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  • Italian
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• Majors and Minors in French, Spanish, Italian and Linguistics
• Graduate Programs
• CAS Language Requirements
• Placement Test Information
• Study Abroad
• Other Language-Related Departments and Programs

Placement Test Information

Language placement tests - Fall 2009

Placement examinations are required of any student whose most recent language course was not completed at Boston University. *Exception: if last course was in high school and the student received a score of 560 or higher on the SAT II Subject Test (540 if taken before April 1995 as the CEEB Achievement Test), s/he should consult the relevant department and course catalog for placement in literature and culture courses beyond the required level. Placement exams DO NOT fulfill the language requirement.

When you receive the results of the placement test, please see information about interpreting the results.

Dates and times are listed below. No placement exams are typiclly given during the summer months. Please contact Jennifer Cavanaugh if a special circumstance requires placement during this time.

No advance sign-up required, but please arrive on time!

Placement Test Dates and Times

For further information, please call 617-353-2642.

French and Spanish

French and Spanish are now tested by means of an online examination. The password, once you access the page, is 'terriers1'. You will need your university ID number when taking this test. Full instructions are provided within the test webpage. You can take this test at any time before the start of classes, from any location. Non-CAS colleges have their own specific requirements. Please do not use dictionaries or other assistance when taking the test. This may result in incorrect placement and you will have to change classes in the first week of the semester.

SAT II Foreign Language Subject Tests

A student who wishes to take an SAT II exam (in order to fulfill the CAS language requirement) must sign up in the CAS Undergraduate Advising Office, room 105 at 725 Commonwealth Ave. (353-2400).

Interpreting the placement test results

Transfer students who have taken college-level courses in the relevant language before coming to Boston University should see Prof. Robert Richardson CAS 105, 725 Commonwealth Ave., 353-2400, immediately to have their transfer work evaluated for level (required, in addition to CAS credit evaluation). Duplicating previous college work means forfeiting credit!

• French
• Italian
• Spanish

French

A student with a placement score at the extremes of an indicated range should consult Prof. Paula Hennessey, 718 Commonwealth Ave., room 202A, 353-6241 to consider other factors before shifting to a higher- or lower-level course.

Italian

Spanish

A student with placement scores at the extremes of an indicated range should consult Susan Griffin, 718 Commonwealth Ave., room 504C, 617-353-6203, to consider other factors before shifting to a higher- or lower-level course.

Students with 560 or higher (540 or higher if taken before April 1995) on the SAT II test: If your BU placement test indicates that you should register for a course at the 212 level or below, consult Susan Griffin, 718 Commonwealth Ave., room 504C, 617-353-6203.