Learn how to get placed into your first French course at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
What is your most recent level of foreign language study?
One to two levels of high school language study
Students with 1-2 levels of high school language study do not need to take a placement test. Determine your placement in a first-year course using this table:
| High School Study | French Course |
|---|---|
| 0-1 levels | FREN 1001 |
| 2 levels with break | FREN 1001 |
| 2 levels with no break (i.e., junior and senior year language study) | FREN 1022 |
If you have had more than three months of foreign study in a formal language-learning program (e.g., an exchange program) or you speak the foreign language at home, your placement may have to be adjusted. See the section on foreign study/foreign language at home below.
Three levels of high school language study
Students with 3 or more levels of high school language study should attempt the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) to place into a second-year course (1003-1004).
The EPT is a three-hour online test consisting of three sections: reading, listening, and writing. You do not need to take all 3 sections in one sitting, but you must set aside one hour for each section.
If you score a high pass on the EPT, you feel your language skills are very strong, and you are interested in starting your language study at the University of Minnesota in a third-year course (3015) instead of a second-year course (1003-1004), you should take the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE).
Students who pass the LPE prior to completing any French coursework at the University of Minnesota fulfill the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Second Language Requirement and may register for a third year course. Students who are successful on the LPE normally have perfect or near-perfect scores on the EPT and find the EPT to be easy.
College in the Schools (CIS)
Students who have completed French through the University of Minnesota College in the Schools (CIS) program will continue the course sequence.
If you completed CIS FREN 1003, you should take FREN 1004. You do not need to take a placement test. For information on taking the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE) after FREN 1003, learn more about the LPE Screening Test.
Note: Students who pass the LPE after completing FREN 1003 fulfill the Second Language Requirement; however if you wish to continue on to advanced classes, you must complete FREN 1004. You may not skip from 1003 to 3015.
If you completed CIS FREN 1004 and wish to take more French classes, you may continue on to FREN 3015. If you completed FREN 1004 with a grade of C- or better, you have fulfilled the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Second Language Requirement. You are not required to complete the LPE in order to enroll in FREN 3015.
College-level instruction
Students with previous college-level instruction at another college or university should consult their previous transcripts and speak with their adviser to determine which course in the sequence of language courses they completed. Find the most recent language course on this chart to determine the appropriate test for placement.
| Most Recent College Course | Test to Take |
|---|---|
| First semester (70 - 75 hours) | No test required; Register for FREN 1002 |
| Second semester (140 - 150 hours) | Attempt EPT |
| Third semester (210 - 225 hours) | Attempt EPT |
| Fourth semester (280 - 300 hours)* | Attempt LPE |
*Students completing a fourth-semester course at another college or university should consult with their adviser to determine if the course fulfills the Second Language Requirement. If the course fulfills the language requirement, then the LPE is needed only if the student wants to continue on to 3015.
A semester of language instruction at the University of Minnesota consists of 70 - 75 class hours. If your semester course offered less than 70 hours, adjust your placement procedure to a lower level regardless of the actual number of semesters you completed.
Note: Students are strongly advised against attempting the LPE if they do not have the suggested amount of college-level instruction or its equivalent, or if this instruction is not in the very recent past. Students may attempt the LPE only one time prior to taking 1004 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Students who pass the EPT will be placed in a second-year course (FREN 1003-1004).
Students who pass the LPE will have fulfilled their Second Language Requirement for the College of Liberal Arts and may register for a third-year language course (3000-level). Students who fail the LPE should contact the CLA Language Testing Program for more information.
Students who have studied the language abroad or use it at home
If you are interested in taking a second-year course (1003-1004), you must take and pass the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT).
If you are interested in taking a third-year course (3000-level), you must take and pass the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE).
If you want to start your language study in a first-year course (1001-1002, 1022), you do not need a placement test. See the course descriptions below for information on first-year courses.
French Course Descriptions
First semester: starts beginning-level language instruction; does not require prior language study or a placement test.
Second semester: continues beginning-level language instruction; presumes competence with vocabulary, topics, and structures taught in 1001.
First-year review: designed for students with rudimentary language skills who do not need a full semester of 1001 but are not ready to start in 1002; covers all 1002 materials and also provides an intensive review of structures taught in 1001.
Third semester: starts intermediate-level language instruction; students must pass either 1002, 1022, or the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) to register for 1003.
Fourth semester: completes the intermediate-level language instruction which began in 1003; students must pass 1003 or the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) to register for 1004. Passing this course with a C- or better (or S) fulfills the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Second Language Requirement.