College of Arts and Sciences

Foreign Language Placement Test

High school programs differ a great deal; your grades or the number of years you have studied may not be a good guide to the course that will be best for you. The placement test helps determine the UVM French or Spanish course level appropriate to your abilities, if you intend to continue study of those languages.

If you have studied any other language offered at UVM, and want to continue in that language, please enroll in the level you think appropriate to your training; your language instructor will work with you when the semester starts to make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate class. If you want to start a new language, please enroll in the 1100 level course.

Incoming students

If you plan on enrolling in French or Spanish at any level, you must take the placement test within three months prior to enrolling in a class. If you do not meet this prerequisite, you will be disenrolled from the course automatically.

You must take the test even if you've never formally studied the language.

When you come to Orientation you can discuss your score with an advisor from one of the language departments, and that score in conjunction with your grades and the number of years of study will help determine your placement.

If you have studied a language in high school and have plans to continue, our advice is not to put it off. Foreign language knowledge, like musical or sports training, needs to be maintained.

If you place at the 1100 level in one language and find that enrollment options are limited, consider testing for an additional language.

Questions

If you have questions regarding the Language Placement test, or issues around accessing or completing the test, please contact College of Arts and Sciences Student Services at cas@uvm.edu or (802) 656-3344.

Placement test instructions and access

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Please read all of the instructions below prior to accessing the placement test.

  • Allow 15-30 minutes to complete the test.
  • Ensure you have a good internet connection and working speakers or headphones. You will need to listen to audio for portions of the test.

Access the Foreign Language Placement Test

Directions:

  1. Click the link to the placement test you wish to take
    1. Spanish Language Placement Test
    2. French Language Placement Test
  2. Click the blue “Enroll in Course” button
  3. Click on “Open Course”
  4. Complete the placement test

Placement test scores and levels

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French score ranges and course levels

ScoreRecommended Level
0-25FREN 1100
26-42FREN 1200
43-61FREN 2100
62-73FREN 2200
74–124FREN 3000 level*

* We recommend that students scoring 73 and above and considering a major/minor in French enroll in FREN 3110. Another option is FREN 3115.

Spanish score ranges and course levels

ScoreRecommended Level
0-11SPAN 1100
12-22SPAN 1200
23-30SPAN 2100
31-38SPAN 2200
39-43SPAN 3000 level*

* We recommend that students scoring 39 and above and considering a major/minor in Spanish enroll in SPAN 3110. Other options are SPAN 3120 or SPAN 3102. Note that SPAN 3120 and 3102 count as elective credit for the major but do not count for the minor. Students with superior preparation may qualify for higher-numbered courses with permission of instructor.

FAQs

Why have I been disenrolled from my class?
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  • You enrolled in a course below the level into which you tested. You can register for a course at the correct level, or email us to help you register.
  • You did not fully complete and/or submit your placement test, or you did not take the appropriate test. You can log in to the test again and continue where you left off. Then finish the test and/or submit it and register for a course at the correct level.

What if I need to retake a test?
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Reach out via email if you need to retake a test. 

What if I don’t believe the test score placed me at the right level?
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Email us if you don’t think that the placement test accurately reflects your language ability.

What if I want to enroll in a different level course than where I was placed?
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Depending on your test score, this may not be possible. We recommend that you speak with an instructor to determine the best option for you.