Placement Testing / Waiver

Foreign language proficiency and placement tests are available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Most are multiple choice tests covering listening comprehension and reading. Please be advised that you can only take the test once per language.

Tests are free, do not require advance registration, and are administered in Thompson 233. The schedule for the computerized tests (French, German and Spanish) is as follows:

through December 18, 2009 *

    Wed. Nov. 18th 11:00-12:15 Last exam starts at 12:15
    Fri. Nov. 20th 11:00-3:00
    Mon. Nov. 23rd 11:00-3:00
    Wed. Nov. 25th University Closed
    Fri. Nov. 27th University Closed
    Mon. Nov. 30th 12:15-3:00
    Wed. Dec. 2nd 11:00-12:15 Last exam starts at 12:15
    Fri. Dec. 4th 11:00-3:00
    Mon. Dec. 7th 11:00-3:00
    Wed. Dec. 9th  11:00-3:00
    Fri. Dec. 11th 11:00-3:00
    Mon. Dec. 14th 11:00-3:00
    Wed. Dec. 16th 11:00-3:00
    Fri. Dec. 18th 11:00-3:00

    * times subject to change

    Pencil and paper exams are offered daily 12:00-3:00.

  • This test determines readiness for 105, 110, 210, 250 or 300-level in any of the languages offered. However, please note that Latin retains the 101-102-201-202 sequence.
  • Students who place into 250 are awarded three credits for 210.
  • Students who place out of 250 (and into the 300-level) are awarded six credits for 210 and 250.
  • Students who place into 105, 110 or 210 do not receive credit.

Other Tests

If you have taken the College Board Achievement Test (SAT-2), your score on that test determines your placement:

  • A score of 200-490 places you into French 110, German 110, Spanish 105, Latin 101 or Russian 101.
  • A score of 500-550 places you into the 210 level.
  • A score of 560-610 places you into the 250 level -- you are eligible for receiving 3 credits.
  • A score of 620-800 places you into the 300 level -- you are eligible for receiving 6 credits (see table above for specific courses).

If you have taken the Advanced Placement Test and received a score of 3 or higher in either language or literature, you may enroll in a 300 level course (see table above for specific courses), and are eligible for receiving 6 credits.

A score of 5, 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB HL) examination will entitle you to 9 credits.

Register for courses according to the following guidelines:

Years of Study Spanish All other languages
0-2 110 101 or 110
3 105 110
4 105, 201, 209* or 210 201, 209* or 210
5 or more 301, 302, or 351

Arabic: 330

Chinese: 300

French: 309

German: 310 or 340

Italian: 300-level

Japanese: 300

Latin: 321 or 351

Russian: 302 or 310

* If you can narrate a story in the past, you are advised to register for 201 or 209.

101 = Elementary level 1 (3 credit hour class) No longer offered.
102 = Elementary level 2 (3 credit hour class) Not offered after winter 2008.
105 = Review of elementary levels 1 & 2 (3 credit hour class)
109 = Intensive elementary level (6 credit hour class) No longer offered.
110 = Elementary level (6 credit hour class) Introduced fall 2007.
201 = Intermediate level 1 (3 credit hour class)
202 = Intermediate level 2 (3 credit hour class)
209 = Intensive intermediate level (6 credit hour class) 210 = Intermediate level (3 credit hour class) Introduced winter 2008.

Waiver

Students who are native speakers of a language other than English may be eligible to waive their foreign language requirement.  Students who receive a waiver must replace the 9 hours of waived foreign language requirement credits with electives in order to complete the necessary 120 credit hours for graduation.   Processing of waiver requests takes at least two weeks, after which students should contact their advisors to learn if the waiver has been applied.  To apply for a waiver:

    1. download the Waiver Request form (pdf)
    2. bring the waiver to the department office, 233 Thompson Hall, with ONE of the following documents:
      • Transcript—evidence of four or more years’ education outside of the United States where the primary language is not English.
      • Test results—language test results from a placement exam or test results from an acceptable authority affiliated with an accredited institution or embassy familiar with language-level designations at U.S. universities.  (Authorities who administer the exam must write a letter on institutional letterhead stating results of exam that student reads, writes, and speaks at intermediate level or above.)

For more information, contact the department.

The College of Human and Social Sciences (CHSS) foreign language requirement for BA degrees: if you are enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts, as opposed to a Bachelor of Science, degree program in the College of Human and Social Sciences, then you must fulfill a foreign language requirement. The requirement may be fulfilled by completing a course in a foreign language numbered 202, 209 or 210 at GMU (or higher level courses taught in the language), or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test. International students should consult the CHSS Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office about a possible waiver.