Placement Exam-Survey FAQ

• The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures wants to place students at the most appropriate course level, based on their previous exposure to Chinese, French, German or Spanish.
• To place students at the appropriate level the department uses the results of the placement exam along with other information, such as the number of years that the language was studied, grades earned, etc.
• The department reserves the right to change the student's placement if it believes that the student has not been placed at the most appropriate level.
• Students who believe they were misplaced on the basis of the placement test score should consult the Department Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Students may not place themselves, or change their placement without departmental approval.
• For more information email the department: foreignlang@marquette.edu, or call the department at (414) 288-7063.

• First-year students who have earned high school credits in Chinese, French, German, or Spanish and are in one of the colleges that require a language must take the placement exam.
• Language requirements by college
• For more information visit the Undergraduate Bulletin, email the department: foreignlang@marquette.edu, or call the department at (414) 288-7063.

• After high school graduation.
• Before attending SPARK.
• Immediately after the exam you’ll receive your placement and score.
• Bring your placement results score and placement level to SPARK or when you meet with your academic advisor.

• 20 – 30 minutes depending on your skill level of the language.
• 1 or more years in Chinese, French, German or Spanish in high school.
• Your Marquette University (MU) ID number.
• If you do not have your MU ID number when registering for the exam use your last name and then first name.
• If you have not studied Chinese, French, German or Spanish, register for course level 1003 in the respective language. Level 1003 is an elementary level and you do not have to take the placement exam.
• Take the exam only once.
• DO NOT STUDY for the exam. The exam is designed to measure your language skills. Studying for the exam may place you in a higher level course which you may not be prepared for.

Course level descriptions1001 - CHNS, elementary level

1003 - FREN, GRMN and SPAN, intensive elementary level

2001 - CHNS, FREN, GRMN, SPAN, intermediate level

2003 - FREN, GRMN, SPAN, intensive intermediate level

3001 - FREN, writing skills

3001 - GRMN, composition and conversation

3001 - SPAN, Advanced Communication in Spanish

*3001 - CHNS, offered occasionally

See a complete list of major/minors and language courses:

• Languages, Literatures and Cultures website
• Undergraduate bulletin

• You are considered a HERITAGE SPEAKER if you completed high school in the United States but you were exposed to Spanish at home or in your community from a young age.
• As a heritage speaker, you MUST take the language placement exam unless you took the AP Spanish Language and Culture or AP Spanish Literature and Culture exams then you do not need to take the online placement exam.

• You are considered a NATIVE SPEAKER if you completed high school in a Spanish-speaking country, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• As a native speaker, you MUST take the language placement exam.
• View our Heritage and Native Speakers page for more information.

• Students who plan to continue advanced study of that language must first take the placement exam in that language to determine the level of proficiency.
• After taking the exam and obtaining their results, students must consult with the Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures before registering for an advanced foreign language level foreignlang@marquette.edu or
  (414) 288-7063.
• View our Heritage and Native Speakers page for more information.

• See Undergraduate bulletin for AP scores and more.
• Note: "Placement into" FREN 2001 means the student must take that course.
• Students who have college credit for a foreign language level from another university (including CAPP levels in high school)

• Contact the Office of the Registrar
• Marquette Central (414) 288-4000

1. Click on Placement Exam
2. Fill out registration form
3. Enter your MU ID number starting with 00
4. If you do not have a MU ID number use last name, first name
5. Complete the brief survey and sample questions
6. Choose high school applicant
7. Exam takes about 20 – 30 minutes depending on your skill level

• Immediately after you complete the exam you will receive your score and placement course level.
• Important know your placement score and course level, you will need this information during the registration process.

TAKE THE EXAM ONLY ONCE

• If you take the exam a second time without permission your placement may be recorded incorrectly.
• Students who believe they are misplaced in a course level must contact the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at (414) 288-7063 to discuss placement.

• Students who have NEVER studied Arabic, Ancient Greek, Italian or Latin would register for course level 1001, the elementary language level.
• If you would like to speak to a faculty member directly, please use our faculty page.