ALTA is the trusted leader in language testing services for government agencies, healthcare organizations, and businesses nationwide. As a language testing company, we develop and administer thousands of valid, reliable proficiency tests in over 100 languages each year. Organizations looking to create a multilingual workforce partner with ALTA to access a reliable and affordable language assessment platform. We have over four decades of experience providing language skills assessments that objectively measure and report performance for all types of bilingual positions, including customer service representatives, nurse practitioners, law enforcement officers, sales representatives, flight attendants, personal bankers, physicians, government linguists, and legal document reviewers.
There is no single global standard for measuring language performance, so assessment begins by defining clear performance levels. ALTA has developed a comprehensive performance scale that spans the full range of language ability, from no knowledge to native-level proficiency, with clear criteria for what individuals at each level can do.
Using this framework, ALTA can deliver testing on its own scale, the U.S. Government’s Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or custom scales by mapping ALTA performance levels to the target scale. Learn more about ALTA’s scale here.
ALTA is the trusted leader in language testing services for government agencies, healthcare organizations, and businesses nationwide. As a language testing company, we develop and administer thousands of valid, reliable proficiency tests in over 100 languages each year. Organizations looking to create a multilingual workforce partner with ALTA to access a reliable and affordable language assessment platform. We have over four decades of experience providing language skills assessments that objectively measure and report performance for all types of bilingual positions, including customer service representatives, nurse practitioners, law enforcement officers, sales representatives, flight attendants, personal bankers, physicians, government linguists, and legal document reviewers.
We offer language tests to assess various language skills like speaking, writing, reading comprehension, and more. We also offer standard language proficiency tests for all job types, across a variety of industries. Contact us to determine the corporate language testing solution that best meets your needs.
This language fluency test measures how well candidates can understand spoken language, speak clearly, and engage in conversation.
This test measures the candidate’s ability to write in the target language.
This test evaluates the candidate’s ability to read and comprehend the language at the required skill level.
This test verifies whether or not the candidate can provide consecutive professional interpretation services between two speakers in English and the target language.
This test verifies whether or not the candidate can translate material written in English into the target language, or material written in the target language into English.
Two decades of developing and administering language proficiency tests has helped us gain a deep understanding of the language needs across distinct industries, from government at the federal, state, and local levels to healthcare, legal, financial, global recruitment, travel, and hospitality. We tailor our linguistic testing services to meet the specific language demands of each industry—incorporating job requirements, industry-specific terminology, and custom-designed assessments.
Our thorough Job Analysis process defines the language requirements for any job in any industry, recommends the best test, and sets a legally defensible cut-score.
For industries that rely on specific language skills and terminology, we have developed custom suites of language tests, such as our award-winning language assessments developed in partnership with Kaiser Permanente for Healthcare organizations, and our custom Government and Legal language testing solutions.
Recruitment and Training: ALTA language tests are a valuable tool in the recruitment and training processes for major airlines, financial institutions, non-profit organizations, U.S. government agencies, and businesses of all sizes that serve a multilingual clientele or are looking to expand internationally.
We provide language-proficiency testing in 100+ languages worldwide by harnessing the expertise of linguists and subject-matter specialists we’ve worked with for over thirty years in translation, language training, and language testing solutions.
We offer assessments for English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Korean, Russian, and German — among 100+ other languages. Whether you only need to assess Spanish-speaking customer service representatives or require a custom exam for a niche language, ALTA has the right solution.
See the full list on our Languages We Test page. If you don’t see the language you need, contact us to learn about our custom test development process.
ALTA adheres to the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing when developing and validating our assessments. Among the organizations that rely on us to measure and report the language proficiency of their multilingual workforce are U.S. government agencies, global corporations, national healthcare providers, financial institutions, and global non-profit organizations.
ALTA’s language tests are developed in-house by an experienced team of test developers who specialize in creating reliable language performance measurement tools. Our language assessments are delivered through a secure online and telephonic testing system, in many cases available 24/7, that decreases administrative burden and streamlines the testing process. Setting us apart from other affordable language solutions, our assessments are scored by trained expert evaluators who are educated native speakers of the target language – not by an algorithm or a person who speaks the target as a second language. Our evaluator training program and strict quality assurance system provide for the highest levels of inter-rater reliability in the language testing industry. With little or no scheduling time required, and results guaranteed within two business days or sooner, our unparalleled suite of language testing tools will provide value to your organization as you define and implement your language strategy.
Contact ALTA Languages Services at 1-888-624-6165 or fill out the form above to discuss your language testing needs.
An English fluency test evaluates how well a person can understand and communicate in English, focusing on speaking and listening skills. ALTA offers English fluency testing to assess real-world communication ability in professional settings.
Yes, we offer several Spanish proficiency tests that measure reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for Spanish speakers. We also offer job-specific Spanish proficiency tests ideal for businesses or agencies hiring bilingual staff and verifying Spanish language competency.
A language test is used to assess a person’s ability to understand, speak, read, or write in a specific language. Organizations use our language tests to make informed hiring, training, and compliance decisions.
Yes, we provide English proficiency testing that can be completed online. Our tests are designed to assess professional English skills in a secure, proctored environment.
Healthcare organizations should combine validated proficiency testing, qualified interpreters, translated materials, and documented workflows to ensure clear, safe communication with patients who speak other languages. Regular testing ensures staff remain competent as language demands evolve.
Language testing measures skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing to give objective evidence of someone’s communicative ability. Organizations use tests for hiring, placement, certification, and to reduce risk from poor communication.
Employers should choose job-relevant tests that match the communication tasks of the role (e.g., customer calls, documentation, clinical conversations) and apply consistent scoring standards. Combining objective assessments with role-based simulations gives the most reliable picture of fit.
The most-tested languages often reflect local workforce and client needs; organizations focus testing where demand for services, compliance, or talent is highest. Prioritizing tests by service volume ensures resources go where they’ll reduce the greatest risk.
A language test is used to assess a person’s ability to understand, speak, read, or write in a specific language. Organizations use our language tests to make informed hiring, training, and compliance decisions.
Yes, we offer several Spanish proficiency tests that measure reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for Spanish speakers. We also offer job-specific Spanish proficiency tests ideal for businesses or agencies hiring bilingual staff and verifying Spanish language competency.
An English fluency test evaluates how well a person can understand and communicate in English, focusing on speaking and listening skills. ALTA offers English fluency testing to assess real-world communication ability in professional settings.
Yes, we offer several Spanish proficiency tests that measure reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for Spanish speakers. We also offer job-specific Spanish proficiency tests ideal for businesses or agencies hiring bilingual staff and verifying Spanish language competency.
A language test is used to assess a person’s ability to understand, speak, read, or write in a specific language. Organizations use our language tests to make informed hiring, training, and compliance decisions.
Yes, we provide English proficiency testing that can be completed online. Our tests are designed to assess professional English skills in a secure, proctored environment.
Healthcare organizations should combine validated proficiency testing, qualified interpreters, translated materials, and documented workflows to ensure clear, safe communication with patients who speak other languages. Regular testing ensures staff remain competent as language demands evolve.
Language testing measures skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing to give objective evidence of someone’s communicative ability. Organizations use tests for hiring, placement, certification, and to reduce risk from poor communication.
Employers should choose job-relevant tests that match the communication tasks of the role (e.g., customer calls, documentation, clinical conversations) and apply consistent scoring standards. Combining objective assessments with role-based simulations gives the most reliable picture of fit.
The most-tested languages often reflect local workforce and client needs; organizations focus testing where demand for services, compliance, or talent is highest. Prioritizing tests by service volume ensures resources go where they’ll reduce the greatest risk.
A language test is used to assess a person’s ability to understand, speak, read, or write in a specific language. Organizations use our language tests to make informed hiring, training, and compliance decisions.
Yes, we offer several Spanish proficiency tests that measure reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for Spanish speakers. We also offer job-specific Spanish proficiency tests ideal for businesses or agencies hiring bilingual staff and verifying Spanish language competency.
A standardized way to measure how well a person uses a language — in speech, listening, (listening & speaking) or writing.
Yes — we have off-the-shelf tests for industries such as healthcare, law enforcement , behavioral health, dental professions, and document reviewers. We develop new industry-specific tests as needed.
Standard tests measure general language ability. Customized tests are built after interviews and job-document review to measure the specific language skills and terminology required for a role; they include development and beta-testing with current incumbents to set defensible pass/fail criteria.
Language testing provides an objective, standardized measure of language ability so you can be confident that hires have the proficiency required for real job tasks — for example, answering customer calls in another language, accurately completing translated paperwork, or safely following multilingual instructions.
An independent tester (like ALTA) has no stake in outcomes, reduces bias or conflicts of interest, and provides legally defensible, valid, and reliable assessments.
Yes — clients can test candidates in multiple languages when job requirements demand it.
After registering, schedule either by email or by phone. Scheduling is Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm ET. Verbal live tests begin on the hour or half hour; common languages can often be scheduled with one day’s lead time, rarer languages may need two days’ notice.
Yes — but you must cancel or change by 6:00 p.m. ET on the business day prior to the test. Tests not canceled before that time are charged in full.
Registered organizations receive portal access and a password; instructions for assigning tests are emailed to authorized portal users.
Evaluators are first-language/native speakers who were born, raised, and university-educated in the target language culture. Evaluators are trained on ALTA’s archived evaluation sessions; evaluator identities are kept confidential.
No — ALTA provides testing only through organizations (we don’t accept individual test-takers).
Yes — we provide practice tests and prep information on our site.
Instructions and access links (or phone number + access code for telephone tests) are in the notification email sent to you.
Click the link in the notification email (“ALTA’s online portal” or “online”), or go to www.altatesting.com. Your user ID is your email address.
Your notification email will state whether your session was scheduled by your organization or if you need to schedule it in the ALTA portal. Follow your notification email’s instructions.
You take the test at home in a quiet place; a live ProctorU proctor monitors via webcam. The notification email includes required documents and instructions.
The link becomes active exactly at the scheduled test time. Refresh the page at test time so the link can activate.
No — scheduling and taking the test is done via ALTA’s portal (www.altatesting.com), not in the ProctorU portal.
No — we don’t place the call. You dial the provided phone number and enter your access code to connect.
We notify your organization that you did not call in; you must contact your organization to reschedule.
Candidates (or organizations) can call us or email our testing team for additional help (phone and email contacts are provided on the FAQ page).
View our test prep materials or FAQ’s for common questions about taking a test.
