Foreign Language Placement Testing

Students planning to take French, Spanish, or Latin may be interested in taking a Language Placement Test if they meet any of the following conditions:

  • Completed a high school level course in French, Spanish, or Latin
  • One of these languages is their native language
  • They have prior experience with the language

Students that meet any of the above conditions, may be able to place into a more advanced language class with a Placement Test. If you are interested in setting up a language Placement Test, please reach out to tutorcenter@fitchburgstate.edu.

Fitchburg State University uses WebCAPE Language Placement Exams, developed by the Humanities Research Center at Brigham Young University. 

The French and Spanish tests, administered through the internet, are designed to determine which language course students should take, based on their achievement. The exam presents questions at different levels, selecting the next question according to your answer. Immediately after the test, you will receive your results and receive advisement as to the proper Fitchburg State foreign language course that you are required to enroll based on your placement score.

Latin is a pencil and paper exam. A Latin score that places the student higher than Intermediate Level 2 satisfies the Foreign Language graduation requirements.

Please note: A Placement Test does NOT provide a student with credit, nor does it waive a student’s language requirement. If you are interested in testing for college credit, please see our section on the CLEP Exam.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP Exam)

Shorten your path to a university degree! If you do well on the Foreign Language Placement Test you may want to consider taking a CLEP Exam. If you have extensive experience with a Foreign Language you may earn 3 - 12 college credits by taking the CLEP Exam.

Fitchburg State University does not administer CLEP exams. Information on CLEP Exams, Registration, Test Dates and Fees can be obtained from Mount Wachusett Community College.

Contact Mount Wachusett Community College regarding testing at 978.630.9244, 978.630.9220, or testingservices@mwcc.mass.ed.

College Board official Examination Guides (e-guides) contain official CLEP practice questions to help you prepare for your exam.

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