Frequently Asked Questions About Language Testing
1. Will I be able to take the online UMW language placement test after June 10th?
No. The online UMW language placement test is available only to incoming UMW students between May 15 and June 10.
2. If I achieve a high score on the UMW online language placement test, but do not take the second-stage test on Friday, August 22 during Orientation, can I take it at another time?
No. This test will only be administered on Friday, August 22.
3. I have taken the AP French, German, or Spanish exam. Do I still need to take a UMW language placement test?
No, but we recommend that you do so. The score you achieve on the AP exam will indicate your level in French, German, or Spanish. A score of 4 also demonstrates intermediate-level competency, and you will therefore have fulfilled the language requirement at UMW. However, AP exam scores are not vailable until July.
4. What if I take both the AP exam and the second-stage UMW test, but my score on only one of these tests demonstrates intermediate-level competency. Have I fulfilled the language requirement at UMW?
Yes. Whether you take the SAT II test, AP exam, or the second-stage UMW test, you only need to achieve a high score on one of them to demonstrate intermediate-level competency and therefore fulfill the language requirement at UMW.
But please remember that UMW language placement test scores are used only for placement and demonstration of language competency; no college credit is awarded for a score achieved on a UMW language placement test.
5. Besides the placement test results, how else can I meet the “intermediate competency” language requirement at UMW?
Intermediate competency in a second language may be demonstrated by: (1) completion of 202 or higher in a language; (2) a score of 620 or higher on any language SAT II subject test; (3) a score of 4 or higher on any language AP Exam or on any Language and Literature AP Exam (including the Latin Vergil AP Exam); (4) a score of 5 or higher on any group 2 (second language) higher-level IB Exam; (5) a passing score on the University of Mary Washington language competency exam; or (6) submitting pertinent documents which verify that a student has had a high school education conducted in a language other than English or has lived extensively in and become fluent in the language of a non-English-speaking country.