Language Placement Testing

Placement Test

The WLC Department offers virtual language placement testing for students who would like to be placed into the appropriate language class for future semesters, or who would like to purchase lower-division language credits.

Instructions for Students:

In order to take a language placement test, please follow the steps below:

1. Verify that you need to take the placement test, and read “Information & FAQs About Language Placement Testing” below.
2. Verify that you have audio capability and microphone capability on your computer for when you take the test (the test includes listening to speech as well as recording your own speech). You will not be able to use your phone to take the placement test. Make sure you have a photo ID with you when you enter the appointment.
3. Purchase the language test online for $25 by clicking here.
4. When you are ready to take the test schedule an appointment here.* This will be a virtual appointment and you will begin the test during the appointment.
  - Follow the instructions provided to join the appointment at the correct date and time.
  - Please be prepared to take the placement test at the time of your appointment. The placement exam typically takes around an hour to complete.
5. Please be aware that it can take up to 7 business days for your test to be reviewed and your placement score to be sent to you.

*KOREAN PLACEMENT TESTS ONLY: After paying for your test (see step 3), register for your Korean placement test here. You will be sent an email from Avant Testing with further instructions to schedule your Korean placement test after you register.

*The Navigate U scheduling service currently only supports undergraduate students at the U. If you DO NOT have a University of Utah ID/Account or you are a graduate student at the U and you would like to schedule a placement test, please email Emma Reyelts at emma.reyelts@utah.edu

Information and FAQs About Language Placement Testing

Any student desiring accurate language class placement.
Undergraduate students who want to prove language proficiency in order to purchase credits to fulfill the BA Language Requirement.
Graduate students who need to prove language proficiency for Graduate Language Verification.

Exceptions

Students who have taken a World Language AP Exam can register for the following courses without taking a placement test:
- AP Score of 5: register for the first 3000-level language course
- AP Score of 4: register for 2020
- AP Score of 3: register for 2010
- AP Score of 1 or 2: please take the WLC Placement Test
Students who self-identify as a heritage speaker of the language, or have otherwise had 1.5+ years of extensive experience in the target language environment can register for 3060 without taking a placement test.
- If you are a Spanish heritage language learners or speakers (HLS) who would like to enroll in a language course to improve your skills or proficiency, please email spanheritage@utah.edu. We offer a customized HLS placement process for language courses so that you can start in the appropriate course, from 1010 to 3060. We welcome all levels of Spanish HLS!
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.

Chinese (simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean Spanish

Arabic is also available, but students desiring placement into Arabic classes should contact Professor Shereen Salah at shereen.salah@utah.edu before taking the Arabic test. If taking the Arabic test to purchase credits, students do not have to contact Shereen Salah first and may directly make an appointment to take the test.

University of Utah, Department of World Languages & Cultures

The World Languages and Cultures department is currently offering virtual placement tests. Please follow the instructions at the top of this webpage to schedule a test. Please contact wlc-advising@utah.edu if you are not able to take the test virtually.

Monday – Friday, 9:30am - 3:00pm

Placement tests are $25 for all test takers.

We accept CASH, CHECK & CARD.

Card payments:

https://umarket.utah.edu/um2/wlc/

Please make sure you need to take the placement test before you purchase it. The payment for the placement test is NONREFUNDABLE.

Students must present a valid photo ID and must know their U ID number if applicable.

How long is the test?
The placement test is untimed. Most students take between 1-1.5 hours to complete the test. If you do not have enough time to finish the test in one sitting, you may pause the test and return later to complete it.

What if I don't see a placement test for my language?

For placement into Arabic, contact Shereen Salah at shereen.salah@utah.edu
For placement into Russian, contact Natalya Kuznetsova at natalya.kuznetsova@utah.edu
For placement into Portuguese, contact Anna Hodgson at anna.hodgson@utah.edu
For placement into any other language, please email wlc-advising@utah.edu

What is on the test?
Test content varies by language. Most languages assess reading comprehension, reading grammar, and written and oral ability. You can view a sample placement test at the button below-- they are found on section 12 under "PLACE".

Click Here to See a Sample Test

What is the format of the test?
The test is administered online. You will first complete a brief language background questionnaire then move on to the language assessment portions of the test.

Do I need an appointment?
Yes, schedule a VIDEO appointment with Emma Reyelts at this link. If you do not have a University of Utah account, please reach out to wlc-advising@utah.edu to schedule an appointment.

How will I receive my results?
Test results are sent to the student’s UMail address 1-2 weeks after completing the exam.

How do I purchase credit with my test score?
Refer to this page for more information

Where can I take the test?

Placement tests are available virtually. Please follow the instructions at the top of this webpage to schedule a test. Please contact wlc-advising@utah.edu if you are not able to take the test virtually.

How long will it take to receive my results?
Test results are usually sent within two weeks of the test date. Please make sure to check your Umail address (not your personal email address) and email wlc-advising@utah.edu if you have not received your results within two weeks.

Should I study for the test?
In order to have your language level accurately assessed, you should not study for the test.

What should I do if I think I've been placed into the wrong level?
Please register for and attend the class level you were placed into. If this is the wrong level, talk to your class instructor to be switched to another class within the first two weeks of the semester.

I have some advanced proficiency but I want to take a lower-level class. What should I do?
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.