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Language Placement Guide

Last updated October 22, 2026

Academic Support | Academic Advising and Registration

All College of Arts & Sciences students are required to complete a modern language through the 102 level. To determine placement, most students take a test. Placement tests are offered in French, German, Italian and Spanish.

About Language Placement Tests

The language placement test is available throughout the year.

Placement tests are offered in:

  • French

  • German

  • Italian

  • Spanish

For languages not listed, please email the chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures to schedule oral interviews. The chair for the 2026-2027 year is Aileen Dever.

Determining Whether to Take a Test

  • No prior experience: If a student has no prior experience with a language they plan to study at Quinnipiac, they can simply register for a section of 101.

  • Prior high school language experience: If a student has prior experience in high school with the language they plan to study at Quinnipiac, they must take a placement test.

    • Please note, that if a student does not take the placement test and registers for a 101 course in a language previously studied in high school, the student can be de-registered from the course.

  • Fluent speakers: Students who are fluent speakers of another language should contact the chair of the Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department, Aileen Dever, for evaluation to have the College of Arts & Sciences language competency potentially waived.

  • Documented disabilities: If a student has a documented disability that may impede successful learning of a modern language, they should speak to the chair of the Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department, Aileen Dever, for a possible course substitution or language waiver.

How to Interpret the Language Placement Test Results

Language placement results will be available on Self-Service approximately two business days after students have taken the placement test:

  • Log into Self-Service

  • Click on the “Test Scores” Tab

  • Scroll down to “Placement Tests”

  • Instead of a numerical score, students will see a language course that indicates the level at which they have placed and the course for which they should register.* The level will be one of these options:

    • FR 101, FR 102, FR 201, FR 202 or FR 301

    • GR 101, GR 102, GR 201, GR 202 or GR 301

    • IT 101, IT 102, IT 201, IT 202 or IT 301

    • SP 101, SP 102, SP 201, SP 202 or SP 301

Students who have taken three or more years of a language in high school and have earned grades of B or higher and place into 101 should contact the department chair to discuss the potential to be placed into 102.

If students need test results more quickly than the typical two days, contact the chair of the Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department, Aileen Dever.

*Placement into 201 or Higher

If a student places at the 201 level or above, that means they have passed out of the CAS language requirement. In this case, they should email the chair of the Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department, Aileen Dever, so that she may submit a language waiver on the student’s behalf. However, placement into the 201 level or above also means that a student has talent and skill in this area and may wish to contact Aileen Dever to discuss continuing in the language.

How to Access Language Placement Tests

Students should see the language placement test in their list of courses in Canvas.

When students click on the language placement test, they will see the questionnaire and information. Once they read the information and complete the questionnaire, they will see all the placement tests offered in the different languages.

If you cannot see your placement test in Canvas, submit a Technology Help Request

Students should only submit a technology help request if they do not see the placement test in their course list.

  1. Log into the Quinnipiac Information Technology Services support ticket system

  2. Click on “Report an Issue." On the ticket:

    1. Select "LMS (Blackboard/Canvas)" in the Category dropdown, and select "Placement Test" as the Sub-categroy

    2. In the description field, state the language for which you want to take the placement test

  3. Submit the ticket

An email confirmation of your request will arrive in your inbox within a minute or so. Notification that you have been given access will arrive within 24 hours.

Questions

If students have any further questions about language placement tests, please email the chair of the Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department, Aileen Dever,