National Classical Etymology

Exam Costs

  • Registration Window: September 1 - October 28
  • Exam Window: November 2 - December 11
  • School/Organization Registration Fee: $15 ($25 non-U.S.)
  • NJCL Chapter Discount: $15 (i.e. NJCL chapters in the U.S. pay NO school registration fee.)
  • Per Student Exam Fee: $4.00 - You will recieve payment information in the registration confirmation from Quia.

National Classical Etymology Exam | NCEE

What is the National Classical Etymology Exam?

The National Classical Etymology Exam (NCEE) is designed to test a student's ability to handle both Latin and Greek derivatives and their usage in the English language. 

A NEW NCEE practice exam is available. The upcoming exam will be very similar to the practice exam.

If you have not read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), we highly suggest you do so, as it will answer many of the questions you might have.

Primary Sources

  • This test is based on English vocabulary words that are derived from Latin and Greek, with emphasis on academic and SAT vocabulary words.
  • 50 questions (45 minutes)
  • Multiple Choice (4 choices)
  • Approximately 37 Latin derivative and 13 Greek derivative questions
  • 20 Easy; 20 Medium; 10 Difficult
  • Greek: common prefixes and suffixes; numbers; basic verbs
  • No knowledge of the Greek alphabet is necessary.
  • Latin: common prefixes and suffixes; numbers; body parts; basic verbs
  • This exam is generally meant for grades 6-12, but students of any grade level are allowed to participate.
  • NEW -- Awards will be divided into two divisions of three levels each. Students will first be divided into two divisions, those who have taken Latin or Greek in school and those who have not. Each of these divisions will then be separated into Novice (all grades through 8), Intermediate (9 & 10) and Advanced (11 & 12).

Exam Procedures

  • Quia.com will e-mail proctor information containing exam instructions, usernames, and passwords on October 30.
  • The instructions are very thorough and will walk you through the entire process from start to finish.
  • The exam must be administered on Quia.com during the period of November 1 - December 13
  • Students have 45 minutes to complete the exam.
  • All students from a school should take the exam at the same time (unless prior approval is given).
  • Any school administrator, counselor, or sponsoring teacher may proctor the exam.
  • Results and awards will be distributed later in the school year.

Primary Sources

N.B. Items listed as TMRC are available from the Teaching Materials and Resource Center of The American Classical League, Oxford, OH 45056 (www.aclclassics.org).

For more information or for questions about this exam, please e-mail OnlineTests@njcl.org

2020-2021 National Classical Etymology Exam cut off scores are available.
Downloadable NCEE certificates

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BLACK AND WHITE CERTIFICATES