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Languages Department

Modern Language Placement Test

If your intended major requires a modern language (or if you wish to take a modern language course as an elective) and you plan to take French, German, Russian, or Spanish to meet that requirement, you must take the Clemson Modern Placement Test (FLPT) before registering for a modern language course. Even if you take an AP or IB exam or the SAT II test, you are still required to take the FLPT. You do not have to take the FLPT if you are beginning a new language in which you have no background. If for any reason you think that you may change to a major in the future that may require a language, you should take the test, so that your score is on file. Students are expected to begin their study of the language at the level the test has recommended. Any transfer student who is bringing in credit for a modern language from another institution and plans to continue in that same language is not required to take the Modern Language Placement Test. This student should simply register for the next level in the language sequence.

Modern Language Placement Test Instructions

DO NOT TAKE THE PLACEMENT TEST IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW LANGUAGE THAT YOU DID NOT STUDY IN HIGH SCHOOL OR HAVE SOME MAJOR RELEVANT ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE IN (Such as living abroad long term).  Sign up for 1010 and 1011 for the new language.  Due to certain restrictions, you will need to contact Ana Paula Miller (ana2@clemson.edu).

  • French, German, Russian and Spanish
    WebCAPE is a placement test that assesses your language ability and assists you and your advisor in choosing the right level language course. It is multiple-choice and covers grammar, reading, and vocabulary. Please be aware that the test is designed to alternate between asking difficult and easier questions in order to determine your skill level. Do not be discouraged by the more difficult questions that you cannot answer. Make your best guess and go on to the next question. This on-line system is dual platform so it works in both Windows and Mac environments.
  • ASL, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Latin

    Please contact the professors listed below for assessment:

  • Native Speakers, Near-Native Speakers and Heritage Learners

    If you are a native speaker, near-native speaker or heritage learner (you spoke it at home but were not educated in the language), you should NOT take the placement test as it is designed only to evaluate high school experience in a classroom. You will be interviewed by a professor in that Language field (see the list below) for proper assessment of your abilities. This will require setting up an appointment and may take time.

  • When to Take the Exam
    Your exam MUST be completed prior to your scheduled orientation date. Completing the exam in a timely manner is essential so that you are able to registrar for the appropriate course level.
  • Preparing for the Exam

    1. Your high school coursework and/or prior experience with the language should have prepared you for the exam, but you are encouraged to refresh before logging in to take the exam.

    2. You will need to create a proper test environment; that is, do not use reference materials, and do not consult others to answer exam questions. You must comply with the Clemson Academic Integrity Policy.

    3. Please allow for an hour to take the exam. While the amount of time to complete the exam is usually less than this, the number of questions you will be required to complete depends upon your ability to use the language.

    4. You may only attempt the exam ONCE! While it is possible to log back into the exam, only your first attempt will be evaluated for placement purposes.

  • Accessing the Exam

     

    1. Go to the following link: https://app.emmersion.ai/registration?shortId=f19d99d37f 
    2. To register for the exam, click on "Create Account".
    3. For user name, enter your Clemson email; and for student ID, use your CUID. Note: Use the official Clemson email account (xxx@clemson.edu) to register. Do not use the Google email account.
    4. After the account is created, use the information you use above to sign in. After signing in, you will be brought to your Dashboard. From here, you can select the language(s) you would like to take by clicking on "Take Test" and proceeding through the exam.
    5. Once you have finished the exam, the score should be visible in your iROAR profile. As an option, you may print the results for your record.
    6. You can log back in at any time to check the results at webcape.truenorthtest.com.

    If you have any questions about WebCAPE registration, please contact Prof. Rosa Pillcurima at rpillcu@clemson.edu. 

  • After the Exam

    1. Upon completion of the exam, you will be given your placement level.

    2. This information will automatically be sent to Clemson.

    3. Students who believe they were misplaced on the basis of the placement test score should get in touch with Prof. Rosa Pillcurima (rpillcu@clemson.edu). Students may not place themselves, or change their placement without departmental approval.

    4. The department reserves the right to change the student’s placement if it believes that the student has not been placed at the most appropriate level.

  • Academic Integrity
    Students should not receive any help, nor should they refer any texts or electronic sources of information during the online exam. It is expected that all students will maintain the highest level of academic integrity when taking any of the Modern Language Placement Tests. Specific details of the Clemson Academic Integrity policy can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog under the section entitled: Academic Regulations. Students found in violation of this policy may be suspended or dismissed.
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