Placement Test FAQ
How do I sign-up for the placement test?
You do not need to register for an in-person test. In-person tests are walk-in and held in the Language Building, room 106 on various days during the semester. You will need a photo ID to take the test. View the test schedule here.
Remote placement tests require you to register in advance. Email the following information to worldlanguages@unt.edu:
- Full name
- Language
- Testing date - select a date labeled "remote" from the test schedule.
- Major
- 8-digit UNT ID number
- EUID (e.g. abc1234) - American Sign Language only
After emailing us, you will receive a confirmation email with the test instructions and other important details.
Remote Arabic placement tests are given by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please email Dr. Caroline Najour (Arabic Coordinator) at: caroline.najour@unt.edu
Can I take the test on a day not listed on the schedule?
We offer the placement test on various days and times during the semester, in-person and remote, to best accommodate student schedules. We ask that you choose a test date from our test schedule.
Please be aware of enrollment deadlines if you are planning to take the placement test to enroll in a course for next semester. View the UNT academic calendar here.
Is there a cost to take the test?
The placement test is free to take. If you test out of any classes and need the credit posted to your transcript, UNT charges $53 to post any number of credit hours you earn. The fee can be paid online at my.unt.edu.
What materials do I need to take the test?
If you take the test in-person, all test materials will be provided to you. Remember to bring a photo ID with you. For remote tests, you will need the following materials:
ASL (administered through Canvas)
- Windows or Mac computer
- Respondus Lockdown Browser installed on your computer - download here
- Webcam
- Photo ID
French, German, Italian (administered online through testing website)
- Computer
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Latin
- Computer
- PDF program to markup exam (alternatively, you can print the exam and send us a scanned copy of your completed exam)
You may not use any supplementary materials such as textbooks, dictionaries, other devices, etc.
What will I be tested on?
The test covers concepts taught at the 1010 - 2050 level through questions on grammar, reading, and comprehension.
For ASL, you will be tested on receptive skills at the 1010 - 2050 level.
How many credit hours can I earn with the placement test?
You may earn up to 12 credit hours of language credit.
How long does it take to complete the test?
The total time it takes to complete the test depends on the language you are testing and your proficiency in the language. Generally, students take 45 minutes - 2 hours to complete the placement test.
Is there a time limit to complete the test?
You have until the scheduled end-time according to the placement test schedule to complete the test. Please arrive at an in-person test no less than 30 minutes before the test is scheduled to end. If you think that you will not be able to finish the test in 30 minutes, plan to arrive earlier or attend a different testing date.
Can I take the test more than once?
You may only take the test once per language.
Does the Department of World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures provide study guides for the placement test?
We do not have study guides. The test is designed to determine your language proficiency and place you at the appropriate level.
I am having technical issues with the remote test. What should I do?
Contact the UNT Help Desk at (940) 565-2324 if you experience any technical issues with Canvas or Lockdown Browser. If the issue is not resolved right away, contact our office at (940) 565-2404 and let us know.
When will I receive my test results?
For ASL, Canvas will automatically grade your test and you should see your results when you are finished.
The testing website for French, German, and Italian will also automatically grade your exam.
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Latin tests will be graded in 1-2 business days and you will be notified of your results via your UNT email.
What score do I need to receive credit?
For ASL, a score of 70 or higher is required to test out of 1010 - 2040. A score of 80 or higher is required to test out of 2050.
For French, German, and Italian, the testing website will automatically tell you your placement level.
For Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Latin, we will send an email to your UNT email address with your results in 1-2 business days.
How do I get credit posted to my transcript?
Credits are not automatically posted to your transcript. If you are taking the test in-person, you must let the test proctor know you wish to have the credit applied to your transcript and provide your signature.
If you are taking the test remotely, you will receive an email to your UNT email address after finishing the exam. It will ask if you would like the credit posted to your transcript. You must reply to this email to confirm that you accept the credit and the $53 fee. You can pay the fee at my.unt.edu.
How long will it take for my credit to appear on my transcript and degree audit?
After accepting credit, it takes about four to six weeks for credit to be posted to student transcripts. Several UNT departments are responsible for processing credit by examination. If you need language credit to graduate, please be aware of this process and plan to take the placement test early in your academic career.
Do I have to wait for my credit to be posted to my transcript before enrolling in a course?
No. If you have accepted your credits, we can enroll you in a course while your credits are being processed. Please email worldlanguages@unt.edu with your student ID number, course number, and the section number of the course you need to enroll in.
Do I have to pay the fee before my credits are posted to my transcript?
No. The fee and credits are processed separately by different UNT departments. The Department of World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures is not responsible for taking payments or updating transcripts; however, if you accepted your credits and they have not been posted to your transcript in 4-6 weeks, contact us at worldlanguages@unt.edu and we can try to determine the issue.
I accepted my credits and they have not been posted to my transcript. What do I do?
First, make sure you signed for your credits during the in-person test or accepted your credits by email after the remote test. Credits are not automatically posted without your confirmation. If you did not confirm that you wanted your credits on test day, email worldlanguages@unt.edu with your UNT ID number and let us know you need your credits.
If you did accept your credits, wait 4-6 weeks from the day you accepted for your credits to be processed. Several UNT departments are responsible for processing credit by examination, and processing times may be longer during busy periods in the semester.
If your credits have not been posted to your transcript in 4-6 weeks, contact us at worldlanguages@unt.edu and we can try to determine the issue.
I did not accept my credits on the day of my exam. Can I accept my credits at a later time?
Yes. We keep a record of your placement test results. If you decide at a later time that you need the credits on your transcript, email us at worldlanguages@unt.edu and let us know.
If I already have AP or CLEP credit, can I take the placement test?
Yes. If you already have credit from a different exam, you may still take our placement test to try and test out of a higher-level course. Be aware that UNT charges $53 to post any credits earned through the placement test. If you have AP credit and earned more credit with our placement test, let us know at the time of accepting your placement test credit.
Can I take a placement test for a language not taught at UNT?
We only offer placement tests for languages taught at UNT; however, you may be able to take a proficiency exam for other languages to satisfy your major's language requirement. Your major's college will determine if you are able to satisfy your language requirement with proficiency credit. Learn more about proficiency testing here.