World Languages & Cultures

Language Placement Exam

 

For placement in Chinese, French, German, or Spanish, you are required to take a placement examination if you have studied the language before. This is free for any WCSU student. You can take this exam from any campus computer or from your own computer at home.

Heritage speakers of Spanish who have learned Spanish at home do not need to take the placement exam. You should schedule an oral proficiency interview with the chairperson of the World Languages and Cultures Department.

Please remember that the results:

  1. DO NOT place students OUT of a language requirement.
  2. DO place students INTO a course based on demonstrated knowledge of the language.


For students who place above Semester I, the World Language & Cultures Department may require an additional short oral interview before overriding prerequisites for registration in a Semester II or above course. This oral interview will help determine speaking ability in addition to this written placement exam.


Are you ready to take the exam? Please follow these steps carefully:

  1. PASSWORD: Please send an email to the chairperson of World Languages & Cultures in order to receive a password: Dr. Stacey Alba Hawkins, hawkinsa@wcsu.edu
  2. EXAM SITE: Once you have received your password, click on the following link to go to the exam site. Use the drop down menu to find WCSU.
    1. http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/
  3. SIGN IN: Sign in to the exam. Use your Banner Student ID, not your social security number for identification.
  4. TAKING THE EXAM: Begin the exam. It will continue until your placement has been determined. If you are not sure of an answer, choose what you think is the best option and continue until the exam is complete. The exam will end when the program has enough information to place you into a semester. The exam can take from 1-30 minutes.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: It is in your best interest to answer honestly and without assistance from dictionaries, textbooks, friends, etc. so that you are placed into the correct course for you. If you receive outside assistance, in effect you are “cheating yourself.” You may place into a course above your proficiency level and FAIL that course.

  5. PRINT RESULTS: When you have finished the exam, print your results. You can take these to any advisor on campus or to the department of World Languages & Cultures for registration advising.

    Semester 1 corresponds to our Introductory I
    Semester 2 corresponds to our Introductory II
    Semester 3 corresponds to our Intermediate I
    Semester 4 corresponds to our Intermediate II

If your score places you beyond Semester 4, please contact the chairperson of World Languages & Cultures for advising for registration.

*For placement assistance in other world languages, please contact the chairperson of World Languages and Cultures Department.


Contact Information:

Dr. Stacey Alba Hawkins, Chairperson
Department of World Languages & Cultures
Email: hawkinsa@wcsu.edu
Phone: (203) 837-8734
Office: 215A Berkshire Hall – Midtown Campus