MLA
Modern Language Assessment

• Introduction
• Retake Policy
• Cost
• Schedule
• Location
• Registering
• Preparing
• Taking the Test
• Scores
• Standard Proficiency
• Advanced Proficiency
• Getting Credit
• Links to More Information

The MLA is used by the University of Utah to give credit to individuals to have learned a foreign language by immersing themselves in another culture via military service, Peace Corps duty, a religious mission, etc.  Tests are offered on-campus in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian.

For all other languages, the University of Utah will accept the results for tests offered by Brigham Young University.  To obtain information on how to have these results sent to the University of Utah, please contact the Language and Literature Department.  The office for this department is located in room 1400 of the Language and Communications Building (LNCO).  The telephone number is (801) 581-7561.

Note:  The MLA should not be confused with the Language Placement Test which is administered by the Department of Languages and Literature, and used to determine the proper level of course for someone seeking to take a language class.

The MLA may only be taken once.  Retaking the exam is not permitted.

 
Cost

The cost of the test itself is $75.00.  Candidates who then demonstrate advanced proficiency on the test may purchase 16 credit hours to be placed upon their transcript at the discounted price of $640.00.  (This price is set by the language department and may go up as deemed necessary by them at any time.)
 
Schedule

The MLA is given according to the following schedule:

The MLA is administered in the Testing Center, located in Room 498 of the Student Services Building (SSB).
 
Registering

Candidates must pre-register at least a day before the test.  To do this they must come to the Testing Center and pay the $75.00 fee.  If they plan to have their test results sent to another institution, they also must provide the information needed to contact that institution.  (name, address, phone number, etc.)
 
Preparing

The MLA is divided into three parts:  Listening (30 min), Reading (35 min), and Writing (30 min).  The Listening & Reading sections are multiple choice.  The Writing section requires filling blanks with the correct word, and rewriting sentences in a different tense, etc.  Any kind of language textbook that reviews vocabulary and grammar rules would be helpful.
 
Taking the Test

Test takers are expected to arrive early on the day of the test. If they are late, they may not be allowed to take the exam.  They must present photo identification such as a drivers license or a student I.D. card.  The test will last about an hour and forty five minutes.
 
Scores

Undergraduate students wishing to obtain language credit via the MLA must demonstrate Advanced Proficiency.  This allows them to purchase up to 16 hours of language credit.  Those who desire to meet the language requirement for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree must purchase the full 16 hours.  The preceding chart gives the minimum score needed for each language.
 
Getting Credit

To have language credit placed upon their transcript, candidates must go to the Department of Languages and Literature and obtain a "Petition for Language Credit."  They then must take this form to Income Accounting, located on the first floor of the Student Services Building.  Candidates must purchase all 16 credit hours.  These will not appear as corresponding to an upper division course, nor will a letter grade be assigned to them.  They will only appear as credit hours earned for that particular language.
 
Links to More Information

• FLPAGS

• Graduate Handbook Language Requirements

• Department of Languages and Literature

 University of Utah, Testing Center, 201 S 1460 E RM 498, Salt Lake City UT 84112-9059
Office:  801-581-8744,  FAX:  801-585-1932
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