JMU FLPE FAQs

Should I take it?

I took a placement exam when I was a freshman, but it's been four years since I've had any language and I've forgotten everything.
Can I take the test again?

If it has been three years or more since you took a placement exam (either the JMU placement exam or an SAT II), then you may take a placement exam again. Otherwise, you will need to enroll in whatever class you placed into.

I am a native speaker of a language. Can I take a placement exam to fulfill my language requirement?

You will need to get in touch with the contact person for your language. Go to http://www.jmu.edu/forlang or call the Department of Foreign Languages at (540) 568-6128 to find out who you need to talk to.

Other Languages

What do I do for placement into Italian, Chinese, or Japanese?

JMU does not have placement exams for these languages. You will need to talk with professors in those languages to see at what level you need to start. Go to http://www.jmu.edu/forlang or call the Department of Foreign Languages at (540) 568-6128 to find out who you need to talk to.

What about languages not taught at JMU? Can I take a placement exam or get credit for those languages?

We do not offer placement exams for languages not offered at JMU. To discuss the possibility of getting transfer credit for language work done at other institutions, you will need to talk to the head of the Department of Foreign Language, 568-6128.

Before the Exam

What is covered on the placement exams? Do you have study guides?

The placement exams include reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar questions. We do not have a study guide or any other information for the exams.

After the Exam

What do I do after I take the foreign language placement exam?

If you are a freshman, then talk to your advisor and he/she will help you sign up for the appropriate class. If you are a sophomore or above, then simply register for the class you need. If you placed into the 109 level of Spanish or French, you will need to stop by the Foreign Language department office in Keezell 301 to get a permission number.

I don't agree with my placement score. The class I placed into is either too hard or too easy for me.
Can I just enroll in the level I think is best?

No. You need to register for the class into which you placed. If you find the class too hard or too easy, then you can talk with the professor and the department head about changing classes.

Do I get credit for the foreign language placement exams? How can I get credit by examination for languages?

You will not get any college credit for taking the foreign language placement exams. Only the AP and the IB exams give you a chance for college credit. Also, credit by examination is not awarded for language classes below the 300 (third-year) level. If you are interested in receiving credit by examination for a 300-level or above class, you will need to get in touch with the contact person for your language. Go to http://www.jmu.edu/forlang or call the Department of Foreign Languages at (540) 568-6128 to find out who you need to talk to.