Placement Exams

Foreign language placement exams help determine the best level for students to continue their French or Spanish language studies at Wake Tech. Course placement is important as students improve their language skills so they may successfully continue their studies at a four-year institution.

Credits earned through a placement exam can count toward graduation requirements at Wake Tech. However, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to determine how these credits may affect their transfer status, degree completion and financial aid. Each college and university has its own guidelines, so the effect of credits earned through placement exams may vary based on an individual student's pathway for transfer.

Students may be eligible to take a foreign language placement test if they fall into one or more of these categories:

• Has recently earned a grade of "B" (87) or better consistently in three courses of high school study of the same language
• Has recently lived or studied in a French- or Spanish-speaking country for more than six months.
• Has interacted and/or communicated in French or Spanish daily at work or in another formal setting.

Students who have completed a curriculum foreign language course at Wake Tech are not eligible to take placement exams.

Placement tests are free to Wake Tech students, but they may be taken only once while attending the college. Tests are given using computerized adaptive software and last five to 40 minutes. Results are given immediately.

How do I take a placement exam?

For students not enrolled in SPA-111 or FRE-111, the eLearning Testing Center (eLTC) at Scott Northern Wake Campus (Building D, Room 125) will accommodate limited in-person testing appointments from September 2 through November 24. Appointments must be confirmed three to five weekdays before the desired testing date. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Follow these steps to make an appointment:

1. Email your request to [email protected]
2. In the email subject line, type "Foreign Language Placement Exam Request"
3. Include the following:
   – First and last name
   – Wake Tech ID number
   – Date and time you want to schedule the appointment (allow three to five business days for appointments)
   – Placement exam language you want to take (French or Spanish)

Students enrolled in SPA-111 or FRE-111 must contact their instructor during the drop/add period at the start of the semester to schedule a placement exam. Students who successfully place out of FRE-111 and/or SPA-111/181 will need to drop that class and add the appropriate level of language to study. Or they may add another class that they may need to meet their degree requirements at Wake Tech.

If students have questions regarding which classes they should take for their degree at Wake Tech, they should speak with an academic advisor.

NOTE: The eLTC also will provide testing in late May for students not registered in SPA-111/181 for students unable to test during regular windows.

Adhere to these rules on testing day:

• Arrive to your scheduled appointment on time
• Bring your Wake Tech ID to show to the proctor
• Don't use a cellphone or other aids during testing

For more information, email [email protected].