Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I took a few classes in high school, but I may have to go back to the 101 level.
  2. I can't take a language right away. I may have to wait a few semesters or even a few years. When should I take the test?
  3. What do I need to do to complete the language requirement at Gustavus?
  4. I want to complete the language requirement in a language that Gustavus does not teach. What should I do?
  5. I want to take a language other than French, German, and Spanish. Do I take a test?
  6. Who should take the placement test?
  7. I have college credit but still have questions about placement.
  8. When should I take the placement test?
  9. How many times can I take the placement test?
  10. How do I prepare for the placement test?
  11. How long will it take me to take the placement exam?
  12. What should I do if I experience technical problems?
  13. When will I know how I scored?
  14. ATTENTION FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS!
  15. How do I take the placement test?
  16. Important things you should know before taking the placement test.
  17. Instructions for Accessing and Taking the Placement/Proficiency Exam for French, German, or Spanish

I took a few classes in high school, but I may have to go back to the 101 level (FRE 101/GER 101/SPA 101).

You still have to take the placement test. If you need to go back to the 101 level, your test will reflect this fact.

However, if you took three years or more of French, German, or Spanish in high school, you cannot register for FRE 101, GER 101, SPA 101, no matter what your placement score is.

Please know that your transcript will be checked against the class list during the first week of class. If you have more than three years of high school course work, you will be removed from the class rolls. Warning: You will need to add a course to be sure you have full-time status

(Go to link for Who Should Take the placement test.) FAQ FAQ

I can't take a language right away. I may have to wait a few semesters or even a few years. When should I take the test?

Wait to take the placement test the semester you register for the language course at Gustavus. The test will then more accurately reflect your level.

If you have questions about your placement contact for French, Dr. Anne-Marie Gronhovd, for German, Prof. Horst Ludwig, and for Spanish, Dr. Maria Isabel Kalbermatten. FAQ FAQ

What do I need to do to complete the language requirement at Gustavus?

Curriculum I students must pass the beginning sequence in a language (the first two courses) or will demonstrate equivalent proficiency.

Curriculum II students are required to complete a language through the third semester equivalent (FRE-201, GER-201, GRE-201, JPN-201, LAT-201, RUS-201, SPA-103, or SWE-201).

Phi Beta Kappa students will need a total of four semesters of foreign language.

FAQ FAQ

I want to complete the language requirement in a language that Gustavus does not teach. What should I do?

To demonstrate proficiency in a language which Gustavus does not teach and for which we do not have an existing examination protocol, non-international students whose first language is not English may obtain a letter, on letterhead stationery, from a respected member of the community who speaks the language.  This might be a leader in a community organization, a church leader, someone who teaches the language to younger members of the community, or a supervisor with whom the student has worked.  This individual should write a letter verifying that the student can both speak and has proficiency in either reading or writing the language.  The writer of the letter should indicate in what connection he or she has known the student and how they know of the student’s language proficiency.  The student’s Gustavus ID number should be included in the letter, which can be sent to the Registrar, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter, MN 56082.  Members of the Language Task Force will evaluate the evidence and make a determination about whether the student has met the language requirement. FAQ FAQ

I want to take a language OTHER THAN FRENCH, GERMAN, AND SPANISH. Do I take a test?

If you have had previous experience in Russian or Japanese, you can confirm your placement during Orientation in the fall by contacting Dr. Denis Crnkovic for Russian or Dr. Toshiyuki Sakuragi for Japanese. 

Guidelines for provisional registration in Russian or Japanese: 

  • 1 year of high school – 101
  • 2 years of high school – 102
  • 3 years of high school – 201
  • 4 years of high school – 202
    If you qualify for 102 or 202, you will wait until spring semester when they are offered.

If you have had previous experience in Latin, Greek, or Swedish, you can contact Dr. Will Freiert for Latin and Greek or Dr. Roland Thorstensson for Swedish in the fall.  If you have previous experience in Hebrew or Sanskrit, you can contact Dr. John Cha. FAQ FAQ

Who should take the placement test?

Students who have had any previous high school experience in French, German, or Spanish, and would like to continue the study of this language at Gustavus must take the placement test.

Students with no previous experience in the language they wish to study DO NOT take the placement test. These students will register for the beginner-level classes (French 101, German 101 or Spanish 101). Your high school transcript will be used to verify your registration. FAQ FAQ

I have college credit but still have questions about placement.

Students bringing in college credit (College in the Schools, AP, IB [higher level exams], PSOE) should NOT take the placement test; they should take the next level for which they received credit. If you took College level or AP Spanish and have any questions about placement, contact Dr. Hayden Duncan. For French, contact Dr. Anne-Marie Gronhovd. For German, contact Prof. Horst Ludwig. FAQ FAQ

When should I take the placement test?

Students can take the placement test and subsequent language class(es) at any time during their time at Gustavus. However, they are encouraged to take the language placement test and classes in their first year at Gustavus in order to take advantage of and to keep building upon previous second language experience.

As a general rule, you should not take the placement test until the semester you register for the language class, so that the results will be accurate. However, you should take the placement test prior to your freshman registration:

  1. if you think you can demonstrate proficiency in French, German, or Spanish and have not completed post-secondary options (college) coursework in the language,
  2. if you are planning to major in French or Spanish and have not completed post-secondary options (college) coursework in the language,
    or
  3. if you plan to continue French, German, or Spanish your first fall and have not completed post-secondary options (college) coursework in the language.

In summary, you should take this exam prior to your first-year student registration at Gustavus:

  1. If you think you can demonstrate proficiency in French, German, or Spanish and have not completed post-secondary options (college) coursework in the language.
  2. If you are planning to major in French or Spanish and have not completed post-secondary options (college) coursework in the language.
  3. If you plan to continue French, German, or Spanish your first fall and have not completed post-secondary options (college) coursework in the language.

You should NOT take this exam prior to your first-year student registration at Gustavus:

  1. If you plan to fulfill the requirement with a language other than French, German, or Spanish.
  2. If you want to take French, German, or Spanish later, not during your first semester at Gustavus.
  3. If you want to begin a new language. In this case, you should register at the beginning level (101) of the new foreign language you wish to study.
  4. If you scored 4 or above on an Advanced Placement foreign language exam, the higher level exam of the IB, or have received college credit. In this case, should take the next level for which you received credit. (See section: Who should take the placement test?)
    5. FAQ FAQ

How many times can I take the placement test?

The language placement test can only be taken ONCE for the same language. FAQ FAQ

How do I prepare for the placement test?

You MUST NOT study for this test. Doing so, will result in incorrect placement.
You will not know all the answers since the exam covers all language levels.  Simply answer the questions to the best of your knowledge.

You must do the exam by yourself and must not use a dictionary or any other help as it will skew your score, resulting in incorrect placement.  More seriously, this would be considered a violation of our Honor Code. FAQ FAQ

How long will it take me to take the placement exam?

The exam is timed and will take about 20 minutes.  Plan well so you are able to complete it without interruptions. FAQ FAQ

What should I do if I experience technical problems?

You MUST contact Jenny Tollefson if you experience technical difficulties and are unable to complete the exam.  She can also answer questions about computer access, the exam, and exam results. FAQ FAQ

When will I know how I scored?

Your placement exam will be scored immediately and will let you know what course to register for. Send a copy of the results to your email and archive it in a save folder for reference during your college career.
For incoming first-year student only: Your registration advisor will use this score to help you register for your fall courses if you wish to continue your study of French, German, or Spanish. 

Important things you should know before you take the placement test:

  • With a score of 300 or higher, you will have fulfilled the Curriculum I language requirement, and with 400 or higher, the Curriculum II requirement. 
  • If you have 3 years of language experience in high school you cannot register for 101 no matter what the language placement test results are. You must take the placement exam and register in Spa 102 or above according to placement score.
    Please know that your transcript will be checked against the class list during the first week of class. If you have more than three years of high school course work, you will be removed from the class rolls. Warning: You will need to add a course to be sure you have full-time status.
  • If you have questions about this, you may contact for French, Dr. Anne-Marie Gronhovd, for German, Prof. Horst Ludwig, and for Spanish, Dr. Maria Isabel Kalbermatten. FAQ FAQ

Attention First-Year Students!

No tests will be given on campus June 30 - July 2. If you would like to take a language course your first semester, please take the online placement exam at least one week in advance of speaking with an advisor to register--whether by phone or on campus. FAQ FAQ

How do I take the placement test?

Important things you should know before you take the placement test:

  • The language placement test can only be taken ONCE for the same language. 
  • You MUST NOT study for this test. Doing so, will result in incorrect placement.
  • You will not know all the answers since the exam covers all language levels.  Simply answer the questions to the best of your knowledge.
  • You must do the exam by yourself and must not use a dictionary or any other help as it will skew your score, resulting in incorrect placement.  More seriously, this would be considered a violation of our Honor Code.
  • You may complete the exam from any computer that has Internet access. 
  • The exam is timed and will take about 20 minutes.  Plan well so you are able to complete it without interruptions.
  • It will be scored immediately and will let you know what course to register for. Your registration advisor will use this score to help you register for your fall courses if you wish to continue your study of French, German, or Spanish.  Send a copy of the results to your email and archive it in a save folder for reference during your college career.
  • With a score of 300 or higher, you will have fulfilled the Curriculum I language requirement, and with 400 or higher, the Curriculum II requirement. 
  • If you have 3 years of language experience in high school you cannot register at the 101 level (FRE 101/GER 101/SPA 101) no matter what the language placement test results are. You must take the placement exam and register at the 102 level (FRE 102/GER 102/SPA 102) or above according to placement score.

Contact Jenny Tollefson if you experience technical difficulties and are unable to complete the exam.  She can also answer questions about computer access, the exam, and exam results. FAQ FAQ

Instructions for Accessing and Taking the Placement/ Proficiency Exam for French, German, or Spanish

  • Open your web browser and set your location to or click on this link: http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/nwcregister.php?acct=gac
  • Type in the password:  gusties1 (number one)
  • Follow the instructions (identify yourself with your full legal name and ID number)
  • Click FINISH after you have completed the exam. Send a copy of the results to your email and archive it in a save folder for reference during your college career. FAQ FAQ