The World Language Placement Exam is an online assessment that evaluates students’ proficiency in a world language. The exam is offered in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish. This online test is adaptive to the individual test taker, meaning that the questions asked depend on the test taker’s answers.
The Placement Exam should take between 20-30 minutes, although there is no time limit.
Do I need to take the World Language Placement Exam if
Please review the Placement Policy for these languages.
- Students who plan to continue study in Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish will need to complete the World Language Placement Exam.
- Students who plan to continue study in Arabic, ASL or Latin will not need to take the World Language Placement Exam. They will be placed according to the Placement Policy as outlined on this site.
Students who plan to study a world language that they have never studied before and they do not speak it at home (in other words, the student has no experience with the language), do not need to take the World Language Placement Exam. These students will be placed into a 101-level course in that language.
Native speakers (the language is their first language) of Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish will need to complete the World Language Placement Exam, if they plan to study their native language. Placement will likely be at the advanced level, 300+. Native speakers may not enroll in courses in their native language below the 201 level.
Native speakers of Arabic or ASL will not need to take the World Language Placement Exam. They will be placed according to the Placement Policy as outlined on this site.
Native speakers of world languages other than those offered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures are not awarded course credit for proficiency in these languages. Instead, these students have the option of continuing study of a different language, or beginning study of a new language.
* Please check on Self-Service for course levels and availability. If a student is placed above the level of courses currently offered, they will then be asked to choose a different language of study.
Heritage speakers (verbally interacting in the language with at least one parent) of Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish will need to complete the World Language Placement Exam, if they plan to study the heritage language.
Heritage speakers of Arabic or ASL will not need to take the World Language Placement Exam. They will be placed according to the World Language Placement Exam policy as outlined on this site.
Heritage speakers of world languages other than those offered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures are not awarded course credit for proficiency in these languages. Instead, these students have the option of continuing study of a language studied in high school or beginning study of a new language.
*Please check on Webadvisor for course levels and availability. If a student is placed above the level of courses currently offered, they will then be asked to choose a different language of study.
Transfer students entering into Monmouth University with an approved 3-credit world language course (including American Sign Language) will not need to complete the World Language Placement Exam.
In order to provide flexibility for students who planned their transfer courses in accordance with Monmouth’s previous General Education requirements in mind, transfer students entering during the Academic Years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 who transfer:
3 credits Cultural Diversity and 3 credits Global Understanding
or
6 credits World Language (two three-credit courses from the same world language)
will have thereby fulfilled the Monmouth University World Language requirement.
For all other transfer students, the Placement Policy as outlined here will apply.
For questions, please contact the Transfer and Undeclared Services Office at 732-571-3588 or transferservices@monmouth.edu.
Any student who has a language-based learning disability and plans to enroll in a World Language course may need to take the Placement Exam, according to the Placement Policy as outlined on this site.
If testing accommodations are needed, the student must first contact and register with Monmouth’s Department of Disability Services (DDS).
Any student who has a language-based learning disability and plans to request a substitution for the Monmouth University World Language requirement must first contact and register with Monmouth’s Department of Disability Services (DDS) and meet with the Director. Appropriate documentation of a severe, language-based learning disability that would warrant a course substitution as a reasonable accommodation must be submitted, and a Consent for Release of Confidential Information form must be signed. This request must be submitted by the spring semester of the student’s junior year.
If AP exam scores, IB credits or college course credits are not available or officially approved before registration:
Students should follow the Placement Policy as outlined on this site. This is done in case the student does not receive credit for the exam or college-level course.
If 3 credits in World Language are then approved by the Registrar, the student will have fulfilled the one-semester World Language requirement. Please note: Approval depends upon the level and content of the exam/course taken. Read more information on AP credits, and read more information on IB credits.
Students with AP exam scores, IB or college credits are encouraged to continue studying a World Language or begin studying a new one. These students will follow the Placement Policy as outlined here.
Access the MyMU Portal for more detailed instructions and a link to the language survey.
It is not necessary or recommended to take the Placement Exam more than once. If a student has any questions after taking the Placement Exam, it is best that they contact the World Languages Placement Coordinator at WL@monmouth.edu.
Please refer to Do I need to take the World Language Placement Exam if. . .? Section H.