FOREIGN LANGUAGES PLACEMENT INFORMATION
In order to enroll in undergraduate 101-104 language classes at CUA, you must first be placed in a level that is appropriate for you given your previous language experience and ability. For placement, you must have one of the following:
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the appropriate score on the SAT II Language test, the AP or the IB exam
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the appropriate score on the CUA Placement Test
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approved transfer credit
If you took the SAT II Language test or the AP or IB exam and had your score sent to CUA, the Dean's office will notify you of your placement as soon as the test results are received.
The CUA Placement Tests in French, German and Spanish are available online. The Italian test is given on campus by appointment only (contact the Dept. of Modern Languages at 202.319.5240). A fee of $70 per test will be billed to your Student Account.
Online test results (the suggested course that appears on screen when you complete the test) are ONLY PRELIMINARY should NOT be used for registration purposes. For all CUA placement tests, you will receive an email stating your official placement. You should register in the course indicated in this email. If you do not get this information within a week of taking the test, please call the Dept. of Modern Languages (202.319.5240).
The following FAQ will provide you with the information you need to determine your placement.
1. WHO NEEDS TO TAKE A PLACEMENT TEST?
2. WHAT IF I ONLY HAD 1 YEAR OF LANGUAGE STUDY?
3. WHAT IF I HAD LANGUAGES A LONG TIME AGO?
4. WHAT IF I WANT TO START A NEW LANGUAGE?
5. WHAT IS THE CUA PLACEMENT TEST LIKE AND WHEN CAN I TAKE IT?
6. WHAT IF I DO NOT TAKE ONE OF THESE TESTS?
7. WHAT IF I WANT TO STUDY A LANGUAGE NOT OFFERED AT CUA?
8. IS THE PLACEMENT TEST THE SAME AS THE GRADUATE LANGUAGE TEST?
9. WHAT DO I DO IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH MY PLACEMENT?
10.WHAT IF I AM PLACED AT THE 200+ LEVEL?
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For technical assistance between the hours of 9-4 Eastern Time, call Koorosh Azhandeh, Multimedia
Director, at 202-319-5240 or email azhandeh@cua.edu
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1. WHO NEEDS TO TAKE A PLACEMENT TEST?
All students who have studied a foreign language for two years or more in middle school/high school are required to take a placement test if they plan to continue in that language at CUA.
If you are a fluent speaker, contact the faculty advisor for your language:
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2. WHAT IF I ONLY HAD 1 YEAR OF LANGUAGE STUDY?
You should register for 101. No placement test is needed. However, if you wish to try to place at a higher level, you may take the CUA Placement Test.
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3. WHAT IF I HAD LANGUAGES A LONG TIME AGO?
If you studied a language two years or more, even though it might have been a number of years ago, you should take the CUA Placement Test.
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4. WHAT IF I WANT TO START A NEW LANGUAGE?
To help you make your decision about starting a new language, we recommend that you take the placement test in the language you studied in high school. You may find it advantageous to complete the language requirement with the language you studied previously and then to add the third language whenever you want. If you decide to start a new language, register for 101.
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5. WHAT IS THE CUA PLACEMENT TEST LIKE AND WHEN CAN I TAKE IT?
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The CUA Placement Test is a multiple choice, reading based test.
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The French, German and Spanish online exams require approximately 25 minutes to complete. The Italian test lasts one hour.
- The French, German and Spanish online exams may be taken 24/7 but technical assistance is only available weekdays 9-4pm Eastern Time. To take the Italian exam, set up an appointment by calling the Dept. of Modern Languages at 202-319-5240 or emailing the Media Director, Koorosh Azhandeh, at azhandeh@cua.edu
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6. WHAT IF I DO NOT TAKE A PLACEMENT TEST?
Should you fail to take a placement test before the semester begins, you must take the CUA Placement Test during the first week of classes. You will not be allowed to stay in your language class until you have completed the test. Please note that such a delay will result in greater difficulties registering for classes.
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7. WHAT IF I WANT TO STUDY A LANGUAGE NOT OFFERED AT CUA?
Languages not currently offered on campus such as Russian, Chinese, Japanese, etc., may be studied through CUA at one of the Consortium Universities in the area. Though it is not advisable for first year students to do this in their first semester, please call the Arts and Sciences Dean's Office for further information (202-319-5114) in order to plan for the future.
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| 8. IS THE PLACEMENT TEST THE SAME AS THE GRADUATE LANGUAGE TEST?
No. The Placement Test is only for entry into the 101-200 level modern language courses. The Graduate Language Test is administered by the CUA Counseling Center (202-319-5765).
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9. WHAT DO I DO IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH MY PLACEMENT?
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Do NOT take the test more than once as you will be charged for each test unless we instruct you to retake the test again.
- There is no value to taking the CUA Placement Test more than once.
- Register for the level assigned to you and report to that class when the semester begins
- Requests for a change of placement level will only be accepted Tuesday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Aug. 29, after you have first attended your assigned class.
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10. WHAT IF I AM PLACED AT THE 200+ LEVEL?
You have demonstrated that you are well on your way to becoming proficient in the language you have studied. All students scoring at the 200+ level on the online test are required to complete an on-campus oral interview in order to fulfill the CUA language requirement. You will receive more information by email.
We encourage you to consider continuing in higher level classes in order to develop a solid working knowledge of the language that will be useful to you in your future career. We invite you to contact the faculty advisor for your language and hope you will join us in further exploration of the language and culture.
If you do not complete the oral interview procedure within one semester's time, you will receive an academic hold that prevents you from registering for classes until the status of your language requirement has been resolved.
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