Foreign Language Placement Tests

 

Houghton College requires its students to reach the beginning intermediate level ability (three semesters) in a foreign language. If you have previously studied Spanish, French or German in high school, you are invited to take a placement test to determine which class would be appropriate for you. There is no need to take a placement exam if you wish to begin a new language – simply sign up for 101!

Students who  have earned  college credit for a foreign language course will not be required to take the placement exam.  Advanced Placement scores of 4 or 5, as well as college language courses in which you have earned  at least a C-, will give you credit at Houghton.

The placement test for French, German or Spanish can be taken on the Web using your own computer. (If you have studied Latin, we can provide that placement test here at the college during Welcome Weekend or during your first week of classes.) Please use the following address to access the online test:

URL: http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/?acct=houghton
UserID: houghton (all lower case)
Password: tower1 (all lower case)

The test is designed to be completed in 20-30 minutes and should be taken without reference to a dictionary or other supplemental materials. The results will be forwarded to Houghton College. This test needs to be completed so we can place you in the right language class and should be done within six months of the time you plan to take the class. The following chart explains the time lines.

Test Taken	Placement at 101/102/103-Level Valid only for the following:	Placement Beyond 103-Level Valid only for the following:
March – June	Fall Semester	Fall or Spring Semesters or May Term
July – August	Fall or Spring Semesters	Fall or Spring Semesters or May Term
September – October	Spring Semester	Spring Semester, May Term or subsequent Fall Semester
November – December	Spring Semester or May Term	Spring Semester, May Term or subsequent Fall Semester
January – February	May Term	May Term 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2008

Please note that if you take the placement test before July and place into French 102 or German 102 you will need to retest as those classes are not offered in the Fall. You also have the option of registering for French 101 or German 101 rather than waiting another semester. If your placement test places you beyond the 103-level, you will not be required to take more language courses (although we would encourage you to do so) for graduation. However, one of the language professors will have a short interview with you in the target language to verify that you took the test and have obtained the correct placement.

Please feel free to contact me with questions at 800-777-2556 (ext 6030) or email at Marlene.Collins@houghton.edu. You may also contact the Foreign Languages department secretary, Jane Miner (Jane.Miner@houghton.edu), if you need assistance.

Thanks,
Marlene Collins-Blair, PhD
Chair, Department of Foreign Languages