Most incoming students are required to take a short exam to determine their level in the language sequence. There are four exceptions to this requirement: 1) students who did not study a foreign language in high school at all; 2) students who studied a foreign language in high school that is not offered at Southwestern; 3) students who are certain they will study a language offered at Southwestern that is different from the one they studied in high school; 4) students who are transferring college-level foreign language credit from another institution.

If you have advanced proficiency in a language not taught at Southwestern, you may contact Jennifer Kisel, Associate Registrar at kiselj@southwestern.edu to see what arrangements can be made to test you in that language.

Please note that having taken the Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam does not exempt you from taking the placement exam if you plan to continue studying at Southwestern the language you studied in high school.

Also note that even if you are certain you will study a new language at Southwestern, it is highly recommended that you take the placement test in the language you have previously studied. You are not required to continue with that language just because you completed the placement test. If you earn a high enough score, you may obtain advanced placement, thereby save time and tuition money in completing your degree plan.