Qualifying Tests & Requirements
To receive the Global Seal of Biliteracy, candidates or their representative schools or institutions must submit qualifying seal of biliteracy test scores as evidence of their language skills in two or more languages. The following chart depicts which tests and what scores have been approved to qualify candidates for the Global Seal. Qualifying test scores must be submitted within 12 months of the test date. Click on tests below for more information.
The Global Seal of Biliteracy offers two awards levels:
Functional Fluency: This level credentials language learners at the Intermediate-Mid level.
Working Fluency: This level credentials language learners at the Advanced-Low level.
Professional Fluency: This level credentials language learners at the Advanced-High level.
| WORLD LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT Can be candidate’s first/heritage or second language | ||
|---|---|---|
| APPROVED TESTS & ASSESSMENTS | FUNCTIONAL FLUENCY AWARD | WORKING FLUENCY AWARD |
| Avant STAMP 4S | 5 or higher on all 4 parts (Intermediate-Mid) |
7 or higher on all 4 parts (Advanced-Low) |
| Avant WorldSpeak | 5 or higher on both parts (Intermediate-Mid) |
7 or higher on both parts (Advanced-Low) |
| College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam | 3 | 5 |
| International Baccalaureate (Higher Level) | 4 | 6 |
| AAPPL Form B administered by Language Testing International | I4 or higher on all 4 parts (Intermediate - Mid) |
A-1 or higher on all 4 parts (Advanced - Low) |
| Language Testing International ALIRA (Latin) | I4 or higher (Intermediate - Mid) |
A-1 or higher (Advanced - Low) |
| Language Testing International OPI or OPIc and WPT | I4 or higher on both tests (Intermediate - Mid) |
A-1 or higher on both tests (Advanced - Low) |
| ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment | ILR Score of 1+ or higher | ILR Score of 2 or higher |
| ENGLISH REQUIREMENT Global Seal candidates in the U.S. must MEET both World Language and English qualifying criteria |
||
|---|---|---|
| APPROVED TESTS & ASSESSMENTS | FUNCTIONAL FLUENCY AWARD | WORKING FLUENCY AWARD |
| Avant STAMP 4S in English | 5 or higher on all 4 parts (Intermediate-Mid) |
7 or higher on all 4 parts (Advanced-Low) |
| ACT Exam | 18 | 21 |
| College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam | 3 | 5 |
| SAT Exam | 480 | 540 |
| WIDA - ACCESS 2.0 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| AAPPL Form B in English administered by Language Testing International | I4 or higher on all 4 parts (Intermediate - Mid) |
A-1 or higher on all 4 parts (Advanced - Low) |
| Met English requirements for graduation | Has met all 8th Grade English Requirements | Has met all 11th Grade English Requirements |
| High School/University Diploma | For college/university students or adults, candidate may be asked to submit a transcript | For college/university students or adults, candidate may be asked to submit a transcript |
| ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment | ILR Score of 1+ or higher | ILR Score of 2 or higher |
| PROFESSIONAL FLUENCY Global Seal candidates in the U.S. must MEET both World Language and English qualifying criteria Candidates must meet one of the below requirements for both languages |
|
|---|---|
| APPROVED TESTS & ASSESSMENTS | PROFESSIONAL FLUENCY AWARD |
| ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment | ILR Score of 2+ or higher |
| Language Testing International OPI and WPT | A-H (Advanced - High) |
| Currently enrolled in a University or hold a university degree | This option only valid for first language Documentation may be requested |
| PROFESSIONAL FLUENCY Global Seal candidates in the U.S. must MEET both World Language and English qualifying criteria Candidates must meet one of the below requirements for both languages |
||
|---|---|---|
| APPROVED TESTS & ASSESSMENTS | Language 1 (Candidates Primary Language) | Language 2 (Candidates Second Language) |
| ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment | ILR Score of 2+ or higher | ILR Score of 2+ or higher |
| Language Testing International OPI and WPT | A-H (Advanced - High) |
A-H (Advanced - High) |
| Currently enrolled in a University or hold a university degree | Documentation may be requested | Not available for candidates second language |
how these tests were approved
The Global Seal of Biliteracy’s Board of Advisors is responsible for approving tests to be used to determine a candidate’s level of language proficiency. Guiding Principles were created with expanding access to credentialing as a primary goal. The evaluation of available tests is ongoing with the first group of tests representing those most widely accepted by state Seal programs. To qualify as an accepted language assessment, the assessment must conform to the following Guiding Principles*
1. Externally validated (not developed or scored at the local/state level)
2. Assesses all 4 basic skills -- Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing*
3. Results aligned with or correlated to the ACTFL Proficiency Scale.
*Exceptions made for languages such as Latin or ASL where a component may not be assessed or for Less Commonly Taught Languages where tests in all 4 skills may not be available or are cost prohibitive.