# Competency Exams

- Link: https://www.ctsfw.edu/academics/registrar/competency-exams/
- Published: 2025-09-02T16:04:09-04:00
- Author: Stephen Bornheimer

#  Competency Exams

## Entry-Level Competency Exams (ELCEs)

All incoming accepted and confirmed pastoral ministry students are required to demonstrate
a basic understanding of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian doctrine.
Those who have studied biblical Greek or biblical Hebrew may also demonstrate competency
in these areas. Each proctored exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and
has a time limit of 75 minutes. Three attempts are allowed per exam. 

 [Set Up Your Computer for ELCEs](https://candidate-support.questionmark.com/hc/en-us/articles/13520859889179-Get-Questionmark-Secure#installing-questionmark-secure)
[TAKE YOUR ELCES](https://ondemand.questionmark.com/home/398734/)

#### Deadlines & Resources

The Registrar’s Office must receive your ELCE request form at least **four weeks**
before the exam deadline.

**Competency Exam Deadlines**

Winter Incoming Accepted Students—October 15 (request deadline: Sept. 15)

Spring Incoming Accepted Students—January 15 (request deadline: Dec. 15)

Summer/Fall Incoming Accepted Students—July 31 (request deadline: July 1)

The primary study resources for passing the ELCEs are the Bible and Luther’s Small
Catechism. You will also need to read a series of books that are essential to your
preparation for the exams. Each book contains the information you need to know for
the exam, and each chapter includes review material to help you check your comprehension.
Find the required books on [our bookstore page](https://bookstore.ctsfw.edu/category/books/elce-study-resources?_gl=1*1wiyxwl*_ga*NDQ3OTg4OTQ1LjE3NDQ5MTYzOTM.*_ga_QW7M11801J*MTc0NDkxNjM5Mi4xLjEuMTc0NDkyMTMxMS41Mi4wLjA).

Please note that not every book is required for every program. Contact your admission
counselor with questions about which books will be most beneficial to you.

#### Frequently Asked Questions

![Which exams do I need to take?](https://www.ctsfw.edu/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?
action=wpmf-download-file&id=1V9HyBk-r05MHWU8x09y6eWSUZ80qWB2F&dl=0)

Use the chart to see which exams you must take for your program. Information regarding
registration and exam instructions is provided once your admission is confirmed.

To pass each of the ELCEs, incoming students must achieve a grade of 70% or higher.
Students have three attempts to pass each ELCE.

Once all three attempts have been made without passing with a 70% or higher, you
will do the following:

 1. **Old Testament and New Testament: **Take and pass CTSFW [online courses](https://www.ctsfw.edu/academics/registrar/pre-seminary-courses/)
    in Old Testament and/or New Testament to fulfill the ELCE requirement. The courses
    may be taken during two different quarters.
 2. **Biblical Greek: **Take and pass CTSFW Biblical Greek either residentially or 
    [online](https://www.ctsfw.edu/academics/registrar/pre-seminary-courses/) before
    beginning classes (MDiv or AR).
 3. **Biblical Hebrew: **Biblical Hebrew is not a prerequisite, but it is part of the
    required curriculum. If you demonstrate competency in Hebrew, you will substitute
    two general elective courses, plus two Old Testament Hebrew Readings courses, for
    the required Hebrew I and Hebrew II courses. _Note: Hebrew is not required for 
    the AR program._
 4. **Christian Doctrine: **No other coursework is required.

ELCE waivers are offered for incoming students who took approved courses at a Concordia
University System (CUS) institution. Waivers may be requested from the Registrar’s
Office. Incoming students must have received a “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent)
for each course to receive a waiver for entry-level competency requirements:

 1. **Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian Doctrine: **Successfully completed
    a three-semester-hour overview of each of these three required content areas.
 2. **Biblical Greek: **Successfully completed at least six semester hours of biblical
    Greek with at least one semester hour taken during your senior/final year to ensure
    maintained language proficiency.
 3. **Biblical Hebrew: **Successfully completed at least six semester hours of biblical
    Hebrew with at least one semester hour taken during your senior/final year to ensure
    maintained language proficiency.

Consult the registrar or your admission counselor regarding whether your courses
fulfill the requirements for Old Testament, New Testament, Christian doctrine, Hebrew,
and Greek.

Incoming students who plan to receive a waiver for any of the five ELCEs must matriculate
within the academic year following the completion of their undergraduate studies.