Test-Out Guidelines for Arabic - Mishkah University - Islamic Education Online

Effective Nov 18th, 2025

Students with demonstrated proficiency may choose to test out of Arabic I to IV.

Initial Examination

Applicants seeking exemption from Arabic I through IV must first undertake the Initial Arabic Test-Out Examination, which assesses comprehension of Arabic I and II. The Initial Test evaluates student performance in Grammar, Morphology, Listening, and Vocabulary at both Level I and Level II
You can access the Initial Test at https://fawakih.org/initial
Students earning below 69% in Level I Grammar and Morphology must enroll in Arabic I.
A score of 70% or higher in both Grammar and Morphology, even if the aggregate score is below 70%, qualifies a student for Arabic II, meaning their have tested out of level I.

Secondary Examination

Students who score 70% or higher on the Initial Examination will automatically receive the Secondary Test-Out, which evaluates their mastery of Arabic III and Arabic IV (“Intermediate Curriculum”).
If a student attains below 50%, they can bypass Arabic II and enroll in Arabic III.
Achieving 50-69% on the secondary test qualifies the student to bypass Arabic III and enroll in Arabic IV.
Achieving 70% or higher on the secondary test qualifies the student to bypass Arabic I–IV and receive full credit for those courses.

Payment and Course Credits

Students must formerly declare their intention to test-out by contacting Student Support.
Once the student has completed the requisite tests, they should send their test scores. The total fees will be determined and the student will be advised on how to make the payment.
Each class you test out of will be treated like a transferred course and you must pay the standard Mishkah transfer fees of $100 per course in order to receive credit for these courses.

For example, you have tested out of Arabic II – to receive credit for both Arabic I and Arabic II on your record, you will pay transfer fees of (2 x $100 = $200). You can then enroll in Arabic III.
Please note that you must successfully test out and have your credits added before you can register in the next level as each Arabic course is a prerequisite for the next one.
Credits will be added to transcripts on a Pass/No Pass basis – students will not receive a letter grade.

Students with previous experience or qualifications in memorization or tajweed may test out of Quran Memorization and Tajweed I but must take Quran Memorization and Tajweed II.
To request a test-out for Quran and Tajweed courses, please fill out the request form on Orbund and pay the fee of $150.
Once the fee is paid, the student will be instructed on how to take the written and oral test – these exams are usually held during Finals Week every semester.
To learn more about placement for Tajweed I, click here.

Hufaadh of the Quran with an ejaza may opt to test out of both Quran Memorization and Tajweed I and II.
Students can request a test-out by contacting the registrar. They will be required to show proficiency in the memorization of the last two ajza of the Quran and all relevant tajweed rules, and submit a copy of their ejaza from a credible institution/teacher
If their test-out is accepted, students will pay a transfer fee of $200 ($100 per course) to have the two classes added to their student record.

Test-Out Policies