Placement Exam
place out - take the language placement exam
Potentially
- Earn core credit for several courses in one semester
- Save time and money
- Make quick progress toward a language minor
What is the Placement Exam?
It is a 20-30 minute exam followed by a brief conversation with a professor from your language (French, German, or Spanish). We use the results to make sure you are placed at the correct level.
Why take the exam?
It is a great way to build on the work you have done in high school and, if you decide to take a course, to globalize your degree, whatever that may be. Studying a foreign language gives you access to exciting study abroad programs, makes you more attractive to employers, and is a great complement to ANY degree program. Taking the exam can also help save you a lot of TIME and MONEY (see below for details)!
Who should take the exam?
Generally we advise anyone who has had 3 or more years of a foreign language in high school, or who has a significant background in French, German or Spanish, to take the exam.
What if I am not planning on majoring in a foreign language?
You should still take the exam! Only a small percentage of the students who take the exam or enroll in a FL class are majoring in a language. Language courses are requirements for some degrees, and can count towards the Core Curriculum or as electives for any student.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. It’s FREE!
How do I prepare for it?
NO preparation is necessary. You just need to show up for the exam.
What if I take the exam but do not perform well?
The exam is not for a grade and has no impact on your academic record. It is just a way to see where you should begin in our sequence.
Does taking the exam mean I have to take a foreign language class?
NO! The exam just tells you where you would begin in our sequence.
How do I take the exam?
Contact ilc@westga.edu to register for the online exam.
After the Placement Exam
Taking the placement exam can save you time and money: Depending on the results, you could place into a second-year or even third-year course. Then, if you earn at least a B in the course you take you can purchase the credits for ALL lower-level courses in the sequence for just $6/credit hour. Some students have been able to get 15 hours of college credit by taking just one course. That is a full semester of college!!!
Here’s a breakdown of how the system works (*student must earn a B in a UWG course to purchase credits – transfer or eCore credits will not allow you to do so):
Placed into | Buy Credits For | Cost of Credits | Total College Credit Hours Earned |
---|---|---|---|
FREN/GRMN/SPAN 1002 | 1001 | $18 | 6 |
FREN/GRMN/SPAN 2001 | 1001, 1002 | $36 | 9 |
FREN/GRMN/SPAN 2002 | 1001, 1002, 2001 | $54 | 12 |
Any 3000-level course | 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 | $72 | 15 |
Once you have completed a course (with a grade of B or higher) that allows you to buy back credits, fill out this Credit by Examination form and send it to ilc@westga.edu.