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• The Department of Spanish is part of WMU's College of Arts and Sciences

Foreign language monitored test-out exam

All students who wish to continue at Western Michigan University the study of a foreign language they began in high school or which they learned on their own need to take an online placement examination. That test determines the course in which students will begin their college study of the language.

The monitored test-out exam is a qualifying examination to exempt students from the specific language requirements of many WMU programs. Although some requirements may be fulfilled with the monitored test-out exam, no credit is awarded.

This monitored examination can be taken by new students with previous experience in French, German, Latin or Spanish. There is no fee for the monitored test-out exam. During the weeks when fall and spring semester classes are underway (not during exam week, holidays or break times) monitored test-out exams are offered as follows:

Exams are given in 3209-B Kohrman Hall
Check in before test time at 3228 Kohrman

Spanish

Tuesdays - 9 a.m.

French

Wednesdays - 9 a.m.

German

Thursdays - 9 a.m.

Latin

Fridays - 9 a.m.

Be on time and bring the following with you: your Bronco ID card, your WIN number, a lead pencil with a good eraser, and your best recollections of the foreign language you have learned. Test results will be available to students the following day by calling 387-3001.

Native speakers of a foreign language may take the examination, but are not required to do so. They must, however, consult with a departmental adviser before registering for language courses.

To enroll in a beginning class of a foreign language you have not studied previously, no exam (online placement or monitored test-out) is necessary; simply enroll in a 1000-level section of that language.

The nature of the monitored test-out examination

The monitored test-out exam takes approximately 90 minutes. It is of the multiple-choice type and consists of 3 parts:

1. a taped listening comprehension section
2. a grammar section
3. a reading comprehension section

Due to the fact that all students of a particular language take the same monitored test-out exam, regardless of background, the students with minimum background will probably find the exam difficult in certain sections. Do your best without spending too much time on any one question.

Results and registration

To continue your study of the language, register according to the examination results. Changes can be made only in consultation with the language advisor or the department chairperson.

Advice: Better now than later

The test-out exam is given only once to each student. The results which you achieve will reflect your language level at this time. If you plan to continue to study the foreign language which you have studied in high school, you should make every attempt to do so without delay. If you postpone your language studies for even one semester, you may find the recommended class to be difficult.

Retroactive credits

Placement in a 2010 class or above can result in retroactive credits (up to four hours) if the student completes the next class in the sequence with a grade of "C" or better. Placement at the 3000 level can result in retroactive credits of 8 credit hours. Questions concerning placement or language study may be directed to an advisor for the respective language or the department chairperson.