How difficult is Seal of Biliteracy/Stamps test?

[Anonymous]

Can kids typically pass in MCPS Spanish or French 4? Has anyone arranged test privately or must it be done through school for the seal? I believe it’s Stamps level 6 to pass. Is there a practice test available to check? Or is there another test you’d recommend to document level and possibly use to waive college requirement? Kid would like to take now while it’s fresh rather than waiting until fall.

[Anonymous]

Einstein has told us our kid can’t sit for the test until senior year. By that point they would be in Spanish 6

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Einstein has told us our kid can’t sit for the test until senior year. By that point they would be in Spanish 6

Our school only pays for seniors and must be in at least level 4. But juniors can pay for it.

[Anonymous]

There was a chart somewhere, I think on State Ed Board website, showing what qualified to get Seal in addition to the Seal's particular test. For example, a 4 on AP exam counted.

FWIW, at the schools my DCs looked at at least, a MD seal of biliteracy was not on the list of things that either gave them credit or got them out of a language requirement. In the schools that offered credit for testing, they typically require a particular school on AP or IB tests or offer placement tests when you matriculate at the school.

[Anonymous]

PP here: require a particular SCORE on tests

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein has told us our kid can’t sit for the test until senior year. By that point they would be in Spanish 6

Our school only pays for seniors and must be in at least level 4. But juniors can pay for it.

This is the MCPS policy. Juniors can take it if they pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein has told us our kid can’t sit for the test until senior year. By that point they would be in Spanish 6

Our school only pays for seniors and must be in at least level 4. But juniors can pay for it.

This is the MCPS policy. Juniors can take it if they pay.

Not in this school district, but my immersion child did it by 9th grade. They said that there were adults taking the test as well, for various personal and career reasons. So if a school is gatekeeping this, look beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein has told us our kid can’t sit for the test until senior year. By that point they would be in Spanish 6

Our school only pays for seniors and must be in at least level 4. But juniors can pay for it.

This is the MCPS policy. Juniors can take it if they pay.

Not in this school district, but my immersion child did it by 9th grade. They said that there were adults taking the test as well, for various personal and career reasons. So if a school is gatekeeping this, look beyond.

Where did they take it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein has told us our kid can’t sit for the test until senior year. By that point they would be in Spanish 6

Our school only pays for seniors and must be in at least level 4. But juniors can pay for it.

This is the MCPS policy. Juniors can take it if they pay.

Not in this school district, but my immersion child did it by 9th grade. They said that there were adults taking the test as well, for various personal and career reasons. So if a school is gatekeeping this, look beyond.

Where did they take it?

https://theglobalseal.com/qualified-tests

[Anonymous]

Can anyone answer the question OP posed — how difficult is the test itself? Do kids who are in level 4 pass it, or is it really for more advanced kids?

[Anonymous]

Kids automatically get it with a 4 or 5 on AP spanish. But then they aren't recognized at graduation with the medal like the kids that paid to take the test. Make that make sense.

[Anonymous]

Might be wrong about this, but I don't think there is a way to take except when MCPS offers it

I heard it pretty easy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids automatically get it with a 4 or 5 on AP spanish. But then they aren't recognized at graduation with the medal like the kids that paid to take the test. Make that make sense.

The ones who took it junior year and thus had scores showing they qualified got it at my kid's MCPS awards night and graduation ceremony, but presumably kids taking the AP test senior year don't have their scores yet and so don't know if they qualify for the award.

Are you saying that your school ignored kids who took AP tests last year, have scores and are sure they qualified? That sounds like something to raise to the school itself