Frequently Asked Questions

Registering for the Exam

• Q: Do I have to be a member of the American Classical League or other organization in order to give the exam to students?
  A: Not at all! Any Latin teacher can give the NLE to their students, regardless of membership in any organization.

• Q: How do I determine which exam level to order for my students?
  A: We are not based on any particular textbook series, so we offer a syllabus for each level of the exam, available on this website. Use the syllabus to determine which exam is the best fit for your students.

• Q: How do the new exam names match up with the former exam levels? 
  A: The Introduction to Latin exam name has not changed.  The former Latin I exam is now the Beginning Latin exam.  The former Latin II exam is now the Intermediate Latin exam.  The former Latin III exam is now the Intermediate Latin Reading Comprehension exam.  The former Latin III-IV Prose exam is now the Advanced Latin Prose exam.  The former Latin III-IV Poetry exam is now the Advanced Latin Poetry exam.  The former Latin V-VI exam is now the Advanced Latin Reading Comprehension exam.

• Q: What is the main difference between the former Latin III exam and the current Intermediate Latin Reading Comprehension exam?
  A: The Intermediate Latin Reading Comprehension exam mirrors the format of the Advanced Latin Reading Comprehension exam, in that both exams contain two Latin passages, with questions based upon those passages.

• Q: Can students taken the same exam two years in a row?
  A: The Introduction to Latin exam can be taken only one. The Beginning Latin through Advanced Latin Poetry exams can be taken twice each. The Advanced Latin Reading Comprehension exam can be taken multiple times.

• Q: Can a student take two exams in the same year?
  A: No. Students are only allowed to take one exam annually.

• Q: How will I receive confirmation of my order?
  A: You will receive an invoice by email immediately after you submit your online registration. We are no longer sending confirmation postcards through the USPS.

• Q: What is the process if there is a problem with my order (e.g., math error on check)?
  A: The NLE office will send you an e-mail. Be sure to check your spam folder regularly in case a communication from our office ended up in that folder.

Shipping and Handling

• Q: Why do I have to pay a handling fee?
  A: All schools, regardless of testing method, must pay the $15, $25, or $35 shipping fee, which covers the shipment of the results package via UPS in April.

Administering the Exam

• Q: Who is allowed to proctor the exam?
  A: Latin teachers are allowed to proctor the exam.  However, if they order the paper exam, they must designate someone other than themselves to receive and secure the exam materials until exam day, since Latin teachers cannot see the exams before exam day.  A proctor could also be a member of the school staff, such as a principal, guidance counselor, or librarian.  In homeschool situations, parents or other adults (e.g., neighbors) are allowed to act as proctors.

Demographic Questions

• Q: What type of demographic data does the NLE collect?
  A: The NLE is collecting data on grade level, race/ethnicity, gender, and the diversity of the Latin classroom compared to the entire school. These data will help the Latin profession understand who is taking Latin in the effort to promote more diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Q: Why is the NLE collecting demographic data?
  A: The NLE, at the request of the American Classical League and others, was requested in 2019 to conduct demographic surveys of our participants. In consultation with our own DEI consultant and committees, we put together a list of questions which are attached to the exams, beginning in 2021. These questions are completely optional for the students and, because we compile the information obtained separately from the exam results, are completely anonymous. No student, teacher, or school is able to be identified by these data. The information from the 2021 and 2022 exams has been collected and is being sent to the American Classical League as part of their ongoing effort to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fields of Latin, Greek, and the classics. The NLE will be using these results to help us better serve today's Latin students. Please let the NLE know if you have questions or concerns

Scholarships

• Q: How does a student become eligible to apply for the Maureen O’Donnell Scholarship for Academic Excellence?
  A: The student must be a high school senior who is enrolled in a Latin class during senior year and must earn a gold medal on the Advanced Latin Prose, Advanced Latin Poetry, or Advanced Latin Reading Comprehension exam during their senior year.  Letters inviting these students to apply for the scholarship are e-mailed to the Latin teachers in April.