This study investigates whether it may still be possible to develop a word association test as a means of assessing proficiency in a foreign language, despite the findings of past studies. To this effect, a multiple response word association test was constructed with careful consideration of prompt words as its defining criterion. In addition, a new and simpler method for calculating weighted stereotypy scores for responses was used. This test was administered to a group of learners, and the scores were correlated with C-test scores. In addition, the test was given to a control group of native speakers. The results indicated only moderate support for the notion that a word association test can function to assess proficiency, consistent with the findings of past studies. In view of these results, further suggestions for revisions to the word association/proficiency test are made in the hope that eventually a more effective test can be developed.