A Division of AATSP

National Office:

   

General Information about the National Spanish Examination designed, supported and distributed by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese
Frequently Asked Questions 1.  What is the National Spanish Examination? 2.  What is the mission of the National Spanish Examination? 3.  What is the purpose of the National Spanish Examination? 4.  When and why was the examination developed? 5.  How many students take the test? 6.  Who recognizes the National Spanish Examination? 7.  Who is eligible to take the test? 8.  What are the requirements for sponsoring students? 9.  What does the test measure? 10. How long is the test? 11. What is the cost? 12. When is the National Spanish Exam administered? 13. What are the hardware and software requirements needed to administer the exam? 14. How does a teacher register students for the exam? 15. What are exam levels and categories? 16. Who may proctor the exams? 17. How are the exams scored? 18. What are the prizes? 19. How can teacher prepare students for the exam? 20. Whom can I contact for more information?
1.  What is the National Spanish Examination? The National Spanish Examination is an online, standardized assessment tool given voluntarily by over  3000 teachers throughout the United States to measure proficiency and achievement of students who are studying Spanish as a second language. From 1957 until 2005, the National Spanish Examination was administered in a written format.  Beginning in 2006, the National Spanish Examination was administered in an online format through the Quia Corporation and will continue as the first online national foreign language exam.   back to top
2.  What is the mission of the National Spanish Examination? The mission of the National Spanish Examination is to recognize student achievement and to promote language proficiency in the study of the Spanish. NSE is committed to providing teachers with assessment tools and offering students opportunities to practice their language skills and know their Spanish language proficiency rating through taking the exam.   back to top
3.  What is the purpose of the National Spanish Examination? The purpose of the National Spanish Examination is 1.   to recognize achievement in the study of the Spanish language 2.   to promote proficiency in interpretive communication in the Spanish language 3.   to assess the national standards as they pertain to learning Spanish 4.   to stimulate further interest in the teaching and learning of Spanish In addition: Ø   Many teachers state that they use the National Spanish Examination to prepare students to take other standardized tests such as AP, IB, SAT II and college placement exams. Ø   Many administrators state that they can use data from the National Spanish Examination to create reports to show how their schools have improved over an academic year. back to top
4.  When and why was the exam developed? The National Spanish Examinations were developed as a motivational, extra-curricular activity and contest for students of members of the AATSP and their local chapters.  Since its inception in 1957 by the AATSP, the NSE has continually changed in format and content to stay current with the changes in language-learning theory and assessment.  Click to see a brief History of NSE.   back to top
5.  How many students take the test? The National Spanish Examination is the most widely used test of Spanish in the United States.  In the spring of 2007, a total of 89,401 participated in the new online version of the exam.   back to top
6.  Who recognizes the National Spanish Examination? The National Spanish Examination is recognized by many administrative and teaching associations and organizations at the local, state and national levels.  The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2006-2007.   back to top
7.  Who is eligible to take the test? Secondary students of all public, parochial and private schools (middle school, junior high school or high school) who are not foreign exchange students and whose teachers are members of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese may sit for the examination.  back to top
8.  What are the requirements for sponsoring students? There are two ways to sponsor students: 1. AATSP member sponsorship. AATSP members may sponsor only their own students who are enrolled in courses they teach during the exam window (March 1 - April 10).  They may NOT sponsor any other students including former students or students of colleagues.  All member sponsors are required to be current members in good standing with the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). NOTE: AATSP members must renew their 2008 AATSP dues by January 31, 2008 in order to avoid paying the non-membership fee. 2. Non-member sponsorship.  Non-member sponsors may include clubs, civic organizations, schools, corporations, individuals, etc.  Each sponsor desiring to be a non-member participant must submit the $75 non-member fee.  This fee allows that sponsor to order up to 50 tests for one level of the exam.  If a sponsor has more than one level of students, then the sponsor will need to submit an additional fee for each new level. In addition to the non-member national fee of $75, the sponsor must pay the national and chapter fees for the tests ordered.  Students sponsored by a non-member will be eligible for the awards given by the national office. Non-member sponsors must make arrangements to have an appropriate proctor administer the exam. NOTE: Non-members may chose to pay regular AATSP dues by January 31, 2008 in order to avoid the non-membership fee. back to top
9.  What does the test measure? The National Spanish Examination is a standards-based assessment that measures both achievement and proficiency, but measures them separately. 1. The achievement section of the test assesses content standards through specifications for vocabulary and specifications for grammar. 2. The proficiency section of the test assesses performance standards as defined by the National Spanish Examination Proficiency Levels. The NSE assesses Interpretive Communication through both reading comprehension and listening comprehension.  back to top
10.  How long is the test? The test consists of two parts:  (1) an achievement test based on specifications for vocabulary and specifications for grammar and (2) a proficiency test which assesses interpretive communication based on the specifications for listening comprehension and reading comprehension.  The achievement test contains 40 items and the proficiency test contain 34 items. The time limit for each section of the test is 40 minutes. Note:  Schools may chose (1) to give the exam during the regularly scheduled class time over two consecutive days or (2) to administer the exam in one sitting of at least 90 minutes. back to top
11.  What is the cost? Each school pays a fee per examination to the national office.  The fee includes a national portion of $3 and a chapter portion (between $0.20 and $4.00). Each chapter has a slightly different fee schedule, because each chapter recognizes students in a different way (prizes, certificates, awards, banquets, etc.)  Student recognition is funded through this fee.  The cost is all inclusive and covers: The Online National Spanish Examination Unlimited year long use of the free, online practice exercises and practice examinations National recognition Seven (7) sets of percentiles for each student Printable certificates for student who earn medal placement Chapter prizes Eligibilty to compete for Junior Travel Awards and Senior Scholarships Contact your local coordinator to obtain your chapter's fee schedule.   back to top
12.  When is the National Spanish Examination Administered? The exam window is open from March 1st through April 10th. To select the correct testing date, each school must count back 10 weeks from the last academic week of the school year and test during that week. Due to the two month's difference in the closing of schools across the country, this allows all students to have, more or less, the same amount of instructional time. Schools on Spring block scheduling where one year of traditional instruction is completed in one semester must administer the examination 5 weeks prior to the close of the academic year provided that testing is completed by April 10. All testing for all participating students must be completed by April 10 in order for students to be eligible for prizes.   back to top
13.  What are the hardware and software requirements needed to administer the exam? National Spanish Exams has contracted with Quia Corporation to deliver practice exercises, a practice exam and the online exam.  In order to take the exam, each student must have use of a personal computer that has access to the Internet.  Each computer station should have: (1) sound in order to complete the listening section of the exam and (2) a set of headphones so that students may hear the audio portion of the exam.  (If schools do not have enough headphones, ask students to bring a set of walkman or iPod headphones which should work with most computer systems.) All computers which will be used by students to deliver the National Spanish Examination must be tested by completing one of the Online Practice Examinations.  The online practice should be completed well in advance of the test date in order to allow time to correct any technical problems with software and/or hardware.  NSE will issue no refunds for hardware and/or software that does not operate correctly on test day.  Since the National Spanish Examinations have the same hardware and software requirements as the Online Practice Examinations, there should be no problems in administering the actual examinations if there were no problems in delivering the practice examinations. A teacher should print out the System Requirements from Quia for the computer technician in his/her school to ensure all software and hardware components are compatible with the Quia format. Special circumstances. Ø   Schools having an insufficient number of computers to administer exams to all students at once may administer the exam to a small number of students over a longer period of time. Ø   Schools with insufficient hardware or software requirements can choose to administer the exam in another location.  Where possible, schools should arrange for their own alternative site.  If necessary, contact the local coordinator and/or the national office who will be happy to help these schools find an alternative location. back to top
14.  How does a teacher register students for the exam? There are three easy steps to registering students for the National Spanish Examination.   STEP ONE: Each teacher will register online only once by filling out the Online Registration Form. On this form, teachers will provide: teacher name and AATSP number school information names, levels and categories of students taking exam at each level NEW FOR 2008: Teachers may pay their AATSP dues along with their NSE exam fees by using the NSE online registration from. The deadline for Teacher Registration is January 31, 2008. PLEASE NOTE: The Registration Form will not be available online after January 31, 2008.   STEP TWO: When teachers submit the Online Registration Form, an invoice will be generated automatically and will list the number of exams ordered and the amount owed.  This e-mail will be sent automatically to (1) the registering teacher, (2) the chapter coordinator, and (3) the NSE National Office. Teachers should PRINT OUT this e-mail. NOTE. Teachers are obligated to pay the amount due for exams ordered by February 1, 2008. Any payment not postmarked by February 1, 2008 will be charged a late fee of $2 per examination.   STEP THREE: Teachers are to MAIL a copy of the e-mail invoice from step two along with a CHECK made payable to NATIONAL SPANISH EXAMINATIONS to: NSE Registration AATSP Office 900 Ladd Rd. Walled Lake, MI 48390 NOTE: For 2008, checks are NOT to be mailed to local coordinators. AATSP dues may be paid at the same time that teachers register their students (see above). However, if teachers prefer to pay their AATSP dues separately, they may do do in one of the following three ways: Ø   Online -  Visit the AATSP Website Ø   By fax - print out the following AATSP Membership Dues Form and fax to:              §    (248) 960-9570 Ø   By mail - print out the following AATSP Membership Dues Form and mail to:              §   AATSP                  900 Ladd Rd.                  Walled Lake, MI 48390 back to top
15.  What are exam levels and categories? In an effort to allow students with like exposure to compete with each other, NSE has created seven (7) levels of exam competition and three (3) categories of exam competition. Level:  In what course is the student currently enrolled? Category:  How has the student been exposed to Spanish? back to top
16.  Who may proctor the exams? In an attempt to ease scheduling of computer labs and because of the security that online testing offers, teachers may proctor their own students beginning with the 2007 National Spanish Exam. back to top
17.  How are the exams scored? Students' raw scores are converted into percentiles, a ranking scale from a low of 1 to a high of 99 with 50 as the median score.  A percentile score does not refer to the percentage of questions answered correctly but indicates the test-taker's standing relative to the norm group standard.  Each student will receive several scores: (1) an overall national percentile, (2) a proficiency percentile and (3) an achievement percentile. back to top
18.  What are the prizes? There are several ways students can be recognized for outstanding achievement: National Recognition Students scoring above the 75th percentile are recognized as follows:   Gold medal placement certificate - students scoring at or above the 95th percentile. Silver medal placement certificate - students scoring from the 85th through the 94th percentiles. Bronze medal placement certificate - students scoring from the 75th through the 84th percentiles. Teachers should download and print out these placement certificates by visiting the NSE Certificate Page if they would like their students to receive these certificates.  Chapter Prizes Most chapters present awards to their chapter winners.  The awards vary from chapter to chapter.  Some chapters recognize numerous places and also have Honorable Mention categories while other chapters award cash prizes, Spanish dictionaries, Spanish music, books about Spanish countries, savings bonds, etc.  Please check with your local chapter coordinator, if you wish to know what prizes your chapter gives to its winners. National Awards and Scholarships Juniors and Seniors scoring above the 75th percentile are eligible to apply for Junior Travel Awards and Senior Scholarships. back to top
19.  How can teachers prepare students for the exam? 1. Provide time for students to complete the Online Practice Exams from the 2006 exam.  This online practice of last year's exam must be conducted prior to this year's testing to allow teachers, students, and school computer technicians the opportunity to see a sample version of the online exam and to determine if there are any problems prior to test day. 2.  Use the Online Practice Exercises as part of general computer lab or home practice throughout the school year.  There are online exercises assessing (1) achievement of the specifications for vocabulary and specifications for grammar and (2) proficiency in reading and listening. 3. Integrate into curriculum all specifications for vocabulary and specifications for grammar. The NSE Test Development Committee has developed the National Spanish Exam Vocabulary Lists as a supplement for teachers who wish to use them with their classes. back to top
20.  Whom may I contact for more information?   Contact the following member of the National Spanish Exam Staff for information regarding: Test Administration Stana Sukunda Test Content Kevin Cessna-Buscemi NSE Registration / AATSP Dues Kathy Alberga
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