken.
  • You will not get credit for an exam if the course duplicates the content of a course you previously took.
  • Students with disabilities should notify the appropriate departmental office of the need for any special accommodations prior to the date of the examination.

Proficiency Exam Timeline

Registration Deadline

Deadline for Fall Classes: Register by the second Friday in July.

Deadline for Spring Classes: Register by the second Friday in November.

Late registrations are not accepted.

Taking the Exam

Exams are offered at 1 p.m. the Friday before classes begin. Report to the appropriate department or school room to take your exam.

Receive Credit

Proficiency credit is awarded by the examining department upon successful passing of the proficiency exam.

Get More Information

Proficiency exam formats, availability, and requirements vary by department or school. For specific information about an exam, contact the department or school directly.

More information is also available in the undergraduate catalog.