If you plan to study a language other than English at Purdue University Northwest, you must take the language placement test. The placement exam will assess your language skills and knowledge and place you in the appropriate level course.  Placement is offered for Spanish, German, French and Japanese.

Japanese Placement

The Japanese placement test must be taken in the Testing Services Center at either Hammond or Westville.  This is a paper-based exam for which you must schedule in advance to test.  Exams are available to test up to the Japanese 20200 course level.  The exam is not timed and includes multiple choice and writing questions.  There is no cost for the exam.  The exam can be taken only one time.  If you have questions or to schedule an exam, please contact the Testing Services Center at either campus.

Spanish, French and German Placement

Placement for Spanish, French and German is completed via WebCAPE, an online exam that can be taken via computer anywhere you are comfortable. A link to the test is located in the MyPNW portal in either the Newly Admitted or Registration tabs.

You can take the test once per language only. The test is not timed, but generally takes about 15-25 minutes to complete. Take all the time you need to complete it and just do your best. If you plan to take a language course in your first semester, please complete the placement assessment prior to New Student Orientation so that advisors will have access to your score for placement.

There is a $10 fee for the language placement exam. The number of questions is not fixed: in order to determine your ability, the exam will ask as many (or few) questions as necessary. As soon as the exam is completed, you will see your results, and they will be transmitted to your student file. If you place in any level other than the 101 course, please contact your academic advisor.

Please note that consulting a print or online source (e.g., dictionary) or a speaker of the language for which you are testing, using a smartphone, or otherwise getting assistance while you are taking the test is not allowed. These acts are a violation of Purdue University Northwest’s Honor Code. If you are found to have violated this Honor Code, your score will be disqualified and you will be referred to the Honor Council. Similarly, testing purposefully below your abilities is considered a violation of the Honor Code.

• Eligible courses for French or Spanish include Levels I – IV
• Eligible courses for German include Levels I – III
• Student’s test score will determine placement
• Student is then required to take and successfully pass a higher-level course in the same language
• Upon completion, student must contact academic advisor, Jan Navarro, at navarro@pnw.edu or at (219) 989-3224 in order for the credits to be applied.

Placement Score Interpretation:

Spanish Placement

Course Number	Test Score Cutoff
SP 10100	0-149
SP 10200	150-299
SP 20100	300-424
SP 20200	425+

Course Number	Test Score Cutoff
GER 10100	0-149
GER 10200	150-299
GER 20100	300-424
GER 20200	425+

Course Number	Test Score Cutoff
FR 10100	0-149
FR 10200	150-299
FR 20100	300-424
FR 20200	425+