<p>Yes, I read the link before starting this thread but it doesn’t answer my question about the level of competence expected for exemption. Knowing the language to the same degree as English is vaguely defined. I consider myself conversant (perhaps even fluent) in Hindi but I think in English. This is the case for many others who’ve grown up in societies that function in English and it doesn’t necessarily mean the quality of our spoken/written Hindi is necessarily worse than a native speaker’s. I’d like to know how the department hopes to assess if I am as proficient in Hindi as I am in English (placement test, oral exam, whatever).</p>