Language Placement Testing and the Seal of Biliteracy
Contents
Please click the links below to take you to the section you are looking for:
Ohio Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) Recognition at The Ohio State University
Students who earned an Ohio Seal of Biliteracy within 18 months before their enrollment date at OSU and whose SEAL isn't older than 18 months before the first SoBL recognition date in August 24, 2024 may qualify. Students should send proof of the seal (certificate, transcript, diploma with seal stamp, or official test score report) to cllc@osu.edu to have their seal recognized. Students with a SoBL from any other U.S. state should send their official test score report to cllc@osu.edu for review. Out-of-state seals will only be recognized if test scores achieved meet Ohio SoBL requirements.
Note: Students from any other U.S. state who earned a SoBL within 18 months of enrolling at OSU may qualify for a waiver with the criteria being that they must satisfy the rigorous requirements already established by the Ohio Board of Education for the Ohio SoBL.
Language Placement Testing
The CLLC offers three types of language placement exams:
- Spanish, French, and German on the MultiCAT platform remotely from 9:00am–3:00pm, Monday–Friday when classes are in session. To take a MultiCat placement test, carefully read these instructions.
- Arabic, Italian, Hebrew, Latin, Russian, Somali, Swahili, Korean, and ASL on Carmen platform remotely upon request. To take a Carmen placement test, carefully read these instructions.
- Spanish for Heritage Learners (raised in a home where Spanish is/was spoken, speaks and understands the language reasonably well, and is to some degree bilingual in that language and in English) available remotely. Please email cllc@osu.edu for instructions.
For placement tests in other languages offered by OSU, please contact the appropriate department(s).
Eligibility
To be able to access the exams you must be a current or incoming student at OSU and have an active OSU name.# and password. Without OSU login credentials, you will be unable to access placement exams.
Please note that you should not be taking a language placement if you:
- Already have credit or a mark (as in a failing grade or an incomplete) for a college-level course in the world language for which you are testing;
- Are currently enrolled in a college-level (Dual Credit, AP, CCP, etc.) language course in the same language for which you are testing;
- Would like to start learning language at Ohio State but have not studied/have no knowledge of it. In this case, you will enroll in the beginners’ level language course. You should still take a placement test in the language you have had at least 1 year or more of in middle or high school, as long as you do not have any previous credit in that language at The Ohio State University or another university/college.
Placement Test scores for MultiCAT exams may require up to 7 business days to be posted to student records. Carmen tests require up to 14 business days for initial results of auto-graded exams, and results needing verification or manual grading may take longer.
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 more information about Student Academic Misconduct here.
Student Life Disability Services - Testing Accommodations
If you would like to request placement exam accommodations, you will need to submit an application and documentation to Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) prior to taking the exam. Please allow 2-3 business days for processing. OSU cannot allow for retroactive application of SLDS accommodations. These must be documented prior to attempting to test. Please contact SLDS for more information.
Contact cllc@osu.edu with any questions.
MultiCAT Placement Charts
Placement is based on the number of years of study and the MultiCAT score. If you do not remember your MultiCAT score, contact the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures, 100 Hagerty Hall, cllc@osu.edu.
| Test Score | Level Completed | Course Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 0-20.5 | 1-2 | 1101 |
| 0-20.5 | 3+ | 1155† |
| 20.6-25.5 | 1+ | 1102 |
| 25.6-29.5 | 1+ | 1103 |
| 29.6+ | 1+ | 2202* |
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese (SPPO) follows the MultiCAT placement scale strictly for placing students. However, if you believe that you have been placed incorrectly or have a placement question, please contact Megan Lobert (lobert.3@osu.edu).
*Spanish Score Verification Process: Placement into SPAN 2202 will depend on the successful, timely completion of the in-person Verification Exam. Students will have two (2) weeks from the day they take the MultiCAT to take the Verification Exam. Failure to take the Verification Exam in the two-week period will result in the student being placed into SPAN 1103. You will be contacted with instructions for verifying your placement.
†Spanish 1155 reviews the most important topics and skill areas of 1101 and 1102.
For further information regarding the placement test, contact cllc@osu.edu in the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
Rev. 05/2024
Placement is based on the number of years of study and the MultiCAT score. If you do not remember your MultiCAT score, contact the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures, 100 Hagerty Hall, cllc@osu.edu.
| Test Score | Level Completed | Course Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15.3 | 1 or 2 | 1101.01 or 1101.51 |
| 0-15.3 | 3+ | 1155† |
| 15.4-20 | 1+ | 1102.01 or 1102.51 |
| 20.1-30 | 1+ | 1103.01 or 1103.51 |
| 30.1+ | 1+ | 2101.01* |
*Any student who places into FREN 2101 through the MultiCAT will then be required to take the FREN 1103 Verification Exam. If the student passes this Verification Exam with a score of at least 80%, the placement earned by the student will be maintained. If the student does not pass this Verification Exam with a score of at least 80%, they will be placed into FREN 1103, with the option of dropping down one course level (into either FREN 1102 or FREN 1155). Contact: Dr. Kelly Campbell (campbell.796@osu.edu).
†French 1155 reviews the most important topics and skill areas of 1101 and 1102.
For further information regarding the placement test contact the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures (cllc@osu.edu)
Rev. 05/24
Placement in a German course is based on the number of years of High School German study and the MultiCAT score. If you do not remember your MultiCAT score, contact the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures, 100 Hagerty Hall, cllc@osu.edu.
Below are the placement scores based on high school levels completed.
| MultiCAT Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| 0-12.4 | 1101.01 or 1101.02 |
| 12.5-21 | 1102.01 or 1102.02 |
| 21.1-32 | 1103.01 or 1103.02 |
| 33+ | *Contact Department |
| MultiCAT Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| 0-6 | 1101.01 or 1101.02 |
| 6.1-21 | 1102.01 or 1102.02 |
| 21.1-32 | 1103.01 or 1103.02 |
| 33+ | *Contact Department |
Note: The course number with .01 stands for classes in person, and those with .02 stand for distance learning courses.
*German Score Verification Process: Students who place out of level 1103 will meet with the verification coordinator in the department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, Hagerty Hall 498, to be placed into the best German Language course for them. Verification Coordinator: Dr. Budimka Uskokovic (uskokovic.2@osu.edu).
For further information regarding the placement test, contact the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures at cllc@osu.edu.
Rev: 7/2023 (AW and NM)
Carmen Placement Test Charts
All students complete section 1; students may be asked to complete subsequent sections if their performance on previous sections is sufficient. [i.e., any given student may complete only the first, the first and second, or all three sections].
| Score | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0-29 questions correct | Placement in Arabic 1101 [9] |
| 30-46 questions correct | Proceed to section 2 of the exam |
| Score | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0-38 questions correct | Placement in Arabic 1102 [8] |
| 39-64 questions correct | Proceed to section 3 of the exam |
| Score | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0-34 questions correct | Placement in Arabic 1103 [7] |
| 35-50 questions correct | Placement out of Arabic 1103* [6] |
Once students have completed all available sections of the exam, they will be able to view test results in the Carmen gradebook.
*Any student who places out of AR 1103 will need to attend a virtual meeting with a language coordinator to verify test results. Contact: Ms. Marie-Thérèse Labaki (labaki.5@osu.edu).
The bold number in brackets is the indicator of placement under “test results” in a student advising report.
| Level | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 1101 | 0-35 | Placement in 1101 [9] |
| 1102 | 36-67 | Placement in 1102 [8] |
| 1103 | 68-100 | Placement in 1103 [7] |
| 2105 | 101+ | Placement out of 1103* [6] |
Verification required for students who place out of 1103. Contact Galit Golan (golan.11@osu.edu) to set up a verification appointment.
The bold number in brackets indicates placement under “Test results” on the Student Advising Report.
| Level | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 1101 | 0-40 | Placement in 1101 [9] |
| 1102 | 41-60 | Placement 1102 [8] |
| 1103 | 61-82 | Placement in 1103 [7] |
| 2102 | 83-100 | Placement out of 1103* [6] |
*Verification is required for placement out of 1103. Please contact Italian Program Director: April Weintritt (weintritt.1@osu.edu).
The bold number in brackets is the indicator of placement under “test results” in a student advising report.
| Score | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0-40 | Placement in Somali 1101 [9] |
| 41-56 | Proceed to section 2 of the exam |
| Score | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0-46 | Placement in Somali 1102 [8] |
| 47-64 | Proceed to section 3 of the exam |
| Score | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0-46 | Placement in Somali 1103 [7] |
| 47-64 | Placement out of Somali 1103* [6] |
*Verification Process: Verification required by Abdulkadir Abdulahi Abdi (abdi.17@osu.edu) if placed out of 1103.
The bold number in brackets is the indicator of placement under “test results” in a student advising report.
Revised February 2026
| Level | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 1101 | 0-35 | Placement in 1101 [9] |
| 1102 | 36-55 | Placement in 1102 [8] |
| 1103 | 56-70 | Placement in 1103 [7] |
| 2102 | 71+ | Placement out of 1103* [6] |
*Verification Process: Verification required by Dr. Salome Fouts (fouts.25@osu.edu) if placed out of 1103.
The bold number in brackets indicates the code under “Test Results” on Student Advising Report.
Please contact Larysa Stepanova (stepanova.1@osu.edu) for more information.
| Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| 0-12 | LAT 1101 [9] |
| 13-24 | LAT 1102 [8] |
| 25-38 | LAT 1103 [7] |
| 39-50 | Out of LAT 1103 [6] |
No Verification is required for placement in any level.
The bold number in brackets indicates level on the “test results” of the Student Advising Report.
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 0-29 points | Placement in K1101 [9] |
| 30-40 points | Proceed to Exam 2 |
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 0-22 points | Placement in K1102 [8] |
| 23-30 points | Proceed to Exam 3 |
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 0-22 points | Placement in K1103 [7] |
| 23-30 points | Verification needed* [6] |
*Any student who scored 23-30 points in Exam 3 need to verify test results through a scheduled individual meeting as soon as possible.
The bold number in brackets is the indicator of placement under “test results” in a student advising report.
| Level | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1101 | 0-30 | Placement in ASL 1101 [9] |
| 1102 | 31-65 | Placement in ASL 1102 [8] |
| 1103 | 66-100 | Placement in ASL 1103 [7] |
| 2104 | 101+ | Placement out of ASL 1103 [6] |
The bold number in brackets is the indicator of placement under test results in a student advising report.
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 other than Spanish in high school must take the language placement test whether or not they plan to continue language study. All students who have had at least one year of middle or high school Spanish will need to take the Spanish placement exam.
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, Russian, Latin, Somali, Korean, ASL and Arabic. If you need to test in another language taught at OSU, please contact the department that oversees that language.
Before August 22, 2023
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.
Effective August 22, 2023
Students do not receive EM credit based on their placement test scores. Their placement test indicates what level language course they can take, but it is not credit-bearing. NO EM credit is granted for placement tests. Placement tests can still be used to fulfill the GE requirement, for example if a student places out of 1103 they have fulfilled their world language GE requirement, but no credit is awarded. If you would like to test for credit, please reach out to the department of the language you are taking for an EM test. We cannot guarantee that a department with have an EM test for you to take.
Most students take their placement test remotely before attending in-person orientation. If you do not take it before orientation, you can take it during orientation following the instructions provided in your orientation materials. Please read this page thoroughly and then refer to the linked instructions above listed under the language you plan to test for. Contact the cllc@osu.edu if you have any questions. 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.
If you are a Spanish Heritage speaker please contact the CLLC at cllc@osu.edu. All other world languages should refer to our Validation for World Language page.
No. Do not contact the CLLC because we do not control the Buckeyelink prompts. If an academic advisor in your program has determined that you no longer need the test, the prompt will remain until it automatically falls off when the semester begins.
World Language EM / Proficiency Testing
For information about EM exams or proficiency testing in a specific language, contact the department that offers that language to learn about their policies and procedures. As a reminder, EM credit is only awarded for courses above 1103 (i.e., EM credit is not awarded for courses in the 1101-1103 series).