Placement and Testing
INFORMATION
FOR UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENTS ON PLACEMENT & TESTING
How to interpret a score
French and Spanish Retest for students in majors other than in the College of Arts and Sciences or Music
Frequently Asked Questions
For information on Comprehensive Exams for Graduate Students and Reading Proficiency Exam for Graduate Students
The University of South Carolina requires that all students achieve proficiency in one foreign language. All newly admitted students (freshman as well as transfer students) must take a Placement Exam (PhaseI), and receive a score in the language studied previously. Usually this is the language studied in high school. Placement Exams are given during Orientation weekends, and students should refer to information sent to them when they are accepted for admission. For additional information on placement tests given during orientation, please go to their website: http://orientation.sc.edu/pt.htm
USC students who have missed regular testing dates, and have no placement score, may take the Placement Exam administered by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. See the chart and information below for specific languages.
| Language |
Test administered
during orientation
Phase I |
Departmental Fall 2010 Phase I testing dates/times/locations |
Departmental Fall 2009 Phase II testing dates/times/locations |
Phase I (score 1-3) and Phase II (score of 4) information | Contact for further questions |
| Arabic |
No |
TBA |
TBA | | Prof. Sheehi
sheehi@mailbox.sc.edu
803-777-5248 |
| Chinese | No |
Sat, Nov. 21 2009 in PSC 214 - 9:00 am - 10:15 am | TBA | | Prof. Ye
yet@sc.edu |
| French | Yes |
Jan. 8th 2010
from 2-4 pm and Tuesday, Jan 12th from 5-7 pm in Humanities Classroom Bldg. Room 101E (Sony Lab) within the Foreign Language Center. |
TBA |
Phase I: lasts 50 minutes, plus about 15 minutes of administration time (1 hr. 05).
The test consists of 45 multiple-choice questions written in English: 25 questions for listening, 20 questions for reading.
No specific information, grammar or vocabulary is tested; the test evaluates your skill in understanding natural speech and authentic written texts.
Phase II: consists of a short writing test (about 30 minutes) and a brief oral interview (10-15 minutes) (If you would like advice about courses offered by the French Department that will also take about 15 minutes.)
To schedule a Phase II, contact Professor Lara Anderson. lomicka@mailbox.sc.edu |
For students who scored a F4 during orientation testing, contact: Prof. Duffy at jjd@sc.edu For students who scored an F4 during the August 24 testing date, contact: Prof. DiCecco at: dpdicecc@mailbox.sc.edu
|
| German |
Yes |
Contact Bill Fairchild (803-777-2636) in the Ted Mimms Foreign Language Lab
(101 Humanities Classroom Building) |
TBA |
Phase II: consists of a 30 minute writing part and a 15 minute oral exam. (If you would like advice about courses offered by the German Department that will also take about 15 minutes.) |
|
| Italian |
No |
January 7th, 11:30-12:30 - Humanities Classroom Bldg. 215 | |
| |
| Japanese |
No |
January 7th, 2010 from 10:00-12:00pm in the Ted Mimms Foreign Language Lab (101E Humanities Classroom Building) | |
| |
| Latin |
Yes |
January 12th, 2010 at 4 pm in Davis 216
Students must preregister by calling 777-2765 | |
|
|
| Portuguese |
No |
TBA | |
| |
| Russian |
No |
TBA | |
| |
| Spanish |
Yes |
January 7th, 2010
9:30am - 10:30am in Gambrell Hall Rm 151
11:30pm - 12:30 pm in Gambrell Hall Rm 151
Students must bring # 2 pencil | January 8th, 2010
10:00am - 12:00 pm in Gambrell Hall Rm 153
Students must bring a pen and a photo ID. |
Phase I: 60 minutes long
Phase II: The test consists of an oral interview in Spanish and writing samples in the present and past tense and also a mechanical check of the student’s control of the subjunctive. Due to the large number of students taking this test, it may take 2 hours or more to get tested. Please allow for plenty of time in your schedule.
| |
RE-TESTS for Spanish
January 7th 2010 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm in Gambrell Hall Rm 151.
Students must bring a #2 pencil and a photo I.D. This test takes approximately 60 minutes. No appointment is necessary.
Each College sets the level of proficiency required for graduation from USC. If a student gets a high enough score on the Placement Test to satisfy his/her College, then no further course work in foreign language is required.
If the student's score is not high enough to satisfy the College requirement, then additional course work in a foreign language will be necessary.
Before taking a foreign-language course at USC, a student must have a foreign-language proficiency score on record. The placement score will indicate the level at which the student should begin studying a foreign language at USC.
For Continuing and Transfer Students only!!! French and Spanish Retest
Students who meet all of the three following conditions qualify for the French and Spanish Retest:
- Your major is in a School or College other than the College of Arts and Sciences, or Music.
- You completed FREN or SPAN 109 with a grade of B or higher.
- You previously took the regular version of the French or Spanish Phase I Placement Exam and received a score of F-1 or S-1.
What does my score mean?
For Spanish test scores, please click here.
- A score of 1: You should register for 109
- A score of 2: You should register for 121
- A score of 3: You should register for 122
- A score of 4: You must take the second phase of the test. Phase II usually consists of an interview and a composition component. Students should take the Phase II exam before registering for a language class.
Do I have to take Phase II if I score 4? Yes. A 4 only indicates that you scored in the highest category for the multiple-choice part of the exam. This means that you have qualified for the second part of the placement exam. You are required to take this part of the test in order to receive a permanent score for your records.
What are the benefits of doing well on the Placement Exam and receiving a high score (advanced standing)?
If the Phase II examiner determines that your level of spoken and written language is sufficiently high, a placement score of 5 will be recorded for you and you will have satisfied the foreign language requirement for any college at USC. Then, if you take one of the qualifying upper-level language courses and earn at least a B, you will be eligible for seven hours of "advanced standing" credit (for 121 and 122).
What happens if I score a 3 in Phase II? If the examiner determines that a score of 3 should be recorded for you, you will be advised to take a 122 course. If you earn a grade of B or better in that class you will be eligible for four hours of "advanced standing" credit (121).
I have an AP score of 3 or higher in a language what should I do?
Even though the University of South Carolina has a policy on placement for AP language scores we highly recommend that you take the placement Exam since it is geared towards our curriculum. Traditionally students place higher than what the University placement policy recommends. The University test is free and gives you a chance to begin your sequence of study at a higher level and complete that core requirement sooner or get to your minor or major crests in the chosen language faster.
Can I take the Placement Test more than once and use the better score? No. A student may take the Placement Test only once: a second score in the same language is not valid. The results of the Placement Test are binding; that is, a student may not take a course at a lower level than his/her proficiency score indicates.
Can I take American Sign Language to fulfill my language requirement? No. The University of South Carolina does not accept American Sign Language as a foreign language.
Can I place myself in a different level than what the placement score indicates?
No. You will not be allowed to stay in a class that is not appropriate for your score. Should you feel that your class is too easy after a class or two you need to talk to your instructor to work on a class change.
I took the placement test several years ago. Can I take it again? If you took the Placement Exam more than 5 years ago you have two choices- You can take the test again or you may choose to start your sequence of study in the beginning level (109).
How long is my score valid? Your score is valid for 5 years.
I want to study a language different from the one I studied in high school. What do I need to do? You may begin the study of another foreign language at USC. You need to register for the beginning class in that language and do not have to take a placement test in that language first. On the first day of class your instructor will check that you have no prior knowledge of that language.
If you want to study a language other than the one you studied in high school but would like to start that language at a level other than beginning you will need to take a placement test for that language.
I want to use a language that is not offered at USC to fulfill my language requirement. What do I need to do?
You need to contact Dee Dee Cronise in the main office who will be able to help you with this. (803 777 4881)
I still have question about placement, who can I call?
Some questions about placement can be answered by the office of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: 803 777 4881
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