Online Placement Exams (OPLE) for French, Italian and Spanish

You do need to take the Online Language Placement exam if you plan to study French, Italian and/or Spanish at Washington University.

• Note: Even if you have taken the foreign language College Board Advanced Placement Test or the Achievement Test (SAT II), you still need to take the departmental placement exam

Students interested in French, Italian, and Spanish can take these exams ONLINE from a PC or a MAC. Read below for details on how to proceed and take advantage of this convenient opportunity. Please complete the placement exam BEFORE you arrive on campus to register for classes. You can take the exam from any location at any time. You will receive immediate results and placement upon completion of the exam.

Online Placement Exam (OPLE) Instructions

Before taking the exam online, please make sure that you have access to a computer that meets the following software/hardware requirements:

DSL or broadband network connection (Dial-up modem access is not sufficient for audio components of modern language exams)

Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 5.2 or higher OR Netscape 6.0 or higher (If you do not know how to find this number, launch your internet browser, go to the far right of the menu bar and click on "Help" then click on "About Internet Explorer" OR "About Netscape" and that will give you the necessary information.)

If you are working from a Macintosh, the audio portions of this exam will only work if you are operating from OS 10, the most recent operating system for Macintoshes. However, if you can find a PC instead, things will be less worrisome.

*****Please note: Be sure you have AT LEAST 90 minutes of uninterrupted time for the exam because once you start, you will not have the opportunity to pause then restart where you left off.*****

If your computer meets the requirements listed above, please go to the following web address:

http://asapps.artsci.wustl.edu/flpe/

Click on the Box that says, "Placement Exam Click Here"

You will then be asked to enter the following password, "test", then click submit. o Please choose which language exam you would like to take by clicking "Select" to the right of one of the exams: Spanish, French, Italian or Latin o You will then be asked to select a link, please choose "All entering freshmen click here" o The Directions Page should appear -- PLEASE read the entire page carefully!

Once you have finished reading the Directions, click at the bottom of the page to continue. o A sample audio test page should appear, once you have checked to be sure that your audio component is working, click the link to proceed. IMPORTANT: If your audio component does not work, you MUST NOT PROCEED!

Please fill out all the fields on the Student Information page, including First Name, Last Name, your active E-mail address, Social Security in the space labeled Student ID, and the four questions listed.

Once you have completed this form, submit the info and one last instructional page should appear, then you may proceed with the exam!

SEVERAL THINGS TO REMEMBER:

This is a self-diagnostic test to help place you into the level of our foreign language program that is best for you. Please understand that it is not possible to "fail" this exam, so do not be worried on this front. There are, however, negative implications for intentionally underperforming.

You will NOT receive any credits solely from taking this exam - you may, however, earn back credits at Washington University later by earning a B or better in the foreign language class into which you are placed.

It is expected that you will have NO TEXTBOOKS, DICTIONARIES OR OTHER ASSISTING MATIERALS to help you with this test. Violating this expectation will lead to an inaccurate assessment for you, and is considered a violation of academic integrity.

GOOD LUCK!

If you have any questions about placement in Spanish courses, contact Professor Tracy Bishop at tvbishop@wustl.edu. If you have any questions about placement in French courses, contact Professor Seth Graebner at graebner@wustl.edu. If you have any questions about placement in Italian courses, contact Professor Michael Sherberg at sherberg@wustl.edu.

Policy on Placement

Students are allowed to enroll in the Spanish course (101-308) in which they have been placed based upon placement guidelines. Students cannot remain in a course if they have not placed into the course. Students may meet with the Spanish Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss placement issues. Decisions made by the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Spanish regarding placement are final.

Each placement score is valid for one academic year.