Getting into the Right Course
Several academic disciplines on campus require that you have placement in one of their courses, to ensure that you’re ready for the content in that course.
To get the proper Foreign Language Placement, we ask that you take the corresponding Foreign Languages Placement Exam, unless you are a native speaker, or you can demonstrate that you have earned the Gold level of the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy.
Heritage Speakers
A heritage speaker is an individual who has spoken the language from earliest childhood, most likely raised in the U.S., but has received limited or no formal education or training in the language.
Heritage speakers in Spanish will take SPAN 3010 followed by SPAN 3020 and are eligible for retroactive credit once SPAN 3010 is completed. Heritage Spanish-speakers should not enroll in any of the following courses: 1110/1100, 1120/1200, 2110, 2120, 2130, 3030 or 3040. Please contact Dr. Laura Walls (lwalls@unomaha.edu) for more information.
Heritage speakers of French and German do not need to take the Placement Exam; instead, they begin with 3000 level courses and are eligible for retroactive credit once that course is completed. Please contact the Department of Languages & Literature for more information.
Native Speakers
A native speaker is an individual that has spoken the language from earliest childhood AND has received formal education/training in the language; typically raised and educated abroad.
Native speakers of any language do not take a placement exam. They should contact a Foreign Language advisor in the Department of Foreign Languages & Literature for advice on which course to take and permission to enroll.
Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy (Gold level)
Students who have earned the Gold level of the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy will be able to take a 3030 or 3040 language class without taking the Foreign Languages Placement Exam. Such students should contact a Foreign Language advisor in the Department of Foreign Languages & Literature for advice on which course to take and permission to enroll.
To demonstrate that you have earned the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy at the Gold Level or to submit an equivalent seal of biliteracy from another state, please contact the department office associate.
Second-Language Learners with Prior Language Experience
Students with any prior language experience need to take the Placement Exam for placement in their first course at the university. They may be eligible for retroactive credit. See the Foreign Language Placement Exams page for additional details. A placement exam is available for the following languages:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Spanish
Each Foreign Language Placement Exam is a computer-based test. It is untimed. The exam can be taken on any computer with Internet access. You are only allowed to take the placement exam once every 365 days.
A second attempt is not permitted for another 365 days after the first placement attempt. Results are valid for 1 year. The test should take approximately 25 minutes to complete. If your test is interrupted, you are able to return to the exam by re-entering your registration information and clicking the resume button.
Students with No Prior Language Experience
Students with no prior foreign language experience do not need to take a placement exam and should enroll in the 1110 section of the relevant language.
Retroactive Credit
Students who are placed into a course at the 1120 - level or higher may be eligible for retroactive credit for UNO courses they test out of. The student must earn a final course grade CR or “C -” or better in the course they are placed into in order to receive retroactive credit.
Retroactive credit forms are available in the Department of Foreign Languages, and are only available after successful completion of the UNO Chinese, French, German, or Spanish course into which a student has placed or been advised to take based on being a native speaker.
You cannot use this exam to be placed out of the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts Degree. Only verified AP and International Baccalaureate scores or transferable credit will qualify for an exemption.
Registering for a Foreign Language Placement Exam
- Register via MavLINK (the University Student Information System).
- After you register you will receive a confirmation email that you are registered.
Taking a Foreign Language Placement Exam
View Instructions
You will have the option to take the exam "now" or "later" after completing your registration.
- If taking the exam "later" enter via MavLINK
- Click on Academics
- Under Academics Click on Register for Exams
- On the Test Registration Management page
- Under My Pending Tests
- Click on Take Test under Actions
You should NOT consult websites, books, notes, friends, or any other materials or resources while taking the test. Remember, this is a placement test. If you get help or use restricted materials, or purposely answer incorrectly, you will place yourself in a course that is unsuitable for you.
Special Accommodations
Students who require accommodations need to contact Accessibility Services at 402.554.2872 to establish a plan.
Placement
Entrance into certain Foreign Language courses is contingent on a student's score on the specific Foreign Language Placement Exam according to the following criteria:
| Chinese Placement Score Placement | Level of Chinese Class |
|---|---|
| 1 (000-199) | CHIN 1110 |
| 2 (200+) | CHIN 1120 |
| French Placement Score Placement | Level of French Class |
| 1 (000-159) | FREN 1110 |
| 2 (160-239) | FREN 1120 |
| 3 (240-289) | FREN 2110 |
| 4 (290-339) | FREN 2120 |
| 5 (340+) | FREN 3030, 3040, 3060 |
| German Placement Score Placement | Level of German Class |
| 1 (000-229) | GERM 1110 |
| 2 (230-319) | GERM 1120 |
| 3 (320-369) | GERM 2110 |
| 4 (370-499) | GERM 2120 |
| 5 (500+) | GERM 3030, 3040, 3060 |
| Spanish Placement Score Placement | Level of Spanish Class |
| 1 (000-159) | SPAN 1110 |
| 2 (160-219) | SPAN 1120 |
| 3 (220-269) | SPAN 2110 |
| 4 (270-399) | SPAN 2120 |
| 5 (400+) | SPAN 3030, 3040, 3060 |
The scores used for cutoffs are recommendations based on ample research among similar student populations, and are the scores most predictive of success. If for whatever reason you think that the score you obtained does not represent your actual ability, you should talk with the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature (301a ASH).
Results
Your grades can be accessed multiple ways:
OPTION 1- Placement Results will be emailed to you
- Enter via MavLINK
- Click on Academics
- Under Academics Click on Register for Exams
- On the Test Registration Management page
- Under MY Past Tests
- Click on Grades under Actions
The privacy Act prohibits the releasing of test results by phone; please DO NOT phone for your results. Results are valid for 1 year.
For additional information regarding Foreign Language Placement please visit the Department of Foreign Languages & Literature department in 301 ASH or call 402.554.4841.
