Loyola University Chicago

Modern Languages and Literatures

Foreign Language Placement Exam

For students wishing to continue studying Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish, this online computerized exam helps place them into the most appropriate language course. Average duration is 25–40 minutes. Scores are recorded for future reference.

Students who take this exam must adhere to the Loyola policy on Academic Honesty; test takers should try their best, but not receive help.

The foreign language placement exam cannot be used to fulfill a language requirement. To satisfy a foreign language requirement (or "test out" of a requirement), students must take the Foreign Language Competency Exam, which is administered by the dean's office of the  School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) or School of Communication (SOC). To schedule the exam, contact the dean's office of the school for your major.  College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) students must contact the Language Learning Resource Center under the Modern Languages and Literatures department to schedule the exam.  CAS students must schedule their exam through MLL by contacting LanguageTesting@luc.edu.

Students required to take the placement exam:

  • Students who have previously studied either Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish and wish to continue studying that language at Loyola.
  • Students who have spoken one these languages at home and wish to enroll in a course in that language, even if they have not formally studied it. These students are termed "heritage speakers."

Students not required to take the placement exam:

  • Students who will study a language in which they have no experience. They should enroll in 101.
  • Students studying Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, or Polish. A placement exam is not yet provided in those languages. Students with previous experience in the language should be advised by a Modern Languages & Literatures placement coordinator.
  • Students who want to study a language in the future, but not soon. Ideally the exam should be taken shortly before registering for a course.

How to take the placement exam

The placement exam can be taken from any computer with Internet access. To take an exam, you must create an account using your @luc.edu email address. You have seven (7) days to take an exam once you create the account. Only one exam per language is permitted; however, you can take an exam for a maximum of four languages within the seven (7) day period.

To create the account and begin an exam, go to:

Click Here

 

If you would like assistance, come to the Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC), Crown Center 208, and take the exam during opening hours.

 

Exam results

  • Exam results can be printed out. LLRC staff can be contacted to obtain old exam results.
  • 101 courses are for true beginners only.
  • Even if a student places into 101, if they have studied the language in the past, they should not enroll in 101 but instead contact the language coordinator.
  • Students cannot self-place and should contact the placement coordinator if they have any questions.

Advising

For additional information, please see:

Questions?

Please direct questions about the exam to Paulina Dzieza, Manager, LLRC, at 773.508.2846 or pdzieza@luc.edu.