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Spanish / French Placement Testing at UNO

Who Must Take the SPE/FPE?

All students with prior Spanish or French language experience who wish to enroll in their first UNO Spanish or French course, including incoming and transfer students. Students with no prior Spanish or French experience need not take the placement exam. The Foreign Languages Department will use results of the exam to determine the most appropriate level of Spanish or French language study into which a student should enroll.

Any student with prior German or Russian language experience should see an advisor (ASH 301) to determine placement for their first UNO course.

What Is the SPE/FPE Format?

Both exams include a short listening comprehension section, a computer-scorable written section, and a short composition section.

How Long Will These Exams Last?

Exam time is 1 hour and 30 minutes, not including check-in, administration instructions, and check-out. Examinees should allow two hours for an exam session.

How Do I Find Out About My Test Results?

Within about two weeks the Foreign Languages Department, ASH 301, will notify you of your test results. Results are valid for two (2) semesters. The Privacy Act prohibits giving out test results by telephone; do not phone for test results.

General Information

• Only students who have been officially admitted to UNO are eligible to take these exams. All exams are administered by the UNO Testing Center, EAB 113, (402) 554-4800.


• Newly admitted students will receive exam registration materials by mail. Currently enrolled students register at the UNO Testing Center or online. Examinees register for a specific date and time and receive information on where to report for the exams at the time of registration.


• Examinees who have a disability or needs that require accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities at (402) 554-2896 before registering for the exams. For Saturday Sabbath arrangements, contact the Testing Center at (402) 554-4800.


• Please bring to the test: Photo ID, two number 2 pencils, and a ballpoint pen.


• Test sessions are subject to seating availability. Overflow requests will be transferred to the next test date. Placement does not guarantee enrollment. No individual user fee is assessed at the time of exam registration.


• Examinees are expected to abide by the University's policy on Academic integrity. Failure to do so may result in one or more of the following: cancellation of test results, being declared ineligible for admission to UNO, and/or expulsion of current students from the institution.

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