Validation exams for foreign language

THmom

THmom

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
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686
Can anyone tell me what the language validation tests are like? Length? Skills tested (reading/writing/speaking/listening)? Multiple choice and/or free response? Can cadets take several of them for different languages? Thanks!
 
For 2023, we took language validation tests during the first part of BCT. We got to choose what language we wanted to try to validate, and we also got to put in preferences for what language we wanted to take during the ac year. If you did well, you were more likely to get to take that language during the ac year, but if you didn't, you would likely get placed in Russia or Chinese or something you might not really want to take.

The Spanish test was a bit over an hour, and it had a reading section, a listening section, and some multiple choice grammar. The entire thing was multiple choice I'm pretty sure. I suspect the other language tests were similar. I took AP in high school, and I though AP was definitely way harder than the validation exam USAFA gave us.

I am not sure what the process will look like for your son or daughter since 2024's BCT will look very different than what it's been in the past, and DF is always changing the way they handle validation credit. For example, last year we took the math exams online before coming to BCT whereas in the past, all validation exams were given during BCT. Once the appointee booklet comes out (likely in March), there will be more details and specifics on this, and the current admissions website should have information about AP credit for other classes as well. I can't say for certain whether they look at/consider AP scores for languages or not.
 
skiergirl24 said:
For 2023, we took language validation tests during the first part of BCT. We got to choose what language we wanted to try to validate, and we also got to put in preferences for what language we wanted to take during the ac year. If you did well, you were more likely to get to take that language during the ac year, but if you didn't, you would likely get placed in Russia or Chinese or something you might not really want to take.

The Spanish test was a bit over an hour, and it had a reading section, a listening section, and some multiple choice grammar. The entire thing was multiple choice I'm pretty sure. I suspect the other language tests were similar. I took AP in high school, and I though AP was definitely way harder than the validation exam USAFA gave us.

I am not sure what the process will look like for your son or daughter since 2024's BCT will look very different than what it's been in the past, and DF is always changing the way they handle validation credit. For example, last year we took the math exams online before coming to BCT whereas in the past, all validation exams were given during BCT. Once the appointee booklet comes out (likely in March), there will be more details and specifics on this, and the current admissions website should have information about AP credit for other classes as well. I can't say for certain whether they look at/consider AP scores for languages or not.
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Thanks @skiergirl24! I was actually going to tag you on my question, since I knew you’d know! Do you happen to know if they’ll allow multiple languages? How many levels can you validate with the test? Is it on computer or paper?
 
@THmom Over the summer, I don't think we got to choose more than one, but at some point there will be an opportunity for cadets to try to validate more languages if they want. I know someone who validated into French and Russian 300 level courses for their doolie year, so I know it's possible. I believe you can validate through the 200 level courses, and could get placed into 365. You can look up the USAFA curriculum handbook on the website, and it should detail how many language classes you need for a minor. The test was on paper, all multiple choice. Things could definitely change though.
 
skiergirl24 said:
@THmom Over the summer, I don't think we got to choose more than one, but at some point there will be an opportunity for cadets to try to validate more languages if they want. I know someone who validated into French and Russian 300 level courses for their doolie year, so I know it's possible. I believe you can validate through the 200 level courses, and could get placed into 365. You can look up the USAFA curriculum handbook on the website, and it should detail how many language classes you need for a minor. The test was on paper, all multiple choice. Things could definitely change though.
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Thank you!!
 
skiergirl24 said:
For 2023, we took language validation tests during the first part of BCT. We got to choose what language we wanted to try to validate, and we also got to put in preferences for what language we wanted to take during the ac year. If you did well, you were more likely to get to take that language during the ac year, but if you didn't, you would likely get placed in Russia or Chinese or something you might not really want to take.

The Spanish test was a bit over an hour, and it had a reading section, a listening section, and some multiple choice grammar. The entire thing was multiple choice I'm pretty sure. I suspect the other language tests were similar. I took AP in high school, and I though AP was definitely way harder than the validation exam USAFA gave us.

I am not sure what the process will look like for your son or daughter since 2024's BCT will look very different than what it's been in the past, and DF is always changing the way they handle validation credit. For example, last year we took the math exams online before coming to BCT whereas in the past, all validation exams were given during BCT. Once the appointee booklet comes out (likely in March), there will be more details and specifics on this, and the current admissions website should have information about AP credit for other classes as well. I can't say for certain whether they look at/consider AP scores for languages or not.
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@skiergirl24 Usafa cadets require to take 2 semesters language classes for all majors. So if you do well on the language exam at BCT & get to validate a foreign language, does it mean you fulfill the requirements & don’t have to take any more foreign language classes or you still have to take one year foreign language classes but have to take it at a higher level?? Thank you!
 
topgun24 said:
@skiergirl24 Usafa cadets require to take 2 semesters language classes for all majors. So if you do well on the language exam at BCT & get to validate a foreign language, does it mean you fulfill the requirements & don’t have to take any more foreign language classes or you still have to take one year foreign language classes but have to take it at a higher level?? Thank you!
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Yep, if you validate the 100 level classes, the 2 required semesters, then you don't have to take any language classes during your time at USAFA. Most cadets choose to take a language anyways though and get the minor. Having a minor in certain defense languages leads to a slightly higher officer pay I think.
 
skiergirl24 said:
Yep, if you validate the 100 level classes, the 2 required semesters, then you don't have to take any language classes during your time at USAFA. Most cadets choose to take a language anyways though and get the minor. Having a minor in certain defense languages leads to a slightly higher officer pay I think.
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@skiergirl24 Thank you for the info!
 
Please keep in mind that if someone chooses a language that they are not well experienced in, and they do badly on the validation exam, there is a very low chance that they will have the opportunity to take that language (even if they want to start at the 100 level).
Luckily I validated into 300/400 level courses but I had friends that were very confident in their language who did badly and as a result have to start in the 100 level in a language that was not their choice.
However, if you tell your adviser that you plan on minoring in said language, you may be able to weasel your way into your choice.
 
whynotnow said:
How many courses do you have to take to minor in a language?
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It was 6 semesters back in the day - Chinese for the WIN!! "If you can speak English and Chinese, you can speak to more than 95% of the world....." I was hooked. However, I can't say it was great for my GPA and it took 20 years after graduation to make it to China, but some of those language skills were still there... There were not many who minored in Chinese for my class. I am hopeful that number is growing. At our recent 20yr reunion, we were talking about it and I want to say there were about 6 who made it across the finish line. If you are lucky, you might even get a rock star classmate who left for a year on a Mormon mission trip and returned at native speaker proficiency... YAY You!

As for pay benefits to language, you have to score high on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery exam to receive additional pay. Think of it as an AP exam where you only really get credit from most schools at a 4 or higher.... The more strategic (in demand) a language is, the more it is worth.

Another language opportunity out of the SA would be the Defense Language Institute for linguists, intel, and potentially returning to the SA as an instructor.
 
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Son #1 who went through Spanish 5 in H.S. and validated a bunch at USAFA was able to get a minor in Spanish with four 400 level courses. I can ask him the details if you’d like.

Stealth_81
 
shiner said:
As for pay benefits to language, you have to score high on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery exam to receive additional pay. Think of it as an AP exam where you only really get credit from most schools at a 4 or higher.... The more strategic (in demand) a language is, the more it is worth.

Another language opportunity out of the SA would be the Defense Language Institute for linguists, intel, and potentially returning to the SA as an instructor.
Click to expand...

In the Army at least, $400/mo for Portuguese.
 
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