The Graduate School Foreign Language Exam (GSFLE)?
What Is the GSFLE?
Indiana University graduate students who must demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language to satisfy degree requirements may take the Graduate School Foreign Language Exam (GSFLE) in lieu of taking language coursework. IU Bloomington Evaluation Services and Testing (BEST), a Division of Instructional Support Services, administers the GSFLE in cooperation with IU foreign language departments.
The GSFLE is available in French, German, and Spanish. Since these are institutional exams NOT available at other universities, students should complete any necessary language testing while in residence on the Bloomington campus. The GSFLE cannot be administered on other campuses.
Students taking French or Spanish may test a maximum of three times. German candidates may test two times. Testing in the same language is permitted only once per semester. Before registering a third time, students should consult the appropriate language department about alternative methods of fulfilling the reading proficiency requirement.
The GSFLE is a one hour, multiple choice exam. There are no listening sections. The exam covers grammar and/or reading comprehension as follows:
French
- 32 Grammar questions
- 32 Reading comprehension questions
- 64 Total questions
German
FORM A
- 35 Reading comprehension questions
- 35 Total questions
FORM B
- 20 Reading comprehension questions
- 20 Total questions
Spanish
- 38 Grammar questions
- 39 Reading comprehension questions
- 77 Total questions
Test aids are not permitted for the French and Spanish tests. German examinees may use a German/English - English/German dictionary during the exam; however, dictionaries may not be shared among examinees.
Sample Questions
Exam Dates
| DATE | TIMES | LOCATION |
| Friday, January 9, 2009 | 8:30 am, 10 am, 1:30 pm, 3 pm | BEST Testing Room (F.F. 014) |
| Friday, January 16, 2009 | 8:30 am, 10 am, 1:30 pm, 3 pm |
BEST Testing Room (F.F. 014) |
| Monday, May 11, 2009 | 8:30 am, 10 am, 1:30 pm, 3 pm | BEST Testing Room (F.F. 014) |
| Friday, August 28, 2009 | 8:30 am, 10 am, 1:30 pm, 3 pm | BEST Testing Room (F.F. 014) |
| Friday, September 4, 2009 | 8:30 am, 10 am, 1:30 pm, 3 pm | BEST Testing Room (F.F. 014) |
Students may register at the BEST Testing Center in Franklin Hall 014 (855-1595). Be prepared to provide your 10-digit University identification number and pay applicable test fees:
- Standard Test Fee: $15.00
- Mail/Phone Registration: $18.00
- Special Appointment: $50.00
GSFLE Registration
Reserved registration is available either by (1) visiting BEST, Franklin Hall 014 or (2) completing and mailing the GSFLE Mail Registration Form. There is a fee of $15.00 for in-person registration and $18.00 for mail registration. Payment by cash, check (made payable to Indiana University), or bursar billing to the student account is due at the time of registration. Examinees registering in person will complete a score report card, and both in-person and mail registrants will be provided an admission ticket which confirms their exam date, time, and location.
All examinees must be pre-registered at least ONE DAY PRIOR to the exam date. There is a limit of eight examinees per test session. Since registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, interested students are strongly encouraged to register as early as possible. Walk-in registration on exam day and telephone registration are not available.
Cancellations / No-Shows
If a student does not appear for the GSFLE on the day and time for which he/she is registered, all exam fees previously paid are forfeited, and the registration will be canceled. No refunds will be given. Failure to appear does not count as an "attempt" toward passing the exam.
Taking the Exam
On exam day, examinees should bring their admission ticket along with photo identification and two sharpened No. 2 pencils. Anyone arriving without photo identification will not be tested. Examinees should report to BEST, Franklin Hall 014, at least ten minutes before the indicated start time of the test to complete the check-in procedures. Testing starts promptly at the time indicated on the admission ticket.
GSFLE Score Reports
Examinees should pick up their scores in person from the Graduate Secretary in the academic department of the respective foreign language. Scores are generally available for pickup in person the Monday after testing. Scores are released to examinees and their academic departments as appropriate by the language department only. Due to federal disclosure laws, scores cannot be released over the phone. Please note that BEST does not report scores to students or to their academic departments.
Scores are reported as raw scores and are based on the number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
Additional Information
General questions regarding the GSFLE registration process and exam administration should be addressed to BEST, 855-1595. Questions of a more specific nature regarding academic policies, proficiency requirements, and score reports should be addressed to the appropriate foreign language department listed below:
EXAM |
DEPARTMENT |
OFFICE |
PHONE |
| FRENCH | French & Italian | Ballantine 642 | 855-1088 |
| GERMAN | Germanic Studies | Ballantine 644 | 855-7947 |
| SPANISH | Spanish & Portuguese | Ballantine 805 | 855-9194 |
