Frequently Asked Questions
Most students will need to take one of the World Language Placement Exams. For more information, please visit the Placement Exam webpage, or email Professor Therese Augst, German Section Head, at taugst@lclark.edu.
You are encouraged to take the exam by July 15, 2021
You need to create your LC email account at Account Management.
There are 100 multiple-choice items and 4 sentences to be translated. You have 100 minutes to complete the test. You may NOT stop and return to the test once you have started.
Yes. It is highly recommended to take the exam as early as possible. Knowing your current level will help you plan your registrations. Your placement will expire after one year unless you place out of the world language requirement. However, if you take the exam during the summer or NSO, your placement will still be valid this spring when registering for a fall German course.
No. Because the exam is unproctored, all students who place into 202 or higher are required to confirm their placement by speaking with a German professor or taking a proctored exam on campus. Once you have confirmed your placement, you may register for an upper level course. Rest assured that there will be enough space in the upper level courses, as all incoming students will have to wait until NSO to register for these courses too.
No. The German Placement Exam can only be taken once per academic year. You may not take it multiple times to improve your level. Instead, please contact the German Section Head at taugst@lclark.edu to schedule an oral interview. This will more accurately determine your appropriate level.
No. The German Placement Exam is not intended to be a challenge test. You may not take the exam if you are enrolled in or have already taken a German course at Lewis & Clark College. If you are in a course and feel that it is not the appropriate level for you, discuss this with your professor or German Section Head Therese Augst.
Maybe. Meet with the German Section Head to determine how much experience you have gained and whether your current proficiency puts you at another level. You may be asked to retake the placement exam.
German Studies Program is located in Miller Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 30
voice 503-768-7420
fax 503-768-7434
Section Head Therese Augst
German Studies Program
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 30
Portland OR 97219