Skip to header Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Language Placement Test

Undergraduate Student Resources

The Language Placement Test matches you with the French, German, Latin, Japanese or Spanish course most suitable for your level. Contact Ms. Diana Perez for placement in American Sign Language, Dr. Mike Turner for Arabic, Ms. Giulia Orvieto for Italian, and Dr. Regina Félix for Portuguese.  

We recommend that you take the test if you have any academic or home experience in a language.

If you have college credit in a language, you are not required to take the test. You may choose to take the next course in the sequence instead. 

You should not take the test if you are starting a new language. Sign up for a 101-level course instead.

For accurate placement:

  • Set aside 60 uninterrupted minutes to take the test.
  • Do not use any notes, reference sources, AI, or help from others.
  • Remember that the goal is not to get the highest score possible, but rather to show what you know and what you do not. Choose the answers that you think are correct. If you do not know, either indicate that you do not know (if that is an option) or choose an answer randomly. Do not leave any section blank.

Allow 24 hours for your score to process before registering for the course you place into. Placement scores remain set for one year. You may not retake the test for a new score before then.

Language Placement Test FAQ

As soon as possible. We advise you to take the test before registering for courses in your first semester. You should complete the language requirement as soon as possible, ideally in your first semester or year at UNCW. Doing so opens doors to study abroad, internships, and other opportunities. Waiting can make it harder to complete degree requirements in a timely manner.
An internet connection and your student ID (“your 850”).
No. The placement test is an unproctored, online test. It only indicates the course you are likely to learn the most in.  

You have many options.

Options for all placement tests:

  • The recommended option: Sign up for the class you place into and talk to your instructor on the first day of class. They can assess your abilities and decide if another level is a better fit for you.
  • If you have college credit in that language, you may take the next course in the sequence instead.
  • You may start a new language.
  • This option is not recommended: You may retake the test for a new score in one year. It is better to complete your language requirement sooner rather than later. Waiting can delay your graduation.

Additional options for the Spanish A test (for foreign language learners):

  • If you took the Spanish A test before April 8, 2026, you took the "old test". You may take the new Spanish A test (link below) for a new placement.
  • You may move into SPN 120. Review your degree audit and speak to your advisor first. Then you may contact Ms. Diana Perez to request this option.
French placement levels, course recommendations, and score ranges
French
Level Course Score Range
Level 1 FRH 102/120 0-175
Level 2 FRH 201 176-275
Level 3 FRH 202 276-349
Level 4 FRH 301, 302, 303, or 308 350+
German placement levels, course recommendations, and score ranges
German
Level Course Score Range
Level 1 GER 102 0-200
Level 2 GER 201 201-300
Level 3 GER 202 301-390
Level 4 GER 301 391+
Latin placement levels, course recommendations, and score ranges
Latin
Level Course Score Range
Level 1 LAT 101 1-14
Level 2 LAT 102 15-20
Level 3 LAT 201 21+
New Spanish A placement levels, course recommendations, and score ranges
New Spanish A (Taken on or after April 8, 2026)
Level Course Score Range
Level 1 SPN 120 0-45
Level 2 SPN 201 46-64
Level 3 SPN 202 65-84
Level 4 SPN 302-308 85+
Old Spanish A placement levels, course recommendations, and score ranges
Old Spanish A (Taken before April 8, 2026)
Level Course Score Range
Level 1 SPN 120 0-225
Level 2 SPN 201 226-325
Level 3 SPN 202 326-375
Level 4 SPN 302-308 376+
Spanish B placement levels for bilingual students
Spanish B (Bilinguals Only)
Level Course Score Range
Level 1 SPN 201 1-25
Level 2 SPN 215 26-79
Level 3 SPN 315, 302-308* 80+

* You cannot take both 302 and 315. It is highly recommended that you take 315 instead of 302 because 315 is designed specifically for bilingual speakers.

Placement Test Links

Take the Spanish B test if any of the statements below apply to you. Contact Dr. Laura Solano-Escobar if you have any questions about the Spanish B test.

"When I was a child, Spanish was spoken in my home."
"I lived in a Spanish-speaking country for two years or longer."
"My first language was Spanish."
"I speak Spanish, or both Spanish and English, with my family and/or friends."
"My parents and/or grandparents often speak/spoke to me in Spanish."

Otherwise, take the Spanish A test.
WLC Advising Information for Students