Autumn semester 2021 Language Placement Testing will remain online. See pdfs below for instructions.
Please read the instructions carefully and in their entirety.
Due to COVID-19 and current OSU protocols regarding on campus presence we have closed our testing center in Hagerty Hall 120. We will be offering our language placement exams remotely from 9:00am - 3:00pm M-F.
Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, students are expected to complete the CLLC World Language Placement Exams in accordance with the OSU Code of Student Conduct. It is your responsibility to review this document carefully before proceeding with language placement testing so you are informed. Please note that we are REQUIRED to report any suspicions of alleged misconduct. Review this website for further information about Student Academic Misconduct.
A world language placement test determines which language course best fits the needs of students entering OSU who have previously studied world languages*. The test does not have any impact on your admission to OSU or GRE score. You cannot “fail” a world language placement test.
*If you took any world language in high school you must complete an OSU placement test for that language, even if you do not plan to continue studying that language. You may receive extra credit hours depending on how you place.
To find out more information on how to take the language placement tests for:
*MultiCAT: Spanish, French, German and Spanish Heritage Learner (SHL):
Note: The OSU semester sequence of language instruction for the languages above is as follows: 1101.01, 1102.01, 1103.01 (1155.01 is a refresher course that reviews 1101.01 and 1102.01).
*Carmen: Arabic, Italian, Hebrew, Latin, Russian, Somali, and Swahili:
*Advisors and students: Placement Test scores for MultiCAT exams may require up to 7 business days to be posted to student records. Carmen test results may take longer as they may require additional verification activities or are graded individually by faculty. Questions? Contact: Nina Haviernikova, haviernikova.1@osu.edu. Testing WILL NOT be available during university holidays: Check University Calendar for specific dates.
Placement Testing Charts
(For any languages not listed, please contact the appropriate departments.)
Please note that due to the COVID-19 proctor-less testing protocol languages may require that additional verification of score/placement. For score/placement verification information, please see the language information above.
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MultiCAT Placement Charts
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Carmen Placement Test Charts
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The purpose of these tests is to determine which language course best fits the needs of students entering OSU who have previously studied world languages. The test does not have any impact on your admission to OSU or GRE score.
All students who have had two or more years of the same world language in high school must take the language placement test in the language used for unconditional admission to OSU, whether or not they plan to continue language study.
All Heritage Learners (one who speaks another language elsewhere) who graduated from a high school where the main language of instruction was English should also take a placement test. Heritage Learners may choose to test in their heritage language or a world language that they had two or more years in high school.
The Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures (cllc@osu.edu) is responsible for administering the web-based placement tests in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swahili, Hebrew and Arabic. If you need to test in another language taught at OSU, please contact the department that oversees that language.
Students receive EM credit based on their placement test scores. For example, if a student places into 1102 in any language, he or she will receive credit for 1101. A student who places out of 1103 will have completed their language requirement. No elementary language credit is awarded to native speakers, i.e., those whose secondary education was in the world language.
Students usually take the placement test during Orientation. If for some reason, students are unable to take the test during Orientation, students should contact the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures for information about dates and times at cllc@osu.edu or call us at 292-4361. It is strongly advised that you begin your language courses immediately after you have taken the placement test.
When students take the placement test above, results are available immediately. For other languages, contact the department that coordinates this language.
Students are asked to contact the appropriate language director to discuss their test results.
Students who have successfully passed an Advanced Placement, CLEP, or IB examination are awarded credit and placement proportionate to the score obtained. These students do not normally need to take the OSU placement test, but when going through orientation they should verify that their scores have been received.
These students normally register for the next OSU equivalent course in the sequence. They are not required to take the placement test;* Such students should follow the Office of Admissions procedures for transfer credit and contact the Departmental Transfer Credit Coordinator. (Transfer students without language credit, however, must take the placement test.)
*There are exceptions to this rule. If you are are unsure please email cllc@osu.edu with the context on your situation.
Most American students take world language in 9th and 10th grade, then quit just as they begin to develop usable language skills. They then have a two-year break in language study before entering college. Ideally, students should continue their language study, taking a 3rd or 4th year in 11th and 12th grade. For those who cannot or do not do so, we strongly recommend a review of basic grammar and vocabulary before taking the placement test.
Answers to this question will depend on the degree-granting unit (e.g., ASC, ENG, BUS, etc.). Students should check with their college advising unit, once they have decided on a major.
In the case of students with a learning disability, special arrangements and/or petitions may be initiated through the Office for Disability Services. If students have been out of high school for over five years, the placement test is not required unless students wish to have their language assessed before enrolling in a language course.
The same guidelines generally hold true for all OSU campuses.
Students can only take a placement test once in each language.
World Language EM / Proficiency Testing
For specific information about possible EM/proficiency testing in a language, contact the appropriate department to find out their policies and procedures in this area.
