Spanish Advanced Placement and Credit
Info about AP credit from Registrar
Introduction
The Spanish placement exam has been designed by the Spanish Section of the Department of Romance Languages, St. Olaf College, to help place students into the appropriate level of language study.
Components of the exam
The Spanish placement exam is a multiple choice exam made up of the following sections:
a. Grammar and Sentence / Dialogue Completion
This section of the exam focuses on structures such as present, preterite, imperfect, present subjunctive, future and conditional verb tenses, noun-adjective agreement, adverbs, and the use of ser and estar, saber and conocer. It also tests students' familiarity with high-frequency vocabulary and their ability to choose the appropriate word to complete a sentence or dialogue.
b. Reading Comprehension
The items in this section are drawn from authentic readings, including magazine articles and short stories.
c. Essay Questions
Based on your performance on the two sections mentioned above, you may be prompted by the computer to respond in writing to some additional essay questions.
Taking the exam
The Spanish placement exam may be easily completed in a ninety-minute period. Students must use a computer to take the exam. To access the exam, you will need to enter your name and your student ID number, provided to you by the St. Olaf Admissions Office. The deadline for taking the online Spanish placement exam off-campus is August 20, 2007. Students unable to access the placement exam online during the summer will be able to take it on campus. Computers will be available at St. Olaf in Rolvaag Library and in the World Languages Center computer facility located in Rolvaag Library level 1.
Questions?
General questions related to the Spanish placement exam may be directed to the following e-mail address: spanish-placement@stolaf.edu.
Only after students arrive on campus, specific questions regarding individual placement results should be directed to Professor Sylvia G. Carullo (Old Main 22D).
A special note for transfer students
Transfer students planning to major in Spanish should bring materials (syllabi, papers, exams, etc.) from previous college-level Spanish classes to campus, and should arrange to meet with the Chair of the Department of Romance Languages before registering for classes.
The Honor Code for St. Olaf College is as follows:
"The Honor Code at St. Olaf College is an agreement between the faculty and the students. The faculty agrees to leave the responsibility for proper and honest conduct during written examinations in the hands of the students. The students in turn agree to accept this responsibility. As an indication of such proper and honest conduct the students shall sign the following pledge:
I pledge my honor that during this examination I have neither given nor received assistance, and that I have seen no dishonest work. (signature)
I have intentionally not signed this pledge. (Check only if appropriate)
Failure to sign this pledge shall indicate that in the student's opinion the system was violated during the examination." (St. Olaf Honor System Constitution)
Link to official honor code
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find a series of frequently asked questions about the Spanish placement exam and answers.
Q. I would like to continue practicing Spanish during the summer. What do you suggest?
A. The Spanish Placement webpage provides you with information about and links to books, magazines, radio programs, grammar exercises, dictionaries and other resources.
Q. I have placed in a particular course but I think I can do much better in a different level. What can I do?
A. If you have concerns about your level, please register for the recommended course. Inform your instructor of your concerns, but attend the class for which you have registered for an entire week. After a week of class, you and your instructor, in consultation with the Chair of the department, will make a final decision about the appropriate level for you.
Q. I have studied Spanish before but now I am interested in learning another language. Do I have to take the Spanish Placement exam anyway?
A. Yes. Any incoming student with formal previous experience in, or formally developed knowledge of the Spanish language, must take the Spanish placement exam during the summer, independent of his/her intentions to study Spanish at St. Olaf.
Q. I am interested in taking the Spanish Proficiency exam. What should I do?
A. Any student who has taken the Spanish placement exam and has placed into Spanish 251 can take the proficiency exam. It is offered the first Saturday of the fall and spring semesters. Students interested in taking the proficiency exam should sign up in Old Main 13.
Q. I love Spanish! I want to be able to practice it outside of class once I arrive at St. Olaf. What do you suggest?
A. You're invited to participate in the Spanish Conversation Table that meets every Tuesday, 5:00-6:30 pm, in the Trollhaugen dining room, Buntrock Commons. You can also watch the news, videotapes, or Univisión live in the World Languages Center in Rolvaag Library level 1. Additionally, students are invited to attend cultural events organized by the Spanish House, Hispanic Studies, or Presente.
Q. I am interested in study abroad programs to immerse myself in the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. What programs does St. Olaf offer?
A. The Spanish Section of the Department of Romance Languages offers interim programs in Ecuador and Costa Rica. In addition, there are semester and year-long programs in each of these countries. Information about all programs overseas is available at the International Studies and Off-Campus Programs Office in Steensland Hall.
