Language Testing

If you want to try and test out of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish, then you will need to take a language placement test. Each department has different procedures for language placement testing, so make sure you are mindful of specific requirements, deadlines, etc.

If you would like to keep taking a language taught at Carleton (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish) you will need to take a language placement test regardless of your proficiency level. These tests will ensure that you start your language study at Carleton in the most appropriate class possible.

For most languages, if you received a score of 4 or 5 on an AP language or literature examination or a 6 or 7 on a higher-level IB examination (scores of 5, 6, or 7 accepted for Chinese and Japanese), you have satisfied the basic language requirement and will be granted 6 credits. See Carleton’s Placement and Transfer Credit rules for details. If you’d like to continue taking language courses at Carleton, you should register for courses above the 204/205 level.

You can complete the language requirement by demonstrating your proficiency in a language other than English, at the comparable level to a Carleton language sequence typically through proficiency testing. There is more information available about how to satisfy the language requirement through demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English (including what “proficiency” means in this context).

Most language departments at Carleton provide their students with the opportunity to take a proficiency test at the end of the language sequence. These tests provide the student with an accurate description of their proficiency level and provide the department and the college with a way to assess course outcomes. Occasionally, a language department may also provide the same opportunity to their majors and/or minors during their final year at Carleton.

If you are taking or took language courses at Carleton to the 204/205 level or above and are interested in taking a language proficiency test, but were not offered the opportunity by your instructor, contact the Language Center Director to discuss your options.

To learn more about the proficiency tests offered at Carleton, follow this link.

If you are currently enrolled in a language course at Carleton and you have testing accommodations through the Office of Accessibility Resources then you should let your instructor know as soon as possible and they make arrangements on your behalf.