Entry Level Competency Exams (ELCE)
The Entry Level Competency Exams (ELCEs) are used by the Seminary to show you have a basic understanding of each content area and are well-prepared to continue your studies at the graduate level. The exams are not meant to be barrier to your enrollment.
Depending on the program, there are up to five exams required: Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine. For those who have taken one year of either biblical language, there are also Hebrew and Greek ELCEs.
You will be registered for the exams and receive more instructions once you have submitted your application.
Requirements by Program
Students from a Concordia University System university should contact Enrollment regarding possible exemption from one or more of the exams.
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.) – Students must take Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine. Each applicant must receive a score of at least 70% to pass. Students who have taken a minimum of one year of college level biblical Hebrew and/or Greek may also take the corresponding exams.
- Residential Alternate Route (RAR) – Students must meet the same requirement as the M.Div. and pass each exam with a score of 70% or higher, but do not take the Hebrew exam.
- Deaconess – Students must take the Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine exams and pass each with a score of 70% or higher.
- Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) – Students must take the Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine exams and pass each with a score of 70% or higher.
- Master of Arts (M.A.) – Students must take the Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine exams and must pass each with a score of 70% or higher.
You must wait a minimum of three days after taking an exam before you can take it again. During this time, you are welcome to take exams for other content areas.
Deadlines
Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine ELCE Deadlines
- Feb. 28, year of intended enrollment — for fall tuition grant opportunity
- April 30, year of intended enrollment — no tuition grant opportunity
You may begin taking these exams March 1, the year before intended enrollment.
Please note that you will not be allowed to take a summer language course if you have not successfully passed these exams before to the April 30 deadline.
Greek and Hebrew ELCE Deadline
- May 15, year of intended enrollment
SMP applicants must contact Enrollment for program-specific deadlines at 800-822-9545 or admit@csl.edu
You may begin taking these exams as of June 1, in the year before intended enrollment.
Academic Resources
We recommend that you take each test one time before devoting a lot of time to studying. This helps you get a feel for how the test is administered and the types of questions on the test.
The primary study resources for passing the ELCEs are the Holy Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism. To assist you in your study, the following series of books can be helpful reading. Each book contains the information you will need to know on the exam. Each chapter includes review material that will help you check your comprehension.
Click “Purchase” below to be taken to the publisher’s website where you may buy these books.
Called To Be God’s People: An Introduction to the Old Testament
This book is ideal for Christian adults who seek to expand their knowledge of the background, content and message of the Old Testament and its importance for Christian faith and life. It not only introduces important background information on each book of the Old Testament along with a general discussion of its contents and theology, but it also contains analyses of major passages within the Old Testament. Key terms, study questions, a glossary, a gazetteer of Old Testament people and places, maps, tables, charts and sidebars make this book a useful and handy reference as well as a textbook. This book is your guide to passing the Old Testament qualifier.
Called by the Gospel: An Introduction to the New Testament
Christians who seek to deepen their grasp of the New Testament will find within its pages helpful and challenging insights. This book builds on material presented in the first volume of the series, Called to be God’s People, and supplements its contents with maps, photos, suggested readings, discussion questions and a glossary. This book is your guide to passing the New Testament qualifier.
Called to Believe, Teach, and Confess: An Introduction to Doctrinal Theology
This book is ideal as a text for university students and other educated Christian adults who seek to expand their knowledge of God’s revelation and its application in human lives. It introduces and uses classical theological vocabulary and terminology, while offering clear definitions and application. Key terms, study questions, glossary and sidebars help make this a valuable resource. Suggested readings from Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions and other secondary sources guide the reader into deeper study. Together these two books will prepare you to take the Doctrine qualifier.
Fundamental Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic
This new volume contains both fundamental biblical Hebrew and Aramaic.
The fundamental biblical Hebrew section is organized in a manner that facilitates learning and serves as an easy-to-use reference tool, including vocabulary, morphology and syntax. While it serves as a basic Hebrew textbook and grammar for the purpose of theological study, it is useful for college, university and seminary courses, as well as a desk reference for pastors engaged in the study of the Bible in its original language.
Fundamental Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic
“Fundamental Greek Grammar: 4th Edition” provides the basis for solid instruction in New Testament Greek vocabulary, morphology and syntax. It takes a fundamental approach, moving from the known to the unknown, from the easy to the more difficult. The author understands that learning a complex language is difficult, and he seeks to explain things in detail every step of the way. This book includes vocabulary, paradigms, principal parts, exercises with answer key, pertinent Bible passages and more.
The updated edition features “English Review for Greek,” a refresher of English grammar basics.
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Download “English Review for Greek” for use with biblical Greek.
Online Greek Course
If you have more than a year before you intend to enroll at the Seminary, you may be able to take advantage of our online Greek class to prepare you for the Greek ELCE.
This course is designed to prepare students for study of the Greek New Testament at the master’s level and to prepare them to pass the Seminary’s Greek ELCE. Students must take both fall and spring semesters of the course to pass the ELCE. The course itself does not fulfill a Seminary admissions requirement and carries no academic credit.
During the course, students will learn to read the Greek of the New Testament through a combination of pre-recorded video lectures, live online class sessions with Dr. James W. Voelz and individual study. The course is set to be completed in 30 weeks in the fall and spring semesters.
Registration opens each year in April and closes in early August. You can speak with your admissions officer for more information about this option.