Language Placement Testing

The School of Languages and Cultures provides fully-online language placement testing in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. It's available on a continuous basis 24/7/365. No advance registration is necessary. For testing in Arabic and American Sign Language, see below.

Questions? Please email slcplace@purdue.edu

Who should take the placement test?

• Students who have had 2 years or more of high school study of a language must take a placement test or complete a placement interview in order to determine their first course in a language sequence. Students should wait until they receive their Placement Test score to enroll in the correct level. They should not request overrides before they take the test. 
• Students who have had less than 2 years of high school study, or for whom it has been 3 years or more since their last language course may sit for a placement test or may begin at 10100. NOTE: If students opt to enroll in 10100, they should indicate in the comments of their registration override request one of the following: “3 years or more since language” or “less than two years of language.”
• Students may only sit for a placement exam once in any language.

Who should NOT take the placement test?

•  Students with no previous study of a language should not sit for a placement exam and should contact their advisor for permission to enroll in 10100. On their registration override request students must indicate in the comments: “No previous knowledge of language.” NOTE: if instructors detect that students are not true beginners, and 101 is not their appropriate level, they will remove students from course and place them in the appropriate level, if room available.
• Students with advanced credit (transfer, dual credit, AP)
• Students who are enrolled in or have completed a course in a language at Purdue may not sit for a placement exam. 

Results and Registration

• After successful completion of placement test, prerequisites will be loaded to your academic record, and you should be able to enroll in your placement course ca. 15 minutes following your exam.
• Students who place into Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, or Russian Level I (10100) should contact their advisor for a “departmental permission override” request in order to be able to register. In the comments of their override request they should state “Took placement test and placed into level 1.”

COST

• There is a $35 rate for placement in each language for Purdue students.
• Charges appear on account through the Bursar’s Office sometime after testing
• Students who are Pell Grant eligible will receive a waiver and will not be charged.
• Purdue graduate students, faculty, and staff are exempt.

TESTING, PLACEMENT AND CREDIT

• No advance registration necessary
• Placement results provided at conclusion of the test
• Test scores are loaded to students’ academic record within one hour following testing providing prerequisites
• Earn departmental credit for courses skipped in 10100, 10200, 20100, 20200 sequence by completing your placement course with a C- or higher on WL campus.
• Departmental Credit Policy

REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE TEST

• A computer, Mac or PC, with a webcam
• Fast and reliable internet connection
• Valid photo ID like Purdue ID, drivers license, or passport
• A quiet space where you can be alone
• Willingness to allow the testing system to videotape you as you take the test (The video will be erased as soon as it is reviewed.)
• If you meet these requirements, click the button below to download test instructions.

 

 

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

• Testing is by appointment:  Contact Robin Shay  shayra@purdue.edu
• Test will be conducted in ASL and includes demonstration of basic signs and conversation.
• Results will determine placement in ASL102 or 201 (placement in ASL 202 is not an option).
• Foreign Language Placement Testing Permission Form is required; contact your advisor.

 

ARabIC LAnguage

• Testing by appointment.
• Students interested in taking a placement test in Arabic should contact the Arabic Program director: Ahmed Idrissi Alami (aidrissi@purdue.edu).
• Course information for Arabic Placement:   https://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/slc/l/arabic/

 

Advanced Credit

College Board Advanced Placement Credit  

International Baccalaureate (IB Credit)  

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)  

Course Information

Information for Chinese Placement

Information for Italian Placement

Information for Latin, Greek, and Classics courses

Information for Japanese courses

 

Important Information For Native and Heritage Speakers

Chinese for Native and Heritage Speakers

French for Native and Heritage Speakers

German for Native and Heritage Speakers

Italian for Native and Heritage Speakers

Japanese for Native and Heritage Speakers

Korean for Native and Heritage Speakers

Russian for Native and Heritage Speakers

Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers