PROGRAM LINKS
FAQs for French, German, Spanish
Question: How long does the WebCAPE Placement Exam take?
Answer: About 20 minutes.
Question: How many times can I take the WebCAPE Placement Exam?
Answer: Only once, unless you are asked to retake it by the Department Chair or staff.
Question: What do I type in as my "password" for the WebCAPE Placement Exam?
Answer: Password = eagles1 (all lower case)
Question: Can I Place out of a language?
Answer: Yes. If you need 2 years of a language and you placed in 3001 then you have met your requirement and PLACED OUT of the language. If you placed in 2003 you need to take 2003 to meet your requirements.
Question: If I have NEVER taken French, German or Spanish do I need to take the WebCAPE Placement Exam?
Answer: No, do not take the WebCAPE Placement Exam; you would register for Elementary Language 1001 course.
Question: If I have NEVER taken French, German or Spanish and plan on taking one of these languages but I HAVE taken Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, Italian, Japanese, or Latin what should I do?
Answer: Fill out the Placement Survey for Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, Italian, Japanese, or Latin and indicate in the comment field that you are registering for French, German or Spanish. You would register for Elementary Language 1001 course.
Question: What if there are technical difficulties?
Answer: If you need to resume a test due to an internet interruption, please do not click "Start exam from scratch," click "Resume". To resume, you will need to use the same user ID with which you started.
Question: After I login to the WebCAPE Placement Exam, the gold Student Information page asks for an ID#. What if I don't know my MUID?
Answer: If you cannot find your MUID# (an 8 digit number beginning with a 0), you can call the Undergraduate Admissions at: (414) 288-7302 or 1-(800) 222-6544 to get your MUID#.
Question: When do I find out the results of the WebCAPE Placement Exam?
Answer: Immediately following the exam, you will return to the gold "Placement Exam Report" page where your score will be shown. You are advised to make a printout of the screen showing your score in the event the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures does not receive your score. It is also recommended you have a copy of this with you during advising or preview.
Question: I didn't get my WebCAPE Placement Exam results. What do I do?
Answer: If you have a printout of your score, keep that on file. This is proof of your score. You can also go back to the exam screen, enter your information EXACTLY as you did when you first took the exam, and click Resume. Your final score will show here. You may also contact the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures at foreignlang@mu.edu or (414) 288-7063 to verify your score.
Question: What if I don't understand my placement result?
Answer: Contact the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures at (414) 288-7063 or email foreignlang@mu.edu.
Question: I placed into a course that is either too difficult or too easy for me. What should I do?
Answer: Contact the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures at (414) 288-7063 or email foreignlang@mu.edu before registering for a course.
Note: Do not register yourself for any course lower than where your placement indicates. The only exception would be with the permission from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. If you do not receive permission and attend the lower class, you may not be eligible for credit.
Question: My high school Foreign Language classes (or teacher) weren't very good and I didn't learn anything. Can I register for the Elementary 1001 course if I would like to start over?
Answer: If you studied 2 years or more of Spanish and your exam score places you in 1001, you cannot take 1001, you must register for SPAN 1003: Intensive Elementary.
Question: If I placed in 1001 but have had 2 years or more of the language in high school, can I just stay in 1001?
Answer: No, level 1001 is for students who have not had exposure to the language in high school. You must register for level 1003 Elementary to avoid having to move the first week of class. If it has been more than one year since you've been enrolled in that language, you should consult with the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (414) 288-7063 or email foreignlang@mu.edu.
Question: I was placed in SPAN 1003. Is that a higher level than SPAN 1001 or 1002?
Answer: No, 1003 is the equivalent of taking 1001 and 1002, both elementary levels. SPAN 1003 is a special one semester, intensive elementary course for students who have had 2 years or more of the language in high school, but who didn't place as high as the 2001-2002 Intermediate level.
Question: What is the difference between 2001, 2002, and 2003?
Answer: The 2003 course is a challenging one semester intensive intermediate course. It's recommended especially for students who would like to continue on for a minor or major in the language. The 2001 and 2002 is the slower paced 2 semester intermediate level courses.
Question: Do I need to call the department before I register for the course that the WebCAPE Placement Exam indicates?
Answer: No, unless you have any questions. However, if you have placed in level 1001 of Spanish and have studied 2 years or more of that language, you must register for level 1003.
Question: The section of the language course I'd like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do? Is there a waiting list?
Answer: Please try to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section. There is NO Waiting List. Check SnapShot often as spaces may open up or sections may be added.
Question: Do I receive credit for taking the WebCAPE Placement Exam?
Answer: No, the WebCAPE Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate French, German, or Spanish courses.
FAQs FOR SPECIAL PLACEMENT CREDIT, AP, CAPP, HERITAGE SPANISH SPEAKER
Question: How can I receive "special placement credit"?
Answer: You may be eligible to apply for 3 to 6 hours of "special placement credit" dependent upon the level in which you're placed, and the completion of that course with a grade of B or better (plus earn credit for the course in which you're enrolled). (Check the department web site or your course catalog for more information.)
Question: If I took the AP test in French, German, or Spanish, should I take the WebCAPE Placement Exam?
Answer: Yes, depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the placement exam instead of accepting your AP credit. Consult the department web site and click the Foreign Language Requirements link for recommendations. Students who receive high scores on AP exams are sometimes eligible for placement credit, so you may want to contact the department once you receive your AP score.
Question: What do I do if I took a language course in high school and received college credit? (i.e. CAPP course, etc.)
Answer: Have your transcript sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. You do not need to take the WebCAPE Placement Exam. Your transcript will be evaluated and transfer credit will be determined. In most cases you will receive 3 credits for a 2001 intermediate level 1 language course and would need to register for a 2002 intermediate level 2 course, or you would receive 3 credits for a 2002 intermediate level 2 language course and would register for a 3001 level course. This may differ based on the CAPP course or university. Retro active credits do not transfer to Marquette University.
Question: If I'm a native heritage speaker of a language other than English, do I have to the placement exam or courses in a foreign language to fulfill the requirement?
Answer: If you are a native heritage speaker of French, German or Spanish, you are required to take the WebCAPE Placement Exam. If you are a native heritage speaker of any other language you will have to consult with your college office to apply for a foreign language exemption.
Question: If I'm a native or heritage speaker of Spanish, do I have to take the placement exam?
Answer: Yes. You are required to take the placement exam. It is recommended that you take SPAN 3005 offered in the Fall, or 3505 offered in the Spring. These are special language courses for native or heritage speakers. Consult with the department if you have any questions (414) 288-7063 or email at foreignlang@mu.edu.
