Frequently Asked Questions
Before you begin taking the placement exam, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Please read over these questions before taking the exam. You may want to print out a copy of this page to refer to once you have loaded the exam.
A link to the exam is at the bottom of the page.
WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED TO TAKE THE PLACEMENT TEST?
You will need a computer with internet capability.
WHAT IS MY STUDENT ID NUMBER?
Your student ID number is a 9-digit number that begins with 85. It is the number on your UNCW ID card. If you are a new student and have been accepted to UNCW and paid your deposit, you can access your student ID number by going to this page: https://appserv02.uncw.edu/dasapps/getid/.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SCORE ONCE I TAKE THE EXAM?
Your score and identifying information are automatically entered into UNCW’s registration system. Additionally, your score will appear on the screen, telling you your raw score, as well as the level of the course you placed into. Please print this page for your own records.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THE PLACEMENT TEST?
Everyone, except for the following:
- students who never took a high school course in the language that they intend to study at the university or only took one course of that language in high school
- students who are transferring foreign language credit from another institution
NOTE 1: Students whose high school foreign language study was in a language other than French, German, Latin, or Spanish (e. g., Italian, Japanese, Russian, etc.) should see the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures in Leutze 275.
NOTE 2: Native speakers of languages offered at the intermediate level and for which no placement test exists will take the International Business/Language Proficiency Exam. These students should see the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures in Leutze 275 to make the appropriate arrangements.
WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The placement exam will ensure that you choose the correct language class at UNCW. The exam is challenging and you should not expect to get every answer correct. Keep in mind that you may not take an introductory class if you have already had two units of that language in high school. For example, a student who has taken two or more units of high school Spanish may not enroll for credit in Spanish 101 and 102, Introductory Spanish. These classes are reserved for true beginners and students who have had less than one unit of high school Spanish. Most students who have had two units of high school will place into Spanish 120, Fundamentals of Spanish.
Please note that courses numbered 209 through 212 are taught in English and do not have the placement test as a prerequisite. These courses are not offered for foreign language credit.
WHY SHOULD I TRY TO DO WELL ON THIS EXAM?
- You may earn additional credits.
- If a student places into a second-year language class (excluding classes numbered 209, 210, 211, and 212) and completes that course with a grade of "C" (2.00) or better, the student will receive three hours credit for the prior course in the sequence, in addition to the credit for the second-year language class. For example, if a student places into French 201 and completes that course with a B+, she or he will also receive three hours of credit for French 102.
-
For completion of a 300-level course in French, German or Latin, the student will receive 6 credit hours for 201 and 202. For completion of SPN 305, the student will receive 6 credit hours for SPN 202 and SPN 203. This credit may be used to fulfill basic studies requirements.
- This statement applies only to students who have received no AP credit, no transfer credit, and no prior credit at UNCW in that language.
- Supplemental credit may be used to fulfill basic studies requirements.
HOW CAN I PLACE OUT OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT?
Students with advanced language skills may waive the foreign language requirement by taking a proctored exam. Students interested in this option should see the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures in 275 Leutze Hall to make appropriate arrangements.
WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT TEST SCORE RANGES?
| French | German | Latin | Spanish | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRH 120 | 0 - 175 | GER 102 | 0 - 200 | LAT 101 | 0 - 12 | SPN 120 | below 176 |
| FRH 201 | 176 - 275 | GER 201 | 201 - 300 | LAT 102 | 13 - 19 | SPN 201 | 176 - 275 |
| FRH 202 | 276 - 349 | GER 202 | 301 - 390 | LAT 201 | 20 + | SPN 202 | 276 - 375 |
| FRH 300+ | 350 + | GER 301 | 391 - 470 | SPN 203 | 376 - 425 | ||
| GER 307 | 471 + | SPN 305 | 426 + | ||||
NOTE:
All instructions appear at the top of the question screen.
Click on the language of the placement exam that you want to take.
