Students with no prior knowledge of French should take French 110 or 126. All others should follow the guidelines below. If you feel that the guidelines don't place you at the appropriate level, contact the French Undergraduate Advisor to request an override. Note that we no longer use years of French taken in high school to determine placement.
I. FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS:
1. If you have you taken the Advanced Placement French Language and Culture Exam and/or the SAT Subject Test in French (with or without listening), or if you've taken both, use whichever score gives you the higher placement:
| AP | SAT | Credit Received | You should take: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 5 | 640+ | French 230 (3cr) French 240 (3cr) |
French 371 (or another 300-level course) or French 250 (for intermediate review) |
| 3 | 590-630 | French 230 (3cr) | French 240 |
| 1 or 2 | < 580 | None | (proceed to number 2 below) |
2. Take the online UMass French Placement test:
|
Score: |
You should take: |
|---|---|
| 71+ | French 371 (or another 300-level course) |
| 66-70 | French 250 or 371 |
| 61-65 | French 240 or 250 |
| 51-60 | French 240 |
| 35-50 | French 230 (or 246) |
| 21-34 | French 120 |
| 0-20 | French 110 (or 126) |
II. TRANSFER STUDENTS:
If you have no French transfer credit, use the first-year placement guidelines above. Otherwise:
| Highest level of transfer credit: | You should take: |
|---|---|
| French 110 | French 120 |
| French 120 | French 230 (or 246) |
| French 230 | French 240 |
| French 240 (or higher) | You should take the online UMass French Placement Test: 66+ : French 371 (or another 300-level course) ≤ 66: French 250 |