Language Placement Tests

Language Placement Test

You must take the placement test to determine which course level is appropriate for your skills, if you would like to continue language study begun in high school or at another college/university.

No preparation is necessary for the placement test – it is intended to be a tool to place you in the course most appropriate for your level. For this reason, placement tests may not be re-taken.

French, Italian, and Spanish placement tests are offered during the orientation programs, and at or near the beginning of the fall and winter terms (see links below for the next times, dates and locations for these three language tests). Please note that it is not possible to schedule a special placement exam in French, Italian or Spanish for one student.

The results of the French, Italian, and Spanish placement tests will be communicated to the academic advisors in your home college. If you are an LSA student, you should make an appointment with an advisor at the Academic Advising Center in 1255 Angell Hall, (734) 764-0332. Non-LSA students who are having difficulty obtaining their placement recommendation should have their advisor or mentor contact the Office of Examinations and Evaluations with their student ID number, date and language of the exam.

Portuguese placement tests are given by appointment with Niedja Fedrigo, who will also communicate test results.

You may be placed in one of the following courses: 101 (Elementary), 103 (Elementary review), 231 (Second year, first semester), or 232 (Second year, continued). In Italian, you may also be placed into 102 (Elementary, continued). If you place beyond the 232 level, you will have satisfied the LSA language requirement.

For questions about your placement, you should consult the course coordinator of the course into which you have been placed.

LSA students who believe they have a learning disability that interferes with their learning a foreign language may petition the LSA Academic Standards Board to be allowed to substitute culture-based classes in English as a means of finishing the language requirement. To do so, as one part of the petition process, they must take the Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT). For more information, contact Dr. Stuart Segal in Services for Students with Disabilities, (734) 763-3000.


Questions? Email the RLL Main Office.

French Placement Tests

Testing times begin on the hour, not Michigan time. Please arrive 5 minutes before the test is scheduled to begin. Bring a No. 2 pencil and a photo ID. 

Date Time Location
May through August see below see below
September TBD TBD

 

May through August. These exam dates are scheduled to coincide with the Transfer and Freshmen Orientation programs scheduled by the Office of New Student Programs (ONSP). Although intended for new students, the exams are still open to ALL continuing UM students.

Click here for a full schedule of summer exam dates. Contact ONSP at onsp@umich.edu or 734/764-6413 to confirm the date, time, and location of the test as these may change throughout the summer months. No pre-registration is required. 

All new or incoming students should contact the Office of New Student Programs directly for information about placement testing. 

September. The French placement exam will be offered once during the first week of Fall term. Details will be posted here as soon as they are available. 

 

 

 

Italian Placement Tests

Testing times begin on the hour, not Michigan time. Please arrive 5 minutes before test is scheduled to begin. Bring a No. 2 pencil and a photo ID.

Date Time Location
May through August see below see below
September TBD TBD

 

May through August. These exam dates are scheduled to coincide with the Transfer and Freshmen Orientation programs scheduled by the Office of New Student Programs (ONSP). Although intended for new students, the exams are still open to ALL continuing UM students.

Click here for a full schedule of summer exam dates. Contact ONSP at onsp@umich.edu or 734/764-6413 to confirm the date, time, and location of the test as these may change throughout the summer months. No pre-registration is required. 

All new or incoming students should contact the Office of New Student Programs directly for information about placement testing. 

September. The Italian placement exam will be offered once during the first week of Fall term. Details will be posted here as soon as they are available.

 

Spanish Placement Tests

The Spanish placement test is an online test. It is currently available and can be taken by continuing UM students through June 24, 2013.  

New and incoming students should contact the Office of New Student Programs directly for information about Spanish placement testing. ONSP can be reached at onsp@umich.edu or 734/764-6413.

Continuing students and guest students who are interested in RLL language courses and have prior knowledge of Spanish should contact the RLL Main Office (rll.mailbox@umich.edu) to register and obtain instructions for taking the Spanish placement test.