TOR Exam Registration & Cancellation

Please see TOR Registration for exact dates/times—next scheduled exams will be posted soon.

Cancel a previous reservation for the Tool of Research Examination.

FAQ & Common Issues

Below you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Tool of Research (TOR) Language Examination. If your queries are not answered after completely reading below, please send an e-mail message to cll@american.edu so that your questions may be properly addressed.

Do I need to take the Tool of Research Exam?

Most American University master's and doctoral programs require proficiency in reading comprehension in a foreign language. Taking the Tool of Research Language Exam administered by the Center for Language Learning (CLL) of the Department of Language and Foreign Studies (LFS) is one way you can meet this requirement. LFS also offers review courses in French and Spanish that may satisfy your program's tool of research requirement for degree certification. Please meet with your graduate academic advisor early to determine the options for how to satisfy your program's language proficiency requirement.

What is the Tool of Research Language Exam?

The Tool of Research Language Examination, also called the TOR, is an examination given by the Department of Language and Foreign Studies to evaluate and assess your ability to perform primary research in a language other than English.

What languages can be tested?

CLL administers Arabic, Chinese*, French, German, Japanese*, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

*Note: The Chinese and the Japanese exams are not administered during the summer.

What is the format of the TOR?

• For Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish, the written translation consists of narrative texts with multiple choice answers.
• For Chinese and Japanese, you must translate narrative passages into English.
• The score that you must achieve to pass the TOR is determined by the Director of the Center for Language Learning.

What do I need to do to take the TOR?

• Get the Application for Certification of Proficiency in a Tool of Research form from your department which authorizes you to take the TOR.
• Fill out our ONLINE TOR REGISTRATION:
  http://american.edu/cas/cll/tor-registration.cfm
• Changes to already made reservations can only be accommodated if spaces are available for the requested session. For changes e-mail cll@american.edu —subject: CHANGE TOR RESERVATION.
• You must have your completed Departmental Form and a picture ID to sit for the exam.
• You must arrive 10 minutes before your session.

May I use a dictionary?

You may use a dictionary for the TOR.

How can I prepare for the TOR?

To prepare for the translation portion, you may utilize resources in the CLL including practicing the CAPE, books to practice reading and answering questions, and computer programs.

What dates/times are the TOR exams given?

Please see TOR Registration.

Where is the Exam administered?

• In the basement of Asbury North (across from the Registrar's Office).
  Phone: 202.885.2396
  E-mail: cll@american.edu

How will I find out the results of my exam?

• Completed exams are sent to the CLL Director for grading at the close of the week the TOR is administered.
• Allow about three weeks from the time the exams are sent for grading.
• Once the exams have been scored, the results will be returned to the CLL and forwarded to your department; you will receive e-mail notification at this time.
• You can obtain a copy of the Application for Certification of Proficiency in a Tool of Research with the results (Pass/Fail) from your department.

May I retake the exam?

• The TOR Language Exam may be taken up to a maximum of three times.
• If you fail the exam after the second administration, you are strongly urged to confer with the Director of the CLL, your advisor, department or school on how to improve your language skills before attempting the examination a third and a final time.
• You may not take the TOR twice in the same language during the same exam administration period.

Is there any other information that I should know?

• Any appearance of cheating will cause immediate termination of your exam.