Placement Exams
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT EXAMS
Placement exams are available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Latin and Russian. Placement exams for Spanish are also available, and more information is available on Spanish Placement Tests FAQs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO SHOULD TAKE THE TEST?
Students who intend to enroll for the first time in any language course at Texas A&M University, who have previous knowledge, however acquired, of the language in which they plan to enroll, and who have no college credit in the language, must take the departmental placement examination to determine the appropriate course for their level of ability. The foreign language placement test also serves as a basis for credit by examination.
WHAT IF I TOOK AP OR IB IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Students who take the Advanced Placement (AP) test or the International Baccalaureate (IB) test or other acceptable tests which grant college-level credit in their foreign language of choice do not have to take the required departmental placement test. In this case, the AP, IB and other test results may be used for placement.
WHEN WILL THE EXAM BE ADMINISTERED?
The placement examination will be administered online with remote proctoring.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE TEST?
Registration is done online through the Texas A&M University Store. Choose the Placement Exam option. There is a $30.00 fee due at the time of registration.
HOW LONG IS THE TEST?
Students are given 90 minutes to complete the exam.
WHAT DOES THE TEST COVER?
All language tests have a grammar and reading component. The structure of the tests can include a combination of multiple-choice and written questions. Some tests include a listening and essay portion.
WHEN WILL I KNOW MY SCORE?
The department will post scores in 3-5 business days after scores are received. Tests that include a writing portion may take longer. To view scores and credit earned, click on the “My Record” tab in the Howdy Portal and select “Credit By Examination” under the “Degree Evaluation” channel.
The page will show the classes that the student has tested out of. For example, if it shows FREN 101 and FREN 102, then the student is eligible to register for the next sequence class, FREN 201. If there is no visible credit, the student did not place out of any classes and he/she is eligible to register for the first sequence, 101.
The maximum number of college credit a student can receive is 14 hours. That includes 101, 102, 201, and 202 language classes.
NEW STUDENT CONFERENCES
Students are advised to complete the placement test prior to New Student Conferences. If students do not complete the placement exam, they will not be able to register for a foreign language course during their first semester. (Please note: Seats in language courses are limited; taking the Language Placement Exam does not guarantee the ability to register for a language course during your first semester).